Alstom's Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train will carry passengers on Quebec's Réseau Charlevoix rail network this summer.

Transit Briefs: Alstom, VTA, PRT, MaineDOT

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.

(Photograph Courtesy of CP via Twitter)

CP Delivers Grain-Haul Record, Community Support

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.

CP 4Q22: ‘Well Positioned to Execute a Historic Year’ in 2023 (Updated, Cowen)

“We finished the year with the people, capacity and resources in place to meet the needs of our customers today and are well-positioned to make history in 2023,” Canadian Pacific (CP) President and CEO Keith Creel reported Jan. 31 during the railroad’s quarterly earnings announcement.

This spring, CHS Inc. will start work on a new grain shuttle facility in South Dakota. (Photograph Courtesy of CHS Inc.)

Industrial Development Briefs: CHS, Richardson

CHS Inc. plans a new grain shuttle facility in southeast South Dakota, to be served by BNSF. Also, Richardson International loads the first 8,500-foot (HEP) train at its new Canadian Pacific (CP)-served grain elevator in Saskatchewan.

DOJ to STB: ‘Protect Rail Competition’ (UPDATED)

The U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Antitrust Division on Jan. 24 reaffirmed its “support for the [Surface Transportation] Board’s review process and careful scrutiny of the competitive implications of the proposed transaction” that would merge Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS). The railroads respond.

NS on Jan. 17 honored 15 customer and supplier recipients of its inaugural Thoroughbred Sustainability Partner Awards, which honor corporate programs in three categories: achieving “significant energy efficiency savings”; implementing “innovations that have significantly contributed to a more sustainable future”; and working to “promote stewardship of the environment.” (Photograph Courtesy of NS)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CP, NS

Following weather-related service challenges at the end of December, BNSF reports that overall car velocity for the week ending Jan. 17 is up more than 8% vs. last month. Also, Canadian Pacific

Railway Age’s 2023 ‘Fast Trackers’ 25 Under 40 Honorees

Railway Age is pleased to announce the 25 “Fast Trackers” selected for this year’s 25 Under 40 awards program.

Canada: Lac-Mégantic Bypass Project Advancing

Nearly a decade after the horrific derailment of a crude oil unit train at Lac-Mégantic, Quebec that claimed 47 lives and led to new regulations for railroad hazmat tank cars, Canada Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra on Jan. 14 announced that building a 12.5-km (7.75-mile) bypass to get trains out of downtown Lac-Mégantic “remains a priority.” While the government has signed agreements to acquire some of the land for the project, he said, it has decided not to extend the “mutual negotiation period” with the remaining impacted owners after doing so three times, so that the project can move forward.

(Photograph Courtesy of CP via Twitter)

CP, Unifor Reach Tentative Collective Agreement

Canadian Pacific (CP) on Jan 13 reported reaching a tentative collective agreement with Unifor on a new contract for Canada-based mechanical employees.

Photo Courtesy of CP

CP Holiday Train Raises More Than C$1.3MM

The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train has completed its 24th year, raising more than C$1.3 million and collecting 121,000 pounds of food for local food banks and food shelves so far, with final numbers still being calculated, the Class I reported on Dec. 22.

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