Tech Mahindra will launch a subscription-based Positive Train Control (PTC) digital training program customized for employees of short line railroads in the U.S. for American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) members.
The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Operations Board has parted ways with CEO Doug Allen.
Amtrak Inspector General Kevin H. Winters recently issued a report about the economic impact of sub-standard On-Time Performance (OTP) of Amtrak trains caused by the freight railroads that host and dispatch its services.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced that it is publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The proposed rule will seek comment on changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to authorize the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail in the DOT-113 specification tank cars.
Editor’s Note: At an Oct. 8, 2019 presentation before the W.A.R.E.S. (Washington Area Railway Engineering Society) Annual Conference, Steve Ditmeyer, Principal of Transportation Technology and Economics, presented his vision of what he calls “NextGen Train Control,” or “What comes next after Positive Train Control.” Following are excerpts from his talk. The entire presentation can be downloaded from the link following this story. – William C. Vantuono
It’s third-quarter 2019 railroad financial results reporting time, and sometimes, insight about rail freight markets comes from strange places. One of those might just be the quarterly report by J.B. Hunt (JBHT). The Hunt logistics company is one of the largest U.S. intermodal rail organizers. It essentially buys contracted intermodal train service from railroad companies like BNSF and Norfolk Southern.
Kansas City Southern (KCS) reported record revenues of $747.7 million, an increase of 7% from third quarter 2018. Overall, carload volumes were flat compared to prior year.
HNTB Corp. announced it has added two new faces to its transit team, as Charles Beauvoir, P.E., S.E., joined as senior program manager and vice president, based in the firm’s Houston office, and industry veteran Jack Buckingham joined the transit and rail practice as vice president, program delivery, based in the firm’s District office.
Union Pacific (UP) relatively flat reported 3Q19 net income of $1.6 billion, or $2.22 per diluted share. This compares to $1.6 billion, or $2.15 per diluted share, in the same period last year. Yet, one-upping 2Q19, UP set an all-time best quarterly operating ratio of 59.5%.
CSX announced 3Q19 net earnings of $856 million, or $1.08 per share, versus $894 million, or $1.05 per share in the same period last year—an EPS increase of 3%. CSX’s operating ratio set a new company record of 56.8%, improved from 58.7% in the prior year.
