Railroad News

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has allocated $277.5 million in emergency relief funding for transit systems damaged last year by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The bulk of the funding will go to Puerto Rico, which will receive $223.5 million. The 10.7-mile Tren Urbano subway system operates on the island, which was heavily damaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria. 

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and workers representing multiple union halls announced May 31 that more than 2,000 construction jobs have been created since its high-speed rail project started work.

The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) yesterday broke ground on a $7.2 million upgrade to its East 116th-St. Luke's station on the Blue and Green light-rail lines.

The new design will include enhanced security features, emergency call buttons and better lighting, said GCRTA Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Joe Calabrese in a press release.

Amtrak has begun offering assigned seating for riders traveling first class on Acela trains.

On select departures, passengers may now choose a single or double seat, a window or an aisle, or a two- or four-person conference table. After evaluating the offering, the railroad aims to introduce seat assignments on more departures this year, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

An agreement in principle has been reached between Missinippi Rail Partners and Fairfax Financial Holdings and OmniTRAX Inc. to restore rail service to northern Manitoba and transfer ownership of the Port of Churchill.

The government of Canada released news of the agreement late Wednesday and said the "historic arrangement.... provides the people of northern Manitoba with the opportunity to control their future." The government also noted that 30 First Nations and 11 non-First Nations communities in northern Manitoba, as well as seven Kivalliq communities in western Nunavut were active participants in the agreement.

U.S. railroads moved 565,502 carloads and intermodal units during the week ending May 26, marking a 4.4 percent increase over the same week last year.

Total carloads ticked up 3 percent to 273,226 units during Week 21, while intermodal traffic grew 5.8 percent to 292,276 containers and trailers, according to Association of American Railroads (AAR) data.

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and Kiewit Infrastructure Co. hosted Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI-4) for a tour May 30 of the Milwaukee Streetcar.

CSX Corp. has named James Schwichtenberg as the Class I's new vice president and chief safety officer.

A "recognized leader in rail safety," Schwichtenberg will lead the company's renewed focus on safety, CSX officials said in a press release. He will report to Ed Harris, executive vice president of operations.

CSX Corp. has named James Schwichtenberg as the Class I's new vice president and chief safety officer.

A "recognized leader in rail safety," Schwichtenberg will lead the company's renewed focus on safety, CSX officials said in a press release. He will report to Ed Harris, executive vice president of operations.

James Schwichtenberg has joined CSX as vice president and chief safety officer, effective immediately.

The railroad said Schwichtenberg is a recognized leader in rail safety and will lead the company's "intensified focus on safety to re-establish CSX as the safety leader among North American railroads."

Positive train control (PTC) technology is in the testing phase, in revenue service demonstration or fully operational on 30 percent of the 3,339 miles of commuter rail in the United States, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced yesterday.

In addition, U.S. commuter railroads have installed 81 percent of the 15,192 pieces of onboard equipment needed for PTC. They've also installed 79 percent of PTC-related track equipment, APTA officials said in a press release.

Missinippi Rail Partners and Fairfax Financial Holdings have obtained a tentative agreement with OmniTRAX Inc. to transfer ownership of the Port of Churchill and restore rail service to northern Manitoba, the Canadian government announced yesterday.

Two organizations representing northern communities and First Nations — OneNorth and Missinippi Rail Ltd. Partnership — worked with Fairfax to secure the agreement. Fairfax announced in November 2017 that it would partner with OneNorth and Missinippi Rail in an attempt to buy OmniTRAX's Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba.

An analysis released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has concluded that the nation's commuter rail industry continued to make progress in its positive train control (PTC) implementation efforts during the first quarter of 2018.

A state study is planned on the potential cost of extending passenger rail service into Southwest Virginia.

Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Train & Engine (TCRC) have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a strike that began Tuesday night.

The TCRC represents more than 3,000 conductors and engineers. A four-year tentative pact was reached with CP conductors and locomotive engineers, and a five-year tentative deal was reached with Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) conductors and locomotive engineers, according to a CP press release.

Canadian Pacific and the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Train & Engine (TCRC) have reached a tentative contract agreement, ending a strike that began Tuesday night.

The TCRC represents more than 3,000 conductors and engineers. A four-year tentative pact was reached with CP conductors and locomotive engineers, and a five-year tentative deal was reached with Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) conductors and locomotive engineers, according to a CP press release.

Railinc Corp. has promoted Joan Smemoe to chief information officer and vice president of information technology (IT). She will begin her new position June 11.

A member of Railinc's executive management team, Smemoe will lead the company's data, product development and information systems platforms. She will report to President and Chief Executive Officer Allen West in her new role.

The Oregon Senate has confirmed three new board members for the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet).

Nominated by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, the new directors bring experience in community involvement, construction, labor, business and education, agency officials said in a press release.

The first new cab car shell in Caltrain's electrified fleet has undergone first article inspection and has been cleared for painting.