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
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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
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
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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.
Small-Road Briefs: Watco, SRR
Watco opens a new warehouse and logistics operating center in Arkansas. Also, Sandersville Railroad (SRR) adds another customer to its list of Hanson Spur users in Georgia.
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
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, 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.”
Commentary
Safety as a Common Goal: Union Pacific’s De Soto Shop Celebrates its Team Spirit
Union Pacific’s De Soto, Missouri, car shop recently celebrated a one-year reportable injury-free milestone – an achievement the team last reached in 2015 – with a group lunch served up by management.
Final Day to Enter ‘Women in Rail’ Nominations!
Do you know a visionary woman in the rail industry? Nominate a colleague or yourself for the seventh annual Railway Age Women in Rail awards. The deadline is Friday, September 29.
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.
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 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.
NTSB Boosts Staffing, Reduces Average Investigation-Completion Time
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Sept. 27 reported hiring a record number of employees this year “to keep up with emerging technologies and reduce the average time it takes to complete investigations.”
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.
New FRA Safety Advisories Focus on King Pin Assemblies, Roadway Maintenance Machine Safety
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently issued two new safety advisories, one concerning king pin assemblies in highway-rail grade crossing warning systems, and another focused on ensuring worker safety around roadway maintenance machines (RMMs).
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.
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.