BNSF sets $3.9 billion capex for 2012
BNSF Railway Co. on Wednesday announced a planned 2012 capital commitment program of approximately $3.9 billion, up $400 million, or about 11.4%, from its 2011 capital spend of $3.5 billion.
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Toronto bickers—and builds
As Daffy Duck might plead: Who’s in charge here?
Bigger trucks: House T&I just doesn’t get it
Here we go again. A “friendly” GOP House committee chairman has introduced legislation that would reauthorize the expired surface transportation program. Without benefit of any hearings, the bill introduced by Rep. John
Freight car market continues upward climb
Freight car builders and component suppliers have good reason to look at 2012 and beyond with renewed optimism and real confidence. That’s because, according to the most recent figures released by Economic Planning Associates, carbuilders received orders for no fewer than 89,073 cars and intermodal platforms, the highest annual level since EPA began tracking the market in 1980.
APTA cheers action on transport bill
Though conflicting concepts on the future of U.S. ground transportation are part of the process, the American Public Transportation Association is encouraged by action by both houses of Congress to renew federal surface transportation funding, APTA said Tuesday.
AAR: Big truck threat looms again
Legislation designed to fix the nation’s crumbling transportation infrastructure will actually accelerate road and bridge damage and trigger an increase in taxpayer subsidies to the trucking industry, the Association of American Railroads said Tuesday, pointing to language in a House bill that allows for 20% heavier trucks and triple trailers.
New crossover for The Tide in Norfolk
Hampton Roads Transit will add a new crossover on The Tide light rail transit system. To facilitate construction this weekend, LRT service will be suspended between Harbor Park and EVMC/Ft. Norfolk stations during construction the weekend of Feb. 4-5.
Next LRT proposal surfaces in Florida
Florida’s Pinellas County Project Advisory Committee on Monday formally adopted a proposal to build 24 miles of light rail transit linking St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, and Gateway.
Basel taps Bombardier for 60 FLEXITY trams
Bombardier Transportation said Tuesday it will deliver up to 60 FLEXITY trams to Basel, Switzerland’s Transport Authority (BVB). Bombardier notes it is the largest order placed by BVB in the agency’s 116-year history. The contract is worth roughly $241 million.
FTA nudges Milwaukee streetcar project forward
The Federal Transit Administration Monday gave the city of Milwaukee environmental approval for an initial streetcar line. City Engineer Jeff Polenske said FTA had issued a “finding of no significant impact” (FONSI) for the proposed route.
Class I’s to boost investment, hiring
The Association of American Railroads says the nation’s major freight railroads are projected to invest a record $13 billion in capital expenditures in 2012 to expand, upgrade, and enhance the nation’s freight rail network.
Calif. governor: Cap-and-trade to fund HSR
California Gov. Jerry Brown said Sunday the state’s 700-mile high speed rail project will cost far less than the state’s current estimate of nearly $100 billion, and also said that environmental fees paid by carbon producers will be a source of funding.
CSX, NASCAR’s Regan Smith “Play it Safe”
CSX Transportation has partnered with Furniture Row Racing and the No. 78 Chevrolet Impala driven by Regan Smith in NASCAR’s top-tier Sprint Cup Series as an associate sponsor for the 2012 season. The sponsorship program is built around CSX’s “Play it Safe” highway/railroad grade crossing and pedestrian safety campaign to urge pedestrians and motorists to exercise caution around railroad tracks.
Rail demand for Timken bearings grows
The Timken Co. Friday reported record sales of $5.2 billion for 2011, up 28% from 2010 on “strong demand from diverse industrial markets,” including the railroads., (The growing railroad market for Timken roller bearings reflects the soaring demand for freight cars.)
RSI urges action on big-truck threat
The Railway Supply Institute said Friday that the “House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is set to vote on SAFETEA-LU reauthorization legislation as early as next Thursday, February 2, and that vote could sanction “an increase in truck size and weights at state option as well as allow longer combination vehicles nationwide.”
J.B. Hunt Intermodal earnings rise
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. reported late Thursday that fourth quarter 2011 Intermodal Segment revenue increased 24% to $729 million, and operating income grew 20% to $83.9 million.
4Q freight car orders soar 51.4%, RSI says
Railroad freight car orders increased 51.4% in the fourth quarter to 16,434, compared with 10,853 car orders for the same quarter last year, according to the Railway Supply Institute. Orders in the quarter fell relative to the third quarter, which totaled 20,165 orders.
MTA revamps East Side Access timetable
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Capital Construction says it plans to reorganize its construction plan of the $7.4 billion East Side Access project, designed to give the Long Island Rail Road access to Grand Central Terminal and Manhattan’s East Side.
CP posts higher revenue, lower net income
Canadian Pacific Railway Thursday reported fourth-quarter net income of C$221 million and diluted earnings per share of C$1.30, including 22 Canadian cents per share income tax benefit. For the full year, the company reported net income of C$570 million, down from last year, and diluted earnings per share of C$3.34.
U.S. rail traffic rises again, AAR says
U.S. freight carload traffic in early 2012 rose again, up 1.6% for the week ending Jan. 21, the Association of American Railroads reported Thursday. U.S. intermodal volume moved up even more, advancing 3.0% for the week measured against the comparable week in 2011.