A New Orlando-Tampa Extension for Brightline?
According to a Fox 35 Orlando news report, a bill filed Jan. 3 by State Senate Transportation Chair Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) would require the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to
news
LA Metro Selects AECOM-Led JV to Deliver VTC Planning and Environmental Study
AECOM on Jan. 4 announced that LA Metro has awarded the Vermont Transit Corridor (VTC) Planning and Environmental Study to the Vermont Corridor Partners (VCP), an AECOM-led joint venture (JV) with minority-owned small businesses Terry A. Hayes Associates Inc. (TAHA) and RAW International, Inc. (RAW).
BNSF Facilities Achieve On-Time Production, Departure Record
BNSF achieved an all-time record production performance from its Chicago-based Corwith Intermodal Terminal in 2023, as well as an all-time departure record in its Los Angeles Hobart Intermodal Facility.
Transit Briefs: Metra, Sound Transit, GCRTA
Chicago’s Metra is changing its commuter rail fare structure and closing remaining ticket windows. Also, Seattle’s Sound Transit will consider fare gates this year; and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) wins a “Healthy Worksite” award.
Mayan Train Extended to Palenque
The extension adds eight new stations to the railway on the Yucatán peninsula.
NS Issues Inaugural Climate Transition Plan
Norfolk Southern (NS) reported that its inaugural plan aimed at “reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions with a focus on transitioning to a low-carbon economy” was released Jan. 4.
Business Development News: ALCIVIA; Ara Partners/USDCF
Agricultural and energy cooperative ALCIVIA constructs a new grain terminal in Wisconsin. Private equity and infrastructure firm Ara Partners acquires a majority interest in USD Clean Fuels LLC.
People News: STB, Port of LA
Surface Transportation Board (STB) General Counsel Craig M. Keats retires after 51 years of public service. Also, the Port of Los Angeles, Calif., elevates Chris Brown to Chief Harbor Engineer, overseeing the Engineering Division.
For RBMN, Consecutive Record Years
Class II Reading & Northern, Pennsylvania’s largest privately owned railroad and four-time Railway Age Regional of the Year, in 2023 posted double-digit growth in both its freight and passenger excursion operations for
Watch: CSX Adds New York Central to the Heritage Fleet
CSX has debuted locomotive No. 1853 in New York Central colors—the eighth heritage-schemed unit to roll out of its Waycross, Ga., shop. Its number recognizes New York Central’s founding year.
STB Soliciting Nominations for Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (Updated)
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking candidates to fill 18 vacancies on its newly formed Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee (PRAC). Nominations are due by Feb. 5, 2024; candidates may nominate themselves.
Sheys Hangs His Own Shingle
After many years in practice at large law firms, Washington, D.C.-based attorney Kevin M. Sheys has launched his own firm, Rail Regulatory Law, specializing in railroad regulatory law and rail projects. Sheys
Commentary
Improving Ridership Modeling and Service Development Plans Through Better Travel Data
Using new tools to forecast ridership for better passenger rail planning.
Commentary
ZE Energy Sources for Locomotives
First, let’s look at the release of harmful substances by locomotives with onboard energy sources. The most prominent is the diesel-electric locomotive. Its electric traction motors are environmentally friendly, but its diesel
For U.S. Rail Traffic, 2023 Ends on a High Note
The fourth quarter was “the best quarter of 2023 for U.S. rail volumes on a year-over-year basis,” AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported Jan. 2. “It appears that intense rail efforts to improve service quality are paying off. Railroads are hopeful that gains in the fourth quarter will carry over into the first quarter of 2024 and beyond.”
Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Houston METRORail, MARTA, MTA (Maryland)
Amtrak seeks feedback on Chicago Union Station concourse improvements. Also, Houston (Tex.) METRORail marks 20 years of light rail service; Federal Transit Administration (FTA) completes its triennial review of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); and Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Chief Administrative Officer earns the WTS Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.
Columbus McKinnon Appoints VP, Treasurer
Kristine Moser is the new Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer at Columbus McKinnon Corp., a Charlotte, N.C.-based manufacturer of railcar maintenance and repair, locomotive control, and load securement systems, among other products for industries such as marine terminal, automotive, and utilities and power generation.
Beth Whited Featured at Next-Gen Freight Rail 2024
Beth Whited, the first female President in Union Pacific’s (UP) history, is among the featured speakers at Railway Age’s Next-Gen Freight Rail 2024 Conference, to be held March 12, 2024 at the
Intermodal Briefs: POLB, Port Bienville
The Port of Long Beach, Calif., releases a “Supply Chain Insight” interview with Paul Bingham of S&P Global Market Intelligence. Also, the state of Mississippi awards an industrial development grant to Port Bienville and Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission (HCPHC).
Commentary
Sen. Herb Kohl, 1935-2023, Rail Shipper Advocate
Aside from being a successful entrepreneur whose name adorns 1,100 department stores in 49 states, or once being an owner of the National Basketball Association’s Milwaukee Bucks, former Sen. Herbert Hiken Kohl