U.S. freight carload traffic slips
U.S. freight carload traffic fell 3.2% in the week ending July 9, measured against the comparable week in 2010, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday. U.S. intermodal volume also fell, though
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Freight rail vital to nation, industry asserts
As Railroad Day on Capitol Hill unfolded Thursday, business and labor leaders, government officials, and rail industry employees representing more than 350,000 American workers from around the country canvassed Capitol Hill in
LaHood to attend SunRail groundbreaking
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is scheduled to attend a groundbreaking ceremony next Monday, July 18, in Orlando to initiate construction of central Florida’s SunRail commuter train project. LaHood also is expected to
Report: Amtrak privatization plan is unconstitutional
This summer’s proposal by Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) to privatize Amtrak would violate the Takings Clause of the U.S. Constitution, the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service says. Though Mica’s proposal has seemed unlikely
Blog report: Seattle streetcar ridership up
Seattle Transit Blog reports ridership on the 1.3-mile Seattle South Lake Union Streetcar (SLUS) continues to grow, despite criticism that the initial segment is too short and was doomed to struggle. The blog says ridership so far this month (July 1 through 9) has topped 3,000 per weekday.
NJT advances Pennsauken Transit Center project
New Jersey Transit’s Board of Directors Wednesday approved a “second and final phase” of construction for its Pennsauken Transit Center, establishing a transfer point between the company’s Atlantic City Line passenger rail
MPL Technology introduces SpillX
MPL Technology, Inc. Wednesday introduced SpillX®, a new locomotive fueling system, to North American railroads that meets many of the 2000 AAR fueling committee’s goals for improved locomotive fueling processes. The company
Amtrak safety video wins awards
Amtrak said Wednesday a video depicting the importance of railroad safety has been recognized by two independent awards programs for creative excellence. The Amtrak film, “Cheating Death,” received two Silver Communicator Awards
KCS settles hurricane insurance claim
When Hurricane Alex made landfall in central Mexico on June 30, 2010, Kansas City Southern de Mexico experienced severe flooding and loss of revenue. Parent Kansas City Southern announced Wednesday that it
Miami port rail link construction set
Construction will begin this Friday to restore Port of Miami on-dock rail capability courtesy of the Florida East Coast Railway. The $50 million project will rehabilitate a bridge damaged and by Hurricane
Tax credit boosts crosstie market
The short line tax credit will drive small railroad crosstie purchases to an estimated 4,063,0009 in 2011 compared to 2,878,000 in 2010, according to an updated forecast by the Railway Tie Association.
Likely FY11 feat: 30 million Amtrak riders
Amtrak Tuesday said it projects 30 million riders for fiscal year 2011, ending Sept. 30, the first time it has carried such a number in its 40-year history. The national passenger railroad
William D. Middleton, 1928-2011
Noted railroad author, photographer, and historian William D. Middleton, a contributing editor to the Simmons-Boardman Publishing Corp. Rail Group publications Railway Age, Railway Track & Structures, and International Railway Journal for many
Virginia, North Carolina ponder SEHSR route
In response to public comment collected last summer, new rail alignments have been developed in two sections in Virginia of the Southeast High Speed Rail project (SEHSR). The two areas affected are
Rate of rail traffic growth slows
For the first six months of 2011, railroad carloads were up 2.7% over the corresponding period of 2010, but for the month of June carload growth was up only 0.9%, the Association
Brad Chase named head of OmniTRAX Canada
Brad Chase has been named president of OmniTRAX Canada in Winnipeg, with responsibility for overseeing operations including the Port of Churchill, North America’s only deepwater Arctic port, and the Hudson Bay Railway,
Bombardier issues Sustainable Supplier Awards
Bombardier said Monday it has recognized suppliers Hitachi and ABB with its first Bombardier Transportation Sustainable Suppliers Awards. Bombardier said the awards, to be issued annually, recognize suppliers’ accomplishments in the field
Maine grade-crossing work precedes Amtrak expansion
Maine’s largest city, Portland, hopes to upgrade numerous grade crossings this summer, in conjunction with the anticipated expansion of Amtrak Downeaster passenger rail service. The crossings, all affecting Forest Avenue, are located
Axion, Sicut form joint venture
Axion International announced that it has signed a letter of intent with Sicut Holding Ltd. to form a global joint venture for the manufacture and sale of Recycled Structural Composite (RSC) crossties
LRT or streetcar? San Antonio taps HNTB to help decide
San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit has hired HNTB Corp. as a program manager to determine plans for an urban rail line. HNTB, with an office in the city, will work as VIA’s