Railroad News

WSP USA, the company formerly called Parsons Brinckerhoff, has named two rail transit industry veterans to executive positions.

WSP USA, the company formerly called Parsons Brinckerhoff, has named two rail transit industry veterans to executive positions.

WSP USA, the company formerly called Parsons Brinckerhoff, has named two rail transit industry veterans to executive positions.

Winnie Chang, 31

Job description: Chang began her railroading career in August 2014 as a leadership fellow in the rotational management program at the PANYNJ. In April 2016, she applied for a permanent position in the Port Authority-Trans Hudson’s (PATH) rail planning and logistics group, where she now manages the impact of external real estate developments on the PATH system.

Education: New York University, Tisch School of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts degree; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Master of Science in Transportation and Master of City Planning

FreightCar America Inc. appointed James Meyer president and chief executive officer, effective July 31. He will succeed Joseph McNeely, who's leaving the company to pursue new opportunities. Meyer has nearly three decades of experience in the heavy equipment, automotive and consumer goods industries, FreightCar America officials said in a press release. He previously served as chairman of Commercial Specialty Truck Holdings LLC. From 2012 to 2015, Meyer was chief operating officer of Allied Specialty Vehicles Inc., a manufacturer of specialty vehicles for the fire and emergency, commercial, and recreational markets. He also held leadership positions at Brunswick Corp.

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has selected Seneca Group LLC to examine surface transportation modes in Mexico. Seneca Senior Associate Richard Sherman will travel to Mexico to meet with potential sponsors to develop project concepts in grade-crossing safety measures, municipal bus transit information systems, maritime port information technology and cybersecurity, and technologies that analyze and identify causes of road accidents. Seneca also is seeking inquiries from U.S. suppliers of goods and services in those areas. In particular, the company is seeking input from providers of systems, technologies, materials and services related to grade crossings and port security and operations.

Metra has unveiled plans to install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.

The signage will feature the suicide prevention hotline phone number. The plan marks the first time the railroad has committed to installing signs as part of a more comprehensive suicide prevention initiative launched earlier this year, Metra officials said in a press release.

U.S. railroads moved 540,005 carloads and intermodal units during the week ending July 15, a 3.8 percent increase compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported yesterday.

Total carloads for the week added up to 262,869 units, a slight increase of 0.3 percent compared with the same week in 2016. U.S. railroads' intermodal volume rose 7.4 percent to 277,136 containers and trailers compared to a year ago.

The League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) has extended its nominations deadline to Aug. 11 for the 2017 Outstanding Woman of the Year Award, which is co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading.

For two decades, the LRIW has been recognizing women who have made significant contributions to the rail industry through leadership, dedication and vision. Women working in the North American rail industry are eligible to receive the award.

OmniTRAX is developing a 60-day plan to return the northern portion of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) to service following floods that caused significant damage to the line in May.

OmniTRAX is developing a 60-day plan to return the northern portion of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) to service following floods that caused significant damage to the line in May.

OmniTRAX is developing a 60-day plan to return the northern portion of the Hudson Bay Railway (HBR) to service following floods that caused significant damage to the line in May.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at a July 19 luncheon for the Long Island Association where he outlined the historic $5.6-billion transformation of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at a July 19 luncheon for the Long Island Association where he outlined the historic $5.6-billion transformation of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo spoke at a July 19 luncheon for the Long Island Association where he outlined the historic $5.6-billion transformation of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

The California Legislature earlier this week voted to extend the state's cap-and-trade program that requires companies to purchase permits for releasing greenhouse gases. The program generates revenue for the state's high-speed rail project.

The legislation, which now awaits Gov. Jerry Brown's signature, would continue the program through 2030.

Metra is moving forward with its plan to develop and install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.

In a presentation given at the agency's monthly Board of Directors meeting, Metra's Chief Safety and Environmental Officer Hilary Konczal unveiled plans to initially partner with the DuPage Railroad Safety Council, the McHenry County Mental Health Board, the Lake County Health Department and other members of the mental health community to develop signs featuring a suicide prevention hotline phone number that an individual who may be depressed, feeling hopeless or suicidal can call for help. This is the first time the agency has committed to installing signs as part of a more comprehensive suicide prevention initiative launched earlier this year.

Metra is moving forward with its plan to develop and install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.

In a presentation given at the agency's monthly Board of Directors meeting, Metra's Chief Safety and Environmental Officer Hilary Konczal unveiled plans to initially partner with the DuPage Railroad Safety Council, the McHenry County Mental Health Board, the Lake County Health Department and other members of the mental health community to develop signs featuring a suicide prevention hotline phone number that an individual who may be depressed, feeling hopeless or suicidal can call for help. This is the first time the agency has committed to installing signs as part of a more comprehensive suicide prevention initiative launched earlier this year.

Metra is moving forward with its plan to develop and install suicide prevention signs on station platforms along each of its 11 lines.

In a presentation given at the agency's monthly Board of Directors meeting, Metra's Chief Safety and Environmental Officer Hilary Konczal unveiled plans to initially partner with the DuPage Railroad Safety Council, the McHenry County Mental Health Board, the Lake County Health Department and other members of the mental health community to develop signs featuring a suicide prevention hotline phone number that an individual who may be depressed, feeling hopeless or suicidal can call for help. This is the first time the agency has committed to installing signs as part of a more comprehensive suicide prevention initiative launched earlier this year.

Stephen Hoye has been appointed vice president of Anacostia Rail Holdings's Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) subsidiary. The position is effective in early August.

Hoye joins PHL from the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, where he served as superintendent since 2011. Hoye also served as director of the ten-person Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (CTCO) team since 2014. CTCO has responsibility for overseeing day-to-day performance and planning affecting 14 different carrier traffic flows operating in and out of the nation's largest rail hub. He helped execute infrastructure improvements needed to complete Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program projects.

Stephen Hoye has been appointed vice president of Anacostia Rail Holdings's Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) subsidiary. The position is effective in early August.

Hoye joins PHL from the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, where he served as superintendent since 2011. Hoye also served as director of the ten-person Chicago Transportation Coordination Office (CTCO) team since 2014. CTCO has responsibility for overseeing day-to-day performance and planning affecting 14 different carrier traffic flows operating in and out of the nation's largest rail hub. He helped execute infrastructure improvements needed to complete Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program projects.