Commentary

Engineer rides American Dream to a short line

It is unlikely Scott DeVries soon will be sitting aside Norfolk Southern Chairman Wick Moorman at an Association of American Railroads board meeting, or sharing small talk over lunch with Union Pacific Chairman Jim Young. And whether DeVries someday becomes Railway Age’s Railroader of the Year is unknown. But read on.

RailComm system aids Minnesota short line

Fairport, N.Y.-based RailComm says it has been chosen to provide its state-of-the-art Domain Operations Controller (DOC®) train control system for Northshore Mining Co. The DOC system will have functionality for Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) through the company’s web-enabled software-as-a-service (SaaS) delivery method.

FEC CEO to address Traffic Club of Chicago

Florida East Coast Railway CEO James Hertwig is the featured keynote speaker Jan. 23 at the Traffic Club of Chicago’s luncheon.

Short line opposes Twin Cities LRT plan

Glencoe, Minn.-based Twin Cities and Western Railroad has voiced opposition to a proposed light rail operation serving the southwestern suburbs of Minneapolis/St. Paul.

RDC ponders interest in NJT’s Princeton Dinky

Railroad Development Corp. Chairman Henry Posner for months has objected to a plan stripping 460 feet from New Jersey Transit’s “Princeton Dinky” branch line. Posner has written to NJ Transit, offering to manage the line.

CN merges two U.S. subsidiaries

Canadian National ended 2012 by completing its merger of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway into its Wisconsin Central Ltd. railroad subsidiary.
Commentary

Electric Harley Davidsons, NASCAR track upgrades, chick flicks, Puerto Rican rum—and small-road tax credits

If you think new rail, crossties, and spikes for regional and short line railroads, electric power for Harley Davidson motorcycles, upgrades for NASCAR race tracks, chick flicks at the cinema, and a couple of shots of Puerto Rican rum in your Coke have little in common, think again.

Berkshire Hathaway completes short line sales

Berkshire Hathaway has divested a second short line, the White City Terminal Union Railway, ahead of a schedule set by the Surface Transportation Board earlier this year, as part of the company’s acquisition in 2010 of BNSF Railway. 

Indiana Rail Road promotes three

Indiana Rail Road President and CEO Tom Hoback has announced key promotions in senior management, along with expanded duties in the railroad’s marketing department.

STB approves GWI, RailAmerica transaction

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Genesee & Wyoming Inc.’s application to control RailAmerica, Inc., and the RailAmerica railroads, effective Dec. 28, 2012.
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