Editor’s Note: This is the second part of Jim Blaze’s review of market challenges surrounding rail intermodal. It continues the examination of issues highlighted by Gil Lamphere in an April 2022 article.
Ukrainian Railways and LTG Cargo CEO, Eglė Šimė, are this year’s recipients.
FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: There are a few observations my predecessor, Luther Miller, used to make when he came across language or statements that he deemed served little purpose: “Making the obvious less obscure.” “The Pope is a Catholic.” “A solution in search of a problem.” “Add that to your treasure trove of useless information.” I think he’d probably say the same thing about most of the statements the United States Department of Justice made in two filings about the pending merger of the Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern.
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: 2023 Washington dynamics will challenge rail stakeholders to navigate policy course changes and build on pivotal funding opportunities.
RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: This is the conclusion of a three-part series based upon our new book, Dynamic Multi-Level Decisioning Architecture: Making the Right Decisions, at the Right Time, with the
This is Part 3, “Essential Success Factors,” of a three-part series based upon the new book, Dynamic Multi-Level Decisioning Architecture: Making the Right Decisions at the Right Time, With the Right Authority for
Tom Lambert, President and CEO of Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston, Tex., Metro), will retire at the end of the year. Also, HNTB appoints Zandra Ford as Director of Rail Operations for the Capital Region; and WAGO, an electrical interconnection and automation product supplier, tabs Diane Pena as Electrical Contractor and Wholesale Sales Manager and Bill Prevo as Regional Sales Manager for southeastern Michigan.
CN has deployed innovative technologies to remotely monitor operational and temperature conditions of privately-owned 40-foot international containers while in the possession of its Brampton Intermodal Terminal, the Class I reported on Feb. 2.
Alstom’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train will demonstrate green traction in Quebec. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) wins first place in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2023 AdWheel Awards for communications and marketing; Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is offering bulk transit passes in pilot program; and the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) proposes $3 million for a pilot project for passenger rail service between Rockland and Brunswick.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Feb. 3 issued an extension and supplemental funding notice for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Partnership Program) for projects not located on the Northeast Corridor. The total funding now available has nearly doubled.
Cowen and Company examines whether Caterpillar, Inc. could explore strategic alternatives for its transportation business, or at least the rail piece. An enterprise value-to-revenue multiple of 2.5x-2.75x may not be unreasonable, putting the transportation business value at approximately $12 billion.
The B (Red) Line has always been the busiest line in our transit network. On an average weekday, the B Line has about 75,000 boardings. Together with the D (Purple) Line, which shares some of the same track, the B Line has seen more than 400 million boardings over the past decade. The B Line is one of many subways around the world that are ubiquitous. Nobody bats an eye.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochel addresses the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s “fiscal cliff” in her state budget proposal; MTA signs a program management and design services contract to support capital program infrastructure work. Also, south Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter railroad homes in on a 2023 start date for downtown Miami service; and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority mourns the loss of employee Robert Cunningham, who intervened on behalf of a customer at Potomac Avenue rapid transit station and was a victim of gun violence.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, now under Republican Control in the 118th Congress, held its first hearing on Feb. 1, “State of American Infrastructure and Supply Chain Challenges,” hearing testimony from Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Ian Jefferies, American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Chris Spear, Hamilton Construction Vice President Jeff Firth (testifying on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Port of Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther, and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan.
The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Board approves construction of seven additional refrigerated container racks at the Port of Savannah to expand capacity. Also, Virginia Inland Port (VIP) is the first of the Port of Virginia’s six general cargo terminals to receive 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Canadian Pacific (CP) on Feb. 2 reported moving 2.29 million metric tons (MMT) of Canadian grain and grain products in January 2023, setting a new record for the month, despite rain delays in Vancouver. Also, the Class I railroad has chosen BC Children’s Hospital Foundation as the primary charity partner of its 2023 Women’s Open golf tournament.
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Chairwoman Judy Petry retires from Farmrail. Also, Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) welcomes Kevin Bueso as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO); and Indiana Rail Road (INRD) promotes Austin Milton to Director, Safety and Training.
The Chicago City Council on Feb. 1 approved Norfolk Southern’s (NS) 15-year effort to double the size of its storage yard in Englewood, according to a WTTW News report.
As part of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) mission to advocate on behalf of its members with regulators and legislators, it has unveiled advocacy pages on its website, covering the small-road position on a number of key topics.
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) has published an updated and, for the first time, combined State Freight and Rail Plan (SFRP). Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) draft Wisconsin Rail 2050 is now available for review and comment.
