Railroad News

As forecasters continue to warn the Chicago area of an exceptionally cold and snowy winter, Metra has completed preparations for the likely challenging season ahead.

President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.

Chao served as Secretary of Labor under President George W. Bush from 2001 through 2009, the longest tenure in the position since World War II and the only Bush Cabinet member to serve all eight years of his Presidency. She was also the first Asian-American woman to serve in a Cabinet position. According to The New York Times, "While enjoying the praise and admiration of her colleagues, she also invited scorn from organized labor, whose leaders accused her of being too cozy with business interests."

11/30/2016    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

​For Immediate Release

AAR Reports Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending November 26, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 30, 2016 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending November 26, 2016.

11/30/2016    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

11/30/2016    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

11/30/2016    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

11/30/2016    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

11/30/2016    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

​For Immediate Release

AAR President and CEO Statement on Nomination of

Elaine Chao As Transportation Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nov. 29, 2016 – Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), statement on the nomination today of Elaine Chao as President-elect Donald Trump's choice to be Secretary of Transportation:

"The nation's rail industry welcomes the President-elect's selection and looks forward to working with Ms. Chao on the many critical surface transportation issues key to U.S. economic growth and prosperity.  We know based on her prior tenure at the Department of Transportation that she has a full appreciation of the vital role freight and passenger rail play in America. On behalf of the AAR and member railroads, we congratulate Ms. Chao."

11/29/2016    

Rail News: Supplier Spotlight

11/29/2016    

Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation

After partnering with Fortress Investment Group in 2014 and leading the transformation of the former Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway into the CM&Q, President and CEO John E. Giles will assume the duties of Executive Chairman. Chief Operating Officer Ryan Ratledge will succeed Giles as President and CEO.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc. (BBII) teams say they have implemented site-specific measures to ensure environmental maintenance is practiced throughout construction and into 2019, when the line of the Southeast Rail Extension (SE) is set to open.

11/29/2016    

Rail News: Security

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) called progress made by railroads in the third quarter of 2016 in implementing Positive Train Control (PTC) "uneven" across the country and across the railroads.

The report says freight railroads now have PTC active on 12 percent of their tracks, up from 9 percent last quarter. Passenger railroads increased their percentage to 23 percent this quarter compared to 22 percent last quarter. FRA noted the measurable progress made by passenger railroads has been predominately on the West Coast and called progress on East Coast passenger railroads, with the exception of SEPTA and Amtrak, as "relatively stagnant."

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Expansion Project has released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, moving the project one step further toward construction.

11/29/2016    

Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced that its board approved an amendment to its Capital Improvement Plan for FY2016–FY2020 to include $75 million in funds for the transit authority’s Red Line Extension (RLE) project.

Efforts to better manage congestion across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and increase GO rail service will advance with the opening of a new station in December and the upgrade and expansion of the Don Yard.