The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on May 7 filed comments with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that call for the U.S. Department of Transportation “to take the same supportive regulatory approach with railroads that it has with automation of trucks and cars.”
Continuing a four-year trend, VIA Rail Canada posted strong ridership and revenues in 2017, carrying 4.4 million passengers, an increase of 10.5% over 2016 (the largest year-over-year growth in the past decade), with revenues of C$365.7 million, a 12.8% increase over 2016.
As of May 7, 2018, there were 306,500 railcars in storage, and their numbers should drop below 300,000 before the third quarter, “a level that historically correlates with better railcar orders,” according
Cowen and Company Equity Research Analyst Matt Elkott, who covers the railway supply sector, on May 4 issued a report that looks favorably upon two potential combinations: Trinity and GATX, and Wabtec and GE Transportation.
Alstom’s Coradia iLint, the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell powered regional passenger train, has won the 2018 GreenTec Award in the Mobility category by Germany-based Schaeffler Group Industrial, a manufacturer of machinery, power transmission and railway, heavy industry and consumer products with facilities around the world.
Following a weak start in commodity movements in the first two months of 2018, demand for freight cars has remained steady, according to the most recent analysis from Economic Planning Associates—and it’s going to improve significantly over the next four years.
RATP Dev USA has launched Orbyt, described as “an innovative technology platform that keeps passengers in motion, adapting to the different demands and disruption of the transit industry.”
The fourteenth group of North American railroaders, representing Class I, II and III railroads, the U.S. military and major industry suppliers from the U.S., Canada and Mexico, on April 16 began work in Michigan State University’s Railway Management Certificate program.
HNTB served as construction management consultant for the Charlotte Area Transit System’s LYNX Blue Line Extension. All photos by David Murphy, courtesy of HNTB.
Union Pacific is partnering with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District to repower 10 low-horsepower diesel-electric locomotives into new EPA Tier 4-compliant switchers.