TekTracking to Provide GLM, SLM for CP
TekTracking LLC announced a new order as part of the continued rollout of Gate Light (GLM) and Safety Light Monitors (SLM) at additional CP grade crossing locations in the Calgary area.
Breaking News
FRA Announces $528,028 in Trespassing Grants
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded $528,028 in Railroad Trespassing Enforcement Grants to 11 projects in six states in an effort to support life-saving trespass abatement.
CN Keeps Setting Grain Records
In June CN achieved another monthly record by moving 2.7 million metric tonnes (MMT) of Canadian grain. In the first half of 2020 through June 30, CN moved 15 MMT, which also represents an all-time best quarter for CN with 8.15 MMT moved.
Mangione To Expand WSP Leadership Role
Michael Mangione will be expanding his leadership responsibilities at WSP USA, as he was promoted to National Markets Director for Transportation.
CP Notches Best Quarter, June for Grain Transportation
Canadian Pacific (CP) recorded its best-ever quarter and June for moving Canadian grain and grain products.
Charting U.S. Rail Freight Through a Troubled First Half
Over the next few days and then amplified by mid-month investor reporting, we will learn more about how U.S. rail freight is trending. Association of American Railroads six-month data is out. In the interim, Susquehanna Financial Group (SFG) data scientists have circulated their freight market view. As well, we’ve added some FreightWaves SONAR intermodal data to the mix.
Watco to Acquire Dow’s Rail Assets for $310MM
Watco Companies LLC announced it will acquire for more than $310 million Dow Inc.’s rail infrastructure assets and equipment at six North American locations.
Kelly to Serve as RFC VP
Railroad Financial Corporation (RFC) recently hired Roger Kelly as a Vice President.
Digital Twins and Building Information Modeling for Rail Transit Facilities: Rail Group on Air Podcast
Bentley Systems Director, Product Management – Building, Electrical, Plant and Structure Eduardo Lazzarotto discusses Building Information Modeling and Digital Twins technologies, especially how they can be applied to rail transit station design
FreightWaves SONAR: Need For Speed Drives Ships To Pacific Ports
The battle for Asian containerized exports rages on between West and East Coast ports. The East had been steadily gaining ground, but COVID-19 is changing the balance in favor of the West, at least in the short term. The most immediate effect of the coronavirus was a shift from air cargo to premium ocean service. Advantage West Coast ports. Former air-cargo shippers with time pressures don’t take the long route to the East Coast.
Opinion
Why “Data Soup” Provides No Real-Time Nutrition
In my most recent Railway Age article entitled “U.S. Railroads Resurgent With Digitization at Just the Right Time,” I described how the railroads were the driver of U.S. growth, expansion and prosperity. They provided the spine for the economy to flourish.
First in a Series: Has Amtrak Declared War?
This writer began working on this series on June 19. It was Juneteenth, the day an increasing number of Americans of all colors and heritages now view as an occasion to celebrate freedom. Part of the freedom that many Americans treasure is the freedom to travel, as stated in the First Amendment of the Constitution. The “right to travel” is one thing, in the sense that government cannot unduly restrict travel (as questionable as that assumption may appear these days), but there is also the issue that this sacred “right” can be limited if access to mobility is also limited. Millions of Americans who depend on Amtrak for part of their travel are about to lose a significant portion of the mobility they have today.
KCS Isn’t For Sale. Quit Salivating
If I had a $100,000 for every time the rumor mill shouted out that Kansas City Southern was on the auction block, I’d be a multi-millionaire with a collection of exotic cars rivaling that of Jay Leno, and racing a Corvette C8.R in the IMSA Series, with my son Craig as crew chief. (I wouldn’t own a private railcar, because Amtrak wouldn’t want to haul it around the country, and if they did, they’d probably overcharge me. But that’s another story.)
New York Cross Harbor Rail Tunnel? Not in Our Lifetime: The Federal Transit Man
There is only $70 million for advancing an environmental study for the $10 billion (estimated) Cross Harbor Rail Tunnel within the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 2017-2026 Capital Plan. This leaves a $9.930 billion shortfall to complete this freight rail project. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) continues to claim that there is real progress for his favored project. He has championed this as his number one transportation priority for 30 years. But after all that time, project is still stuck in the federal National Environmental Protection Act review process.
What’s Changed? Just About Everything
ASLRRA PERSPECTIVE, RAILWAY AGE, JUNE 2020 ISSUE: National survey data indicate that 70% of Americans have not left their homes to visit family or friends, more than 50% have not gone into work, 20% do not leave their home to shop for the essentials of life, and 33% have someone in their household that has either lost a job or took a pay cut because of the coronavirus outbreak. A stunning 39 million Americans have filed for unemployment since early March.