Ontario is partnering with Toronto Hydro to build a battery energy storage system for the Eglinton Crosstown light rail transit (LRT) line, which will increase the reliability of the line, lower operating costs and reduce emissions.
The power system, which is equivalent to a large battery, will be capable of providing backup and emergency power to the LRT line for up to four hours in the event of a wide-spread power outage, and replaces previous plans for a natural gas facility.
3/29/2017
Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
An assessment released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) found that the impact of trade on the freight railroad industry is responsible for at least 42 percent of rail carloads and intermodal units, and more than 35 percent of annual rail revenue, are directly associated with international trade.
Approximately 50,000 domestic rail jobs, accounting for more than $5.5 billion in annual wages and benefits, depend directly on international trade, the analysis of 2014 data also found. If rail traffic indirectly associated with trade was included, the figures would be notably higher.
The American Public Transportation Association called on the Trump Administration to fully fund the FAST Act for fiscal 2017 and 2018 and public transit must be part of the administration's proposed $1 trillion infrastructure investment.
"The American economy and communities of all sizes would be losers if the proposed reductions in the FTA Capital Investment Grants, the TIGER [grant] program, and Amtrak are enacted," said APTA Acting President and Chief Executive Richard A. White. "As it stands now, America is already underinvesting in public transportation, as noted in the recently released American Society of Civil Engineers infrastructure report card. These proposed cuts would make the existing $90 billion of state of good repair gap even worse."
AAR Research Finds Trade Directly Supports At Least 50,000 U.S. Rail Jobs, 35 Percent of Rail Revenues and 42 Percent of Carloads and Intermodal Units
WASHINGTON D.C. – March 29, 2017 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today released an assessment of trade's impact on the freight railroad industry, finding that at least 42 percent of rail carloads and intermodal units, and more than 35 percent of annual rail revenue, are directly associated with international trade.
3/28/2017
Rail News: Supplier Spotlight
3/28/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
3/28/2017
Rail News: MOW
3/28/2017
Rail News: Federal Legislation & Regulation
3/28/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
FERROMEX owner Grupo México confirmed in a statement to the Mexican stock exchange on March 27 that it has reached an agreement to acquire a 100% stake in Florida East Coast Railway Holding Corporation (FEC).
The cash transaction, which is subject to approval by authorities in the United States, has an estimated value of around $US 2 billion, including debt.
Canadian National (CN) and Duluth Cargo Connect announced a new alliance establishing the first rail-served intermodal container ramp in the Twin Ports of Duluth, Minn. and Superior, Wis.
3/28/2017
Rail News: Financials
3/28/2017
Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
3/28/2017
Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
3/28/2017
Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
3/27/2017
Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
3/27/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail