Railroad News

Plans for privately-financed 250-mile commuter rail network centered on Ottawa and Gatineau took a step forward on July 1, when the Moose Consortium of eight local companies exchanged letters of intent with a consortium of LeMine Investment Group and Consortia N.A. (LeMine-ConsortiaNA) to assess the business and technical potential of the project.

Plans for privately-financed 250-mile commuter rail network centered on Ottawa and Gatineau took a step forward on July 1, when the Moose Consortium of eight local companies exchanged letters of intent with a consortium of LeMine Investment Group and Consortia N.A. (LeMine-ConsortiaNA) to assess the business and technical potential of the project.

Plans for privately-financed 400km- (248.548 mile-) commuter rail network centered on Ottawa and Gatineau took a step forward on July 1, when the Moose Consortium of eight local companies exchanged letters of intent with a consortium of LeMine Investment Group and Consortia N.A. (LeMine-ConsortiaNA) to assess the business and technical potential of the project.

The Moose plan is based on what the project backers describe as a "property-powered rail open market development model," which aims to optimise the return on property investment by providing passenger rail services on a commercial open-market basis to a limited number of so-called "linked localities." This would be achieved without any government subsidy, public debt or taxes.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its contractor Kleinfelder are currently performing geotechnical work along State Route 152 in the Pacheco Pass.

CHSRA says getting a head start on geotechnical investigations is crucial even with the environmental clearance process for the San Jose to Merced section still underway.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its contractor Kleinfelder are currently performing geotechnical work along State Route 152 in the Pacheco Pass.

CHSRA says getting a head start on geotechnical investigations is crucial even with the environmental clearance process for the San Jose to Merced section still underway.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its contractor Kleinfelder are currently performing geotechnical work along State Route 152 in the Pacheco Pass.

CHSRA says getting a head start on geotechnical investigations is crucial even with the environmental clearance process for the San Jose to Merced section still underway.

Coney Island-bound platforms at seven Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) N stations in Brooklyn will close on July 31 for the final phase of a major $395.7-million renovation project.

The purpose of the renovation is to modernize these century-old stations and upgrade track infrastructure along the corridor. Two additional stations will be included in the renovation and will remain open during construction. The entire nine-station project is expected to be completed in late 2018.

Coney Island-bound platforms at seven Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) N stations in Brooklyn will close on July 31 for the final phase of a major $395.7-million renovation project.

The purpose of the renovation is to modernize these century-old stations and upgrade track infrastructure along the corridor. Two additional stations will be included in the renovation and will remain open during construction. The entire nine-station project is expected to be completed in late 2018.

Coney Island-bound platforms at seven Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) N stations in Brooklyn will close on July 31 for the final phase of a major $395.7-million renovation project.

The purpose of the renovation is to modernize these century-old stations and upgrade track infrastructure along the corridor. Two additional stations will be included in the renovation and will remain open during construction. The entire nine-station project is expected to be completed in late 2018.

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.

The BRACE Act is important to short line railroads because it includes language to make permanent the 45G tax credit. Under the terms of the credit a short line railroad must invest one dollar for every 50 cents in credit up to a credit cap equivalent to $3,500 per mile of track. It is a critical in assisting the nation's 603 short line railroads in upgrading track and bridges, and has been a major target of the ASLRRA's lobby efforts.

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.

The BRACE Act is important to short line railroads because it includes language to make permanent the 45G tax credit. Under the terms of the credit a short line railroad must invest one dollar for every 50 cents in credit up to a credit cap equivalent to $3,500 per mile of track. It is a critical in assisting the nation's 603 short line railroads in upgrading track and bridges, and has been a major target of the ASLRRA's lobby efforts.

The Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, introduced in March of this year, has achieved 226 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives (H.R. 721) and 51 co-sponsors in the Senate (S. 407), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced.

The BRACE Act is important to short line railroads because it includes language to make permanent the 45G tax credit. Under the terms of the credit a short line railroad must invest one dollar for every 50 cents in credit up to a credit cap equivalent to $3,500 per mile of track. It is a critical in assisting the nation's 603 short line railroads in upgrading track and bridges, and has been a major target of the ASLRRA's lobby efforts.

Metra's Board of Directors along with agency officials sent the Metra Safety Train on an excursion to "highlight the numerous ways that Metra strives to operate the safest possible railroad for its customers, employees, local schoolchildren and the public."

The special train operated along the Milwaukee District West Line from Chicago Union Station to Elgin. Metra officials were joined by Illinois State Senator Tom Cullerton, State Representative Marcus Evans, Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen, who also serves as the chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee for the Illinois State Police.

Metra's Board of Directors along with agency officials sent the Metra Safety Train on an excursion to "highlight the numerous ways that Metra strives to operate the safest possible railroad for its customers, employees, local schoolchildren and the public."

The special train operated along the Milwaukee District West Line from Chicago Union Station to Elgin. Metra officials were joined by Illinois State Senator Tom Cullerton, State Representative Marcus Evans, Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen, who also serves as the chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee for the Illinois State Police.

Metra's Board of Directors along with agency officials sent the Metra Safety Train on an excursion to "highlight the numerous ways that Metra strives to operate the safest possible railroad for its customers, employees, local schoolchildren and the public."

The special train operated along the Milwaukee District West Line from Chicago Union Station to Elgin. Metra officials were joined by Illinois State Senator Tom Cullerton, State Representative Marcus Evans, Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and Park Ridge Deputy Police Chief Lou Jogmen, who also serves as the chairman of the National Traffic Safety Committee for the Illinois State Police.

Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company's operations.

The company said that while its dispatching services originated as part of the Nebraska Central Railroad Co. more than a decade ago, the relocation of its dispatching center to Fort Worth, Tex., in 2016 necessitated a rebranding.

Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company's operations.

The company said that while its dispatching services originated as part of the Nebraska Central Railroad Co. more than a decade ago, the relocation of its dispatching center to Fort Worth, Tex., in 2016 necessitated a rebranding.

Rio Grande Pacific Dispatch (RGPD), formerly Nebraska Central Dispatch, has rebranded with a new name and logo, to strengthen its connection to parent company Rio Grande Pacific Corp., and more accurately depict the company's operations.

The company said that while its dispatching services originated as part of the Nebraska Central Railroad Co. more than a decade ago, the relocation of its dispatching center to Fort Worth, Tex., in 2016 necessitated a rebranding.

Gay M. Knipper joined HNTB as senior program manager and vice president, specializing in program and construction management. She is based in the firm's New Orleans office and works with clients throughout the country.

Knipper has more than three decades of infrastructure experience and has been responsible for all aspects of management, administration and financial control on several multibillion-dollar PM/CM programs. She will play a key role in serving HNTB's clients, initially focusing on the firm's work with the Georgia Department of Transportation Major Mobility Investment Program.

Gay M. Knipper joined HNTB as senior program manager and vice president, specializing in program and construction management. She is based in the firm's New Orleans office and works with clients throughout the country.

Knipper has more than three decades of infrastructure experience and has been responsible for all aspects of management, administration and financial control on several multibillion-dollar PM/CM programs. She will play a key role in serving HNTB's clients, initially focusing on the firm's work with the Georgia Department of Transportation Major Mobility Investment Program.