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.
Safety
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.
Seminole Gulf Railway Identifies Track Issue as Cause of Derailment
After six cars completely derailed from a Seminole Gulf Railway train in Bradenton on Feb. 28, a derailed Seminole Gulf Railway train car carrying 30,000 gallons of liquid propane gas in Manatee County is back on the track.
Transport Canada Allocates C$5.4MM for Rail Resiliency
Transport Canada is distributing up to C$5.4 million to 20 infrastructure projects country-wide that it says will make railroads “more resilient to extreme weather risks.”
OCTA to Study Railroad Relocation to Protect San Clemente Tracks
While the Orange County Transportation Authority’s emergency work to stabilize railroad tracks in San Clemente nears completion, the agency and its partners say they are continuing work on long-term solutions to protect the coastal rail line.
MTA to Complete Renovations at Three Stations
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced on Feb. 17 that the agency has planned station renovations at its Cypress Hills, 75 St–Elderts Lane on the J and Z and 85 St on the J in Brooklyn and Queens.
CTA Set to Replace Blue Line Belmont Crossover During Weekend Work
The Chicago Transit Authority announced on Feb. 17 that the agency will soon tackle project work to replace key Blue Line track components on the O’Hare branch.
Judge Rules RTD ‘Not Responsible’ for Commuter Rail Costs
A Denver District Court judge on Feb. 10 ruled that the Regional Transportation District (RTD) is not responsible for more than $100 million in costs related to crossing gate problems on three of its commuter rail lines, according to a CPR News report.
C3RS Issues ‘Blue-Signal Protection’ Memo
An alert-message memo describing safety concerns over close-call events involving blue-signal protection has been released by the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS), a partnership between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), in conjunction with participating railroad carriers and labor organizations.
OCTA’s San Clemente Costs Climb as Agency Aims to Resume Weekday Service in April
Following several weeks of inclement weather that hindered track stabilization efforts in San Clemente, California, the Orange County Transportation Authority has a new target for resuming weekday service between San Diego and Orange counties: April.
Illinois Commission Approves Effingham Highway-Rail Crossing Project
The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a $623,575 public safety project for a highway-rail crossing in South Central Illinois.
Brightline Launches New Rail Safety PSA
Brightline launched a new rail safety campaign Feb. 6, as the agency works to further educate community members on the importance of safety near the tracks.
Metrolinx Targets Accessibility Improvements Across GO Network
With the completion of the Early Station Improvements project, Metrolinx announced Feb. 9 that two major components of that work are now improving GO station accessibility.
CTA Awards $75M Contract for Racine Blue Line Station Accessibility Improvements
The Chicago Transit Authority’s Racine Blue Line station will soon undergo a significant restoration that will include the installation of an elevator and other accessibility-related upgrades, making it the latest project to receive upgrades under the CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program.
Ottawa Transit Commission Addresses January OC Transpo Line 1 Service Disruption
The Ottawa City Council’s Transit Commission on Feb. 9 reflected on issues surrounding a five-day OC Transpo service disruption that occurred in January after an accumulation of ice during a storm posed hazards to service.
Authorities Call for Better Oversight Along Canada’s Provincially Regulated Railways
With the release of investigation documents surrounding a 2019 accident in which a GO Transit train struck two people at a public crossing in Ontario, officials from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada are expressing concerns about the safety oversight of provincially regulated railways.
ICC Approves Grade Crossing Projects in Logan, Randolph Counties
The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) on Feb. 6 reported signing off on stipulated agreements to improve safety at highway/rail grade crossings in Logan and Randolph counties.
Authorities Continue Monitoring Norfolk Southern Ohio Derailment Site
The East Palestine, Ohio, community is still feeling the effects this week after a 50-car Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials derailed and caused a fire, filling the area with smoke on Feb. 3 and prompting an evacuation order near the Pennsylvania state line.
SEPTA Makes Track Repairs Following Old City Derailment
A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority train partially derailed the evening of Feb. 4 on the Market-Frankford Line as it traveled north out of Old City, officials said.
Watch: Union Pacific’s ‘Sierra Snow Fighters’ Keep Service Running in California
When Union Pacific Railroad senior manager Mike Upton encounters a news crew from The Weather Channel in downtown Truckee, California, he knows it’s all hands on deck in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range.