The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has added Ayers Electronic Systems LLC (aE) as Member Discount Program Preferred Provider for implementing Positive Train Control (PTC), including services selection, procurement, training, testing and implementation coordination.
Users from around the world of New York Air Brake’s LEADER® technology recently gathered at the company’s Train Dynamic Systems (TDS) facilities in Irving, Tex., to “discuss pertinent industry trends, share best practices and learn about advancements in the company’s robust LEADER technology and its long-term roadmap.”
Collective bargaining between most of the nation’s largest railroads, represented by the National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), and their 12 craft-specific labor unions commenced Nov. 1 with the two sides exchanging broadly defined demands in preparation for face-to-face talks to amend contracts setting wages, benefits and work rules. Some two-dozen smaller railroads also are participating.
WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE NOVEMBER 2019 ISSUE: At the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), where challenges are voluminous and time is short because the nation’s top rail safety cop serves at the pleasure of the White House occupant, Administrator Ronald L. (Ron) Batory is pedaling furiously to accomplish priorities—cardinal of which is assuring demonstrable facts overwhelm opinion.
Bombardier Transportation reported its 3Q19 financial results, and among the highlights are consolidated revenues of $3.7 billion, representing 8% organic growth, and a consolidated adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBIT of $255 million and $159 million, respectively.
Wabtec Corp. recently reported its 3Q19 results, which include earnings per diluted share of $0.48 and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.03. In addition, Wabtec noted that it generated GAAP cash from operations of $124 million for the quarter and affirmed its 2019 GAAP cash from operations guidance of about $900 million.
Illinois Railway, LLC (IR), operated by OmniTRAX, Inc., has become one of the first short line railroads to implement fully functional positive train control (PTC) and enable state-of-the-art safety on its trains.
Tech Mahindra will launch a subscription-based Positive Train Control (PTC) digital training program customized for employees of short line railroads in the U.S. for American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) members.
Editor’s Note: At an Oct. 8, 2019 presentation before the W.A.R.E.S. (Washington Area Railway Engineering Society) Annual Conference, Steve Ditmeyer, Principal of Transportation Technology and Economics, presented his vision of what he calls “NextGen Train Control,” or “What comes next after Positive Train Control.” Following are excerpts from his talk. The entire presentation can be downloaded from the link following this story. – William C. Vantuono
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership for New York City announced the second round of the Transit Tech Lab, described as “an accelerator program that allows the MTA and other public transportation agencies to explore innovative, private sector solutions to problems they face in operating the region’s subway, bus and commuter rail services.”