Railroad News

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has named Thomas Gibson Vice President and Western Regional Manager of its Transit and Rail practice, based in Sacramento. Gibson is responsible for technical and operational management, project delivery, staff acquisition and business growth.

Gibson has 37 years of experience in rail systems projects throughout the U.S. and internationally, including implementation of systems and track work for a major light rail transit extension in St. Louis, procurement and manufacturing of light rail vehicles under a contract for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), and implementation of systems for the Seoul, Korea subway lines 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. In addition, he was responsible for management and oversight of general engineering consultant services for a Metropolitan Atlanta Regional Transit Administration (MARTA) five-year track and systems project.

Carlos Rojas has been named chief of police for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART).

Rojas brings 27 years of extensive experience and leadership in community policing. Rojas comes to BART from the Santa Ana Police Department, where he served his last five years as chief. He is an advocate and educator in community oriented policing practices, having taught the practices to national police forces in Central America and mentored college students.

Pennsylvania's State Transportation Commission approved more than $40 million through two state programs to help fund freight rail projects across the state.

 

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Mechanical

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 4/24/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad plans to spend $26.8 million on infrastructure projects in Nevada this year.The Class I's projects in the state are expected to include $22.7 million to maintain railroad track and $1.8 million to maintain bridges, according to a UP press release.Key projects planned in 2017 include:
• replacing 60,854 ties on the rail line between Elko and Winnemucca at a cost of $7.5 million;
• replacing 15,406 ties on the line between Sparks and Floriston, Calif., at a cost of $2.2 million; and
• replacing 12,190 ties on the line between Verdi and Reno at a cost of $2.1 million."Union Pacific's targeted investments fund projects that strengthen our railroad tracks, increase safety and minimize delays as trains travel through communities across Nevada," said Wes Lujan, UP's vice president of public affairs in the western region.From 2012 to 2016, UP spent more than $244 million to strengthen its infrastructure in Nevada. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 4/24/2017

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Passenger Rail

Metra and Union Pacific Railroad (UP) joined state, county and local officials and members of the community in Maywood, Ill. to break ground on a $100-million project to remove two critical bottlenecks along the UP West Line.

Metra says the bottlenecks can be the source of delays for both freight and commuter trains.

4/24/2017    

Rail News: MOW

After five years of service for the California High-Speed Rail Authority Chief Executive Officer Jeff Morales announced that he will step down from his position early this summer after the Board of Directors is expected to select a replacement.

 

4/24/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

4/24/2017    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

Rail News Home CSX Transportation 4/24/2017 Rail News: CSX Transportation
E. Hunter HarrisonPhoto – Progressive Railroading file photo

4/24/2017    

Rail News: High-Speed Rail

4/24/2017    

Rail News: Safety

Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. announced the beginning of a major project to renovate the historic Quincy Loop station.

CTA says the project will make the 120-year-old station fully wheelchair accessible, while preserving its renowned historic appearance. The $18.2-million project is the largest renovation in nearly 30 years for Quincy, which was built in 1897 and is one of CTA's oldest rail stations.

Now that Harriet the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) completed her second tunnel at the Leimert Park Station for the Crenshaw/LAX Line, the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority (LACTMA) has announced her retirement.

Since she began digging the twin tunnels last year, Harriett, a 950-ton, 400-foot-long TBM advanced an average of 60 feet a day through soil and rock under Crenshaw Boulevard. Installation of rail tracks has begun in the southbound tunnel. The 8.5-mile light rail line is scheduled to open in fall 2019.

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6), joined representatives from Cembre, Inc., and a local railroad for a tour, public policy discussion and a rail cutting demonstration at Cembre's Edison facility.

The event was coordinated by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association (REMSA). REMSA said the group discussed the private, independent nature of America's freight railroad network. The group focused in on recent regulatory initiatives issued by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on reciprocal switching and commodity regulation. REMSA said the group was "concerned that these efforts would lead to reduced capital investment in freight rail which is critical to supporting high-paying rail supply jobs in New Jersey and throughout the United States."