![“We are excited to announce the [Decatur] location of our second inland rail facility in Alabama, furthering our dedication to advancing logistics infrastructure in the region,” Alabama Port Authority Director and CEO John Driscoll said Feb. 7. (Alabama Port Authority Photograph)](https://www.old.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/apa-315x168.png)
Alabama Port Authority, CSX to Launch Decatur Rail Facility
The Alabama Port Authority and CSX on Feb. 7 reported partnering to establish a North Alabama intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF) in Decatur.
news
NTSB to Hold Final Public Meeting on East Palestine Derailment
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Feb. 7 announced that it will return to East Palestine, Ohio, on June 25 for its final board meeting on the 2023 train derailment and subsequent hazardous material release and fires.
Fernandez to Retire as FTA Administrator (UPDATED, 2/12)
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Feb. 7 announced that Administrator Nuria Fernandez will retire, effective Feb. 24. FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool will serve as Acting Administrator.
Commentary
ASLRRA President Chuck Baker Marks Five Years at the Association’s Helm
Chuck Baker assumed the role of president at ASLRRA five years ago this winter. This week, the Association asks Baker to reflect on the past half-decade and where he sees the industry going.
25 Under 40: Part 3 of 4
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Railway Age is proud to recognize 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2024.
Duos Granted AI Patent
Duos Technologies Group, Inc., through its operating subsidiary Duos Technologies, Inc., has been awarded a U.S. patent, Use of Artificial Intelligence to Detect Defects in Trains and Method to Use. The company
FRA Reviews GC, HOG Petition to Pilot Parallel Systems Technology (Updated)
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has conducted a preliminary review of a request submitted on Aug. 10, 2023, by Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) subsidiaries Georgia Central Railway, L.P. (GC) and Heart
FRA Requiring BNGR to Discontinue Operation
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an emergency order requiring Blackwell Northern Gateway Railroad (BNGR), a Class III railroad headquartered in Blackwell, Okla., to “discontinue operation of all trains, locomotives and any other on-track rail vehicles or equipment under any circumstances,” stating that the short line is operating with “a complete disregard for the safety of the public.”
AAR: ‘January Not Necessarily a Harbinger of What’s to Come’
“In January, severe winter weather significantly disrupted railroad and rail customer operations in much of the country,” said Association of American Railroads (AAR) economist Dan Keen. “Moreover, uncertainty remains in the economy, especially in sectors that are important to railroads, like manufacturing. Because of these factors, January is not necessarily a harbinger of what’s to come for rail traffic in the months ahead.”
Shawn Wilson Joins WSP
Shawn Wilson, former Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (2016-23), has signed on as National Agency Coordination Leader for Transportation and Infrastructure at WSP, an engineering, environment and professional services consultancy.
Muni: Ridership Up 25% in 2023
Municipal Railway (Muni) public transit registered 433,000 riders in 2023, a 25% increase over 2022, according to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
BNSF Forms Public Infrastructure and Investments Team
BNSF on Feb. 6 reported that it is partnering with local communities and public agencies to advance safety infrastructure projects across its 28-state network through its newly assembled Public Infrastructure and Investments
Force Control
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Nearly 140 years after the first patent was issued, draft gears and cushioning devices remain as fundamental to railroading as steel wheels rolling on steel rails. Few
25 Under 40: Part 2 of 4
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Railway Age is proud to recognize 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2024.
BMWED Finalizes Agreement with Belt Railway of Chicago; NS, ADTA Partner to Improve Quality-of-Life
Members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Dvision’s (BMWED) Unified System Federation have finalized a paid sick leave agreement with The Belt Railway Co. of Chicago.
Koziol Appointed as West-East Rail Director
Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kimberley Driscoll and Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt on Feb. 6 announced that they will be appointing Andy Koziol as Director of West-East Rail, which would extend passenger rail service from Boston to Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield.
Commentary
Union Pacific Special Agent Castaneda Protects and Serves in Eagle Pass
At the start of every workday – typically around 5 a.m. – Union Pacific Senior Special Agent Danny Castaneda packs up his gear and heads to work in Eagle Pass, Texas, with his partner, a K-9 named Saar, in tow.
Kiewit/J.F. Shea JV Lands Amtrak Frederick Douglass Tunnel Contract
Amtrak has awarded a Kiewit/J.F. Shea Joint Venture to build the new, $6 billion Frederick Douglass Tunnel, which will serve electrified Amtrak and MARC commuter trains. Construction scheduled to begin in 2026;
Transit Briefs: TTC, MBTA, TriMet
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) joins Ontario’s One Fare Program. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) advances South Coast commuter rail project; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) begins decommissioning its Type 1 light rail vehicles.
NS: $1B Infrastructure Improvements in 2023
Norfolk Southern—like much of the industry, battling a misinformation campaign by rail union leadership aided and abetted by the U.S. Transportation Secretary and Federal Railroad Administrator, and reportedly in the gunsights of