DETROIT — Google is joining Ford Motor Co.’s effort to transform the landmark Michigan Central Station into a hub of technology and innovation. The news site mlive.com reports Google will be a “founding member” of the Michigan Central Innovation District, a 30-acre campus being developed by Ford at the long-neglected station. “This is not going […]
Pennsylvania rail authority acquires operating rights to NS line
LEWISBURG, Pa. — A Pennsylvania rail authority which owns five short lines served by contract operators has acquired the operating rights to 9 miles of Norfolk Southern trackage in Snyder County, Pa. In its December meeting, the Susquehanna Economic Development Agency-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Joint Rail Authority agreed to purchase rail assets and a freight […]
CSX seeks shipper support regarding proposed Amtrak Gulf Coast service (updated)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation aims to round up shipper support before a Surface Transportation Board hearing this month regarding Amtrak’s controversial quest to launch passenger service on the Gulf Coast. In an email to the railroad’s customers, CEO Jim Foote asked shippers to sign a petition or to write to the STB directly regarding […]
East Broad Top announces Winter Spectacular schedule
ROCKHILL FURNACE, Pa. — The EBT Foundation has released the list of activities for its East Broad Top Railroad Winter Spectacular, to be held Friday and Saturday, Feb. 18-19. This is the second Spectacular to be held since the Foundation acquired the historic narrow gauge railroad, a National Historic Landmark, in 2020. Last year’s event […]
Study will look at possible light-rail line to Pro Football Hall of Fame
CANTON, Ohio — The transit agency serving Canton has hired a consultant to study building a light-rail line between downtown Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Massillon Independent reports the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority has approved a contract with consultant WSP USA and envisions a six-month time frame for the study, […]
Meeting takes no action on possible California tourist rail line abandonment
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Transportation Commission took no action Thursday on a proposal to seek abandonment of a branch line that a tourist train operator said could doom its operation, instead instructing Executive Director Guy Preston to engage in further talks with Roaring Camp Railroads. Meanwhile, in a separate action Thursday, […]
New York awards $76.4 million for rail infrastructure improvements
ALBANY, N.Y. — The state of New York has awarded $76.4 million in grants to fund 38 freight rail infrastructure projects, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday. The awards range from $100,000 for the Ontario Midland Railroad to resurface a grade crossing to $5 million to Norfolk Southern for projects in the capital region including 15 […]
Union Pacific names Whited to sustainability and strategy position
OMAHA, Neb. — Beth Whited has been named to Union Pacific’s newly created position as executive vice president-sustainability and strategy. The appointment by the UP board of directors is effective immediately. Whited has been executive vice president and chief human resource officer since 2018. The company said that in her new role, she will help […]
New grain shuttle loader to be served by Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
MOULDRIGE, Kan. — Two farm cooperatives have announced plans to build a grain shuttle loader near Sterling, Kan., to be served by Watco’s Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad. It will be the third high-speed shuttle loading facility owned by CHS Inc. and Mid Kansas Cooperative (MKC). Operations are expected to begin by late 2023, although the […]
CN asks regulators to resolve CP interchange dispute in Chicago
WASHINGTON — The Canadian National-Canadian Pacific Chicago interchange dispute is back before the Surface Transportation Board. At issue: Whether CP should pick up the tab for Belt Railway of Chicago switching fees for CN-bound traffic interchanged at BRC’s Clearing Yard. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in December vacated an October 2020 STB decision […]
California Coastal Commission seeks STB mediation in Del Mar Bluffs dispute
WASHINGTON — The California Coastal Commission is asking the Surface Transportation Board to order mediation in the long-running dispute between it, the city of Del Mar, Calif., and the North County Transit District over the transit agency’s plan to build a safety fence along its rail line on the Del Mar Bluffs. The transit district […]
Tesla buys German railway line, plans passenger trains
BERLIN — Electric vehicle maker Tesla, which is building a new “Gigafactory” east of the German capital, has bought the rail line connecting the site to the German rail network and plans to offer passenger trains timed for its employees shift changes. The short rail line — about 3 miles long — was bought from […]