While technology is driving the new era of railroading, the need for a rock-solid foundation is paramount. The foundation of the railroad industry is training. Just like the Roman Pantheon, an ancient building with a solid foundation and large round pillars that support the stone roof, the pillars of empowerment, compensation and technology must hold up the “roof” of railroading goals that support the desired outcomes like car-count, safety and velocity.
New York Air Brake (NYAB) has appointed Ulisses Camilo President and CEO. Camilo will succeed current President and CEO Michael J. Hawthorne, who has accepted the position of President and CEO at Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, a sister company within the Knorr-Bremse Group, NYAB’s parent company.
The June 13, 2018 report from PFL Petroleum Services, a full-service railcar company covering the North American rail market (sales and leasing, loaded and empty storage, mobile railcar cleaning, blasting, scrapping and mobile repair) says that CBR (crude by rail) traffic is growing in the U.S. and Canada, albeit with some short-term headwinds.
CN is investing C$400 million in new capacity this year, primarily in western Canada and the Edmonton-Chicago corridor. Projects currently in progress include 60 miles of double track, 11 new sidings or siding extensions, and eight yard expansions. All should be completed in November.
Amsted Rail has formed a new company to deliver onboard telematics and wireless sensor solutions for freight railcars and other unpowered rail assets.
Canadian Pacific plans to invest more than a half-billion dollars in nearly 6,000 new high-capacity grain hopper cars, and expects to place more than 500 in service before the end of 2018, increasing capacity of its unit grain trains. National Steel Car, Hamilton, Ont., has received CP’s initial order for 1,000 units.
New England has a major new facility for the cleaning, repair, and fleet management of tank cars.
Railinc Corp. has promoted Joan Smemoe to Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Vice President of Information Technology, effective June 11. She will be responsible for Railinc’s data, product development and information systems platforms.
CN has ordered 1,000 high-cube grain hopper cars from National Steel Car, Hamilton, Ont., to replace aging equipment and accommodate increasing annual Western Canadian crop yields. The order closely follows the Canadian government’s passing of Bill C-49, the Transportation Modernization Act.
For the 22nd consecutive year, Strato, Inc. has received TTX Company’s SECO (Supplier Evaluation Committee) Award. The 2017 SECO award placing Strato in the category of top companies earning the TTX Excellent Supplier designation.
