Pictured, Left to Right: Marcos Díaz González, John Ponzio, and Garo Hovnanian of STV, and Janet Campbell-Lorenc of HNTB Corporation. (Photographs Courtesy of the Respective Organizations)

People News: STV, HNTB, INIT

Professional services firm STV elevates Marcos Díaz González to President, Transportation Northeast and John Ponzio to Executive Vice President, Centers of Excellence, and hires Garo Hovnanian as Executive Vice President, Advisory Services. Also, Janet Campbell-Lorenc joins infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation as Rail Planning Practice Consultant; and INIT Innovations in Transportation, Inc., announces changes to the leadership team.

The Short Line Hall of Fame honorees for 2025—pictured above—have “not only transformed small railroads into significant economic contributors, but each in their own way advanced the industry through dedicated leadership and advocacy,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said. (ASLRRA Image)

ASLRRA Names 2025 Short Line Hall of Fame Honorees

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) on Jan. 7 reported that Ronald “Ron” Batory, Kedrick Earl Durden and Henry Posner III have been selected to join the Short Line Railroad Industry

USDOT: $258MM for Calif. Transportation Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Jan. 7 announced that it will award 25 California projects a combined $258 million for transportation infrastructure upgrades. The grants come through three programs funded

Amtrak CEO Stephen J. Gardner. (Amtrak Photograph)
Commentary

Amtrak’s Gardner: His Legacy on the Line

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE, JANUARY 2025 ISSUE: He’s a 50-year-old railroad CEO without a private aircraft or opulent corner suite. Although he superintends the only transcontinental railroad, his compensation package is a fraction of that of his peers. Darting suit-jacketless about the office, dress shirt loosely tucked, he is easily mistaken for Stan from accounting. Don’t be fooled. Amtrak CEO Stephen J. Gardner, facing an ultimate test, is better prepared than any Amtrak CEO before him—and it’s not a B-List.

(William Beecher Photograph)

2025 Passenger Rail Outlook: ‘Murphy Was an Optimist!’

RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2025 ISSUE: Should we welcome—or dread—2025?

(New York MTA Photograph)

Hochul Hawks Hudson Valley Rail Improvements

“Major investment” in Hudson Valley, N.Y., to increase capacity, reduce delays, improve safety, and cut travel times for MTA Metro-North Railroad and Amtrak–NYSDOT (New York State Department of Transportation) Empire Service will

(Norfolk Southern Image)

Class I Briefs: NS, CPKC, BNSF

Norfolk Southern (NS) distributes grants to East Palestine organizations, joins Amtrak to deliver holiday cheer across New York’s Capital Region, and announces a Conway Car Shop team milestone. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) recognizes customers for safe shipping; and BNSF maintains a door-to-door service rate of more than 95% for its over-the-road converted traffic through Quantum.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Amtrak, BART, CTA, SEPTA

LA Metro marks two consecutive years of ridership growth. Also, Amtrak Downeaster celebrates 10 million riders; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Holiday Toy Drive collects more than 1,100 toys and $3,600 for Mission Food Hub families; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) meets a record-breaking workforce milestone; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards a contract for the lease of five vacant regional rail stations.

President-Elect Intends to Nominate Fink as FRA Lead

The President-elect has expressed his intent to nominate David Armstrong Fink, former President of Pan Am Railways and the son of David Andrew Fink, who served as President of Guilford Transportation before it rebranded as Pan Am, to lead the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), according to multiple news reports.

Amtrak Board Nominations: Schumer Wins Race Against Time; All Confirmed (Updated Dec. 21)

Using a late-played and hardball parliamentary maneuver forcing Republican acquiescence despite a warning to Senate Republicans from the President-elect to block the effort, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) won confirmation early

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