Railroad News

CSX execs accomplished the most important thing they set out to do March 1 at the railroad's long-anticipated Investor & Analyst Conference in New York City. Having already scooped themselves by unveiling their big buyback program and unveiling their 60 percent — down over 600 basis points (bps) — operating ratio (OR) target for 2020,  the CSX team revealed its management depth and competence, as well as its commitment to Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). 

CSX execs accomplished the most important thing they set out to do March 1 at the railroad's long-anticipated Investor & Analyst Conference in New York City. Having already scooped themselves by unveiling their big buyback program and unveiling their 60 percent — down over 600 basis points (bps) — operating ratio (OR) target for 2020,  the CSX team revealed its management depth and competence, as well as its commitment to Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). 

Beginning March 23, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will phase out token sales at certain Regional Rail stations as it continues to transition to the reloadable "Key" card fare payment system.

The phaseout will start at stations with a low volume of token sales and proceed to busier stations on April 6, including the 30th Street, Temple University and University City stations.

MTA Metro-North Railroad later this month will kick off a $94 million project to rehab its station in White Plains, New York.

Slated to begin March 18, the work includes improving station entrances, adding signage, installing LED lighting, and providing Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity.

T-WALL®, formerly supplied by The Neel Company, and The Reinforced Earth Company (RECo) announced that they have consolidated operations effective Jan. 26, 2018.

A collaboration between Stonemont Financial Group and the Jerseyville Economic Development Council in Jerseyvill, Ill., unveiled plans to build a 1,400-acre, rail-served industrial park.

The Mid-American International Gateway will be served by Kansas City Southern, which stakeholders said played a key role in forging the ongoing collaboration.

An international search for a new CEO of Canadian National is underway following the news that Luc Jobin is leaving the railroad effective immediately.

In February, 95 percent of Tri-Rail's trains operated on schedule — marking the South Florida commuter railroad's highest monthly on-time performance rating since December 2002.

The achievement came after the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) eased some speed restrictions that affected Tri-Rail's on-time performance. The agency was able to relieve the speed restrictions after making repairs on the corridor, said SFRTA Executive Director Jack Stephens in a press release.

The Washington Department of Ecology has approved the state's first oil spill response plan for BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), the largest freight railroad company in the state.

The Washington Department of Ecology last week approved BNSF Railway Co.'s response plan in the event of a crude-oil spill.

The action marks the first railroad oil-spill plan approved in the state, according to a department press release.

The Washington Department of Ecology last week approved BNSF Railway Co.'s response plan in the event of a crude-oil spill.

The action marks the first railroad oil-spill plan approved in the state, according to a department press release.

GE Transportation announced late last week that it has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), a trade association for blockchain education and standards development.

Blockchain is a digital ledger technology that records transactions and stores data in blocks across a distributed network. The technology enables a "digital supply chain" and creates a peer-to-peer system of commerce, GE officials said in a press release.

President Donald Trump last week nominated Patrick Fuchs and Michelle Schultz to serve five-year terms on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Fuchs, of Wisconsin, is a senior professional staff member working on surface transportation and maritime issues for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation under the leadership of Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.), according to a White House press release.

CN is searching for a new chief executive officer today after announcing the abrupt departure of Luc Jobin.

The Class I announced this morning that Jobin has left the company and is being replaced on an interim basis by Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jean-Jacques Ruest until a permanent leader is named.

CN is searching for a new chief executive officer today after announcing the abrupt departure of Luc Jobin.

The Class I announced this morning that Jobin has left the company and is being replaced on an interim basis by Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Jean-Jacques Ruest until a permanent leader is named.

President Donald Trump intends to nominate two Republicans to fill open seats on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has chosen civil engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN) to oversee platform extensions at 28 light-rail stations. The $124 million project calls for modifying platforms along the Red and Blue lines to accommodate three-car trains. Currently, the Red and Blue lines are limited to two-car trains due to the stations' platform lengths. By expanding the platforms, DART will be able to roll out three-car trains systemwide, LAN officials said in a press release.

Mitsui Rail Capital LLC has hired Yiannis Loizides as director of sales and marketing. He previously held sales and marketing roles at Norfolk Southern Railway. In the new job, Loizides will focus on leasing activities for Mitsui's Western and Southeastern territory, company officials said in a press release.