Railroad News

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Given all the strident NAFTA renegotiation talk earlier this year, there was concern in some rail circles about the consequences of trade-pact tinkering on U.S.-Mexico cross-border carload and intermodal business. The anxiety eased a bit after the Trump administration released its renegotiation priorities on July 17. Meanwhile, international container volume has been the key driver of North American intermodal traffic growth so far this year.

Amanda Stahlnecker, 36

Job description: Stahlnecker works on a variety of freight- and transit-rail projects. Her duties include feasibility studies, design, plan preparation, cost estimation, project management and construction support. She provides guidance for less experienced staff in her section and helps with HDR's freight railroad training program.

Education: Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering with a minor in communication studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Stephen C. Tobias, former Norfolk Southern vice chairman and chief operating officer and former member of the Canadian Pacific Board of Directors, died Aug. 7.

"Steve was COO for most of the years I was chairman, president and CEO. He was a tower of strength for me and the company. He was a great railroader and, I believe, the best operations man in the business," said David Good, former chairman, president and CEO of NS.

Stephen C. Tobias, former Norfolk Southern vice chairman and chief operating officer and former member of the Canadian Pacific Board of Directors, died Aug. 7.

"Steve was COO for most of the years I was chairman, president and CEO. He was a tower of strength for me and the company. He was a great railroader and, I believe, the best operations man in the business," said David Good, former chairman, president and CEO of NS.

AngelTrax has relocated all operations into a renovated 40,000-square-foot facility, which will serve as the new headquarters for the company's expanded corporate offices, as well as its manufacturing, inventory and distribution centers. The expansion follows the debut of the new Vulcan™ Series high-definition cameras, IP cameras and DVRs, which were launched in the first quarter. With increasing demand for Vulcan Series systems, AngelTrax needed room to accommodate current and future growth, said President and Chief Executive Officer Richie Howard.

Road & Rail Services Inc. has received the Association of American Railroads' automotive quality excellence award for its efforts at a site in Talladega, Alabama. The company was recognized for the highest quality review score for origin facilities for the period covering June 2016 to May 2017. The AAR gives out only one such award each year, Road & Rail officials said in a press release. This marks the third time that Road & Rail has received the honor.

Valley Metro has been recognized for its use of geographic information system (GIS) technology in its ridership data portal.

GIS supplier Esri presented the agency with a 2017 special achievement in GIS award for the portal, which provides access to customized transit ridership reports. The data portal serves as a "model for the industry," Valley Metro officials said in a press release.

The Port Authority of Allegheny County next year plans to open a larger customer service center in downtown Pittsburgh.

The agency's board late last month approved amending an existing lease at the Heinz 57 Center to include a new 8,500-square-foot location. The lease will now run through 2030.

Union Pacific Railroad ranked as the top performer while Canadian Pacific ranked last in the Soy Transportation Coalition's (STC) seventh annual survey of Class I performance.

UP was regarded as the top performing railroad for the fifth time. Survey respondents ranked CP in seventh place for the six year in a row, STC officials said in a press release.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending August 5, 2017.

The Kansas City Streetcar Authority (KCSA) on Monday issued a notice to proceed on planning work for a southern extension to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

An HDR Engineering-led team will perform planning and engineering services. The planning work will include collecting data on area conditions and utilities, refining alignment details, determining station locations and updating cost estimates.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles.

"We don't want train engineers with undiagnosed sleep apnea, who actually hold lives in their hands, to fall asleep at the switch and we don't want big-rig drivers to doze off at the wheel. That's why NTSB's recommendations to get this done should be the law of the land and why I have pushed so hard on this subject for years. This abrupt and uncalled for withdrawal by [U.S. Department of Transportation] commemorates a disaster waiting to happen and that's why I'm now calling on the both of these agencies to get these rules and this process back on track," said Sen. Schumer.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is asking the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to reverse the withdrawal of pending regulation that would require sleep apnea testing of workers in safety critical roles.

"We don't want train engineers with undiagnosed sleep apnea, who actually hold lives in their hands, to fall asleep at the switch and we don't want big-rig drivers to doze off at the wheel. That's why NTSB's recommendations to get this done should be the law of the land and why I have pushed so hard on this subject for years. This abrupt and uncalled for withdrawal by [U.S. Department of Transportation] commemorates a disaster waiting to happen and that's why I'm now calling on the both of these agencies to get these rules and this process back on track," said Sen. Schumer.

SNC-Lavalin appointed Chantal Sorel to executive vice president, Capital. This appointment is in addition to her current role as managing director. Sorel will serve on the Executive Committee.

As Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Capital Sorel will continue to oversee all aspects of Capital, SNC-Lavalin's investment, project financing and asset management arm.

SNC-Lavalin appointed Chantal Sorel to executive vice president, Capital. This appointment is in addition to her current role as managing director. Sorel will serve on the Executive Committee.

As Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Capital Sorel will continue to oversee all aspects of Capital, SNC-Lavalin's investment, project financing and asset management arm.

Siemens today will open a new, 44,000-square-foot locomotive service hub in Delaware that will use digital and predictive technology to remotely maintain the units for several railroad operators.

Located in New Castle, the facility will use "Internet of Trains" digital and predictive technology to train service technicians and remotely monitor more than 140 Siemens-built locomotives for customers across the United States, company officials said in a press release.

Danielle Ross, 35

Job description: Ross sets Spectrum’s direction and oversees operations. She assesses staffing needs, anticipates and plans for growth, and creates short- and long-term strategies for the marketing and manufacturing of the company's products.

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish literature from Ohio State University

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing Editor