Railroad News

The Teamsters' rail conferences in the United States and Canada yesterday joined with unionized Mexican freight-rail workers in calling for fair and equitable treatment of all industry workers under a revamped North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In a letter sent to top U.S., Canadian and Mexican trade officials, the Teamsters Rail Conference USA, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference and Mexican Railwaymen's Union said the unions are standing in solidarity in support of a new NAFTA that looks out for workers' interests across sectors, as well as for much-needed infrastructure investment, according to a press release issued by the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) has appointed Lois Pittman director of operations and maintenance.

She will lead the team charged with oversight of the Tri-Rail commuter-rail system, which will include operations and maintenance providers and contracts, agency officials said in a press release.

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has named Ward McCarragher vice president of government affairs.

McCarragher has served as the majority/minority chief counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the past 20 years. Prior to that, he served as as minority counsel for the subcommittees on Surface Transportation and Economic Development and Public Buildings.

Union Pacific (UP) announced plans to invest $31 million in its Washington network and $26.5 million in Arizona's network during 2018.

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) announced last week the appointment of Cynthia L. Hostetler and Bruce J. Carter to its board of directors.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) yesterday released a report that evaluated the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) and the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) rail safety oversight programs.

While the report found strengths and limitations for each agency's programs, GAO noted that the FTA has not provided states with the guidance needed to ensure they develop appropriate and effective transit-rail safety inspection programs of their own.

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) yesterday honored Jeremy Kramer of Louisville and Indiana Railroad Co. (LIRC) and Mitch Harris of Rio Grande Pacific Corp. (RGPC) for making career commitments to "safety compliance and culture."

ASLRRA recognized Kramer as the Safety Person of the Year and Harris as the Safety Professional of the Year. The awards were announced yesterday at ASLRRA's 2018 Connections Convention in Nashville.

The Federal Transit Administration has awarded a $22.5 million grant to the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) for a 2.1-mile extension of the Larkspur commuter-rail line.

The new line will run from downtown San Rafael, California, to the Golden Gate Transit Larkspur Ferry terminal in Marin County, California. The extension will serve as an alternative to travel on U.S. Highway 101, FTA officials said in a press release.

Kansas City Southern President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Ottensmeyer has responded to the Surface Transportation Board's (STB) request for information about Class Is' service outlooks for 2018.

In his April 5 letter to the STB, Ottensmeyer said KCS Railway Co. (KCSR) is "adequately staffed and adequately equipped to meet expected service demand in 2018, and service demand is generally in line with our internal forecasts."

The International Association of Sheet Metal Air Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers urged union members in an April 9 post on its website to take notice of a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has request for information (RFI) about autonomous trains.

By Michael Popke

In February, BNSF Railway Co. became the first Class I to join the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). A handful of other rail companies, including GE Transportation and Bourque Logistics — and rumblings of more to come — also are among BiTA’s more than 230 members. In addition to rail realmers, BiTA comprises truckload carriers, third-party logistics companies, tech firms, major retailers, OEMs, parcel carriers, financial services providers and data analytics specialists collaborating to define new blockchain standards for the logistics industry. 

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB) has authorized an agreement with Stanford University to further develop Caltrain's business plan.

Under the pact, Stanford's Land, Buildings and Real Estate group will contribute in-kind technical assistance to support the business plan and help secure independent technical resources.

Bi-State Development has promoted Mark Vago to senior vice president and chief financial officer.

He'll succeed Kathy Klevorn, who's scheduled to retire July 1. Vago and Klevorn will work together to ensure a smooth transition, Bi-State Development officials said in a press release.

The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) has developed a hazardous materials instructor training program, which will be provided at no cost to short lines and regionals.

The new program will complement training railroads currently offer to their hazmat employees, said SLSI Executive Director Tom Murta in a press release.

The province of Ontario will invest more than CA$11 billion to build the first phase of a Toronto-to-London high-speed rail line, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced late last week.

The funding comes from the province's 2018 budget. The initial phase of the high-speed rail route will run between Toronto and London, Ontario.