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Commentary

Bulldoze the Humps?

Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés is said to have ordered his men in 1519, just before they undertook their conquest of the Aztec Empire, to burn their own ships anchored offshore in the

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People News: ACTA, STV, AAR, NTSB

The Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) elects Tim McOsker as Board Chair. Also, STV elevates senior transportation leaders to support the growing Texas/Mountain Region; Union Pacific’s (UP) Sanjay Verna becomes the new Chairperson of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Quality Assurance Committee; and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member J. Todd Inman welcomes a new team to his staff.

Class I Briefs: CPKC, NS, CSX

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announces the early commitments scheduled to compete in the CPKC Women’s Open. Also, Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Lamberts Point Coal Facility meets the needs of the Class I’s key energy customer, CONSOL Energy; and CSX welcomes more than 20 Leadership Development Program associates to its team.

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Commentary

‘There Will Be Hell to Pay’

During a 2013 GATX earnings call, then-CEO Brian Kenney was asked a question about the staggering number of new railcar orders being placed in response to the crude-by-rail/fracking boom. His response was

UIPA reported that its Board, in collaboration with Utah’s Carbon and Emery counties, approved a 2,185-acre industrial development project after consultations and environmental reviews to ensure the development aligns with community needs and regulatory requirements. (UIPA Photograph)

UIPA Adopts New industrial Development Project Area

Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) on June 24 adopted the Castle Country Project Area for industrial development in Carbon and Emery counties, which are served by Union Pacific (UP) and Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary Utah Railway.

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CN Eyes Expansion of ‘In-Train Wheelset Replacement Program’

CN subsidiary Illinois Central (IC) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance to add a new location to its “in-train wheelset replacement program,” according to an FRA notice in the Federal Register’s June 25 edition. The program currently operates under a waiver at a facility in Fulton, Ky., and has been “a resounding success,” the railroad told FRA.

ITS Logistics Releases June Port/Rail Ramp Index

ITS Logistics on June 24 reported that “all markets have stabilized for ocean and rail container demand” and encourages supply chain professionals “to be aware of significant volumes entering the U.S. West Coast via Seattle-Tacoma (SEATAC) and Los Angeles and Long Beach (LA/LB) and for inland port intermodal (IPI) legs to be canceled.”

VIDEO: Containership Dali Departs Baltimore

We don’t have to wait any longer to know when the containership Dali will leave Baltimore. Local media, including WBAL TV, have been showing video of the ship departing Baltimore today. Three months after

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Denver RTD, MBTA, LA Metro

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) welcomes North America’s first self-powered, zero-emission passenger train to Southern California. Also, Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches a new program to provide face-to-face assistance to customers; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors commits to funding a pilot program for electric trains; and LA Metro releases its Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIS/SEIR) for the Link Union Station Project (Link US).

NS to Establish Vent and Burn Workshop

Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 21 announced that it will convene a Vent and Burn Workshop “to integrate key learnings for the betterment of any future scenario where a vent and burn may be necessary.”

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North American Rail Solutions Acquires Tri Innovations

North American Rail Solutions (NARS) on June 20 announced that it has acquired Calgary, Alberta-based Tri Innovations Consulting, Ltd., a full-discipline engineering company focused on energy, transportation, agriculture and renewable spaces.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority on June 14 held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of its West Portal facility, the future location of the Santa Clara Station and Newhall Yard & Maintenance Facility, and the site where the Tunnel Boring Machine will be assembled and launched to bore the five-mile underground tunnel for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project. (SCVTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Denver RTD, SCVTA, SEPTA, Valley Rail

Dallas (Tex.) Area Rapid Transit (DART) eyes fare structure changes. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District CEO earns a Women in Business Award; California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) celebrates the West Portal groundbreaking for its BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) advances a subway station accessibility project; and construction kicks off for the Valley Rail program in California.