All North America articles
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NewsUnderstanding fuel cell applications
USA: Having undertaken research into alternative propulsion technologies to support the order for North America’s first commercial hydrogen-powered train, the Center for Railway Research & Education at Michigan State University is to host a seminar on the topic in Long Beach on January 29-31.
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Helping short lines to prepare for emergencies
USA: ‘Short lines need to be thinking through disaster preparation, response, mitigation and resiliency on the calm days so that they’re ready to respond in a crisis’, explained American Short Line Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker when the organisation announced a package of resources ...
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CN meets US PTC deadline
USA: Canadian National announced on November 25 that it had met the federal requirement to roll out Positive Train Control on 35 of its US subdivisions, 13 months ahead of the December 2020 deadline. This offers interoperability with Amtrak, CSX, NS, BNSF, CP and WSOR, and ...
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Maine acquisition as CP looks coast-to-coast again
INTERNATIONAL: Canadian Pacific has agreed to acquire the Central Maine Quebec Railway from Fortress Transportation Infrastructure Investors LLC, the two companies announced on November 20. CMQ operates a 774 km network in Québec and Maine, largely comprising the former Canadian Atlantic Railway ...
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First Amtrak Avelia emerges
USA: The first of 28 Avelia Liberty trainsets being assembled by Alstom to operate Amtrak’s Acela Express services has been outshopped at the manufacturer’s Hornell plant, ahead of the start of test running. Ordered in 2016 as part of a $2·45bn ...
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US hydrogen train contract awarded
USA: Southern California’s San Bernardino County Transportation Authority has awarded Stadler a contract to supply a Flirt H2 hydrogen fuel cell powered multiple-unit to enter passenger service in 2024, with an option for a further four units. Stadler said the contract announced on November 14 was ...
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Short line specific PTC training
USA: The American Short Line Regional Railroad Association has appointed Tech Mahindra to provide Positive Train Control training courses customised to meet the specific needs of short line operators. The courses will be provided through a subscription-based online platform, with interactive modules covering aspects ...
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CSX joins freight shipping data platform
USA: CSX says it is the first North American railway to join the TradeLens, an open and neutral platform which has been developed by IBM and Maersk with the aim of overcoming supply chain data processing silos to provide improved transparency and shipment-status visibility. ‘Railroads are ...
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Illinois Railway completes PTC deployment
USA: OmniTRAX has announced that its Illinois Railway has become one of the first short lines to implement fully-functional positive train control. ‘We are delighted to be a first mover on PTC in the short line industry and are making our railroad even safer than it ...
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Progress Rail to buy Cleveland Track Material
USA: Progress Rail has signed an agreement to buy specialist trackwork supplier Cleveland Track Material Inc, the largest US company in Vossloh’s Customised Modules division. The €35m sale does not require regulatory approval, and is expected to close in early November. ‘This acquisition allows Progress Rail ...
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Geopier launches subgrade strengthening GeoSpike
TRACK: Geopier Foundation Co has introduced its GeoSpike, which is designed to provide a low‐cost way to strengthen the subgrade without needing to remove the rails, sleepers or ballast. Pairs of polymer shells are installed between the sleepers, and filled with aggregate which is then compacted. ...
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Cat litter by rail
USA: Cat litter producer Intersand has begun construction of a rail-served production, packaging and distribution facility at the Great Western Industrial Park in Windsor, Colorado. GWIP is owned by short line group OmniTRAX, whose Great Western Railway of Colorado will provide direct rail services to the new ...
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Partnership to develop North American rail portfolio
NORTH AMERICA: Middle-market investor Connor, Clark Lunn Infrastructure has announced a partnership with Alpenglow Rail’s short line management team with the aim of developing a portfolio of rail businesses across North America. As part of this, CC L has acquired VIP Rail from private ...
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Surface Transportation Board proposes rule changes
USA: The Surface Transportation Board has begun consultation on proposed rule changes intended to reduce the cost and complexity of its rate review procedures, particularly in small cases, and to provide a streamlined market dominance process. The proposals build on recommendations made by STB’s rate reform ...
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MBTA orders double-deck coaches
USA: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has awarded Hyundai Rotem a $278·5m sole-source contract to supply 80 double-deck coaches. These will replace single deck vehicles to increase capacity on the Boston commuter rail network by more than 14 000 seats/day. A $41m contract for engineering and programme ...
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Ceremonies mark start of Dallas Silver Line construction
Dallas Silver Line USA: Dallas Area Rapid Transit held a series of ground-breaking ceremonies along the route of the future Silver Line on September 19 to officially launch construction of the $1·1bn commuter railway in the northern suburbs of Dallas. Previously known as the ...
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Wabtec to close MotivePower plant
USA: Wabtec is to end locomotive production at the MotivePower plant in Boise, Idaho, by early 2020, with manufacturing to be consolidated at the former GE Transportation site in Erie, Pennsylvania. ‘Decisions like this are never easy but will help simplify and optimise the company’s manufacturing ...
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Mexican wagon manufacturing joint venture announced
MEXICO: US wagon manufacturer FreightCar America and heavy fabrication company Fabricaciones y Servicios de México have announced a joint venture to produce wagons in Castaños. FreightCar America is committing US$25m of assets and cash, and will consolidate and control the joint venture; profits and losses will ...
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Texas Central targets financial close by next year
USA: Dallas – Houston high speed project promoter Texas Central says it is optimistic of securing financial close by the end of next year, which would enable construction to begin. Worth an indicative $20bn, the privately funded high speed railway is intended to link Dallas with ...
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Long Island Rail Road M-9 cars enter service
MTA Long Island Rail Road has put the first of its Kawasaki M-9 EMUs into service (Photo: Joseph M Calisi) USA: New York commuter operator MTA Long Island Rail Road has put the first of its Kawasaki M-9 electric multiple-unit cars into service. The 750 V ...
