Wednesday midday rail news:
Fire out at site of BNSF derailment; line expected to reopen tonight
The fire at the site of Tuesday’s BNSF Railway derailment in Cameron, Texas, has now been extinguished, the National Post reports, citing information from the railroad. In a customer advisory, the railroad said it anticipates reopening the section of the Galveston Subdivision where the incident occurred “late this evening.” Thirteen cars derailed after the train hit a truck early Tuesday, with five cars of gasoline and five others catching fire.
State senator’s bill would require DC Metro to add name of bank to station or lose funding
A bill in the Virginia Senate would withhold at least $166 million in funding for the Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority unless the agency adds the name of a bank to a station in McLean, Va. The Washington Post reports the provision would require the station be renamed McLean-Capitol One Hall, in reference to a performance hall being built nearby. It was added to funding legislation by state Sen. Janet D. Howell (D-Fairfax, Va.) because the bank did not like being “squeezed for money.” The bank asked about adding the facility name to the station and offered to pay signage costs, but DC Metro — which is now exploring selling naming rights to stations as a revenue move — declined. This led Howell to add the provision, which would deny funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission unless Metro approves the name change.
Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub opens
The Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub, a 2,600-acre project being developed by OmniTRAX and the Effingham County (Ga.) Industrial Development Authority, is now fully operational, marking its official opening with completion of its rail infrastructure and the opening of A&R Logistics’ new global export headquarters. The Savannah Morning News reports the facility, served by both CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, has opened ahead of schedule. A&R Logistics, the first tenant, repackages plastic pellets that arrive by rail and move to the Port of Savannah by truck.
