Railroad News

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Sept. 28 that will "harmonize" the environmental review process between the three highway, transit and railroad agencies.

USDOT explains that the proposed regulatory change, affecting the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Highway Administration, would allow multimodal projects to follow a single process rather than multiple agency processes. This would be done by establishing a pilot program where states would conduct environmental reviews and issue approvals for projects under state regulations instead of the National Environmental Policy Act.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) Sept. 28 that will "harmonize" the environmental review process between the three highway, transit and railroad agencies.

USDOT explains that the proposed regulatory change, affecting the Federal Transit Administration, Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Highway Administration, would allow multimodal projects to follow a single process rather than multiple agency processes. This would be done by establishing a pilot program where states would conduct environmental reviews and issue approvals for projects under state regulations instead of the National Environmental Policy Act.

U.S. railroads moved 548,204 carloads and intermodal units for the week ending Sept. 23, a 1.6 percent increase compared with the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported yesterday.

Total carloads for the week declined 2 percent to 263,200 units, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume surged 5.1 percent to 285,004 containers and trailers.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) rail station managers are not properly maintaining emergency cabinets at stations, leaving the system poorly equipped to handle emergencies, according to the agency's recent internal review.

WMATA's Quality Assurance, Internal Compliance and Oversight (QICO) team found that managers failed to fill out cabinet content checklists at a number of stations. In addition, some stations' checklists were only partially filled out.

Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG), has signed a contract with the city of Ottawa for the expansion of a maintenance and storage facility located at Belfast Road.

The facility is part of Stage 2 construction for the Confederation Line Light Rail transit system. The CA$106-million (US$85.15-million) contract includes the Early Work Package Variation Directives, preliminary work and site preparation that began in April 2017.

Rideau Transit Group Partnership (RTG), has signed a contract with the city of Ottawa for the expansion of a maintenance and storage facility located at Belfast Road.

The facility is part of Stage 2 construction for the Confederation Line Light Rail transit system. The CA$106-million (US$85.15-million) contract includes the Early Work Package Variation Directives, preliminary work and site preparation that began in April 2017.

In lieu of the changing season, Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) will perform rail-cleaning services on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail to reduce slippery rail.

KCS explains that slippery rail occurs when leaves and debris fall onto the track. As trains pass, these transform into a thin and slick film that accumulates on the tracks. In these fall conditions, trains are required to begin slowing for stops sooner and take more time to re-gain speed when departing a station. As a result, a train needs more time to travel its route, which can create delays. Occasionally, more wheel maintenance is also required and this can impact coach or locomotive availability.

In lieu of the changing season, Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) will perform rail-cleaning services on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail to reduce slippery rail.

KCS explains that slippery rail occurs when leaves and debris fall onto the track. As trains pass, these transform into a thin and slick film that accumulates on the tracks. In these fall conditions, trains are required to begin slowing for stops sooner and take more time to re-gain speed when departing a station. As a result, a train needs more time to travel its route, which can create delays. Occasionally, more wheel maintenance is also required and this can impact coach or locomotive availability.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has proposed regulatory change that would streamline the environmental review process for multimodal projects, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced yesterday at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' (AASHTO) annual meeting in Phoenix.

The proposal, sent to the Federal Register this week, would "harmonize" the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) environmental review process with the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Highway Administration, according to a USDOT press release. The proposal is being made so that multimodal projects are required to follow only one process rather than multiple agency processes, USDOT officials said in a press release.

Harsco Rail has won two orders worth nearly $25 million to supply track maintenance and measuring equipment for use on the Haramain high-speed line in Saudi Arabia and the Transnet network in South Africa.

The first order is for the production of rail grinding machines to maintain railhead contours on the new 28-mile Mecca - Medina double-track high-speed line, which is nearing completion. The order also includes initial operator training as well as spare parts support.

Harsco Rail has won two orders worth nearly $25 million to supply track maintenance and measuring equipment for use on the Haramain high-speed line in Saudi Arabia and the Transnet network in South Africa.

The first order is for the production of rail grinding machines to maintain railhead contours on the new 28-mile Mecca - Medina double-track high-speed line, which is nearing completion. The order also includes initial operator training as well as spare parts support.

Harsco Corp.'s Protran Technology unit has received orders from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the Sacramento Regional Transit District to install track worker alert systems. The technology alerts track workers on the ground before trains enter their work zones. The orders are scheduled for delivery through the end of the year, according to a Harsco press release. Financial terms were not disclosed.

UltraTech International Inc. has released the Ultra-Track Berm, a portable spill containment solution. The device, which captures up to 144 gallons of spilled material, can be moved quickly by one person to a leak or spill. If a larger spill occurs or greater capacity is needed, drain hoses can be connected to the camlock fittings so the spilled material is directed to a waste collection area or larger container. The Ultra-Track Berm features closed-cell polyethylene foam that provides secure sidewall structure, Ultra-Tech officials said in a press release.

MTA Metro-North Railroad has wrapped up an 18-week track improvement project on the Harlem and Hudson lines, the railroad announced Monday.

Crews replaced more than 1,900 ties, resurfaced track, replaced nearly 1,200 feet of rail, added stone ballast and improved drainage on the Harlem Line. The work took place between the Mount Vernon West and Crestwood stations.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in late December will close its Wollaston Station on the Red Line to complete accessibility improvements.

The stop is the only Red Line station that doesn't comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act. Planned upgrades include new elevators, additional lighting, improved stairways and new bathrooms.

Caltrain's long-term business plan is shaping up after a recent workshop with more than 50 local stakeholders, the railroad announced Monday.

Work on the plan began last year after Caltrain awarded contracts for construction related to its electrification project.

​RAIL SAFETY WEEK EDUCATES PUBLIC ON STAYING SAFE NEAR TRACKS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 24, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) joins the rail safety community to mark the first U.S. Rail Safety Week, September 24-30, 2017, to raise awareness on how people can stay safe near tracks. NInety-five percent of rail-related deaths involve drivers going through a grade crossing or a person on the tracks.

The Texas Northwestern Railway (TXNW) has signed Crop Production Services (CPS) as the first tenant for the railroad's new Panhandle Logistics Park near Sunray, Texas.

The railroad is a subsidiary of TNW Corp. and CPS is a subsidiary of agricultural company Agrium Inc.

Transit agencies around the United States are taking part in the first U.S. Rail Safety Week to support the efforts of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and promote safe behavior around rail property.

Transit agencies around the United States are taking part in the first U.S. Rail Safety Week to support the efforts of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), and promote safe behavior around rail property.