Railroad News

CSX is working closely with first responders to manage rail cars that derailed and caught fire yesterday morning in Hyndman, Pennsylvania.

The derailment involved at least 32 cars, some of which contained hazardous materials, CSX officials said in a press release. At least one car that contained liquified petroleum gas and at least one car that contained molten sulphur leaked and caught fire.

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation's (HART) board has appointed Andrew Robbins executive director and chief executive officer.

Robbins has experience in urban passenger rail, rail equipment, infrastructure, construction management, systems integration and airport transit, HART officials said in a press release.

Carloads moved by U.S. railroads slipped 0.6 percent to 1,019,239 units last month compared with July 2016, marking the first decline in U.S. carload activity since October 2016, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported yesterday.

When combined with intermodal volumes — which rose 5.6 percent to 1,058,354 containers and trailers — the total traffic moved by U.S. railroads last month climbed 2.5 percent to 2,077,593 units compared with July 2016, according to an AAR press release.

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has emailed customers a letter apologizing for recent service disruptions that have occurred as the Class I goes through its restructuring.

The email was sent in response to recent customer complaints about the quality of CSX service. The complaints prompted the Surface Transportation Board last week to contact Harrison and ask the company to address the situation.

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has emailed customers a letter apologizing for recent service disruptions that have occurred as the Class I goes through its restructuring.

The email was sent in response to recent customer complaints about the quality of CSX service. The complaints prompted the Surface Transportation Board last week to contact Harrison and ask the company to address the situation.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joseph Lhota today announced the appointment of Patrick Foye as the agency's president and Veronique Hakim as managing director.

Foye and Hakim will serve in the newly created office of the chairman, which also will include MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Batory's nomination now goes to the full Senate, where he is likely to be confirmed as FRA Administrator by a voice vote. When that vote will take place is unknown, as the Senate is due to recess for a summer break shortly following an extended session called for by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Batory's nomination now goes to the full Senate, where he is likely to be confirmed as FRA Administrator by a voice vote. When that vote will take place is unknown, as the Senate is due to recess for a summer break shortly following an extended session called for by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

Michele Malski, 28

Job description: Malski’s role includes communications, strategic planning, new programs, project and grant management, and railroad outreach. She also develops training and education about components of safety culture.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial labor relations with a minor in law and society, Cornell University

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has agreed to purchase CH2M Hill Cos. Ltd. for $2.85 billion. The transaction is aimed at providing Jacobs a "leading position" and new expertise in the high-growth infrastructure and government services sectors, Jacobs officials said in a press release. In addition, Jacobs will be able to deliver more solutions to more clients by applying CH2M's advanced design, technical and program management expertise, company officials said. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of Jacobs' 2018 fiscal year.

Vertex Railcar Corp. has obtained an order for its 2480 CF aggregate car from a rail industry lessor. The lessor chose Vertex after visiting its facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. The deal marks the second time a rail lessor has chosen the company's aggregate car in recent months, Vertex officials said in a press release. In addition, another lessor has recently chosen Vertex's 7500CF wood chip car. Although Vertex didn't disclose the quantity of cars or terms of either order, company officials described both deals as "significant." The cars will begin shipping in early fall.