Focused Technology Solutions, Inc. (a Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company) has relocated to a brand new executive office and manufacturing facility in Hackettstown, N.J. The new headquarters is described as “a cutting-edge research and development site instrumental for the company as it looks to expand and reach manufacturing goals in 2020 and beyond.”
Following a Week 47 gain attributable to timing—Thanksgiving 2018 falling one week earlier than in 2019—U.S. rail traffic fell off a cliff during Week 48—again, attributable to timing, so it’s not nearly as bad as it looks. However, all things considered, volumes for November 2019 were dismal, and the first 11 months of 2019 were nothing to write home about.
CN and Teck Resources Limited, a diversified resource company with major business units in copper, steelmaking coal, zinc and energy, on Dec. 4 announced a long-term agreement for shipping steelmaking (metallurgical) coal* from Teck’s four British Columbia operations between Kamloops and Neptune Terminals, and other West Coast ports. The agreement, which runs from April 1, 2021 until December 31, 2026, will replace Teck’s current 10-year agreement with Canadian Pacific, which expires March 31, 2021. CP, which interchanges with CN at Kamloops, will continue to serve Teck at originating mine sites.
Frauscher has founded a new, separate company, Sensonic, for its Fiber Optic Sensing (FOS) business, and rebranding itself as two technology companies “ready for the future.”
In Greek mythology, Talos was a giant bronze man who guarded the island of Crete by hurling stones at the ships of pirates and invaders. He circled Crete’s shores three times daily. In the real world of North American railroading, TALOS® is Progress Rail’s energy management system “that leverages machine learning and computing power to analyze and optimize routes, resulting in significant improvements in fuel and time.”
In the wake of an eight-day strike that seriously impacted operations, CN is revising its full-year 2019 financial outlook. The railroad said its strike recovery plan is “on track.”
Canadian Pacific moved more Canadian grain and grain products in November 2019 than any month in its history, delivering 2.74 MMT (million metric tons) and eclipsing its previous 2.66 MMT all-time record, set in October 2019.
Railway Age is now accepting entries for its fourth annual “Fast Trackers” 10 Under 40 awards, in which we will profile ten individuals under the age of 40 who have made an impact in their respective fields or within their company. Nick Little, Director of Railway Education at Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education, will judge the entries. Those that represent the “best of the best” will be featured in Railway Age’s February 2020 issue and recognized at our Railroader of the Year Dinner, March 10, 2020, at the Union League Club of Chicago.
Based on self-reported Third Quarter 2019 (Q3) PTC (Positive Train Control) Progress Reports, which were due to the Federal Railroad Administration by Oct. 31, 2019, the majority of the 42 railroads subject to the statutory implementation requirement are operating PTC systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing known as a revenue service demonstration (RSD).
Long-time short line railroad executive and state transportation professional Steve Gedney died Nov. 22, 2019. He was 76.