rail bridges

FRA: Safety Device, Human Error Caused Washington Derailment

A safety device intended to prevent trains from tumbling into Puget Sound forced a BNSF Railway train off the tracks last week, causing 3,100 gallons of diesel fuel to spill in Washington state, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association

Watco’s Stefan Loeb Moving to Norfolk Southern, Matt Walsh Named ASLRRA Board Chairman

WASHINGTON –The American and Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today announced the progression of Matt Walsh, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Development, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc., to fill the ASLRRA Board Chairman position vacated by Watco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Stefan Loeb, who has accepted a position at Norfolk Southern Railway.  Walsh currently holds the position of Vice Chairman for the ASLRRA.

TSB: Unstable Track Subgrade Indicated in 2020 Derailment Near Ignace, Ontario

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its investigative report (R20W0102) regarding the 2020 derailment of a Canadian Pacific Railway Company freight train near Ignace, Ontario.

Watch: CSX Completes Nahunta Connector

JACKSONVILLE–CSX is delivering more fluid operations in Georgia thanks to a new line the railroad recently installed to enhance operations.

Florida East Coast Railway Requests To Amend PTC System

Florida East Coast Railway submitted a request for amendment to its Positive Train Control Safety Plan on March 7. The FRA published a notice and is seeking public feedback on the railroad’s RFA to its PTC safety plan because the request could entail a request for FRA approval of planned major modifications to a FRA-certified positive train control system.

MxV Rail: Registration Now Open for 28th Annual AAR Research Review

MxV Rail announced March 20 that registration is now open for the 28th Annual Association of American Railroads (AAR) Research Review, which will take place in Pueblo, Colo., June 26-28, 2023, bringing together MxV Rail experts, leaders from Class I and short line railroads, university students, and suppliers from around the world.

OCTA Identifies Long-Term Rail Stabilization Efforts for San Clemente

The Orange County Transportation Authority announced this week it made a crucial step in identifying ways to protect the coastal rail line that runs through south Orange County.

Altamont Corridor Express Rail Expansion Faces Two-Year Delay

The Altamont Corridor Express’ expansion into Stanislaus and Sacramento counties is expected to be delayed by two years.

Illinois Commerce Commission Approves St. Clair County Highway-Rail Safety Project 

A Stipulated Agreement requiring new automatic warning devices at a highway-rail crossing near New Athens in St. Clair County has been approved by the Illinois Commerce Commission.

CSX Train Derails, Injuring 3 Workers In New River Gorge

A CSX train derailed during the early morning hours of March 8 in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. No life-threatening injuries or hazardous materials were reported.

Ports of Indiana Commission Approves $20M in New Projects Amid Gains

Ports of Indiana handled 11.9 million tons of cargo in 2022, a 6% rise from 2021 and 42% more than in 2020. The year-end totals were announced March 9 at the Ports of Indiana’s first quarter commission meeting.

Pittsburgh to Study Rail Infrastructure, Derailment Prevention

Pittsburgh officials joined leaders from a half-dozen other Pennsylvania municipalities on March 7 in calling for an investigation into the region’s rail infrastructure and tighter regulations for railroad companies.

Pennsylvania’s Joint Rail Authority to Invest $8.9M in Rail Projects

Central Pennsylvania’s SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority recently announced it will invest $8.9 million this year to update more than 200 miles of track and infrastructure.

Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads

AAR Outlines Key Class I Safety Actions

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on March 8 reported seven initial steps the Class I railroads are taking “to drive toward a future with zero incidents and zero injuries—one where what

Council Approves Funds for Canadian Pacific, Alberta Rail Crossing Project

Mountain View County Council in central Alberta, Canada, has approved the allocation of CA$225,929 (US$165,966) to help support a rail crossing repair project in collaboration with Canadian Pacific Railway.

Norfolk Southern announces six-point safety plan

ATLANTA–Norfolk Southern Corporation announced Monday a six-point plan to immediately enhance the safety of its operations. The initiatives are based on the preliminary findings of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) following the East Palestine, Ohio, derailment.

Alabama Railroad Spur Construction Complete, Service Begins for Facility

Alabama officials announced that construction of a local railroad spur has been completed.

AAR: Class I’s On Board With C3RS; FRA Data Points to ‘Strong Safety Record’

All seven North American Class I railroads have agreed to join the Federal Railroad Administration’s voluntary Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies said

FRA Publishes Scenario-Based Training, Drone Inspection Studies

The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued two new documents on scenario-based training and drone bridge inspection.

Union Pacific Highlights Derailment Prevention Efforts

To help keep trains on the tracks, Union Pacific employs technology, optimal response and maintenance methodologies, and an aggressive capital renewal strategy. Total Union Pacific derailments have decreased by 21% from 2019 to last year.

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