![“Our manufacturing operations are North American based, serving the needs of the freight and passenger rail industry,” NYAB President and CEO Ulisses Camilo said. “The new Springfield, Mo., center [for the Snyder Equipment division; pictured] is one more way we continue to address customer demand at the highest level possible today and tomorrow. (NYAB Photograph)](https://www.old.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Snyder-Equipment-Marks-Opening-Of-Strategic-Manufacturing-Center-In-Springfield-315x168.jpg)
Supply Side: Snyder Equipment, VHB
Snyder Equipment, a division of New York Air Brake (NYAB), celebrates a new manufacturing center in Springfield, Mo. Also, VHB opens a larger office in Newark, N.J.
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MTC, BART Advance Clipper® BayPass Pilot Program
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is the first employer to sign up for Clipper BayPass, the Bay Area’s first unlimited regional transit pass, according to San Francisco Bay Area Rapid
Commentary
Rail System Looking Good
On Dec. 4, we highlighted the strong operational recovery that has taken hold at Union Pacific, and we’re now in a position where most of the industry is running well. At this
Class I Briefs: CN, CSX, NS
CN “EcoChampions” reduced waste, conserved energy and improved safety at the Canadian Class I’s CargoFlo facility in Winnipeg. Also, CSX teamed with Nutrien to boost asset utilization and business, and marked a safety milestone in Orlando, Fla.; and Norfolk Southern (NS), Amtrak and two railcar owners ran a holiday train across New York’s Capital Region.
Commentary
REC Kicks Off “Pathway to Electrification” Workshops
The Rail Electrification Council (a non-profit affiliate of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association) recently held the first in a series of workshops designed to engage stakeholders in a frank exploration of the
Commentary
Brightline Coming to Florida’s Treasure Coast
Brightline, South Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is adding service, both in terms of frequencies and a new station. On Dec. 4, the number of trains between its southern terminal in downtown Miami
Watch: NS Marks One Year for ‘A Better Way Forward’ Strategy
Norfolk Southern (NS) on Dec. 6 held a town hall meeting for its railroaders—from conductor trainees to the executive team—marking one year since the Class I adopted the “A Better Way Forward”
VPRA Awarded $729MM for TRV Initiative Projects
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) has been awarded a grant totaling $729 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) via the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP-National). This will allow the VPRA
Commentary
For TRN, Production Ramp, Continued Leasing Strength in 2024
As supply chain, labor and border challenges ease, Trinity Industries’ (TRN) year-to-date choppy execution, despite a backdrop of decidedly favorable supply dynamics, should improve leading to 14% 2024 production growth and accompanying
‘Road of Anthracite’ Tops 1MM Tons
Class II Reading & Northern (RBMN), “The Road of Anthracite,” has surpassed hauling one million tons of the coal that provides its nickname. “Ever since December 1990 when Andy Muller Jr. purchased
Transport Canada Updating Train Brake Inspection, Safety Rules
Transport Canada on Dec. 8 announced changes to the Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules that it said will “strengthen brake performance during cold weather, particularly on steep descending grades.” These new changes are the second part of a 2022 Ministerial Order and will take effect Dec. 1, 2025.
Transit Briefs: BART, Caltrain, CMAP, CTA, NYMTA
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board approves a new financial organizational structure. Also, California’s Caltrain releases a service plan for its fall 2024 Electrification Project rollout; Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) delivers to state legislators recommendations for keeping regional transit afloat; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) wraps up this year’s “Refresh & Renew” project work across 29 rapid transit stations; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) competes a subway station-accessibility project in Washington Heights.
Commentary
Workin’ – And Volunteering – On the Railroad
The “chug chug” of the steam locomotive is music to the ears of John Mobley, who is one of fewer than 100 people in the U.S. qualified to operate a steam locomotive.
Hershey Rail Park on UP Line Taking Shape
White River Soy Processing, LLC (White River) will develop an oilseed processing plant at the 300-acre Hershey Rail Park, which is eight miles west of North Platte, Neb., and borders the Union
FRA Announces Fed-State National Program, Corridor ID Selections
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Dec. 8 announced that it has awarded $8.2 billion for 10 passenger rail projects across the country while announcing corridor planning activities that will “impact every region nationwide.”
U.S. to Help Ukraine Improve Links With Europe
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will invest $225 million in a railway upgrade connecting Lviv with the Trans European Network for Transport (TEN-T).
GPA Approves $127MM for Blue Ridge Connector (UPDATED, 12/8)
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Board on Dec. 5 approved $127 million to build the Blue Ridge connector, an inland rail terminal in Gainesville, Ga., linking Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah’s 35 global container ship services.
Robert ‘Bob’ Cigrang, 1949-2023
Robert “Bob” Cigrang, Vice President of Sales for Omni Rail Products, died Dec. 3. He was 74.
RailWorks Lands New Contracts
RailWorks on Dec. 6 reported that it is bringing U.K.-based One Big Circle’s rail monitoring technology to the North American market, and that RailWorks Track Services LLC and L.K. Comstock National Transit LLC will be supplying and installing track and systems for MetroLink’s 5.2-mile light rail extension in Illinois.
Class I Briefs: CSX/UP, NS
CSX and Union Pacific (UP) earn spots on the “most responsible” companies list published by Newsweek magazine. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) employees in November came together to support charitable organizations across the 22-state network.