Railroad News

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) today will begin testing trains along the Berryessa Extension running from Fremont to San Jose, California.

The first trains — which won't carry riders yet — will be used to test communication systems, tracks and software. This is known as the "static testing phase" and is a key step before opening the extension for passenger service, according to a press release issued by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

Amtrak is preparing to equip 310 locomotives with positive train control (PTC) technology and comply with the federal deadline by Dec. 31, 2018.

The equipment will be installed on Amtrak's diesel locomotives that operate primarily on the national Amtrak network and state-sponsored routes in the East and Midwest, the railroad announced in a press release.

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Keith Parker yesterday announced that he will step down from his agency post to accept a new job as president and CEO of Goodwill of North Georgia.

Parker will move on after serving as MARTA's leader for nearly five years.

CSX has made "very good progress" in its transition to a precision scheduled railroading model, with the railroad returning to a "normal operating rhythm," President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison announced today.

Harrison is now confident many of the service problems recently reported by CSX customers "are behind us," according to a CSX press release.

Officials representing the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway Ltd. and Nova Scotia, Canada, have signed a one-year agreement to maintain the existing rail line between St. Peter's Junction, near Port Hawkesbury, and Sydney.

Under the agreement, the railway will not apply to abandon a portion of the line and the province will reimburse valid expenses up to CA$60,000 per month, according to a press release issued last week by Nova Scotia officials.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) last week recognized eight of its member organizations for sustainability achievements.

Amtrak and engineering firm TRC Cos. Inc. earned Gold Level recognition for their accomplishments. The national intercity passenger railroad has reduced electrical consumption at facilities through energy-efficient lighting products, automated building controls and facility-based energy plans.

Union Pacific Railroad and Kansas City Southern yesterday announced progress in repairing rail infrastructure and restoring service in some areas following Hurricane Harvey's devastation in the Gulf region.

UP has gained access to its rail line near Crosby, Texas, and crews have begun repairs and restoration to the two lines that link Houston and Beaumont, Texas.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) late last week opened the Washington/Wabash Station, which marks the first new downtown "L" station in 20 years.

Built between Madison and Washington streets, the $75 million station replaces two existing ones built more than 120 years ago. The new station is fully accessible for riders with disabilities, CTA officials said in a press release.

Southwest Gulf Railroad Co. (SGRR) has begun construction on the Medina Line, a common carrier rail line in Medina County, Texas.

Surveying and marking the right of way began late last month. The next phases will involve fencing, earthwork, site work and rail installation of the Medina Line, SGRR officials said in a press release.

VIA Rail Canada Inc.'s second-quarter ridership grew 9.5 percent compared with ridership during the same period in 2016, railroad officials announced last week.

VIA served 1 million passengers during Q2 2017 versus 939,000 riders during Q2 2016. The railroad's passenger revenue rose 15 percent to CA$80.9 million in the quarter from CA$70.1 million a year ago.

Patriot Rail Co. LLC and sister company Diversified Port Holdings LLC (DPH) have combined to create an expanded business portfolio, the companies announced late last week.

Through its principal subsidiaries Seaonus and Portus, DPH operates a maritime port logistics business in the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Both Patriot Rail and DPH are based in Jacksonville, Florida.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (G&W) and SEACOR Holdings Inc. have formed a joint venture to own and operate CG Railway LLC (CGR), a freight railroad that operates rail ferry service between the ports of Mobile, Alabama, and Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz.

CG Railway is a subsidiary that SEACOR recently acquired through its acquisition of International Shipholding Corp. Terms of the 50-50 joint venture were not disclosed.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has released the draft environmental impact statement and environmental impact report for the proposed East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor.

The documents examine two bus rapid transit routes and two rail routes for the 9.2-mile corridor. Each alternative runs north from the Orange Line bus rapid transit route in Los Angeles' Van Nuys neighborhood to Metrolink's Sylmar/San Fernando Station.

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) yesterday visited Press-Seal Corp. in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to discuss public policy priorities for the rail and business communities.

During his visit, Banks toured Press-Seal's plant to learn about the company's freight-rail and transit products. The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association (REMSA) — of which Press-Seal is a member — coordinated the event.

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has installed countdown clocks at all stations on the E and G rail lines to provide real-time arrival information.

The agency is using so-called "beacon technology" to power the clocks. The technology involves putting four low-energy Bluetooth beacons on each trainset and two receivers on each platform. LCD display screens at the stations then use that technology to provide real-time arrival information, NYCT officials said in a press release.

Sound Transit on Sept. 25 will add two new round-trip trains on the Sounder South Line service between Seattle and Lakewood, Washington.

The extra trains will bring the total number of daily round trips on the South Line to 13. The added service will help boost capacity and frequency during peak times, agency officials said in a press release.

Amtrak has completed its summer infrastructure renewal project at Penn Station, which will allow for normal schedules to return to the New York City station on Sept. 5, the railroad announced yesterday.

Amtrak engineering forces completed the two-month project a day early.