PTC

AAR expresses solidarity with Amtrak after congressional hearing

Following the June 2, 2015 oversight hearing of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on Amtrak’s May 12 fatal derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 (which according to many observers had very little to do with discussing the accident itself and its possible cause—see David Schanoes’ blog), Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ed Hamberger commended Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman “for reinforcing his passenger railroad’s firm commitment to safety.”

Commentary

House T&I hearing a litany of embarrassments

I watched the webcast of the June 2, 2015 U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure oversight hearing of the Amtrak accident in Philadelphia.

Amtrak NEC locomotives to receive inward-facing cameras

In the wake of the May 12, 2015 derailment in North Philadelphia of Amtrak Northeast Regional train 188, which claimed eight lives and caused more than 200 injuries, Amtrak will install inward-facing video cameras in its fleet of new Siemens ACS-64 locomotives in service on the Northeast Corridor by the end of 2015. All locomotives yet to be delivered under the 70-unit order will have the equipment installed before they go into service.

Commentary

If only . . . but wait . . .

I’ve been in France. I love being in France, a country that in the past 20 years has spent twice on its railways what it has spent on its roads. What am I missing? Another fatal overspeed derailment? At Frankford Junction?

Another PTC extension bill enters the fray

Senators Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) (collectively called “Schumenthal” by some critics—Editor) have introduced their version of a Positive Train Control (PTC) extension bill that joins a similar effort introduced by Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.).

FRA awards $21.2 million in grants

The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded eight grants totaling more than $21.2 million for projects involving grade crossing safety, Positive Train Control implementation and passenger rail.

All Aboard Florida selects GE for signaling, PTC

All Aboard Florida (AAF) has selected GE Transportation Gobal Signaling Solutions to design and manufacture signaling, grade crossing and related Positive Train Control (PTC) equipment for its 235-mile higher-speed passenger rail corridor, which will connect Miami with Orlando International Airport.

Dispatcher’s delight

Dispatching, says Norfolk Southern Manager-Dispatch Planning Systems Charlie Turnipseed, “is like a game of chess.” Like chess players, train dispatchers are constantly thinking ahead, planning movements, moving “pieces”—trains—across the “board”—the railroad’s 22-state, 11-operating-division, 20,000-mile system—and dealing with “opponents”—the numerous types of events that can impact a train’s movement between origin and destination.

Commentary

Uncertainty clouds key rail bills in Senate

Two bills of substantial importance to railroads—Staggers Rail Act revisions as part of reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), and extension of the deadline to implement Positive Train Control (PTC)—took meaningful steps forward March 25, gaining the imprimatur of the Senate Commerce Committee.
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