PTC: Is everyone on board?
The Class I’s are, and the technical cooperation, says one key participant, “is truly remarkable.”
news
Seattle’s First Hill streetcar plan inches forward
The Seattle City Council’s Transportation Committee Wednesday unanimously approved a proposed First Hill modern streetcar project, and even seeks to extend the proposed route with surplus funds if construction comes in below
Getting better with the basics
The railroad industry has a safety record that’s the envy of many other industries, yet when railroads think safety, they think continuous improvement. The most important element is a strong safety culture, supported by training and technology.
2010 REGIONAL OF THE YEAR: Northern Plains Railroad seeks diversity, takes on adversity
Whether it’s wheat or wind energy components, the 2010 Regional Railroad of the Year seeks an ever-growing customer base, come heck or (literal) high water. Perhaps more than some portions of the
Short lines in the Buffett era
Now that BNSF is no longer a public company and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, what can BNSF’s short lines expect? There are two indicators, both of which are in Warren Buffett’s 2009 Shareholder Letter (available at www.berkshirehathaway.com).
Commentary
From the Editor: American “Made in China” high speed trains?
By William C. Vantuono, Editor China is well ahead of the United States in high speed rail, with plans to invest nearly half a trillion (that’s trillion with a “t”) dollars through 2012
Class I train crew employment up 2.58% in March
In the key category of transportation (train and engine)—train operating crews—employment rose to 57,807 in March, a 2.58% increase over February. This was about double the rate of increase for all employment. That
Norfolk Southern posts solid first-quarter earnings
Norfolk Southern Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $257 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, up 45% from the $177 million, or $0.47 per diluted share, it recorded in the first quarter
Maine rail abandonment goes into mediation
The threatened abandonment of 231 miles of the Montreal,Maine & Atlantic Railway in Maine’s Aroostook and Penobscot counties is going into confidential mediation under the auspices of the Surface Transportation Board. The board said it
AAR study: Chlorine Institute’s PTC business benefits claims “overblown”
The Association of American Railroads today released “Assessment of the Commercial Benefits of Positive Train Control,” a 93-page report, in response to a Chlorine Institute petition filed with the Federal Railroad Administration last
Soy Transportation Coalition survey gives railroads “mixed grades”
Leading U.S. grain and oilseed shippers offered “mixed grades” to U.S. Class I railroads in the first annual Soy Transportation Coalition (STC) Rail Customer Satisfaction Index. The Ankeny, Iowa-based group says the
KCS 1Q revenue and earnings notch substantial gains
Kansas City Southern Tuesday reported first-quarter revenue of $436.3 million, up a solid 26% from the comparable 2009 quarter. Adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.44 in the first quarter rose from
Wabtec first-quarter earnings of $30.3 million beat Street
Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp. Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $30.3 million, or $0.63 per diluted share, compared with $32.6 million or $0.68 per diluted share for the comparable quarter in 2009.
CN income, revenue increase in first quarter
Canadian National Monday reported income of C$511 million, or C$1.08 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2010, up 21% from the comparable period in 2009. Revenue was up 6% to
N.Y. MTA seeks $1.8 billion cut in five-year capital plan
A “new focus on cost-effectiveness and efficiency” has led the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority to reduce its draft 2010-2014 Capital Program to $23.6 billion, a cut of $1.8 billion. The revised
Denton County and DART reach accord on rail access
The Denton County (Tex.) Transportation Authority has reached agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit on operating DCTA’s A-train passenger service over a portion of DART-owned rail right-of-way. Under the accord, DCTA will
South Sudan seeks to build high speed rail
South Sudan has announced plans to for high speed rail, linking Juba, Sudan, and Tororo, in neighboring Uganda. Presidential adviser and director general of the project Kostelo Garang said Phase 1 of
Caltrain: Electrification will reduce debt load
Caltrain, already eying electrification of its rail service, says such a move also will help reduce its debt load, now expected to be $47 million in 2011. Caltrain CEO Mike Scanlon says
CSX honors C.H. Robinson for environmental commitment
Logistics and transportation provider C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. said Friday it was recognized by CSX Corp. for the company’s environmental efforts, and was awarded a 2009 Environmental Award by the Class I
Drilling of Second Avenue Subway tunnel starts in May
A major expansion of New York City’s subway system is forging ahead despite operating budget shortfalls that have led to service cuts and higher fares. MTA Capital Construction President Michael Horodniceau announced Thursday that