FRA issues new rule on brake inspections
The Federal Railroad Administration has issued a new rule increasing the amount of time freight equipment can be left “off-air” (stopped with the air brake system depressurized) before requiring a new brake inspection. In a press release, the agency says the rule should reduce the number of idling lcomotives,
and incorporates longstanding waivers for brake inspections, tests, and equipment, while clarifying existing rules and removing outdated provisions. The new rule mirrors one in place in Canada, which allows trains to be off-air for 24 hours; Canada has had the rule since 2008 and its data supports the FRA rule. The agency estimates railroads will perform 110,000 fewer Class I brake inspections annually. The complete final rule is available here.
Pacific Surfliner to require reservations during Christmas travel period
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner will require reservations for travel Dec. 23-28 to help manage capacity and allow customer distancing. Also, the Rail 2 Rail program, which allows use of monthly Metrolink and Coaster commuter rail passes on Surfliner trains, will not be accepted during this period. Amtrak monthly and 10-ride passes will still be accepted, but passengers using those passes will have to confirm each trip through the RideReserve system on Amtrak.com and the Amtrak app. Under current California stay-at-home rules, customers are asked to travel only for essential purposes. More information is available here.
CN to open new auto, intermodal facility for Twin Cities market in March
Canadian National says its new automotive and intermodal facility in New Richmond, Wis., to serve Minneapolis/St. Paul area customers, will open March 1, 2021. Keith Reardon, the railroad’s senior vice president, consumer product supply chain says in a press release the facility means customers will “have another direct link to their mid-west markets as well as a new and efficient option for shipping export commodities to global markets.” And Bruce Abbe, strategic advisor for trade and transportation, Specialty Soya & Grain Alliance, says “CN’s development of the New Richmond facility will provide vital access to containers for agricultural exporters to meet customer demand in Europe and Asia. … We are hopeful this new facility will further solidify the Twin Cities & western Wisconsin as a major regional transportation logistics hub.” Construction on the facility began in November 2019, with the town of Richmond and the railroad settling a dispute earlier this year over traffic changes to accommodate the facility [see “Digest: Effort to restart Chicago-Rockford passenger service …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 25, 2020].
