Mario Péloquin, incoming President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada Inc.

Mario Péloquin Tapped to Lead VIA Rail

Mario Péloquin on June 12 will take over as President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada Inc., succeeding Cynthia Garneau, who in May 2022 gave up leadership after three years. Martin R.

G&AR is expanding its portfolio from two to five short lines. Among its three new acquisitions: the 15-mile Camp Chase Railroad. (Midwestern & Bluegrass Rail Photograph)

G&AR Acquires Three More Small Roads (UPDATED May 16)

Camp Chase Railroad, Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad and Vermilion Valley Railroad on May 12 were added to Gulf & Atlantic Railways’ (G&AR) short line railroad portfolio.

First Look: UTLX’s New Logo

Union Tank Car Company (UTLX) on May 15 unveiled a redesigned logo that it said incorporates a bold yellow arrow—representing an “unwavering commitment to progress”—and highlights an affiliation with the larger set

BNSF has debuted its Location One Information System that allows potential rail-served customers to identify the right site on the BNSF rail network for their business.

BNSF Wants Your Business

BNSF’s Economic Development team is making it easier for businesses to locate along the Class I railroad’s network with a new site selection tool.

“The delays and unpredictability seen in rail service are partly the result of the railroads’ embrace of precision-scheduled railroading (PSR) and its drastic reductions in workforce and assets to reduce operating ratios at the expense of service,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack told the Surface Transportation Board members.

USDA to STB: Move ‘Quickly to Strengthen Our Rail System’

“Unfortunately, while rail service has improved from its worst levels last year, it remains inadequate and unreliable for many agricultural shippers,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack told the five Surface Transportation Board (STB) members in identical letters dated May 12. “There is more work to be done.” This includes, he wrote, moving forward on open proceedings and reciprocal switching; providing clarity on the railroads’ common carrier obligation; and collecting more first-mile/last-mile (FMLM) service data.

John Dowie, Chief Commercial and Sales Officer, Pandrol (left) and Charles “Chuck” Lawson, Police Chief, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

People News: ARH, Pandrol, SEPTA

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) establishes an Advisory Board. Also, Pandrol promotes John Dowie to Chief Commercial and Sales Officer; and Charles “Chuck” Lawson transitions to Police Chief at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

(NS Photograph)

NS Issues East Palestine Progress Report

Norfolk Southern (NS) has released an update on its continuing remediation work following the Feb. 3 East Palestine, Ohio derailment. “We have committed from day one to paying for all remediation costs associated

The Expo Line was the first of three SkyTrain lines to launch. On Dec. 11, 1985, it offered eight days of free service as a showcase of Expo ’86, prior to officially starting revenue service in January 1986. Its running rails and rail pads are now being replaced. (SkyTrain/TransLink Photograph)

For Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain, C$35MM for Running Rail Replacement

The government of Canada and TransLink are each contributing C$17.498 million to replace approximately 12.6 miles (20.2 kilometers) of running rail and some 24,000 rail pads for SkyTrain’s Expo Line in metro Vancouver.

CHSRA Deputy Director Beverly Kenworthy (center) accepts the Employer of the Year award from WTS International. (Photograph Courtesy of CHSRA)

CHSRA Earns WTS Employer of the Year Award

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on May 12 reported receiving the 2023 WTS Recognition Award–Employer of the Year from the international chapter of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) for “exemplary efforts to encourage advancement of women’s careers.”

The May 11 hearing, “Getting Back on Track: Exploring Rail Supply Chain Resilience and Challenges,” was led by Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Tex.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.

For House Rail Subcommittee, an Earful on Supply Chain Improvements

The rail industry’s role in overcoming supply chain challenges was the theme of a May 11 hearing of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. It was part of what the T&I Committee called its continued “focus on ongoing supply chain challenges throughout the transportation sector, with the goal of identifying potential legislative solutions.” Among the five witnesses was American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Chuck Baker, who urged Congress members “to wield their pen with precision.”

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