As many of you may know, I’m a motorsports fan. I’m pretty happy today, because the driver from my home state of New Jersey who I have been following since he entered NASCAR’s top-tier Cup series a few years ago, Martin Truex Jr., won his first championship in an exciting race at Homestead Miami Speedway on Nov. 19.
The American Public Transportation Association has appointed transit industry veteran Paul P. Skoutelas as President and CEO, effective Jan. 8, 2018. Skoutelas, currently Senior Vice President and National Director, Transit & Rail Technical Excellence Center (TEC) and National Transit and Rail Market Leader at WSP USA (formerly Parsons-Brinckerhoff), has spent his entire career in public transportation, leading transit systems in Pittsburgh (Port of Authority of Allegheny County) and Orlando (Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority/LYNX).
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors on Nov. 16 awarded a performance-based contract of up to $30 million to DB (Deutsche Bahn AG) Engineering & Consulting USA for “Early Train Operator” services to assist with planning, designing and implementing the agency’s high-speed rail program.
Amtrak reported ridership, revenue and earnings results for its Fiscal Year 2017 that despite showing mostly modest increases, nevertheless set records in several categories. The company’s fiscal year ended ended Sept. 30, 2017.
NJ Transit has issued an RFP (request for proposals) for supply of 113 bi-level EMU (electric multiple-unit) passenger cars with a bid closing date of Feb. 15, 2018. NJ Transit also plans to invite bids early in 2018 for 17 dual-power locomotives.
Strato, Inc.’s Quality Management System has been certified to ISO 9001:2015, superseding the company’s previous ISO 9001:2008 certification, and one year earlier than required.
The Delachaux Group is launching a rebranding effort aimed at bringing all its rail businesses under the Pandrol brand. The company says the move “enhances its commitment to the rail infrastructure market and comes as part of a strategic review to make the products and services more streamlined for customers and create a synergy from the combined strengths of its rail division businesses.”
There have been four rounds of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) re-negotiations, with the fifth round set for Mexico City beginning Nov. 17. According to Workingman’s Dead: NAFTA Withdrawal Risk Sector Impact, a just-released study from Cowen and Co.’s 11-member Washington Research Group, a U.S. pullout from the landmark agreement forged more than 20 years ago will likely have a significant negative impact on the freight railroad industry.
2018 will likely see a federal infrastructure bill introduced in Congress, nearly all of which will be related to transportation. If the mid-1950s process that led to the Interstate Highway System, which has been described as the largest public works project in history, is any guide to the future, what will the new bill look like?
A Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer with whom I occasionally traded greetings at crew-change time died at home in Virginia on Oct. 31. That’s not the news. The news is that Juanita Campbell was a 74-year-old grandmother who broke all stereotypes of railroad locomotive engineers.