Federal Railroad Administration

Commentary

• August 11, 2015
• C&S/IT

PTC: It’s the deadline, stupid

Syntax-challenged George W. Bush was bang-on correct in saying, “You got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in.” So it is with Positive Train Control (PTC)—a $14 billion safety overlay utilizing computers, transponders and GPS to stop or slow a train automatically before certain types of accidents occur.

• August 11, 2015
• Regulatory

OLI awards $204,000 for crossing safety public awareness campaigns

Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), announced on August 11, 2015 more than $200,0000 in grants to 13 State Operation Lifesaver programs for a variety of highway-rail grade crossing safety public education projects, in conjunction with the nonprofit safety group’s ongoing “See Tracks? Think Train!” public awareness campaigns.

• August 10, 2015
• C&S/IT

FRA to Congress: Most railroads will miss PTC deadline

The Federal Railroad Administration sent its Status of Positive Train Control Implementation report to Congress showing that after seven years and significant assistance from FRA, most railroads will miss the December 31, 2015 positive train control (PTC) implementation deadline that Congress established in 2008. The report, which was mandated by the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, was sent to Congress on August 7.

• July 22, 2015
• Class I

FRA to railroads: CBR Emergency Order still stands

The Federal Railroad Administration on July 22, 2015 sent a reminder to railroads transporting crude oil that the Emergency Order issued May 7, 2014 (Docket No. DOT-OST-2014-0067) requiring them to notify State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) and Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs) of the expected movement of Bakken crude oil trains through individual states and tribal regions remains in effect and “will be made permanent,” as previously announced.

• June 02, 2015
• Class I

NS brings its safety campaign to Georgia

Norfolk Southern is bringing its “Train Your Brain” public safety campaign, now in its ninth year, to central and south Georgia to remind people to be safe and alert around railroad tracks and trains.

• June 01, 2015
• News

TRB accepting proposals for innovative rail safety ideas

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is accepting proposals for the Safety IDEA (Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis) Program, which supports the development and testing of innovative concepts and methods for improving railroad safety or performance. Proposals are due Sept. 15, 2015.

Commentary

• June 01, 2015
• News

A fine kettle of fish for FRA’s Feinberg

It’s no surprise that Federal Railroad Administration Acting Administrator Sarah Feinberg, a Democratic political operative—and a darn good one by all accounts—is President Obama’s choice to become the agency’s permanent chief. Politics generally determines executive branch appointments and it’s a shrewd wager the Senate will confirm her.

• May 29, 2015
• Finance/Leasing

A&M refinances locomotives with RRIF loan

In 2013, the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad (A&M) substantially improved its locomotive fleet by acquiring three EMD SD70AC3 road units. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 29, 2015 issued a $6.8 million Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan to the A&M for refinancing the locomotives.

• May 26, 2015
• News

SEPTA places railway safety technology order

Protran Technology, a Harsco Rail company, has received an order for railway safety technology from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), operator of the sixth largest rail transit system by ridership in the U.S., the company announced on May 26, 2015.

• May 19, 2015
• Intercity

Amtrak 188 wreck: FRA Emergency Order; windshield strike possible factor

Following the derailment of Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 on May 12, 2015, which killed eight and injured more than 200 others, the Federal Railroad Administration has instructed Amtrak to immediately take several actions, which are expected to be formalized via an Emergency Order, to improve safety along its Northeast Corridor (NEC).