Monday afternoon rail news:
Watco to develop storage facility, launch new switching operation
Shortline and transportation services company Watco plans to create a storage-in-transit yard near Joliet, Ill., and provide switching services for the facility and adjacent customers under a newly formed subsidiary, Elwood, Joliet & Southern. The facility will make use of a former repair facility acquired from Railway & Industrial Services, as well as an adjoining rail line to be leased from Canadian National’s Wisconsin Central Ltd. The 39-acre yard in Crest Hill, Ill., will provide storage for plastics, chemicals, and other bulk inventory with access to the Chicago Rail Network. Watco has filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board to operate the line and facility; operations will begin pending STB approval.
FTA offers $10 million in grants for addressing impact of COVID-19
The Federal Transit Administration is offering $10 million in grants for transit agencies to address ways to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their systems. The Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Program seeks to fund innovative solutions to issues like cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, equipment, and facilities; exposure mitigation efforts; contactless payment; and measures that strengthen public confidence in transit services. More information is available at the FTA website.
San Diego receives final vehicle in 45-car light rail order
San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System has received the last of an order for 45 new light rail vehicles for on the Blue Line extension to UC San Diego and University City, an 11-mile, nine-station addition expected to open in late 2021. The Times of San Diego reports the Siemens S700 car was unveiled at a Friday ceremony honoring the late MTS CEO Paul Jablonski, who helped secure full funding for the $2.1 billion project.
