Digest: CSX acquires chemical trucking firm Quality Carriers

CSX logo

CSX acquires Quality Carriers, North America’s largest bulk chemical trucking firm CSX Corp. will acquire Quality Carriers, North America’s largest truck transporter of bulk liquid chemicals, in a deal announced Wednesday morning. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Quality Carriers operates a truck fleet with about 2,500 drivers and has a network of more […]

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Digest: Congressman introduces bill to boost passenger rail commissions

Trains Washington Watch logo

Legislator’s bill would support multi-state passenger rail efforts U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation to create multi-state passenger rail commissions to improve regional coordination for passenger rail service. The Intercity Rail Commission Act would encourage the formation of up to 10 reginal passenger commissions by providing up to $500,000 in matching funds to […]

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Niagara Junction

Electric freight motor with train

Niagara Junction Although it was built by the Niagara Falls Power Co. in the 1890’s, 11-mile switching road Niagara Junction used steam locomotives at first. Electrification, with 660-volt D.C. catenary and steeplecabs, came in 1913. New General Electric motors arrived in 1952 (that’s one at right, in October ’67), by which time the road was […]

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Digest: NJ Transit has plan to test battery-electric equipment, but needs funding

Train pulling up to the station

NJ Transit awaits funding for plans to test battery-electric commuter equipment NJ Transit wants to test battery-electric rail equipment on its North Jersey Coast Line — if it can find the funding, NJ.com reports. The program would be similar to that announced last month by the Long Island Rail Road [see “Long Island Rail Road […]

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Chicago suburb claims CN-KCS combination would create traffic nightmare (updated)

Train traveling under a bridge

WASHINGTON — The Chicago suburb of Barrington, Ill. — which battled Canadian National’s acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern in 2009 and has protested increased rail traffic ever since — has warned federal regulators that CN’s proposed merger with Kansas City Southern would create “a traffic congestion nightmare for the people of the greater […]

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Digest: UP bridge in Oregon damaged by fire

Burning bridge

Union Pacific bridge sustains moderate damage, but remains in service after fire A Union Pacific Railroad bridge in Springfield, Ore., suffered moderate damage in a fire early Monday morning, although the railroad is able to continue operations over the bridge at reduced speed. The Eugene Register-Guard reports firefighters from the Eugene Springfield Fire Department responded […]

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Digest: British rail disruptions continue, could last for weeks

Black high speed train with yellow trim in station

British intercity rail disruptions could last for weeks after high speed trains are sidelined Disruptions to British intercity rail service are continuing for a third day and could last for week after Hitachi high speed trainsets were removed from service over cracks were found in the suspension of some trains. The Guardian reports Great Western […]

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Digest: Reading & Northern owner plans to spend $4-5 million to upgrade newly purchased line

Reading and Northern logo

Reading & Northern plans to upgrade new line for 40-mph operation, will look to begin passenger excursions Reading & Northern owner Andy Muller plans to spend $4 million to $5 million to upgrade the 19.5-mile line he is purchasing from Carbon County, Pa., with the goal of raising track speed from the current 25-mph limit […]

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Digest: British rail service disrupted as cracks are found in high speed trainsets

Black high speed train with yellow trim in station

Cracks in Hitachi high speed trainsets cause disruption of British rail service High speed rail service in the United Kingdom is facing major disruption this weekend after cracks were found in two Hitachi-built trainsets. The Guardian reports the hairline cracks were found in brackets that are part of a device that helps stabilize the trains, […]

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Digest: Santa Cruz transportation commission puts off reconsideration of rail transit plan

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission logo

Santa Cruz commission declines to revisit vote on rail proposal The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has elected to delay further action on the California coastal county’s proposed 32-mile rail-and-trail project, a reflection of the strong divisions that have developed over the possibility of building a rail transit system on the former Southern Pacific […]

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Digest: East Broad Top receives $100,000 grant for Colgate Grove rehabilitation

Picnic area in trees with covered seating areas

Allegheny Foundation grant will aid East Broad Top rehab of picnic area Pittsburgh’s Allegheny Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the East Broad Top Foundation to support rehabilitation of the Colgate Picnic Grove, the turnaround point for EBT steam excursions since 1961. The wye at Colgate Grove originated as a spur serving a clay […]

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Digest: Conrail names Gorton as president, COO

Head shot of man

Brian Gorton named as Conrail president, chief operating officer Conrail has named Brian E. Gorton as its president and chief operating officer, succeeding the retired Timothy Tierney. The move, announced Thursday, was effective April 19. Gorton, who began his railroad career as a conductor for Conrail in 1987, was most recently the general manager of […]

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