Railroad News

TransLink and the Vancouver-area Mayors' Council on Regional Transportation earlier this week unveiled a 90-day action plan to solicit funding for major transportation expansions in the region.

The plan calls on the British Columbia government to "be ready to make quick decisions over the summer and fall" to fund the next phase of the 10-year vision for metro Vancouver transit and transportation, TransLink officials said in a press release.

HNTB Corp. by year's end is expected to complete an analysis of operating plans and preliminary costs for a proposed passenger-rail line connecting Chicago and Columbus, Ohio.

The alternatives analysis is required by the National Environmental Policy Act to begin the project. Once completed, the analysis could position the project to receive federal funds for design and construction, according to a press release issued by the city of Fort Wayne, Ind.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) has introduced the Rail Shippers Fairness Act that would, among other measures, require railroads to participate in competitive switching.

The bill aims to "reduce costs and improve service problems" faced by Wisconsin rail shippers, including farmers, manufacturers and utilities, according to a press release issued by Baldwin's office.

Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.

UP's investment plan in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2012 to 2016, the company invested more than $566 million strengthening Illinois' transportation infrastructure. This year, UP will use $70 million to maintain railroad track and $10 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.

UP's investment plan in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2012 to 2016, the company invested more than $566 million strengthening Illinois' transportation infrastructure. This year, UP will use $70 million to maintain railroad track and $10 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.

UP's investment plan in Illinois is part of an ongoing investment strategy. From 2012 to 2016, the company invested more than $566 million strengthening Illinois' transportation infrastructure. This year, UP will use $70 million to maintain railroad track and $10 million to maintain bridges in the state. Key projects planned this year include:

Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.

Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.

Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.

Twin Eagle Sand Logistics, LLC (Twin Eagle), a subsidiary of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, outlined plans to expand the Permian Rail Park near Big Springs, Texas.

Twin Eagle said the expansion of the Union Pacific-served park is to meet the strong demand of the Midland Basin. Phase 1 of the unit train capable rail park was completed in February of 2016 and comprised 33,000 feet of track for rail-to-truck frac sand trans-loading services. Phase 2 of the park includes 15,000 tons of flat storage, 7,800 feet of additional rail track and a 50-percent expansion of the transload road. Phase 3 will include the development of the rail park's 150-acre Lot 2 parcel. The new development of Lot 2 will feature 30,000 tons of rail-accessible vertical silo storage. Phase 3 of the park will break ground next month and will be completed by the first quarter of 2018.

Twin Eagle Sand Logistics, LLC (Twin Eagle), a subsidiary of Twin Eagle Resource Management, LLC, outlined plans to expand the Permian Rail Park near Big Springs, Texas.

Twin Eagle said the expansion of the Union Pacific-served park is to meet the strong demand of the Midland Basin. Phase 1 of the unit train capable rail park was completed in February of 2016 and comprised 33,000 feet of track for rail-to-truck frac sand trans-loading services. Phase 2 of the park includes 15,000 tons of flat storage, 7,800 feet of additional rail track and a 50-percent expansion of the transload road. Phase 3 will include the development of the rail park's 150-acre Lot 2 parcel. The new development of Lot 2 will feature 30,000 tons of rail-accessible vertical silo storage. Phase 3 of the park will break ground next month and will be completed by the first quarter of 2018.

A consortium led by General Electric and including Transnet, South Africa, has been named preferred bidder by the government of Nigeria government for a concession to rehabilitate, finance and operate Nigerian Railways' 2178-mile network.

The consortium also includes SinoHydro, a Chinese infrastructure construction services company, and APM Terminals, a port, terminal and intermodal services provider.

A consortium led by General Electric and including Transnet, South Africa, has been named preferred bidder by the government of Nigeria government for a concession to rehabilitate, finance and operate Nigerian Railways' 2178-mile network.

The consortium also includes SinoHydro, a Chinese infrastructure construction services company, and APM Terminals, a port, terminal and intermodal services provider.

A consortium led by General Electric and including Transnet, South Africa, has been named preferred bidder by the government of Nigeria government for a concession to rehabilitate, finance and operate Nigerian Railways' 2178-mile network.

The consortium also includes SinoHydro, a Chinese infrastructure construction services company, and APM Terminals, a port, terminal and intermodal services provider.

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The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending May 27, 2017.

Amtrak announced yesterday preliminary schedule changes related to its track and switch renewal projects at New York City's Penn Station this summer.

The railroad's service adjustments to its weekday schedule will be in effect July 10 through Sept. 1.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (Metro) board yesterday approved a $6.1 billion budget for fiscal-year 2018, which begins July 1.

The budget includes the addition of more rail cars to meet growing demand on the Expo and Gold lines, Metro officials said in a press release. In FY2018, the agency expects to provide 129,000 rail revenue service hours, an 11.6 percent year-over-year increase.