TXGN, TXR Receive Federal Grants

The Texas and Gonzales Railway (TXGN) and the Texas Rock Crusher Railway (TXR), two subsidiary railroads of TNW Corporation (TNW), have been awarded grants from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.

Pictured (L to R): Ayanna Smith, TNW (Photo: TNW); Annette Ebright, Balfour Beatty (Photo: Business Wire); and Brady Babbitt, STV (Photo: STV)

People News: TNW, Balfour Beatty, STV

Transportation logistics company TNW Corporation elevates Ayanna Smith to Director of Finance. Also, Balfour Beatty hires Annette Ebright as Vice President of Compliance; and STV promotes Brady Babbitt to Vice President.

Rocks in Rhythm

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2024 ISSUE: Suppliers continue to innovate and improve maintenance technology that optimizes the life and performance of ballast and the overall track bed.

Transit Briefs: APTA, CTA, NYMTA, TransLink, SacRT, Metrolinx

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases ballot measures on its 2024 election scorecard; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) returns to pre-pandemic rail service; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hits one billion trips on the subway in 2024; TransLink seeks proposals for future uses of retiring SkyTrain cars; the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) launches a new fare payment system and discount fare program for military veterans; and Metrolinx releases a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the civil and utilities contract for the Hamilton LRT project.

CPKC’s expansion of its international railroad bridge linking Laredo, Tex. and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipa, Mexico, is nearing completion. (CPKC Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, UP CPKC, CN

Norfolk Southern (NS) makes operational adjustments at local interchanges and yards systemwide to improve cycle times. Also, Union Pacific (UP) supports a timber customer’s growth and announces that three Operating department teams top the leader board for best overall safety record in 2024; Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) international railway bridge expansion project earns a Laredo (Tex.) Economic Development Corporation award; and Walmart Canada recognizes CN with a Strategic Partner of the Year award.

NTSB Issues Report on Preliminary Oct. 14 NJ Transit Collision

The National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) ongoing investigation of the Oct. 14, 2024, accident involving an Alstom employee operating the southbound NJ Transit light rail vehicle (LRV) 207 who was killed will focus on “NJ Transit’s right-of-way maintenance and inspection practices, dispatcher reporting procedures, and the crashworthiness of the LRV’s design,” the agency reported Nov. 7 during the release of its preliminary report.

Pictured at the Nov. 7 groundbreaking ceremony for the Savage Tooele Railroad are (L-R): Grantsville City Mayor Neil Critchlow, Tooele County Council Chair Jared Hamner, Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox, Savage CEO Kirk Aubry, U.S. Senator-elect John Curtis (R-Utah), The Romney Group President and CEO Josh Romney, and Utah Rep. Tim Jimenez (R-District 28). (Savage Photograph)

Savage Breaks Ground on 11-Mile Utah Line

Construction has begun on the approximately 11-mile Savage Tooele Railroad (STR) in Utah, parent company Savage reported Nov. 7. The Surface Transportation Board on April 1 approved the new line, which will

(SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA/TWU Contract Talks Continue (UPDATED 11/8)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) largest union—Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 representing more than 5,300 workers—on Oct. 27 voted to authorize a strike, according to local media reports. While the union contract

(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF 3Q24: Net Earnings, Volume Up

For third-quarter 2024, BNSF reported that total revenue rose 1% and net earnings were up 13% over the prior-year period, with volumes coming in 8% higher than the same period last year.

Small-Road Briefs: Watco, Cando Rail & Terminals

Watco’s military program is recognized and the company’s El Dorado Switching in Arkansas celebrates 30 years. Also, Cando Rail & Terminals provides strategic railhead for major wind projects.

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