news

Norfolk Southern: Anticipate, adapt, accomplish

The goal of capital expenditures is to link investments to the quality of the transportation product, generating increased customer satisfaction. Perhaps no railroad does it better than Norfolk Southern.

  • News

MM&A to cease crude-by-rail haulage

The Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway will cease transporting oil by rail, Chairman Ed Burkhardt has announced, ending crude-by-rail transport over MM&A right-of-way from North Dakota’s Bakken formation to a refinery in New Brunswick.

Better 2Q for L.B. Foster in 2013

L.B. Foster reported second-quarter net income of $7.3 million, or 71 cents per share, comparing favorably with a net loss of $2 million, or 20 cents per share, in the second quarter of 2012.

Maine House rep introduces two-person-crew bill

Rep. Mike Michaud (D-Me.) on Aug. 2, 2013 introduced “The Safe Freight Act,” a bill requiring a minimum of two-person crews for freight trains. Fellow Maine Democrat Rep. Chellie Pingree is an original cosponsor of the bill.

California court dismisses LA Expo Line suit

The California State Supreme Court, in an opinion issued Monday, Aug. 5, 2013, dismissed objections from “Neighbors for Smart Rail” objecting to Phase 2 construction of the Los Angeles Metro Gold Line.

  • M/W

Tamper with this, please

Suppliers continue to refine and improve the machinery needed to keep costly but critical right-of-way components in top shape.

 

  • News

Senate confirms third NMB Member

The U.S. Senate on Aug. 1 confirmed Nicholas Geale to serve as the third member of the National Mediation Board (NMB) for a term expiring July 1, 2016. Incumbent Member and Chairman Linda Puchala was also re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2015, and Member Harry Hoglander was re-confirmed for a term expiring July 1, 2014.

For CTA 7000 Series, improved seating

As part of a continuing plan to modernize its railcar fleet, the Chicago Transit Authority has developed a new railcar seating configuration for its next generation of railcars, the 7000 Series, that it plans to purchase and introduce as early as 2016.

IANA: Domestic container traffic up in 2Q

Domestic container volume continued to grow during the second quarter of 2013, up 9% measured against the comparable quarter in 2012, the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) said Monday, Aug. 5, 2013.

LACMTA taps Atkins for engineering needs

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has selected Atkins to serve as a general engineering consultant (GEC) in support of Metro’s rail network operations, maintenance, and expansion plans, Epsom, England-based Atkins said Aug. 5, 2013.

FreightCar America marks 2Q loss

FreightCar America, Inc. recorded a net loss of $3.4 million, or a loss of 29 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter, the company said late Friday, Aug. 2, 2013. That compared with net income of $5.6 million, or a gain of 46 cents per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012.

  • News

Rail cost of capital fell slightly in 2012



The Surface Transportation Board announced Friday, Aug. 2, 2013, that it has determined that the rail industry’s after-tax cost of capital was 11.11%. Last
 year, the cost of capital was 11.57%.

FRA issues Emergency Order, Safety Advisory in Lac-Mégantic’s wake

The Federal Railroad Administration issued an Emergency Order (EO 28, Notice No. 1, 49 CFR 232.103[n]) and Safety Advisory (2013-06) Friday evening, Aug. 2, 2013, “to help prevent trains operating on main line tracks or sidings from moving unintentionally,” specifically, those hauling certain types of hazardous materials, such as crude oil and ethanol.

Connecticut urged to aid Housatonic rail route

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick reiterated the Bay State’s support for restoration of passenger rail service between the Berkshire Mountains, in western Massachusetts, and New York—but Connecticut must be a contributing player, he says.