Railroad News

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On June 29, the Canadian government announced it would issue reciprocal surtaxes on CA$16.6 billion of imports of steel, aluminum and other products (from yogurt to ketchup to whiskey) from the United States. The surtaxes, which the Canadian government said were issued “in direct, measured and proportional response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum,” went into effect July 1.

Amtrak is now allowing pets on trains along its Chicago-St.Louis corridor.

The national intercity passenger railroad's Lincoln Service and Texas Eagle trains are the final Midwestern routes to adopt the pet-friendly policy. Amtrak's entire Midwest network now allows pets on board, railroad officials said in a press release.

U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-Texas) late last week toured Union Pacific Railroad's Clarks Park Yard U.S. Customs and Border Protection Facility in Eagle Pass, Texas.

Organized by the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), the tour "highlighted the importance of border security and international trade" for UP and the rail industry, NRC officials said in a press release.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) last week marked its 50th anniversary.

On July 1, 1968, the agency was established as the Urban Mass Transportation Administration to provide federal assistance for mass transit projects. In the 1970s, the administration's resources were broadened with the creation of an annual formula grant program through the National Mass Transportation Assistance Act.

Today, the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) announced a newly redesigned website that was recently launched to better reflect the variety of programs and resources it offers to the short line industry.

Accessible at www.shortlinesafety.org, the new site provides fast and easy access to programs and support materials, including hazardous materials and safety culture resources, and downloadable safety tips, SLSI officials said in a press release.

The Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) this month will host eight public meetings to provide an update on its fare pass program study and proposed changes to fare policies.

The meetings will take place throughout the Denver metropolitan area between July 16 and 26.

Container Maintenance Corp. late last month announced plans to establish a facility in Dillon County, South Carolina, near Inland Port Dillon, which ties into the Port of Charleston and is served by CSX.

To open in the third quarter, the facility will be used to provide container and chassis maintenance services for a variety of customers in the area. Container Maintenance offers repair, upkeep and depot services, and stores and redistributes intermodal equipment.

On July 1, Watco Cos. LLC marked its 35th anniversary. The company was launched in 1983 by founder Dick Webb as an industrial switching operation in DeRidder, Louisiana.

Now, Watco has grown from one to more than 4,000 customers, from 14 to 5,200 employees, and from one to 202 operations, including 38 short lines. The company provides rail, switching, terminal and port, mechanical and other services in 37 states and four countries.

President Donald Trump has nominated former Metra Chairman Martin Oberman as a Surface Transportation Board (STB) member.

If his nomination is approved by the Senate, Oberman will serve the remainder of a five-year term that expires Dec. 31, 2023. The open Democratic seat on the board was vacated by former STB Chairman Dan Elliott last year.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is soliciting public and stakeholder opinions on an update to its state rail plan.

ADOT is seeking comments by Aug. 10 on what the plan should include for both freight- and passenger-rail systems, department officials said in a press release.

In a bid to boost ridership, the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) next month will roll out a program to provide free A-train commuter-rail service for local college students, faculty and staff.

The promotion will run from Aug. 27 through Jan. 14, 2019. The agency is providing the free rides along its entire A-train alignment between the Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton, Texas, and the Downtown Denton Transit Center.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) is partnering with the regional 211 helpline and crisis lines to launch a new suicide prevention campaign.

As part of the effort, the agency is placing signs along its southern rail corridor to deter suicides and encourage people to call the 211 crisis line for help. The signs also will be installed in SFRTA's stations.

The National Association of Railway Business Women (NARBW) has elected Amtrak veteran Melanie Bennett McKim as its 40th president.

She succeeds Laura Gutteridge Anos, who was elected president in 2016.

Although freight-rail safety has improved in the five years since the Lac-Megantic rail disaster, more remains to be done, says the chair of Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

Today is the fifth anniversary of the tragic accident, in which a train carrying over 2 million gallons of crude oil derailed in the town of Lac-Megantic, Quebec. The resulting fire and explosions killed 47 people, forced another 2,000 from their homes and destroyed much of the town's downtown core.

NDYLTK Rail has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of LTK Engineering Services and has changed its name to LTK Australia Pty. Ltd. In 2011, LTK Engineering Services and Norman Disney & Young (NDY) established a partnership to offer rail engineering services for clients in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa. NDY was recently acquired by another firm, which gave LTK the opportunity to purchase NDYLTK outright, company officials said in a press release. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF has signed an agreement to acquire Polish bus and tram maker Solaris Bus & Coach S.A. The move is aimed at making the CAF Group a market leader in the bus segment and opening new opportunities for the company's urban rail business in Central and Eastern Europe. The acquisition also will provide an opportunity to enter and grow in "new mobility-related areas," CAF officials said in a press release. Solaris has an estimated enterprise value of more than $350 million.

Valley Metro's rail board has elected Thelda Williams as chair.

Since late May, she has served as interim mayor of Phoenix. Williams also has chaired the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority's (RPTA) board.