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Transit market buoys Wabtec 4Q08 profit

Crediting strength in its transit and transportation markets, Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp. Feb. 25 said it posted fourth-quarter net income of $31.1 million, or 64 cents per share, on sales of $405.2 million. That compares with net income of $28.7 million, or 58 cents per share, on sales of $365.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2007, or a 9% jump in fourth-quarter profit. Per-share results were short of analyst expectations of 65 cents per share on revenue of $391 million.

MTA L Line trains go to full CBTC

New York City’s Canarsie L line became the first in the system Tuesday to operate trains under full communications-based train control (CBTC) with ATO (automatic train operation), as trains began their Brooklyn/Manhattan route with motormen aboard in a supervisory capacity. ATO operations initially will be limited to off-peak service, with rush-hour operation to be phased in.

CN appeals STB mandate on EJ&E overpass costs

Canadian National has filed an appeal in U.S. federal court challenging a mandate issued by the Surface Transportation Board that it pay the majority of costs for two rail crossing upgrades on the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co., which it acquired in January for $300 million.

Fort Worth authority eyes rail to the airport

The Fort Worth Transportation Authority has completed an environmental study assessing commuter rail service from southwest Fort Worth to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The proposed service, possibly using diesel multiple-unit (DMU) trains, would interface with existing DART light rail service at the Airport.

Phoenix warms to light rail

Add Phoenix to the growing list of cities with a successful light rail launch. The 20-mile LRT line, which debuted late last December, averaged 30,600 riders per weekday, significantly above the 26,000 boardings per weekday anticipated by Metro.

Montana Rail Link taps 10East

10East Corp. says Montana Rail Link, Inc. has chosen to use the RailDOCS™ Preventive Maintenance Management System (PMMS) in support of preventive maintenance and government compliance activities in its signal department.

Balfour Beatty Rail lands two Denver RTD work orders

Balfour Beatty Rail, Inc.’s Transit division says it has successfully negotiated the first two work orders in its systems on-call services contract with the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), with a combined value in excess of $16 million. Both work orders have a completion date of Oct. 31, 2010.

Freight traffic on U.S. railroads struggles

U.S. railroads reported that freight volume during the week ended Feb. 14 was once again down in comparison with last year, according to the Association of American Railroads. Carload freight fell 12.2% from the level achieved in the comparable week of 2008, though AAR noted carload volume for the week reached its highest level so far in 2009 and was up 6.2% from the previous week ended February 7.

LaHood: We’re committed to HSR

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood says the Obama Administration is committed to high speed rail not just as a recipient of short-term stimulus funding, but for the long fun as well, and seeks to expand HSR in “five or six regions” in the U.S.

New York MTA: No. 7 tunneling on target

Thursday, March 19, 2009, marked the official beginning of the tunneling phase of MTA New York City Transit’s Line 7 subway extension project. With a who’s-who of politicians looking on, MTA Capital Construction lowered a key part of the first of two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will excavate two 7,100-foot tunnels. The piece lowered Thursday is known as the cutter head and has 44 rotating discs.

STB reversal on BNSF coal rate case: How serious?

The Surface Transportation Board has reversed a prior decision in longstanding litigation between BNSF Railway and Western Fuels/Laramie River, ruling that BNSF’s rates for a short-haul coal movement out of the Powder River Basin are unreasonable. The ruling reversed a fall 2007 decision in which STB determined that the rates were reasonable. Western Fuels originally challenged the rate reasonableness in 2004 for a coal move BNSF has termed “unusual.”

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STB reversal on BNSF coal rate case: How serious?

The Surface Transportation Board has reversed a prior decision in longstanding litigation between BNSF Railway and Western Fuels/Laramie River, ruling that BNSF’s rates for a short-haul coal movement out of the Powder River Basin are unreasonable. The ruling reversed a fall 2007 decision in which STB determined that the rates were reasonable. Western Fuels originally challenged the rate reasonableness in 2004 for a coal move BNSF has termed “unusual.”

AARS scholarships for MSU Railway Management Program

Two American Association of Railroad Superintendents-sponsored scholarships are available for Class III railroad employees interested in attending the Michigan State University Certificate Course in Railway Management.

Calgary LRT notches one-billion rider mark

Calgary, Alberta’s C-Train light rail service, which opened in 1981, officially recorded its 1 billionth passenger Wednesday, as officials also noted the system now carries 280,000 riders per weekday.

Amtrak outlines “near-term” equipment needs

Amid a laundry list of capital equipment needs, Amtrak has identified roughly $1.42 billion in “near-term equipment needs” submitted as part of its fiscal year 2010 budget request to grow national intercity rail service.

CSX stretches timetable for Jacksonville intermodal plan

CSX Corp. will delay its construction of a new intermodal container transfer facility in its headquarters city of Jacksonville, Fla., by six months to a year. The planned terminal, originally set to open in 2011, will handle sea/rail container traffic with TraPac Container Terminal and Hanjin Shipping Co. Ltd.