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CN On Track to Lower Carbon Intensity

CN On Track to Lower Carbon Intensity Canada’s largest railway, CN, has nearly 20,000 route-miles of track, moving more than C$250 billion of goods every year. As a leader in striving to

Brightline, Wi-Tronix: $1.65MM CRISI Grant for AI

Brightline and Wi-Tronix have been awarded $1.65 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) competitive grant program for development of an AI (artificial intelligence)-backed monitoring

Norfolk Southern locomotives, led by 6920, the “Veterans Engine,” hauling Northrop Grumman SLS rocket components for Artemis II: Mission to the Moon through Atlanta, Ga.

Three Railroads and a Moon Shot

Apollo 17 in December 1972 was NASA’s final Project Apollo manned lunar mission. In November 2024, the agency returns to manned lunar spaceflight with Artemis II, a mission similar to Apollo 8

A $12.4 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation will go toward GCRTA’s Rail Car Replacement Program. In July, Siemens Mobility was contracted to replace the agency’s Red Line fleet with 24 S200s. (Rendering Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, NCTD, SEPTA, VRE

Ohio’s Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) receives a $12.4 million state grant for railcar replacement. Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is awarded state funding for a climate vulnerability and needs assessment; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rolls out contactless payment technology; and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) seeks public comment on fare changes proposed in its preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget.

Buzz Berger (pictured) will lead HDR’s railway design technical services.
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People News: HDR, HNTB, NS

HDR selects Buzz Berger as Railway Design Leader. Also, HNTB welcomes Steven Mudge as Fleet and Facilities Technical Director; and Norfolk Southern (NS) selects Will Miller as the newly appointed Director Public Engagement.

NTSB: How Not to Blow a Gasket

The National Transportation Safety Board has released findings and safety recommendations on DOT-117 tank cars that address the performance of gaskets employed in sealing manway covers and valves in a derailment, and

“As the rising cost of living continues to impact U.S. households, public transportation offers an economical and climate-friendly alternative to reduce daily expenses,” APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said. (MARTA Photograph Courtesy of APTA, via X)

APTA: Public Transit Saves Users $13K Annually

Individuals who use public transportation instead of driving can save more than $13,000 per year, or $1,100 per month, due to auto cost and gasoline price increases, according to the latest Transit Savings report from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

BNSF photo

BNSF, SMART-TD Reach Tentative Agreement

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, Transportation Division (SMART-TD) and BNSF Railway have reached a system-wide agreement, following up on the mandatory local bargaining items from last year’s Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) that the Class I says will “significantly benefit ground service employees.”

The new opening date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT—the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) future Line 5—won’t be announced until the “high-risk testing phase” is completed.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Miami-Dade County, St. Louis Metro Transit, STM

When will Metrolink announce the opening date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT? Also, the price tag is going up for the planned commuter rail line between Miami and Aventura, Fla.; St. Louis, Mo., Metro Transit will test single-car light rail train service next month and has awarded the first construction contract for its Secure Platform Plan; and Société de transport de Montréal (STM) delays the Blue Line métro extension launch.

From left, UP's Kim Hess, Assistant Vice President-Energy, Marketing and Sales; Ashok Fichadia, Assistant Vice President-Customer, Tech; Kaleb Koehn; Josh Saltz; and Rick Lichtas, Assistant Vice President-Network Integration and Scheduling, Network Planning and Operations. (Union Pacific photo)
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Class I Briefs: CSX, UP

CSX is honored with the 2023 Patriots in Business Award and assembles care packages for military members. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) second annual “Hackathon” event inspires innovative approaches to real-world dilemmas; and Houston officials approve a $5 million fund to help relocate residents living near polluted UP rail yard.

(FRA Photograph)

FRA Examines Vertical Split Rim Causes, Prevention

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) this month released a technical report on the causes and prevention vertical split rim (VSR), which is related broken wheel rims, one of the leading causes of FRA-reportable wheel-related accidents.

FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez has been named as the recipient of LIT's 2023 Founders Award.
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People News: LIT, Trinity Metro

Latinos In Transit (LIT) names Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nuria Fernandez as the recipient of this year’s Founders Award. Also, Trinity Rail names Reed Lanham as Vice President of Rail.

CTA photo

Transit Briefs: CTA, HART, Valley Metro

The final major stage of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) North Belmont Red-Purple Reconstruction project is scheduled to begin this fall. Also, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s (HART) TECO Line Streetcar will remain free for another year; and Valley Metro’s Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) reaches $1 million milestone.

(Screen Grab Courtesy of TTX YouTube Video)

U.S. Rail Traffic Uptick Continues in Week 38

For the week ending Sept. 23, 2023 (Week 38), total U.S. rail traffic was 493,323 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.8% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Sept. 27. It is the second consecutive week of gains for carloads and intermodal units, following weeks of losses or virtually flat results for both.