Rail Industry News
DOT orders FTA to take direct safety oversight of WMATA
(Source: Progressive Railroading, October 12, 2015) The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will assume responsibility for safety lapses at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), according to a safety plan announced by U.S. Transportation...
Canadian election results could impact pipeline, crude by rail business
(Source: Financial Post, October 13, 2015) OTTAWA — According to the Financial Post, Canada’s Liberal and NDP parties have suggested they would review and perhaps not permit some oil pipelines being planned in Canada, which could be a boon to the railway sector...
Activists warn of crude by rail dangers through Chicago area
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times, October 12, 2015) CHICAGO — Environmental activists protested at the Canadian Consulate on Monday over crude oil transportation policies. Full story: Chicago Sun-Times
Hoffa, union leaders call on Central States to recall pension cut proposal, improve transparency for retirees
(Source: International Brotherhood of Teamsters press release, October 9, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a letter dated October 9, Teamsters General President Jim Hoffa called on the trustees of the Central States Pension Fund to recall the proposal made to the...
Railroads warn of meltdown if PTC extension not granted; Many politicians express annoyance that railroads failed to meet deadline set 8 years ago
(Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 12, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Railroads are warning Congress that if they don’t get more time to install new safety equipment on their rail lines by the end of October, there will be a nationwide freight and passenger. Many...
Unsolved Arizona mystery: Who derailed the Sunset Limited in 1995?
(Source: Arizona Republic, October 10, 2015) PHOENIX, Ariz. — In 1995, someone cut the tracks in the deep desert. An Amtrak train ran off the rails, leaving one man dead. Today, the question remains, who did it? And why? Twenty years later, it remains one of Arizona’s...
Amtrak halts Chicago-St. Louis service for bridge repairs
(Source: Bloomington Pantagraph, October 9, 2015) BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — No Amtrak trains will operate between Chicago and St. Louis from Oct. 17 through Oct. 31, the service announced Friday. The closure will allow Union Pacific Railroad and its contractors to rebuild...
Norfolk Southern: Key South Carolina rail line will be down 2-3 weeks due to flooding
(Source: Post and Courier, October 9, 2015) CHARLESTON, S.C. — Norfolk Southern said it has restored most of its key rail lines in South Carolina that were damaged by last weekend’s floods. However, the line that runs between Spartanburg and Columbia is projected to...
CSX lobbies to have oil train derailment lawsuits thrown out of court
(Source: The Daily Times, October 11, 2015) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Three federal lawsuits filed against CSX Transportation Inc. over a train derailment and chemical fire in Maryville can be joined into a single case, though CSX is still trying to get the litigation thrown...
Drones used during response to Amtrak’s Vermonter derailment
(Source: Boston.com, October 9, 2015) BOSTON — Two hours after an Amtrak train derailed in Vermont on October 5, drones from the University of Vermont’s disaster response team were in the air over the crash site. Full story: www.boston.com
FRA updates track inspection standards after oil train derailment
(Source: The Hill, October 9, 2015) WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal rail officials announced an update to railway inspection standards on Friday after pinpointing the cause of a fiery oil train derailment in February. The Federal Railroad Administration blamed a broken...
Metrolink approves $24 million plan to lease locomotives
(Source: Orange County Register, October 11, 2015) ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. — Board members of Metrolink, Southern California’s passenger rail system, on Friday approved a nearly $24 million plan to cover the cost of operating newly leased locomotives, a response to what...
NJ Transit biggest loser in Amtrak cost-sharing plan
(Source: Bloomberg, October 8, 2015) NEW YORK — Amtrak is quietly billing railroads in nine East Coast states more than $500 million starting this month, with the brunt born by cash-strapped New Jersey Transit. Full story: Bloomberg
Lac-Megantic residents march for better rail safety
(Source: CBC News, October 11, 2015) MONTREAL — Dozens of people from Lac-Mégantic and surrounding areas marched in the town on Sunday to demand better rail safety measures. Full story: CBC News
U.S. judge approves $446 million settlement for victims of Lac-Megantic disaster
(Source: Associated Press, October 9, 2015) PORTLAND, Maine — A U.S. bankruptcy judge has approved a $446-million settlement fund for victims of the fiery Lac-Megantic oil-train derailment in Quebec, clearing the way for payments to victims by year’s end. Judge Peter...
Amtrak to allow smaller pets on board trains in Virginia
(Source: Associated Press, October 9, 2015) RICHMOND, Va. — Amtrak is letting all passengers bring their pets aboard trains in Virginia starting next week. Full story: San Francisco Chronicle
CSX declares quarterly dividend
(Source: CSX press release, October 8, 2015) JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On October 7, the Board of Directors of CSX Corporation approved an $0.18 per share quarterly dividend on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on December 15, 2015, to shareholders of...
BNSF, U.S. Silica deliver record-breaking unit train
(Source: World Oil, October 8, 2015) HOUSTON — U.S. Silica Holdings has announced the delivery of a record-breaking 150-car unit train carrying over 16,500 tons of U.S. Silica White frac sand from Ottawa, IL, to a transload facility serving the Permian basin. The sand...
California bullet train project is drawing private interest, but not funding
(Source: Los Angeles Times, October 8, 2015) LOS ANGELES — Since its earliest days of planning, California's $68-billion bullet train project has counted on a massive infusion of private capital to fill any gaps in state and federal funding. A new sounding of...
Editorial: Growing Metro-North ridership calls for continued safety commitment
(Source: Connecticut Post editorial, October 9, 2015) BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — Since its run of calamity, people from Hartford, to Washington to its local customers, including Connecticut Hearst Media, have kept the heat on Metro-North to work diligently on safety...
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