FRA slots track safety symposium
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is holding its first-ever Track & Roadway Workplace Safety Symposium on April 5-7 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel in Missouri; attendance is free.
Yards & Terminals
Steffanie Vagnozzi joins Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters, Inc.
Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters announced that Steffanie Vagnozzi has joined the company’s team as Executive Recruiter effective February 1, 2022.
U.S. Sen. Hickenlooper tours EVRAZ NA
NRC Member EVRAZ NA hosted Senator Hickenlooper for a tour of EVRAZ Pueblo.
NTSB continues to press worker safety message
The National Transportation Safety Board has communicated significant concern about railroad worker safety.
Supreme Court blocks Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate
While this is not a typical RT&S story, we want to ensure that our readers are aware of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to block the Biden administration’s mandate that large employers (i.e., those employing more than 100 people) must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Reciprocal switching returns to Surface Transportation Board (STB) agenda
While this is not a topic RT&S would normally cover, the debate over reciprocal or “competitive” switching has been brewing for years, and all members of the rail and rail supply & maintenance industries should be aware of it.
Digital transformation and rail – news and commentary
The railroad industry is becoming more digital each day.
Kemp, Georgia Ports mark Mega Rail milestone
Governor Brian P. Kemp last week announced that the Georgia Ports Authority has completed and is now operating the second set of nine new rail tracks for a total of 18 tracks at its Mason Mega Rail Terminal.
PHMSA & FRA want to temporarily suspend movement of LNG by rail
On November 8, the U.S. DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) published a notice of proposed rule making that would suspend the transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail until more research and testing can be done to ensure the safety of moving this commodity by rail.
Port Manatee, Regional Rail ink long-term agreement
Port Manatee has reached agreement for Regional Rail LLC to operate its seaport-owned short-line railroad through at least 2036, with options through 2051, advancing extended business opportunities for Manatee County’s rapidly growing seaport.
OmniTRAX takes over rail operations within Indiana’s River Ridge Commerce Center, eyes new park development projects
OmniTRAX, Inc., a comprehensive supply chain logistics solutions provider and the transportation affiliate of The Broe Group, has officially begun operations as the new rail partner of Southern Indiana’s world-class industrial and business development park, the River Ridge Commerce Center.
Global supply chain issues creating a mess; Biden says Port of Los Angeles will now operate 24 hours/day
Shortages of goods threaten fulfillment of consumer needs and spark fears of inflation.
New railyard in S.D. will triple capacity, make it the largest on short line route
A groundbreaking ceremony was held recently in Belle Fourche, S.D., in honor of its newly planned railway expansion.
Indiana Rail Road launches intermodal expansion
Indiana Rail Road is expanding its intermodal capacity.
What was left of Hurricane Ida walloped northeast rail service
Heavy rains left from Hurrican Ida walloped New York City and most of the northeast last night.
CSX back in the woodshed with OSHA
CSX is back in the woodshed with OSHA for firing two employees reporting safety violations.
FRA to fund grants for rail improvement opportunities
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration today announced a notice of funding opportunity, making available nearly $362 million through its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program.
Is Class 1 rail employment growing?
For the most part, the employment story at U.S. railroads during the past couple of years has been dismal. The words fear, layoff, furlough, cut, and fire have peppered nearly all news stories on the subject. PSR “adjustments” and Covid have mostly driven the reduction in the workforce.
Minnesota DOT awards grant money to seven rail projects
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) unveiled seven rail projects that will receive just over $4 million in grant money.
Canadian National announces more capex: C$445 million in Alberta and C$15 million in New Brunswick
Canadian National has announced more capital spending on the roadway.