Rail Industry News
California high-speed rail will accept bids within weeks
(Source: The Fresno Bee, March 2, 2012) SACRAMENTO — Contractors vying to build the first sections of California's proposed high-speed rail line will get the green light to start making their bids within just a few weeks. Full story: The Fresno Bee
Sleepiness affects transportation professionals on the job
(Source: Reuters, March 5, 2012) NEW YORK — Many people have fought the urge to fall asleep during a boring meeting or the mid-afternoon slump but the problem seems to be more prevalent among airline pilots and train operators. About a quarter of pilots and 23 percent...
NTSB offers support for National Sleep Awareness Week
(Source: National Transportation Safety Board press release, March 5, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — For decades, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has investigated accidents and incidents, across all modes of transportation where fatigue was a causal or...
Norfolk Southern celebrates colorful heritage with historic paint schemes
(Source: Norfolk Southern press release, March 1, 2012) NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern is honoring its predecessor railroads during 2012, its 30th anniversary year, by painting 18 new locomotives in commemorative schemes that reflect the heritage of those...
Stock watch: Railroad stocks end down on March 2
(Source: Associated Press, March 2, 2012) NEW YORK — Shares of some top railroad companies were down at the close of trading on Friday, March 2, including Union Pacific, which fell 0.6 percent, and CSX, which fell 1.6 percent. Full story: CNBC
Port of Virginia is ready for influx expected with Panama Canal expansion
(Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 4, 2012) RICHMOND, Va. — It's 2,440 miles from Panama to Virginia, but events in that far-off Central American country soon will be having an impact on the Old Dominion's economic life. In 2014, the Panama Canal will complete a...
Amtrak gaining popularity among commuters who ride between Portland, Oregon City and Salem
(Source: The Oregonian, March 4, 2012) PORTLAND, Ore. — Last year, daily ridership between Salem and Portland on Amtrak jumped more than 22 percent to 24,146 boardings, making it the rail carrier's fastest growing West Coast corridor. Full story: The Oregonian
Amtrak, Texas to study route from DFW to Shreveport
(Source: Forth Worth Star-Telegram, March 1, 2012) FORT WORTH, Texas — Amtrak and the Texas Department of Transportation have agreed to study the feasibility of rail service between Fort Worth and Shreveport/Bossier City, a popular destination for Texas gamblers. Full...
In suburban Kansas City, commuter rail campaign is on a roll
(Source: Kansas City Star, March 3, 2012) KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Several suburban areas of Kansas City recently have approved or considered five-figure appropriations for a mass transportation “education campaign." The goal is to raise awareness of mass transit in general...
AAR: Railroad report 5 percent decrease in weekly rail traffic
(Source: Association of American Railroads press release, March 1, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported a decline in weekly rail traffic for the week ending February 25, 2012, with U.S. railroads originating 281,644...
DOT announces $17 million for rail line relocation projects across U.S.
(Source: U.S. Department of Transportation press release, March 2, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that twelve cities and states will share $16.9 million to relocate, replace, and improve segments of railroad track...
Union Pacific CEO to take medical leave of absence
(Source: Union Pacific press release, March 2, 2012) OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corporation announced today that its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer James R. Young will take a medical leave of absence from his responsibilities as President and Chief...
House Republicans to redo controversial transportation spending bill
(Source: Politico.com, February 28, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Republicans are reworking Speaker John Boehner’s signature energy-infrastructure package to lower the price tag, shorten the duration and eliminate a controversial provision on transit funding. The...
At 101, ex-Pullman porter talks history with U.P.’s Black Employee Network
(Source: Omaha World-Herald, February 29, 2012) OMAHA, Neb. — Lee Wesley Gibson had plenty of exciting experiences in his 38-year career with Union Pacific. As a coach attendant and later a Pullman porter, he took care of big-name passengers like Duke Ellington and...
Heated longshoremen negotiations could put cargo to West Coast ports
(Source: Journal of commerce, February 29, 2012) WASHINGTON, D.C. — West Coast ports could see a diversion of cargo from East and Gulf Coast ports this year if contract talks between waterfront employers and the International Longshoremen’s Association become heated,...
Stock glance: Railroad companies mixed
(Source: Associated Press, February 29, 2012) NEW YORK — Shares of some top railroad companies were mixed at the close of trading on February 29, including CSX, which fell 2.4 percent, and Canadian Pacific, which rose 0.7 percent. Full story: CNBC
Amtrak’s Sunset Limited line could be returning to Gulf Coast
(Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, February 29, 2012) DeFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. — Amtrak's Sunset Limited passenger line, which ran from Jacksonville to New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, may be re-opened soon for the first time since the 2005 storm. Full story:...
Buffett poised to win wager on America with BNSF
(Source: Bloomberg News, February 29, 2012) NEW YORK — When Warren Buffett bought North America’s second-biggest railroad, he called it an “all-in wager” on the U.S. economy. It’s turning out to be a pretty good bet on the oil industry, too. Full story: Bloomberg...
Chicago-area gas tax hike proposed to fund mass transit investment
(Source: Chicago Tribune, March 1, 2012) FREEHOLD, N.J. — Mass transit supporters proposed state legislation Wednesday that would increase the gas tax in the Chicago area to raise a projected $168 million over five years for the CTA, Metra and Pace. The legislation...
VIA trains will sound long whistles to mourn engineers lost in derailment
(Source: The Record, March 1, 2012) KITCHENER, Ontario — Via Rail trains will sound their horns over three days in tribute to the three train engineers who lost their lives in Sunday’s derailment in Burlington. On Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 3:26 p.m. ET — the...
BLET News
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
