Pictured, left to right: Marlon Taylor, New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA Photograph); Tom Tulley, North County Transit District (NCTD Photograph); Peter Schwartz, HNTB (HNTB Photograph); Joy Riley, HNTB (HNTB Photograph); and Erin Slayton, HDR (HDR Photograph)

People News: NYA, NCTD, HNTB, HDR

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) elevates Marlon Taylor to President of New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA). Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) hires Tom Tulley as Chief Operations Officer of Rail; HNTB appoints Peter Schwartz as Railroad Development Practice Lead and Vice President, and announces that Senior Project Manager Joy Riley has been named WTS South Carolina Chapter’s Member of the Year; and HDR’s Transportation Program Management Services Director Erin Slayton has been elected to the Executive Committee of WTS International.

STB: RSTAC Nominations Welcome

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations to fill a small-railroad representative vacancy on its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC).

As Oberman Steps Down, Primus Moves Up (UPDATED, 5/13)

As Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin J. Oberman’s retirement took effect May 10, the Board reported that President Joseph R. Biden Jr. intended to designate Board Member Robert E. Primus as the next STB Chairman. The STB chairmanship does not require Senate confirmation; the agency lists Primus as Chair on its website.

Pictured, left to right: Victor (Vic) Meyers of Twin Cities & Western and Red River Valley & Western (TC&W Photograph); Adrian Granda, Port of Long Beach (POLB Photograph); and William Dengler Jr., Hill International, Inc. (Hill Photograph).

People News: TC&W, POLB, Hill International, STB

Twin Cities & Western Railroad (TC&W) appoints Victor (Vic) Meyers as President. Also, Adrian Granda joins Port of Long Beach (POLB), Calif., as Director of Government Relations; William (Bill) Dengler Jr. is tapped for Chief Acquisition and Administrative Officer at New Jersey-based consultancy Hill International, Inc.; and Neil Moyer transitions to Director of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Office of Passenger Rail.

(Southern Rail Commission illustration)

Filed: New Status Report on Amtrak Gulf Coast Service (UPDATED, 5/7)

Where does the proposed Amtrak service between New Orleans, La., and Mobile, Ala., stand? Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), and Alabama State Port Authority and its common carrier operating division, Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks, on May

This map shows the lines of Genesee & Wyoming-owned Meridian & Bigbee Railroad (MNBR) in relation to other rail lines in the territory and the principal geographic points in the region traversed. (Map Courtesy of CPKC)

STB Issues Final EA on Proposed CSXT, CPKC Acquisitions of Ala., Miss. Rail Line

The Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Office of Environmental Analysis on May 3 issued a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for CSX Transportation’s request to acquire and operate the assets comprising the rail line

STB Finalizes Reciprocal Switching Rule (UPDATED, 5/7)

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30 reported adopting Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service, STB Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), by unanimous vote, implementing new regulations at 49 CFR part 1145, which it said “sets forth a path for shippers and receivers to petition the Board for the prescription of a reciprocal switching agreement.” The final rule “is designed to promote adequate rail service,” according to the STB. Board Member Robert Primus concurred with a separate expression, noting “I am voting for the final rule because something is better than nothing.” Frank N. Wilner, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, weighs in and provides a reciprocal switching “primer.”

(IANR Photograph)

USDA, NGFA Weigh In on Proposed CN-IANR Combination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) are recommending several conditions that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) consider if it approves CN’s application to acquire control

Screenshot from an STB hearing on rail service.

STB’s Oberman Announces Departure Date (UPDATED, 4/29)

In a category 5 hurricane force stunning announcement, Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairperson Martin J. Oberman announced late on Nov 16 that he will not seek renomination to a second term (his

(Steve Halama, Unsplash)

Industry Groups Urge EPA to Deny CARB Rule

Industry groups are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject an authorization request from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to implement a regulation that was finalized last year,

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