More Friday morning rail news:
Montreal REM plans online unveiling of new equipment
Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail project will hold a virtual unveiling of its first trainsets on Monday, Nov. 16. The event beginning at 9:15 a.m. EST will be held on the REM Facebook page. The first of the 212 Alstom trainsets for the 41.6-mile, 27-station REM system arrived in October [see “Digest: Long Island Rail Road workers hailed …,” Trains News Wire, Oct. 23, 2020].
First stage of Celaya, Mexico, rail bypass nears completion
The first stage of a $306 million rail bypass around the Mexican city of Celaya in the state of Guanajuato is set to begin operation by year’s end, after more than a decade of planning. BNAmericas.com reports the 28.6-mile bypass is to be built in two stages, and will save most trains an estimated 80 minutes over the current route by avoiding grade crossings and at-grade crossings of other rail lines. Ferromex is building the 15.5-mile first section; Kansas City Southern de Mexico has been awarded the contract for the 13.1-mile section section, but that portion is delayed while awaiting approval of project changes from the transport ministry
Short Line Safety Institute offers hazardous-material training videos
The Short Line Safety Institute has launched an online hazardous materials training program, offering a series of five short videos providing an overview of hazardous materials regulations. The program, dubbed ‘Fast Class,’ features videos of 4 to 7 minutes in length that can be viewed in any order, and is offered at no cost to short lines. The institute also offers a comprehensive in-person hazardous material traning program, and has instructors that can review a railroad’s emergency response plans. For more information, visit the institute website.
