FRA Slots Track Safety Symposium
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is holding its first-ever Track & Roadway Workplace Safety Symposium on April 5-7 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in Missouri; attendance is free.
FRA
Commentary
STB Sets Gulf Coast Hearing, But Amtrak Loses Pre-Hearing Round
Decision Day draws closer in the tussle between Amtrak and potential host railroads CSX and Norfolk Southern (NS) before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) over whether or not there will be passenger trains running between New Orleans and Mobile in the near future.
DOT to STB: ‘Set a Precedent’ in Amtrak Gulf Coast Case
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have been allowed to file additional comments with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) regarding Amtrak’s application to operate Gulf Coast service.
Unveiled: Amtrak P-42 Honoring OLI’s 50th Anniversary
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Operation Lifesaver (OLI), Amtrak on Jan. 12 released into service a specially painted P-42 diesel, emblazoned on both sides with the message, “See Tracks? Think Train!”
Confirmed: Amit Bose Federal Railroad Administrator
Amit Bose on Jan. 12 was confirmed as the 15th Federal Railroad Administrator in a 68-29 Senate vote.
LNG by Rail: Temporary Reg Rollback Under Review
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) proposed temporary suspension of its regulations authorizing the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail have prompted not only the Railway Supply Institute to weigh in, but also the Republican members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a coalition of attorneys general from 14 states and Washington, D.C.; all submitted comments on the agency’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking released late last year.
CHSRA Meets Federal Grant Match—Early
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has notified the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) that it has fully met its state funding match requirements for federal dollars one year ahead of schedule.
ASLRRA to USDOT: Allow Greater Use of Tech, Skip Crew-Size Mandates
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is among those who have submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s draft strategic framework.
‘Safety Integration Plan’ Proposed for CPKC
Potential merger partners Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) on Dec. 28 submitted their safety integration plan to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for review, meeting the STB’s procedural schedule deadline.
Amtrak Releases FY2021 Results
For its 50th anniversary fiscal year (Oct. 2020-Sept. 2021), Amtrak provided 12.2 million passenger trips, representing a growth of 4 million over the 2020 rate and a 42% rise over its FY21 goal, the railroad reported on Dec. 13.