Rail Industry News
Paid sick leave still eludes many workers
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 2, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The push for paid sick leave is gaining traction. Five states already mandate it and others are considering it. But as it stands, it is currently more available to some...
Amtrak’s Gulf Coast comeback staying on track
(Source: Sun Herald, August 2, 2016) BILOXI, Miss. — Officials who gathered Tuesday for an update on the return of Amtrak service to South Mississippi spoke as if passenger service were on the way. Full story: Sun Herald
Revenue rising on spruced-up Hoosier State train
(Source: Indianapolis Star, August 2, 2016) INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Hoosier State passenger train from Indianapolis to Chicago, close to death not long ago, is suddenly on a bit of a roll. Full story: Indianapolis Star
Hoffa: Congress can’t let TPP go through
(Source: Column by Teamsters General President James P. Hoffa published in the Detroit News, August 3, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Supporters of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are likely to put up a huge fight in an effort to pass the 12-nation Pacific Rim agreement...
Opinion: Thanks to STB ruling, Amtrak passengers dodge a major bullet
(Source: Washington Post opinion column by Martine Powers, August 2, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak riders scored a significant victory last week, and most of them don’t even know it. The federal Surface Transportation Board decided to drop a controversial proposal...
California rail hazmat fee illegal, railroads say
(Source: Bloomberg BNA, August 2, 2016) LOS ANGELES, Calif. — California's new fee on rail deliveries of crude oil and certain other hazardous materials is illegal, the nation's two largest railroad companies said in a lawsuit (BNSF Railway Co. v. California State...
Port of L.A. and BNSF appeal court decision that blocked a new freight yard in the harbor
(Source: Los Angeles Times, August 2, 2016) LOS ANGELES, Calif. — A railroad company and the Port of Los Angeles on Tuesday appealed a court decision that has stalled a $500-million freight yard they plan to build next to low-income, predominantly minority communities...
MBTA to begin installing PTC
(Source: State House News Service, August 2, 2016) BOSTON — Commuter rail riders can expect some weekend closures beginning next spring as the MBTA embarks on a $459 million effort to bring the sprawling system into compliance with a federal safety mandate. Full...
National Railroad Museum in Green Bay plans $20 million expansion
(Source: WISC-TV, July 31, 2016) GREEN BAY, Wisc. — The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay is raising money for a $20 million expansion project. Full story: www.channel3000.com
A look at the new $43 million Niagara Falls train station
(Source: Buffalo News, July 30, 2016) BUFFALO, N.Y. — Trains won’t be pulling up to the new Amtrak train station on 825 Depot St. for another month, but visitors can still get a sneak peak Saturday. The City of Niagara Falls is hosting an open house for the new...
Bombardier gets $428 million order for GO Transit rail cars
(Source: Canadian Press, August 2, 2016) TORONTO — Bombardier’s rail division says Ontario’s GO Transit system will be getting 125 additional two-level commuter rail cars to be produced over a two-year period at its factory in Thunder Bay, Ont. Bombardier valued the...
CT split on rail overhaul; Governor says repairs should come first
(Source: Connecticut Mirror, August 1, 2016) WASHINGTON, D.C. — There is split opinion in Connecticut on ambitious proposals to overhaul rail service in the Northeast Corridor, with some preferring to put resources into a coastal route to Boston and others backing an...
MBTA considering layoffs despite buyouts, vacant positions
(Source: Associated Press, August 2, 2016) BOSTON — Despite a dwindling workforce and many top positions currently unoccupied, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority officials say they still may lay off workers. Full story: www.boston.com
Genesee & Wyoming reports results for 2Q 2016
(Source: Genesee & Wyoming press release, August 1, 2016) DARIEN, Conn. — Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) reported second quarter 2016 financial results on August 1, 2016. Second Quarter Consolidated Highlights • Operating revenues decreased 7.5% to $501.4 million from...
Oil train project in Pacific Northwest dealt blow by Washington Attorney General
(Source: Think Progress, August 1, 2016) VANCOUVER, Wash. — More than a month of hearings over a proposed oil-by-rail terminal in Vancouver, Washington came to an end on Friday with the state’s attorney general dealing a significant blow to the project by calling for...
Revived freight line reconnects Columbus, West Virginia
(Source: Columbus Dispatch, August 2, 2016) COLUMBUS, Ohio — Five months after Norfolk Southern idled service on a portion of its tracks from Columbus to West Virginia, the railroad is back up and running. Full story: Columbus Dispatch
Apple shuttle drivers overwhelmingly ratify Teamsters contract
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, August 1, 2016) OAKLAND, Calif. — Apple shuttle drivers who are members of Teamsters Local 853 in Oakland have voted overwhelmingly in favor of a first agreement. The more than 30 Apple drivers work for...
PATH broke ridership record in June
(Source: Progressive Railroading, August 1, 2016) Port Authority Trans Hudson (PATH) trains in June carried nearly 7 million people, marking the system's highest monthly total ever, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announced late last week. Full...
BNSF, UP sue over California haz-mat tax
(Source: Courthouse News Service, August 1, 2016) SAN FRANCISCO — BNSF and Union Pacific Railway have sued the California Board of Equalization over a tax that they say unfairly targets trains carrying hazardous waste, but not more accident-prone trucks. Full story:...
Billions in federal rail loans left on the table, GAO says
(Source: The Bond Buyer, August 1, 2016) DALLAS — Sponsors of passenger and high-speed rail projects are leaving billions of funding dollars on the table by not taking advantage of a federal rail program that has made only $2.7 billion of low-interest loans from a $35...
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