North America – Page 2
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NewsAgreement reached to provide dedicated tracks for Toronto – Kitchener passenger trains
CANADA: The Ontario government has reached an agreement-in-principle to purchase land from freight railway CN to enable it to construct dedicated tracks for GO passenger train services on the route between Toronto and Kitchener.
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In depthInfrastructure: Composite sleepers make a comeback
Norfolk Southern is among the US railroads looking afresh at the latest iteration of the composite sleeper. Greg Janson, President of supplier Triton Ties, explains to Nick Kingsley how a combination of recycled plastic and glass fibre material can offer durability and environmental gains compared to using wooden or concrete sleepers.
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NewsMetro-North introduces faster trains to Poughkeepsie as bi-mode Chargers enter service
USA: Faster ’super-express’ services started running on MTA Metro-North Railroad’s 120 km Hudson Line between Poughkeepsie and New York’s Grand Central Terminal on October 6.
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NewsCando to acquire first US terminal
USA: Canadian company Cando Rail & Terminals has announced the acquisition of its first US terminal, with a definitive agreement to acquire the Channelview Terminal in Houston from Texas Deepwater Partners.
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In depthComment: To merge or not to merge
Union Pacific’s $85bn proposal to acquire Norfolk Southern has reignited merger speculation across the US rail industry, with activist investors urging rival operators to explore consolidation options amid changing market dynamics. However, this M&A frenzy could yet prove a risky distraction for the sector, warns Senior Editor Chris Jackson.
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News$20bn of US rail investment paused in Trump crackdown on diversity policies
USA: The Gateway Tunnel programme linking New York and New Jersey, the next phase of New York’s Second Avenue Subway and Chicago’s metro Red Line metro extension are all projects facing funding cuts as the Trump administration seeks to crack down on what it perceives as ‘unconstitutional’ DEI policies in procurement.
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NewsWatco to deploy TugVolt autonomous self-propelled wagons
USA: Short line railway, terminal and port operating group Watco has reached a commercial agreement to deploy Intramotev’s TugVolt autonomous self-propelled wagon battery-electric wagons on its network.
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NewsCSX names Steve Angel as CEO to replace Joe Hinrichs
USA: The board of Class I freight railway CSX named Steve Angel as President & Chief Executive Officer and a member of the board with effect from September 28, succeeding Joe Hinrichs who has left the company.
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NewsUniversity collaboration aims to make wagon repair more efficient
USA: Railinc and Duke University’s Christensen Family Center for Innovation are to collaborate to explore how AI, mobile devices and ‘social media-style technologies’ could improve wagon repair work.
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NewsCRRC to supply EMUs for Mexico City suburban rail extension
MEXICO: CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co has been awarded a contract to supply 15 electric multiple-units for the Tren Suburbano extension from Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Pachuca, undercutting a CAF bid by 41%.
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NewsCalifornia secures $1bn annual funding for high speed programme
USA: California governor Gavin Newsom has signed legislation securing $1bn of annual funding until 2045 for the state’s high speed rail project, resolving funding gaps for the Central Valley section of the route.
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NewsOpening of Los Angeles extension creates ‘the longest light rail line in the world’
USA: The opening of a 14·7 km extension to Pomona has taken the Los Angeles Metro’s A Line to 93 km and 48 stations, which the operator said makes it the longest light rail line in the world.
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NewsBattery-powered locomotive for cold climates unveiled
CANADA: Cando Rail & Terminals has unveiled a battery-powered shunting locomotive which is says marks ‘a major step forward in sustainable rail operations and industrial decarbonisation’.
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NewsHydrogen-powered zero-emission multiple-unit enters passenger service in California
USA: A fuel cell powered Stadler Flirt H2 trainset has entered passenger service on Metrolink’s Arrow route, with San Bernardino County Transportation Authority saying its zero-emission multiple-unit ‘represents a bold leap forward in clean transit’.
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NewsSummit aims to boost use of Canadian steel and aluminium
CANADA: Industry leaders, suppliers and governments came together at the Made in Canada: Ferries & Rail Summit to discuss how the railway and ferry sectors can use more Canadian steel and aluminium.
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NewsNJ Transit to take over River Line operations from Alstom
USA: The operation and maintenance of the 55 km River Line inter-urban diesel light rail service in New Jersey is to transfer from Alstom to state transport agency NJ Transit by the end of the year.
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NewsAlberta Heartland Railway to develop Edmonton freight terminal
CANADA: Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Alberta Heartland Railway has agreed a long-term lease of land for the construction of a rail terminal near Edmonton.
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NewsCanada aims to start Alto high speed rail construction in four years
CANADA: The Alto high speed rail project is to benefit from a Major Projects Office which the government has established to identify projects that are in the national interest and streamline their assessment and approval to accelerate development.
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NewsNorth American Rail Solutions announces ‘strategic combination’ with ZA Construction
NORTH AMERICA: North American Rail Solutions has announced a ‘strategic combination’ with ZA Construction to provide railway design, maintenance, repair, construction and support services in the USA and Canada.
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NewsHitachi Rail opens Maryland rolling stock factory to supply North American market
USA: Hitachi Rail has opened a factory in Maryland where it will produce rolling stock for North American customers including the Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia metros.