DOT gives Florida more time on HSR
In a move possibly reflecting Florida’s political significance, the Department of Transportation has extended by one week its deadline for a decision by the Sunshine State to use, or reject, federal funds
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Fla. governor affirms HSR rejection
Affirming his disdain for high speed rail, Florida Gov. Rick Scott late Thursday rejected a hastily arranged plan to rescue the state’s proposed 84-mile, $2.39 billion high speed rail line between Tampa
LACMTA to buy LA Union Station
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board Thursday made good its oft-stated intent to approve $75 million for purchase of Los Angeles’ Union Station, a rebounding rail and transit hub. The
Houston Metro eyes Siemens for 19 LRT cars
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) said Thursday its Board of Directors approved funds to purchase 19 Siemens light rail transit vehicles, Delivery could begin as early as October 2012,
U.S. freight traffic trending up, AAR says
U.S. freight carload traffic rose 8.2% in the week ending Feb. 19, measured against the comparable week one year ago, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday. U.S. intermodal volume for the
ARI revenue up, net down, in 4Q
American Railcar Industries, Inc. late Wednesday reported a net loss of $7.8 million in its fourth quarter, on revenue of $95.3 million, compared with a fourth-quarter 2009 net earnings of $10.5 million
L.B. Foster reports good 4Q, full-year results
L.B. Foster Co. Thursday said its fourth-quarter net income increased by 59.5% to $6.2 million, or 60 cents per diluted share, compared with $3.9 million, or 38 cents per diluted share, in
Norfolk Southern places big coal car order
Norfolk Southern has announced that it is buying 1,500 new high-capacity coal cars from FreightCar America at a cost of more than $100 million. They will be manufactured at FreightCar America’s plant
After strong 2010, Wabtec sees better 2011
Wabtec Corp. on Tuesday reported strong sales and earnings for 2010 and issued 2011 guidance calling for an increase in revenue of 10%, with earnings per diluted share rising to a $2.90
Amtrak to O
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has asked Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman to conduct a study examining Amtrak passenger rail linking Chicago Union Station and O’Hare International Airport. Quinn has requested that the study
Rail employment slips in January
U.S. Class I railroad employment declined 0.71% to 153,304 in January compared with December 2010. but it was 4.37% above January 2010, reflecting a steady but slowing recovery from the depths of
Oakland ponders streetcar planning grant
U.S. streetcar revivals are well-established in the West, with the mode firmly entrenched in Seattle and Tacoma, Wash., Portland, Ore., and San Francisco—the latter city never surrendering the mode in the first
Safety concerns arise amidst China HSR scandal
China’s dismissal February 12 of Liu Zhijun, chief of the Chinese Railway Ministry, has raised concerns over the safety and quality of the nation’s fast-growing high speed rail network. Liu was fired
R.J. Corman notes three appointments
The R.J. Corman Railroad Group Friday announced that Kelley Anderson has joined the group as vice president of Strategic Sales and Marketing, reporting directly to President Tammie Taylor. Anderson will lead the
House rejects slashing Amtrak FY11 funding
The House of Representatatives Thursday approved cuts of various sizes for various government programs, but rejected a proposal to cut $446.9 million in Amtrak funding for the current fiscal year 2011. Seeking
U.S. carload, intermodal traffic gain ground
U.S. freight carload traffic for the week ending February 12 rose 6.2% from the comparable week in 2010, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday. U.S. intermodal volume also gained, rising a
Houston gets refund from CAF
Houston’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said Wednesday it has received $14 million from Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. (CAF), as part of its settlement with the company involving a contract
STB to slash shipper-complaint filing fee
In a proposed rulemaking, approved by the Surface Transportation Board Wednesday, the STB is moving to reduce filing fees for shipper complaints to $350 from a current maximum of $20,000. STB would
Florida’s governor rejects high speed rail funds
In a development that stunned the global railway community, Florida’s Tea Party-leaning Gov. Rick Scott (pictured) announced Wednesday morning that he is turning down $2.3 billion in promised federal grants to help
Pourney named Gross & Janes CEO
Michael L. Pourney has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Louis, Mo.-based Gross & Janes Co., the largest independent supplier and shipper of untreated railroad ties in North America.