[Editor's note: This article was updated Aug. 1 to correct the employer of Limburg's college internship.]
Amanda Limburg, 31
Denver Freight Rail Team Leader
David Evans and Associates Inc.
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[Editor's note: This article was updated Aug. 1 to correct the employer of Limburg's college internship.]
Amanda Limburg, 31
Denver Freight Rail Team Leader
David Evans and Associates Inc.
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James Schwichtenberg, 39
Vice president and chief safety officer
CSX
Nominator’s quote: “Jim has had a dramatic impact on CSX’s safety performance since joining the company as chief safety officer in May 2018. [He] oversaw a comprehensive safety review by an independent consultancy, refocused the CSX discipline policy on behavior modification, successfully advocated for inclusion of safety targets in annual incentive bonus programs, implemented new training for front-line managers, increased rules observations in the field, and intensified focus on critical rules with the greatest potential to reduce life-changing injuries. His innovative approaches and engagement have returned CSX to a position of safety leadership in the industry.”
— Diana Sorfleet, CSX
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Last week, the U.S. Senate confirmed President Donald Trump's nominations of Robert Sumwalt III to serve as chairman and Jennifer Homendy to serve as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Sumwalt was confirmed to serve a three-year term. He was sworn in as the 14th NTSB chairman on Aug. 10, 2017. Sumwalt began his tenure at the NTSB in August 2006 after President George W. Bush appointed him to the board and designated him to serve as vice chairman.
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The Port of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) marked "significant gains" in auto volume during the first six months of 2019 versus the same period last year, port officials announced in a recent blog.
PANYNJ logged a 6.4 percent increase in automobile volume during the six-month period, including a 34.3 percent increase in autos moved during June.
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Metrolink yesterday announced it appointed the following to its leadership team: Eric Hosey, chief operating officer; Darrell Maxey, chief mobilization officer; and Noelia Rodriguez, chief of staff.
As COO, Hosey will oversee dispatching and operations of Metrolink’s 538-mile network. He has more than 25 years of experience in freight and passenger rail. He is a former assistant vice president of transportation for Amtrak’s Southwestern division, and a brakeman and locomotive engineer at Norfolk Southern Railway. Hosey also served in the U.S. Navy, Metrolink officials said in a press release.
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The Stillwater Central Railroad last week notified the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) that it won't meet a provision of its 2014 sale agreement to provide passenger-rail service by its Aug. 4 deadline.
As part of the ODOT’s $75 million sale of the Sooner Sub rail line to Stillwater Central Railroad in 2014, the company agreed to conduct a six-month pilot program to provide daily passenger-rail service between Del City and Sapulpa, Oklahoma, at no cost to the state or taxpayers, ODOT officials said in a press release.
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The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) announced yesterday that Steve Branscum and Michael Wilson will be honored next month with the 2019 Silver Kingpin Award.
The Silver Kingpin recognizes an individual's long-term contributions to intermodalism. The award was initiated in 1977 by the National Piggyback Association. Branscum and Wilson will receive their awards during the Intermodal EXPO in Long Beach, California, on Sept. 16.
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The Port of Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners last month approved two key contracts related to the construction of the port's on-dock rail support yard.
The board awarded a $38.75 million contract to HDR Engineering Inc. for engineering design services and a $17.5 million contract to Hill International Inc. for program management services.
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Kimia Khatami, 27
Director of customer service
Pacific Harbor Line Railroad
Nominator’s quote: “Pacific Harbor Line is a complex, growing railroad and it serves a critical role as a last-mile railroad for carload business, and an origin point for four-plus dozen intermodal trains per day. Kimia is a major key to our success and she is relied upon regularly by the operating team as well as the executive team here at Anacostia.” — Eric Jakubowski, Anacostia Rail Holdings Inc.
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The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will suspend weekend light-rail service Aug. 10-11 and Aug. 17-18 at some Red Line stations to allow rail bridge construction in Midvale, Utah.
Utah Department of Transportation work to widen 7200 South street will require closures of Historic Gardner Station in West Jordan, Bingham Junction Station in Midvale and Fashion Place West Station in Murray.
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Valley Metro today concluded its first light-rail mentorship and internship program for Phoenix high school students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
The eight-week program offered career mentorship and engineering and design training for 17 high school students who were tasked with developing and presenting an engineering project at the South Mountain Community College.
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Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) crews will begin on Aug. 25 work to upgrade the electrical traction power system in downtown San Francisco.
Crews will replace the power cables that power BART light-rail trains with modern shielded cabling. The cabling technology and substations currently channeling energy to the system is outdated, BART officials said in a press release.
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The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) beginning Aug. 9 will close its trolley tunnel from 13th Street to 40th Street for 10 days to perform repairs and preventive maintenance.
During the closure of the 5-mile tunnel, SEPTA crews will replace curved track and switches, clean track beds and drainage systems, install lighting, and replace and upgrade track circuit and signal wires, according to the project website.
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Pioneer Railcorp's acquisition by Related Fund Management, Brookhaven Rail Partners and Stephens Capital Partners LLC was completed last week.
Pioneer is the parent of 15 short lines, an equipment leasing company, two service companies and a contract services switching company.
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Stanley Herzog, president of William E. Herzog Enterprises Inc. and chairman of Herzog Contracting Corp., died Aug. 2 at his home in Missouri. He was 70.
Stanley and his brother Randy were instrumental in helping their father, William "Bill" Herzog, found Herzog Contracting Corp. in 1969. Stanley became the company's first official employee, starting out as a foreman on regional asphalt paving projects, according to a Herzog press release.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is now accepting applications for the 2019 Rail Transportation Assistance (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance (RFAP) programs.
Eligible organizations — including freight railroads, freight railroad-served shippers and economic development entities — may apply for funding through either program. Applications are available on the website, PennDOT officials said in a press release.
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Linda Hernandez, 36
Industrial development manager
Kansas City Southern
Nominator’s quote: “Linda has been the primary driver to KCS' growth in the Mexican energy sector, as well as a tireless champion for her customers, an avid student of the Mexican business environment and an extraordinary team leader. As such, she was entrusted with the task of formulating our sales strategy for the opening of the Mexican energy market.” — David Eaton, Kansas City Southern
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