Robert W. McKnight, 1923-2012
Robert W. McKnight, former editor of Railway Signaling & Communications, a Simmons-Boardman publication, and C&S editor of Railway Age, died Dec. 9. He was 89.
news
DART gets grant for DFW airport LRT access
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Thursday approved a nearly $120 million loan that will enable Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to advance construction on the third phase of its light rail transit Orange Line extension project.
Michigan DOT completes NS rail line buy
In time for the holiday season, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Norfolk Southern Railway Co. (NS) have finalized a $140 million agreement for MDOT to acquire ownership of 135 miles of NS right-of-way in the Wolverine State.
FEC, Port Everglades sign intermodal site pact
Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) said Friday it has signed a joint marketing agreement with Port Everglades to promote a new 42.5-acre near-port intermodal container transfer facility (ICTF), to serve south Florida as a major international and domestic freight hub.
Amtrak looks to new NEC trainsets
In testimony Dec. 13 before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said the company “is advancing plans to acquire new next-generation high-speed trainsets and ending its plans to purchase 40 additional high-speed passenger cars to add to the existing Acela Express fleet, in order to better meet strong and growing ridership demand on the Northeast Corridor.”
New Gensets for UP at Proviso Yard
Union Pacific, which 10 years ago broke new ground in locomotive technology by working with a major supplier to develop a Genset locomotive for yard service, on Dec. 12 unveiled one of seven ultra-low-emitting locomotives (ULELs) that have been deployed at Proviso Yard, Northlake, Ill., in the greater Chicago area.
U.S. freight carload, intermodal moves slip
For the second week in a row, the latest week ending Dec. 8, volume fell for both U.S. carload freight traffic and, more notably, for U.S. intermodal movement as well.
Kansas City OKs streetcar, hires HDR Inc.
Eligible voters in a special assessment district have approved plans for a two-mile streetcar line to run through downtown Kansas City, Mo.
Project Manager, Systems – BART
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT
A job at BART offers the satisfaction of providing an invaluable public service, while accomplishing your own career goals, earning highly competitive pay, and enjoying an unparalleled benefits program. BART, a wonderful career opportunity.
Group Manager, Systems – BART
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT
A job at BART offers the satisfaction of providing an invaluable public service, while accomplishing your own career goals, earning highly competitive pay, and enjoying an unparalleled benefits program. BART, a wonderful career opportunity.
New Ohio short line announced
Hannibal Real Estate of White Plains, N.Y., and Carload Express of Oakmont, Pa., on Wednesday jointly announced agreement to operate the 12.2-mile Omal railway line in Monroe County, Ohio, naming it the Ohio Terminal Railway Co.
UP, L.B. Foster extend crosstie contract
L.B. Foster and Union Pacific have agreed on a multiyear extension of a contract for the supply of prestressed concrete ties from the supplier’s Tucson, Ariz., facility. The previous contract was set to expire Dec. 31.
CN blasts rail regulation legislation
Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of Canadian National, says there is no evidence of systemic rail service problems warranting the Canadian government’s introduction Tuesday of legislation that would expand rail regulation to impose level of service obligations.
Progress Rail acquires welding company
Progress Rail Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., said Tuesday it has purchased mobile welding assets from RibbonWeld LLC, a rail welding company based in Springfield, Mo.
Obituary: Dr. William J. Harris, 94
Dr. William J. Harris, who contributed to several industry improvements and who served with the Association of American Railroads from 1970 to 1985, died Dec. 5 at age 94 at his home in East Falmouth, Mass.
UP opens Austin, Tex., info tech center
Union Pacific said Tuesday it has opened a new information technology center in Austin, Tex., bringing the railroad closer to the top talent located in what it calls one of the hottest U.S. technology hubs.
UIC honor bestowed to TTCI FAST program
The Association of American Railroads Tuesday lauded the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) on its receipt of the International Union of Railways’ (UIC) Innovation and Railway Research Award in the “Rail Freight Services” category for the Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) Program.
NJT: 261 passenger cars need post-Sandy fix
Questioned Tuesday by New Jersey’s Assembly Transportation Committee—but not as harshly as some expected—New Jersey Transit Executive Director Jim Weinstein said the company had sustained $100 million in damage to its rail equipment, including 62 locomotives and 261 passenger cars, due to Hurricane Sandy.
CP, Teamsters Canada workers reach accord
The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Maintenance of Way Employees Division (TCRC-MWED), representing 2,600 maintenance of way workers, and Canadian Pacific reached a tentative historic five-year contract settlement, CP announced Tuesday.
For Arlington County streetcar, a PPP option
Arlington County (Va.) Board members Monday approved plans to explore a public-private partnership arrangement to advance its proposed Columbia Pike streetcar. But the approval was strongly contested by a recently elected board member, whose campaign included strident disapproval of any streetcar project.