Railroad News

Canadian National plans a CA$3.2 billion (US$2.59 billion) capital program in 2018; a record for the railroad, as well as an increase of approximately 23 percent over its 2017 program.

Canadian National plans a CA$3.2 billion (US$2.5 billion) capital program in 2018; a record for the railroad, as well as an increase of more than 23 percent over its 2017 program.

CN says the program will focus on key capacity projects to meet growing freight demand and continue investment in infrastructure maintenance to enhance safety and efficiency.

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, progressing a plan to allow for more efficient cargo movement.

"This project is vital to our ability to stay competitive and will minimize truck trips generated by anticipated cargo growth," said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. "Moving more cargo by rail to and from the Port reduces air pollution and makes operations more efficient."

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approved the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, progressing a plan to allow for more efficient cargo movement.

"This project is vital to our ability to stay competitive and will minimize truck trips generated by anticipated cargo growth," said Harbor Commission President Lou Anne Bynum. "Moving more cargo by rail to and from the Port reduces air pollution and makes operations more efficient."

A plan to move a rail line from out of downtown Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, received financial backing from the federal government of Canada, but no solid dollar amount.

Transport Canada Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said in a statement that the federal government would contribute a "substantial sum" toward the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project.

A plan to move a rail line from out of downtown Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, received financial backing from the federal government of Canada, but no solid dollar amount.

Transport Canada Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said in a statement that the federal government would contribute a "substantial sum" toward the Lac-Mégantic rail bypass project.

Boring work for the two tunnels that are part of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project has been completed and the tunnel boring machine (TBM) used for the work is being retired.

Amtrak says rail infrastructure improvements along its Chicago – Detroit/Pontiac line have been made to enable safe, faster travel along the Michigan passenger and freight corridor.

Kansas City Southern estimates its 2018 capital program will be between $5530 million and $550 million; down approximately four percent from 2017.

Railroad executives explained during the 2017 Q4 earnings call that the slight reduction in the planned capital program is due to a number of large projects wrapping up in 2017 rather than an indication that growth opportunities are limited.

The freight rail associations representing Mexico, the United States and Canada, sent a joint letter to negotiators ahead of the sixth formal round of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) discussions being held in Montreal, Quebec, Jan. 23-28.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has announced the appointment of Joseph Hedges as its new chief operating officer and Pamela Mizukami as chief deputy director.

Harsco Rail has announced the promotion of Allen Branham to vice president of its North America Sales and Global Contracting Services division.

R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC, announced Jan. 19 that it has completed the sale of Roadway Worker Training (RWT) to RailPros.

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Linda Bauer Darr outlined three critical priorities for members Jan. 18 in any considered infrastructure funding package at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's "America's Infrastructure Summit: Time to Modernize."

The Kansas City Southern (KCS) Mossville Yard Expansion Project in Westlake, La., by Ragnar Benson, LLC, received the 2017 award for Large Project of the Year.

Canadian Pacific Railway will target a capital program between CA$1.35 billion (US$1.08 billion) and CA$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in 2018.

At the low end, the capital plan reflects an eight percent increase over 2017's targeted CA$1.25 billion (US$955 million) capital plan, while at the high end, it could represent a 20% increase over 2017 numbers.

CSX plans a 2018 capital program of $1.6 billion as it continues to strive toward greater capital efficiencies as part of its implementation of precision scheduled railroading.

REMSA intends to focus on working with its members and associated railroad and rail supply associations to put forth a pro-rail agenda in Congress.

Two U.S. Representatives who serve on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure have requested an update on Amtrak's safety culture and implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).

TriMet's Board of Directors has named current TriMet Chief Operating Officer (COO) Doug Kelsey as the single finalist in the search for a new general manager.