MARS announces Winter Meeting 2017

The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) announces its 248th regular meeting will be held at the Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort during January 10 – 12, 2017.

Pittsburghers, Amtrak, NS and PennDOT

“I think it’s one of the first times that Amtrak, PennDOT and Norfolk Southern were all at the same table answering questions from legislators on this issue,” says Lucinda Beattie, Vice President of Transportation for the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, a business advocacy group focused on the revitalization of Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gotthard Base Tunnel set to open

Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 is the opening of one of the world’s engineering marvels: the Gotthard Base Tunnel under the Swiss Alps, the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel.

CAGTC to Trump: 7 freight actions to begin term

The Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors (CAGTC) released on Dec. 8 its letter to President-elect Trump.

Road & Rail wins Mosaic Platinum Safety Award

Road & Rail Services, Inc., announced Dec. 8 that it was awarded the 2015 Mosaic Platinum Safety Award, recognizing its excellence in safety leadership and performance for its operations in Bone Valley, Florida by fertilizer producer, Mosaic Co.

Aguilar named Texas Central CEO

The board of directors of Texas Central Partners, LLC (Texas Central), the private firm attempting to build a high-speed train connecting North Texas, the Brazos Valley and Houston, has named Carlos F. Aguilar as CEO. Former CEO Tim Keith becomes President.

STB’s Begeman confirmed to second term

President Obama on Dec. 7 nominated Ann Begeman to another five-year term on the Surface Transportation Board. She was approved by voice vote in an Executive Session of the Senate Commerce Committee within hours of Obama’s nomination reaching the Committee, and then quickly confirmed by the full Senate on Dec. 9.

GAO pricing study addresses contract vs. tariff rates

The U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) has released a study, “Freight Rail Pricing,” which suggests that rail shippers are amenable to longer-term contracts but wary of pricing.

O-Train Confederation Line testing under way

Ottawa’s O-Train Confederation Line LRT project attained a major milestone on Dec. 2 as the first of 34 Alstom Citadis Spirit LRVs began testing on the line segment between Blair and Cyrville stations, during a ceremonial launch.

Rail labor seeking mediation

Contract talks between U.S. Class I railroad and the Coordinated Bargaining Group (CBG), which represents six unions, have stalled, and the CBG on Dec. 5 applied to the National Mediation Board (NMB) for the assignment of a federal mediator.

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