NYMTA: $427MM in Savings Identified in Proposed 2024 Budget
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Nov. 29 released its preliminary operating budget for 2024—the second of five years to have a projected balanced budget.
news
VW Mitigation Trust Funding Available to Short Lines in Calif.
The Volkswagen (VW) Environmental Mitigation Trust for California has approximately $55 million in funding available to support “statewide combustion freight and marine projects that replace or repower equipment to the cleanest commercially available internal combustion, hybrid or zero emission technologies,” the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) reported in its Nov. 30 Views & News newsletter.
OmniTRAX to Run West Virginia’s SBVR
OmniTRAX on Dec. 1, 2023, will begin operating its 26th short line, the 52.4-mile South Branch Valley Railroad (SBVR) that serves West Virginia’s eastern panhandle.
UP: New Phoenix Terminal to Open in 2024
Union Pacific (UP) on Nov. 29 announced plans to open a new international intermodal terminal in the heart of Phoenix, “providing customers a sustainable rail option between ocean ports in the Los Angeles Basin and the nation’s fast-growing Southwest region.”
Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Tri-Rail, RTD
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selects an HDR-led team to provide program management to its Station Capital Program. Also, final federal approval could bring Tri-Rail to downtown Miami in December; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) installs new light rail seat covers.
AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Uptick Continues in Week 47
For the week ending Nov. 25, 2023 (Week 47), total U.S. rail traffic was 415,332 carloads and intermodal units, rising 2.4% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 29. It is the third consecutive week of gains for carloads and intermodal containers and trailers combined.
NS Debuts ‘Yard Planner’ to Boost Safety, Service
Norfolk Southern (NS) is implementing Wabtec’s Yard Planner technology at Norris Yard in Birmingham, Ala., “to improve our operational consistency and increase on-time delivery of freight to our customers,” the Class I
Report: Federal Law Preempts State Crossing Reg, U.S. Solicitor Tells U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar has told the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) that state laws regarding grade crossings are preempted by federal regulation of railroads, according to a
CSX Adds Atlantic Coast Line to Heritage Fleet
CSX recently revealed its latest heritage locomotive—a tribute to the Atlantic Coast Line—fresh out of the Class I railroad’s paint shop in Waycross, Ga.
UP Expanding Port Houston Intermodal Service (UPDATED, 11/29)
Union Pacific (UP) on Dec. 1 will expand its Houston on-dock rail service to four additional markets.
Aspengren Promoted to Miner Director of Sales
Railcar component manufacturer Miner Enterprises, Inc. on Nov. 28 has announced that Paul Aspengren has been promoted to Director of Sales, effective immediately.
Industrial Development Briefs: Plastic Express, Thorold Multimodal Hub
Logistics company Plastic Express has signed a lease at the CSX-served Central Port Logistics Center in Savannah, Ga. Also, the Thorold Multimodal Hub, a joint venture of BMI Group and HOPA (Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority) Ports in Ontario, Canada, has received a 2023 Brownie Award from the Canadian Brownfields Network.
LACMTA Logs 11th Consecutive Month of Ridership Growth
More than 26.5 million riders boarded the Los Angeles County (Calif.) Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) bus and rail services in October 2023—up nearly 12% from October 2022 and marking the 11th straight month of year-over-year ridership growth, the agency reported Nov. 27.
STV Elevates Carol Rose to Vice President
Carol Rose is taking on a Vice President role at STV, a professional services firm that plans, designs and manages infrastructure projects across North America. Her promotion follows nearly 30 years of firm service in rail vehicle procurement and engineering programs.
Ontario, Toronto Forge ‘New Deal’
Under a “new deal” reached Nov. 27, the government of Ontario will provide the city of Toronto with up to C$1.2 billion in provincial operating support over three years and capital relief, which includes funding for the Eglinton Crosstown and the Finch West Light Rail Transit (LRT) projects; 70 new Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway trains; and subway and transit safety, recovery and sustainability.
G&W’s Rail Link Wins Five New Contracts
Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) announced Nov. 27 that its railcar switching subsidiary, Rail Link, Inc., has secured five new contracts across the U.S. since September.
USDOT Launches New Multimodal Freight Office
As part of the inaugural meeting of the White House Council on Supply Chain Resilience, President Biden and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg on Nov. 27 announced the launch of the Office of Modal Freight Infrastructure and Police (Multimodal Freight Office) to “oversee the maintenance and improvement of the nation’s freight network and supply chains.”
Thomas Joins Viance as Industrial Sales Manager
Viance, a Charlotte, N.C.-based provider of wood treatment technologies and services, announced Nov. 28 that it has hired Jeff Thomas as Industrial Sales Manager. He will be responsible for customer relations to service growing market demand for the company’s line of DCOI preservative products.
Commentary
Ed Harris: “Just Run the Trains on Time”
On Oct. 18, CN announced its operations succession plan as COO Ed Harris heads back into retirement, which occurred Nov. 15. Harris is arguably the best operator in the business and has
Supply Side: ENSCO, RailPros, Wi-Tronix
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes railway track inspection and measurement technology provider ENSCO for excellence in recruiting, employing and retaining America’s veterans. Also, engineering and diversified safety services company RailPros opens a Chicago office; and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) staffers visit Amtrak’s Ivy City Maintenance Facility in Washington, D.C., to learn about Wi-Tronix’s onboard locomotive system implementation.