Year: 2012

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Commuter Rail

N.J. Transit Board Approves Changes to Bloomfield Ave. Station

March 16, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, NJ — Improvements to make Newark Light Rail’s Bloomfield Avenue Station accessible to customers with disabilities and more convenient for all customers will begin this spring, under a contract approved by the N.J. Transit Board of Directors. “Projects like this reinforce our steadfast commitment to enhancing the accessibility of our facilities and helping to ensure that public transportation is a viable option for all New Jersey residents,” said Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit Board Chairman James Simpson. The Board authorized a $5.2 million contract with DMR Construction of Waldwick, N.J., for the construction of accessibility improvements at the station,

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Kansas City Southern

LaHood Announces $54.6 Million Loan for Kansas City Southern Railway for 30 U.S.-Made Locomotives

February 23, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced a $54.6 million loan to Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCSR) for the purchase of 30 new General Electric ES44AC locomotives.  These diesel-electric locomotives, built in Erie, Pennsylvania, will help KCSR meet increasing economic demand, and are more energy-efficient and produce significantly less carbon emissions than the locomotives they are replacing. “We are seeing President Obama’s commitment to rail boost manufacturing all across America,” LaHood said.  “This is the kind of investment in our transportation systems that creates jobs, boosts the economy and improves the flow of goods.” In addition to energy

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FRA

FRA Proposes Rule Establishing Training Standards for Railroad Employees

February 8, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Feb. 7 announced a proposal to require railroads to train and qualify employees in safety-related positions on federal railroad safety laws, regulations and orders. “Safety is our highest priority and we will continue to work to create a safer operating environment for employees, passengers and communities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We have made dramatic progress in improving safety, but there is always more we can do to reduce incidents.” The proposed rule would require each railroad or contractor with safety-related railroad employees to develop a training program designating the qualifications