NS Recognizes 48 Safe Shippers
Norfolk Southern (NS) is honoring 48 customers for safely handling products regulated as hazardous materials.
NS
Rail Safety Week Initiatives Accelerate (UPDATED)
As Rail Safety Week (RSW) (Sept. 19-25), a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), state OLI programs and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, continues to be observed, North American carriers and organizations are mobilizing to raise awareness about rail safety and to help stop track tragedies during this annual week-long event. Here is a roundup of the week’s initiatives.
Railroads Prepping for Strike Action: AAR (UPDATED)
The six Class I freight railroads participating in national bargaining will begin taking steps as early as Sept. 12 to manage and secure shipments of hazardous and security-sensitive materials “in light of the possibility of a rail labor strike,” the Association of American Railroads (AAR) said the evening of Sept. 9. The SMART-Transportation Division (TD) and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen spoke out on embargoes* on Sept. 11.
Transit Briefs: DART, GoTriangle, NYMTA, Metrolinx, Caltrain, VIA Rail, MBTA
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Police Department has been reaccredited by the Texas Police Chiefs Association Foundation (TPCAF). Also, a new study gives a clearer picture of commuter rail project in Research Triangle, N.C.; Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads set ridership records, Metrolinx selects development partner to transform Spadina-Front GO Station; Caltrain improves Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) connections and increases San Francisco and South San Francisco service with new weekday schedule; new report details “critical need” for the return of VIA Rail Canada’s commuter train service along the Kingston to Toronto corridor; and the City of Boston, along with Boston Public Schools (BPS) make Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) M7 student passes available year-round.
FRA Grants CN Comment Period Extension for Virtual Training Software
Following a 45-day public comment period that ended on Sept. 8 on CN’s waiver request to use virtual 3D simulation as an alternative to hands-on training required by 49 CFR 232.203(b)(8), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is extending the comment period for an additional 60 days “to ensure all interested parties have ample time to provide their comments following a demonstration of the software scheduled for the second half of September.”
Class I Briefs: CN, NS
Canadian National’s (CN) 16th Canadiens Alumni Challenge raises a record $550,000. Also, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NS) returns to conventional hump operations at Moorman Yard in Bellevue, Ohio.
Small-Road Briefs: Watco, ASLRRA, Mississippi Export Railroad
Watco formalizes military outreach and hiring. Also, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) looks back at Auburn’s “greasy railroad” prank; and the Mississippi Export Railroad (MSE) celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Amtrak, CSX, NS, Port to STB: Extend Mediation
All parties in the Gulf Coast case are in agreement—on the extension of mediation. Amtrak on one side and CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), and the Alabama State Port Authority and its Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks division (collectively, the Port) on the other are jointly calling on the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to order a 30-day extension.
Nokian Tyres, NS, TVRM Team on Sustainable Service
Norfolk Southern (NS) customer Nokian Tyres has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum (TVRM) for switching services.
NS Delivers College Scholarships
Norfolk Southern (NS) has launched an annual college scholarship program for the children of its employees. The inaugural round of awards will support 103 students, selected from a pool of more than 500 candidates.