Strato earns 22nd TTX SECO award

For the 22nd consecutive year, Strato, Inc. has received TTX Company’s SECO (Supplier Evaluation Committee) Award. The 2017 SECO award placing Strato in the category of top companies earning the TTX Excellent Supplier designation.

Positive (steam) Train Control

The Emery Rail Heritage Trust has awarded $60,000 in grants to Friends of the 261 and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (FWRHS) to fund Positive Train Control (PTC) on two historic steam locomotives: Milwaukee Road 261 and Nickel Plate Road 765. Each organization will receive $30,000 to launch individual fundraising efforts to cover the estimated $120,000 cost per locomotive for PTC implementation.

Brightline riders: Need a Lyft?

Lyft has been named the exclusive rideshare partner of Brightline. The partnership is the first-of-its-kind for Lyft in Florida and will launch Saturday, May 19, to coincide with the start of Brightline service to Miami.

First LIRR M-9 cars arrive from TTCI testing

MTA Long Island Rail Road has taken delivery on the first set of M-9 EMU (electric multiple-unit) married-pair commuter railcars from Kawasaki Rail Car USA, following testing at TTCI in Pueblo, Colo.

FRA: We’ve got PTC funds available. Act now!

The Federal Railroad Administration on May 15 issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $250 million in Positive Train Control (PTC) Systems Grants.

AAR’s Hamberger looks to a successor

Association of American Railroads President and Chief Executive Officer Edward R. Hamberger today (May 16) announced that he will be retiring in early 2019, following a transition period.

Improving rail maintenance strategies

Since up to 25% of annual railroad budgets are dedicated to maintenance-of-way, rail operators know that “optimal network system performance is dependent upon effective use of accurate, consolidated and up-to-date asset information,” says Bentley Solutions Executive-Rail and Transit Andrew Smith, host of a webinar on “the challenges that exist in managing rail information.”

Achieving and maintaining a state of good transit repair

Ensuring that rail and transit systems are maintained in a state of good repair (SGR) “is critical to providing efficient, reliable, and safe service,” says Bentley Solutions Executive-Rail and Transit Andrew Smith, host of a webinar on “well-maintained, reliable transit infrastructure—track, signal systems, bridges, tunnels, vehicles and stations.”

NJT (not a national disgrace) makes Forbes A-list

New Jersey Transit, which not so long ago was called a “national disgrace” by then-Governor-elect Phil Murphy, has been named to the Forbes annual America’s Best Employers 2018 list. So much for politicians.

Commentary

Bombardier turning a corner

The past few years have admittedly been tough for Bombardier Transportation in North America. Changing dynamics—in particular, China’s entrance into the vehicle market—combined with delivery and quality problems and highly public squabbles with key Canadian and U.S. customers—have impacted the company’s business as well as its reputation. Now, however, Bombardier’s fortunes appear to be turning around.

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