New York MTA’s $35 million “no-brainer”

In 1626, Peter Minuit and Peter Schaghen of the Dutch West India Company purchased Manhattan Island from the Lenape Native Americans for 60 guilders’ (roughly $1,120 in 2018 U.S. dollars) worth of goods. Minuit conducted the transaction with Seyseys, Chief of the Canarsees, who accepted the merchandise in exchange for an island that was mostly controlled by the Weckquaesgeeks. Nearly 400 years later, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority—for a mere $35 million—is purchasing Grand Central Terminal and Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line and Hudson Line from Midtown Trackage Ventures LLC, a private holding company.

Commentary

Book Review: An anti-passenger-rail manifesto

“Romance of the Rails: Why the Passenger Trains We Love Are Not the Transportation We Need.” By Randal O’Toole. Published by the Cato Institute. Reviewed by David Peter Alan.

Calling all Fast Trackers nominations!

Railway Age presents its fourth annual Fast Trackers awards, in which we will profile ten individuals under the age of 40 who have made an impact in their respective fields or within their company.

FONSI clears South Shore double-track plan

A project to double-track Indiana’s South Shore Line got a “green” light following federal environmental approvals for the commuter rail route.

Lhota departs New York MTA

In a move that some observers call surprising (and others not), New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joe Lhota resigned his post on Nov. 9, only one week after he expressed his intention to stick with the MTA at a board meeting.

R. J. Corman finalizes acquisitions

R. J. Corman Railroad Company has finalized an agreement to acquire the Nashville & Eastern Railroad Corp. (NERR), Nashville & Western Railroad Corp. (NWR), Transit Solutions Group, a commuter rail operation, and three related operating entities.

DOT’s Chao calls on railroad industry to improve grade crossing safety

WASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration are sounding an urgent warning about grade crossing safety, and asking the industry to collaborate on improvements.

Capitol Corridor nears PTC completion

The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), with operating partners Amtrak and Union Pacific, has completed installation and testing of Positive Train Control (PTC) along the 170-mile San Jose-Auburn Capitol Corridor route. The agency received approval on October 24 to begin fleetwide implementation of PTC, CCJPA officials said in a news release.

ESA last big push goes to Skanska

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Oct. 31 awarded its final major civil construction contract for the Long Island Rail Road East Side Access (ESA) project to Skanska USA Civil Northeast. The contract, valued at $60.2 million, includes two options that, if exercised, would bring the total value to $62.5 million. It’s among the final work needed to begin Long Island Rail Road service to Grand Central Terminal by year-end 2022.

Abrams to lead S. Florida RTA

Palm Beach County Commissioner Steven L. Abrams was selected Executive Director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA).

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