News report: Design changes lead to $800 million in overruns for California high speed segment
A 65-mile section of California’s high speed rail line in the San Joaquin Valley is facing more than $800 million in cost overruns because of design changes proposed by its contractor as a cost-saving move. The Los Angeles Times reports that the segment’s low bidder, Spanish company Dragados, promised $300 million in savings by modifying the designs proposed by the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Those changes have largely been abandoned. The authority, in a written statement, told the newspaper it is working with regulators to resolve the design issues. Dragados, which has extensive high speed rail experience in Europe, did not respond to requests for comment.
Two CP trains derail in Alberta
Two Canadian Pacific trains derailed Sunday in Alberta, with no injuries in either incident. The CBC reports the first incident occurred about 4:30 a.m., with two locomotives and two cars derailing at the railroad’s Alyth Yard in Calgary. About 11 a.m., several cars of a grain train derailed near Bow Island, about 140 miles southeast of Calgary and 30 miles southwest of Medicine Hat. The cause of both incidents is under investigation, although the website Real Agriculture reports the province was experiencing winds of 50-60 mph at the time of the Bow Island incident.
NTSB to look at moves on tank cars as part of investigation of KCS fatality
The National Transportation Safety Board will be focusing on Kansas City Southern rules pertaining to riding on tank cars as it continues its investigation into a fatal KCS accident, according to a preliminary report on the Dec. 23, 2020, accident at the railroad’s yard in Tupelo, Miss. The conductor of KCS train L-CO392-22, who was riding on a tank car during a reverse move, was struck by the train and died later that day at a nearby hospital.
