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(Courtesy of WMSC)

WMSC Issues Audit of Metrorail’s Emergency Management and Life Safety Programs

While Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail has made “systematic improvements” in its Emergency Management and Life Safety programs, there are “critical areas” where the rapid transit system “is not following its procedures and requirements, is not addressing equipment issues, and is not properly identifying and inspecting its life safety equipment,” according to a Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) audit released Jan. 29.

Iowa Interstate’s new hazmat-training tank car. (IAIS Photograph)

IAIS 0911 Rolls Out

Iowa Interstate (IAIS) on Jan. 29 reported completing a new hazmat-training tank car to help prepare first responders across its 580-mile network.

(Norfolk Southern Photograph)
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For NS 4Q24, ‘Solid Performance’ (Updated With TD Cowen Analysis)

“We closed 2024 with another quarter of solid performance, building on the success of quarter three,” Norfolk Southern President and CEO Mark George said in a fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial report. “Our network is running fast; our terminals are more efficient; and service metrics are steady. Our customers are noticing and rewarding us with more business.”

Integral dx builds customizable switchers in its AAR-certified locomotive facility. (Integral dx Photograph)

Integral dx Debuts Tier 4 Switchers

Montevideo, Minn.-based Integral dx, Inc. recently released a line of customizable Tier 4 switchers “in response to sold locomotive orders to the Navy, Army and Air Force,” according to the company, which

IANA: Intermodal Closes 4Q24 ‘Strong’

Total intermodal volume gained 7.5% year-over-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Intermodal Association of North America’s (IANA) latest report. While trailers dropped 6.2%, domestic container and international container originations grew 6.5% and 9.6%, respectively. For the year, total volume rose 8.5%.

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Bourque Logistics, AllTranstek Announce Merger

Rail service providers Bourque Logistics and AllTranstek announced that they will merge, combining operations to provide “a complete and unified offering to rail shoppers, railcar owners, and their railcar maintenance providers.

(Courtesy of KB Signaling)

KB Signaling Expands WSDMM

KB Signaling Inc., a Knorr-Bremse subsidiary based in Grain Valley, Mo., is launching a certified developer program to expand the capabilities of its Wayside System Data Management Module (WSDMM).

PTC/ATC is now successfully active across the nearly 400 miles of all 12 Commuter Rail lines at MBTA. (MBTA Map)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, RTA Chicago, NYMTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes Automatic Train Control (ATC) implementation on all north side Commuter Rail lines. Also, ridership across the Chicago region’s fixed-route transit system hits post-pandemic high in 2024; and New York MTA’s Grand Central Madison wins an ASCE engineering achievement award.

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 4

For the first four weeks of the year, ending Jan. 25, 2025, North American carload and intermodal traffic was up 6.8% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 22. Canada and Mexico experienced gains, while the U.S. saw a loss.

Port Saint John (Photograph Courtesy of Americold)

Cold Storage Coming to Port Saint John

Americold Realty Trust (Americold) will invest up to C$80 million to develop its first Import-Export Hub in Canada at Port Saint John. The project is said to “bring together Americold warehouse solutions

USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy was administered the oath of office by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court and was joined by his family. (USDOT Photograph)
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Duffy Sworn In at USDOT

Sean Duffy on Jan. 28 was officially sworn in as the 20th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). The oath of office was administered by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas at the U.S. Supreme Court.

STB Seeks to Fill PRAC Vacancy

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 28 issued a notice to solicit nominations for candidates to fill a vacancy on its Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC). The vacancy is for a representative from a state that provides funding for intercity passenger rail.

Commentary

The Next Frontier in Predictive, Proactive Railroading

I grew up looking up facts in encyclopedias, figuring out directions using trifold maps and listening to my music on cassette tapes. While these tools conjure up fond memories, I much prefer the ease and speed of a smartphone to navigate my life.

Wabtec: $248MM WCS ES43ACmi Order

Wabtec has landed $248 million order for Evolution Series ES43ACmi locomotives and services from Baowu & Winning joint venture Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) for rail operations on a high-grade iron ore project

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Metrolinx, Caltrain, NYMTA, Sound Transit

TransLink receives more than C$663 million in transit funding through the Canada Public Transit Fund to improve Metro Vancouver’s public transit infrastructure. Also, Metrolinx’s Hazel McCallion Line extension will bring underground rapid transit to Brampton’s downtown core; the end of 2024 shows growing Caltrain ridership; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases the results of its Fall 2024 Customers Count Survey; and Sound Transit adopts the name Pinehurst Station for the NE 130th Infill Station Project.