Breaking News

ISS Endorses NS Director Slate—Mostly

ISS—not the International Space Station weighing in from 1.33 million feet (246 miles) above the earth’s surface in orbit, but that other ISS, proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services—is endorsing seven of

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes combining RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and providing it with an annual boost of $1.5 billion, according to a WGN9 report on April 29. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA/Metra/Pace/RTA, VIA Rail, WMATA

Two Illinois state legislators propose merging the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus in Chicago. Also, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) adds service between Ottawa and Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) improves faregate display-screen messaging.

Norfolk Southern will serve Anderson-DuBose Company’s new cold-storage distribution facility in Jacksonville, Fla.-based Westlake Industrial Park (pictured). (NS Image)

Industrial Development Briefs: NS, CPKC

Norfolk Southern (NS) is selling property in Jacksonville, Fla., for the development of a $60 million rail-served food storage and distribution facility. Also, temperature-controlled warehouser and distributor NewCold is investing C$222 million in a new Southern Alberta food storage facility, to be served by Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).

STB Finalizes Reciprocal Switching Rule

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on April 30 reported adopting Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service, STB Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 2), by unanimous vote, implementing new regulations at 49 CFR part 1145, which it said “sets forth a path for shippers and receivers to petition the Board for the prescription of a reciprocal switching agreement.” The final rule “is designed to promote adequate rail service,” according to the STB. Board Member Robert Primus concurred with a separate expression, noting “I am voting for the final rule because something is better than nothing.” Frank N. Wilner, Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor, weighs in and provides a reciprocal switching “primer.”

From Left to Right: Mario Orso, CEO, SANDAG; John Jerome, Vice President, LJA Rail; Del Walker, Denver Office Leader, HNTB; and Michelle Buonacuore, Construction Services Manager, HNTB. (Images Courtesy of LinkedIn, LJA and HNTB)
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People News: SANDAG, LJA Engineering, HNTB

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) appoints Mario Orso as Chief Executive Officer. Also, LJA Engineering welcomes John Jerome as Vice President of LJA Rail; and HNTB names Del Walker as Denver Office Leader and Michelle Buonacuore joins as a Construction Services Manager.

(IANR Photograph)

USDA, NGFA Weigh In on Proposed CN-IANR Combination

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) are recommending several conditions that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) consider if it approves CN’s application to acquire control

(CSX Photograph, via LinkedIn)

CSX Adds Pere Marquette to Heritage Fleet

CSX ES44AH No. 1899, in the Pere Marquette theme, is the thirteenth in a series of heritage locomotives to roll out of the Class I railroad’s Waycross Mechanical Shop in Georgia.

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Commentary

Tenth of a Series: NY Dangles Dollar Carrots

The MTA on April 26 announced that Central Business District Tolling, which the agency calls “the country’s first congestion pricing program,” will begin in Manhattan ‘s designated Congestion Relief Zone early on

Jason Reiling, MxV Rail (Left; Photograph Courtesy of MxV Rail); and Jeff Hall, HNTB (Photograph Courtesy of HNTB).
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People News: MxV Rail, HNTB

MxV Rail (formerly TTCI) appoints Jason Reiling as Senior Assistant Vice President Business Development. Also, Jeff Hall joins infrastructure solutions firm HNTB as Project Controls Director based in Nashville, Tenn.

Commentary
  • News

Some Questionable NS vs. CSX Analysis

On April 18, Ancora hosted a townhall in New York City for Norfolk Southern stockholders, and during that meeting [potential new NS board member] Gil Lamphere implored the audience to read the

Alberta Premier Rides CPKC Steam Special

Canadian Pacific Kansas City launched its Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour on April 24 in Calgary, and welcomed aboard Alberta Premier Danielle Smith for part of the first leg as the 2816

(SMART-TD Photograph)

Missouri Rep. Burlison Eyes Nullification of FRA Crew Size Rule

Rep. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) on April 19 introduced a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval that seeks nullification of the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) final rule, 49 CFR Part 218 [Docket No. FRA-2021-0032, Notice No. 5], RIN 2130-AC88, Train Crew Size Safety Requirements, “establishing minimum safety requirements for the size of train crews.”