AAR: U.S. freight traffic gains continue
U.S. freight carload volume rose 0.5% for the week ending Nov. 12, 2011, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday. U.S. intermodal volume advanced 5.2% for the week, measured against the comparable
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Bombardier lands airport DBOM order
Bombardier Transportation said Thursday it has signed a contract to install an new INNOVIA APM 300 automated people mover (APM) system at Munich Airport in Germany. The contract, signed with Terminal 2
Rink named new GM at PATCO
The bistate Delaware River Port Authority board Wednesday named John D. Rink as the new general manager of PATCO, the rapid transit line linking Philadelphia with its New Jersey suburbs. Rink succeeds
Russian Railways: 6,000-mile container run
Russian Railways (RZD) Thursday said that the company, through its subsidiary Transcontainer, has organized for a demonstration container freight train to travel along the route between Nahodka-Vostochnaya (in the port city of
Deep cost-cutting is key to NYMTA budgets
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has released its Final Proposed Budget for 2012 as well as an updated four-year Financial Plan.
HDR hired by PANY&NJ to rehab yard
The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PA) has hired HDR, Inc. to rehabilitate the Greenville Yard in Jersey City, N.J., to improve ongoing rail-to-barge-to-rail freight movements across New York
STB ranks high as federal workplace
For the third consecutive year, the Partnership for Public ranked the Surface Transportation Board No. 1 on its Best Places to Work list among federal agencies with fewer than 2,000 workers. The
Amtrak funding nearly set for FY12
Given previous years in its existence where “zero funding” was a mantra for its critics, Amtrak may do better than expected in its federal fiscal year 2012 budget, reported out of conference
GE Transportation to acquire RMI
GE Transportation said Wednesday its intends to acquire transportation software provider RMI from global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group. Pending regulatory approval anticipated early next year, this acquisition expands GE Transportation’s
Cincinnati eyes TIGER funds for streetcar
Supporters of Cincinnati’s streetcar proposal, coming off an Election Day victory fending off the proposal’s opponents, reportedly now hope to obtain $56 million in federal funds to restore the full original scope of the project.
Bellevue, Wash., in accord on LRT route
The Bellevue, Wash., City Council Monday night unanimously approved an agreement with Sound Transit for a light rail line that included tunnels through its downtown, including accord on financing for the more costly infrastructure.
Quebec City-Windsor HSR study released
The Government of Canada, along with the provincial governments of Quebec andOntario, on Monday released the final report of the high speed rail study for the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. The cautious conclusion:
Class I
The Association of American Railroads Tuesday noted the freight railroad industry has been recognized for the seventh consecutive year by G.I. Jobs magazine, a career guide for military job-seekers, for the industry’s
STB initiates streamlined procedure
The Surface Transportation Board announced Monday that, beginning Dec. 15 ,it will implement a “grant stamp” procedure for “routine, unopposed decisions” issued by the Director of the Board’s Office of Proceedings. STB
NYCT riders face overnight line closures
To ease track maintenance on a system that operates 24/7 and to make it safer for workers, MTA New York City Transit in January will launch a pilot Segment Closure Program that
Bill Sneed, 1926-2011
Bill Sneed, a longtime employee with The Rails Co., died Nov. 3, 2011 at his home in Naperville, Ill., at age 85. “His constant smile and many jokes, not to mention his
Joseph Lhota begins work at New York MTA
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Monday officially named Joseph J. Lhota its new executive director, effective immediately. Lhota, nominated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo Oct. 20 to serve as MTA’s chairman and CEO,
Thermo King offers two new products
Thermo King said Monday it is introducing two new products, the Heat King 430 series for rail, truck, and trailer, and the Auto Fresh Air Exchange for SB-RR refrigeration units for rail,
Amtrak: NEC rider market keeps growing
Amtrak now holds 73% of the combined New York-Washington air-rail travel market, according to Drew Galloway, Amtrak assistant vice president for Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Investment Development. Amtrak also now commands 93%
UTU merger back on track?
A message from United Transportation Union International President Mike Futhey, dated Nov. 10 and posted on UTU’s website, suggests the UTU is once more exploring a merger with the Sheet Metal Workers