Commentary

Gateway chess game stalls Batory FRA confirmation

Confirmation of career-railroader Ronald L. Batory as Federal Railroad Administrator has been delayed by New Jersey and New York’s Senate delegation—Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Kirsten Gillibrand ((D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.)—over what they say is concern that the federal government will not provide funding for the Gateway Project.

EEOC sues CSX over sex discrimination

CSX’s situation continues to get tougher. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Aug. 2 filed a lawsuit against the railroad, claiming that it has been discriminating against women by using a physical strength test to determine employment eligibility.

Staff, board appointments at NYMTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) has a new President and Managing Director, as well as three new board members.

Robey 2017 NEARS Transportation Person of the Year

The North East Association of Rail Shippers (NEARS) has named North Shore Railroad Co. Chairman Emeritus Richard Robey as Transportation Person of the Year. Robey will be honored at the Association’s Fall Conference, Sept. 26-28, in Pittsburgh.

First ES43ACmi bound for India

GE Transportation has completed the first of 1,000 ES43ACmi broad-gauge diesel-electric locomotives for Indian Railways as part of a $2.5 billion order. The Evolution Series locomotive, Indian Railways class WDG4G, sports the railroad’s new paint scheme, a distinctive red and yellow pattern holding special meaning in India, with red and yellow representing “energy” and “freshness,” respectively.

Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

UPDATE: CSX train derails, spills hazmat in western Pennsylvania

Thirty-two cars of a 178-car, 18,000-plus-ton CSX freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed early Wednesday, Aug. 2, in the small town of Hyndman (Bedford County), Pa., setting railcars and a garage on fire and prompting emergency officials to evacuate hundreds of nearby residents. No injuries were reported.

Lat-Lon: Forget cell phone service charges

Lat-Lon has eliminated the monthly cellular service charge on the newest version of its Solar Tracking Unit by replacing the standard cellular modem with a LoRa (Long Range Radio) data modem.

FTA NPRM promotes transit P3s

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Private Investment Project Procedures (PIPP), “to facilitate public-private partnerships for public transportation capital projects that will help the federal government develop more-effective approaches to spurring private participation and investment in areas such as project planning, development, finance, design, construction, maintenance and operations.”

CSX shippers look to NS, trucks: Cowen report

More than 80% of respondents to a CSX Service Quality survey issued by Cowen and Company say they have experienced service issues since the company initiated President and CEO Hunter Harrison’s Precision Railroading. According to Cowen Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason Seidl, “nearly 40% [of respondents] have switched some freight to Norfolk Southern, and 67% have transferred freight to a trucker.”

LOAD MORE