CKIN, NIRD Seek to Merge
Gulf & Atlantic Railways, LLC (G&AR) on Feb. 20 submitted a verified notice of exemption to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for the benefit of Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, LLC (CKIN) and
news
Ancora Accelerates NS Takeover Attempt (Updated)
Ohio-based Ancora Holdings Group LLC, with affiliates and other participants—collectively called the “Investor Group”—on Feb. 20 launched a formal takeover attempt of Norfolk Southern, announcing eight prospective board members, a new CEO
New Rail Transit Line for Eastern Montreal?
There will probably be a new rail transit line coming to the eastern part of Montreal, but it is years off. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) recently reported that the Autorité régionale
Transit Briefs: MARTA, Minn. Met Council, Brightline/FEC, HRT, SEPTA, Sound Transit, TRE
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) contracts INIT to implement a new fare collection system in time for the FIFA World Cup. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council transit ridership grows 16%; Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) horns will continue in Indian River as County Commission nixes quiet zones; Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) receives Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) receives $317 million for new Market-Frankford Line cars; Sound Transit’s new app is now available for download; and Trinity Rail Express (TRE) is now making stops at a new station in Fort Worth, Texas.
CN, CPKC File Notices of Dispute in Negotiations With TCRC
CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) on Feb. 16 filed separate Notices of Dispute in their negotiations with the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC). The notices ask the Federal Mediation and
Commentary
Gulf Coast Grill on STB Barbecue (Updated with Full Transcript)
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) held another hearing Feb. 14 about the slow pace of getting two Amtrak Gulf Coast Service passenger trains in each direction running between New Orleans and Mobile.
CSX Launches Chatbot Feature to Streamline Real Estate Inquiries
CSX announced Feb. 16 that it has launched an innovative copilot chatbot feature on the Real Estate section of its official website, designed to assist customers with inquiries related to utility permits.
Supply Side: Brookville, L.B. Foster
Brookville Equipment Corporation earns ISO 9001:2015 standard compliance certification. Also, L.B. Foster Company rebrands and unveils a new global website.
NS’s 2024 ‘Opportunity Pipeline’
Pipelines can flow freely. They can have blockages. And they can leak. For railroads, those three conditions usually mean, respectively, a network with good velocity, or one experiencing service disruptions and losing
Transit Briefs: TriMet, Sound Transit, UTA, CTDOT
Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) readies for phase two completion of its “A Better Red” MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project. Also, Sound Transit announces the Link 2 Line launch date for service between South Bellevue and Redmond, Wash.; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ReConnect program helps “keep people moving” during unplanned service interruptions; and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) renews the Transit app premium subscription for public transportation riders statewide.
Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP
BNSF recognizes work teams with Safety Bells. Also, Union Pacific (UP) teams up with Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) and the Victoria Police Department for a Railroad Investigation and Safety Course.
Report: NYMTA Suspends Contracts for Transit Upgrades as Congestion Pricing Lawsuits Loom
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has suspended the issuing of new construction contracts for major transit upgrades, “as lawsuits that seek to block congestion pricing work their way through the
NS: First Class I to Participate in FRA C3RS (UPDATED 2/16)
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Feb. 15 formally signed an agreement with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers–Transportation Division
BLET: Ballots in the Mail to Union Members at Three Short Lines
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) recently announced that a contract ratification vote is under way for tentative agreements with Utah Railway and Missouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (M&NA), as well as Berkshire & Eastern Railroad (B&E), for which the union has reached a tentative contract with.
CSX Adds RF&P to Heritage Fleet (UPDATED, 2/16)
CSX recently revealed its latest heritage locomotive—a tribute to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad (RF&P)—fresh out of the Class I railroad’s paint shop in Waycross, Ga.
Sanimax, UP Reach Settlement; STB Dismisses Case (UPDATED 2/16)
Sanimax USA LLC and Union Pacific (UP) on Feb. 12 told the Surface Transportation Board (STB) they have settled their dispute and jointly requested that Sanimax’s common carrier complaint be dismissed with prejudice and the proceeding be dropped. STB on Feb. 15 approved.
More GT38ACs for Indonesia
PT Kereta Indonesia (PT KAI) has awarded a contract to Progress Rail, a Caterpillar Company, for 54 EMD® GT38AC freight locomotives for service in South Sumatra, Indonesia, expanding the national railway’s existing
January Volumes Up at Ports of LA, Long Beach
Trade moving through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach rose in January as retailers stocked up ahead of the Lunar New Year, when east Asian factories typically close for up to two weeks.
Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Amtrak, CHSRA
Sound Transit’s Link 2 Line gets closer to opening on the Eastside. Also, Amtrak completes upgrades at Selma-Smithfield Union Depot; and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) takes home a national honor for the award-winning student engagement “I Will Ride” program.
People News: Burns Engineering, MARTA, Valley Metro
Burns Engineering announces promotions for Senior Vice President Tony Koltuv, PMP; Vice President Clay Payne, PE; and Vice President Ryan Breier. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) adds experienced government relations professionals to Office of External Affairs; and Valley Metro names new Capital Development Chief.