Railroad News

Bombardier Transportation obtained a $143.7 million contract from the London Underground to supply new motors and traction control equipment for the subway's fleet of Central line trains. The contract requires Bombardier to provide ongoing maintenance support until 2024. Bombardier's re-traction project is part of the London Underground's larger Central line improvement program, which calls for a number of enhancements to reduce failures on the route. For the program, Bombardier is replacing direct current traction motors on Central line trains with the latest MITRAC alternating current traction systems and traction control equipment, company officials said in a press release. In total, Bombardier will supply new motors and traction control for 85 eight-car Central line trains.

L.B. Foster Co. has appointed James Maloney senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. He'll join the company on Sept. 18. Based in L.B. Foster's office in Pittsburgh, Maloney will oversee global finances and accounting, as well as investor relations. He previously served as CFO at First Insight Inc., a company providing consumer data to global retailers and brands. Before that, Maloney was vice president-global financial planning and supply chain finance at H.J. Heinz Co., where he managed strategic and annual operating plans.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County and Comcast yesterday announced Wi-Fi availability at seven of Pittsburgh's busiest light-rail stations.

In January, the agency's board approved a seven-year, nonexclusive agreement with Comcast. The pact permitted Comcast to install wireless hotspots at the Station Square, First Avenue, Steel Plaza, Wood Street, Gateway, North Side and Allegheny stations.

The largest container shop to arrive on the U.S. East Coast made its first stop yesterday at the Port of Virginia.

The 1,200-foot CMA CGM Theodore Roosevelt, which has a capacity of 14,400 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), was guided through the Norfolk Harbor yesterday morning, port officials announced in a press release.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has released its draft Michigan Freight Plan, a supplement to the 2040 MI Transportation Plan.

The Michigan Freight Plan provides a comprehensive overview of the state's freight transportation system, including existing assets, system performance and investments needed to "ensure long-term success," MDOT officials said in a press release. 

Freight- and passenger-rail services remain suspended in Southeast Texas as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to cause rainfall and widespread flooding, railroads and industry associations announced.

Amtrak, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) and Class Is announced yesterday that service disruptions and suspensions will remain in effect, according to service alerts and press releases.

Amtrak's new Siemens Charger locomotives have begun serving riders in Illinois and Wisconsin, the railroad announced yesterday.

The units are slated to operate on state-sponsored routes in the Midwest. The locomotives feature the new "Amtrak Midwest" logo to promote the five-state network of trains, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

CSX has responded to the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) request for details on the Class I's new operating plan for the remainder of the year.

In a letter to STB Acting Chairwoman Ann Begeman, CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison described the railroad's plan for implementing precision scheduled railroading (PSR) across the CSX network and throughout its organization.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed a $900 million federal grant agreement for Maryland's Purple Line light-rail project, the agency announced yesterday.

The signing coincided with a groundbreaking ceremony held yesterday in Hyattsville, Maryland. The 16.2-mile light-rail line will connect to three Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rail lines, all three Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) rail lines and Amtrak's Northeast Corridor trains.

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

HNTB Corporation named Thomas J. Spearing III national transit program management/construction management (PM/CM) practice leader.

Spearing joined the company in 2016 as New York office leader and senior vice president. He will be based in the firms Philadelphia office for this newly created role.

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

The Maryland Purple Line project was able to mark two milestones Monday as officials signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and began construction activities.

Metrolinx's board has appointed Phil Verster as the agency's new president and chief executive officer.

He'll begin his duties Oct. 1. Verster succeeds Bruce McCuaig, who earlier this year stepped down to serve in the Privy Council Office in support of the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

COFCO International Ltd. (CIL) and grain cooperative Growmark Inc. have formed a new partnership that includes joint ownership and operation of a rail, barge and truck terminal on the Mississippi River in Cahokia, Illinois.

The pact includes a grain origination agreement. Additionally, Growmark will staff a grain merchandiser in CIL's St. Louis office to originate grain and service patron accounts, company officials said in a joint press release.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao today will participate in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Purple Line light-rail route.

The event will take place in Hyattsville, Maryland, according to a media advisory issued by Hogan's office.