Railway Age magazine

LACMTA

Zephyr Rail on Aug. 14 reported being selected by the LACMTA Board for a $50 million Construction Management Support Services contract, the largest single contract in the firm’s history. This multi-year contract, it said, marks a milestone, “significantly expanding its role in delivering critical transportation infrastructure projects for one of the nation’s largest transit agencies.”

According to Zephyr Rail, it will provide comprehensive construction management services for LACMTA’s capital projects, ensuring that projects are “completed on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and quality.”

“This award is not only a testament to our technical expertise, but also to the dedication and talent of our entire team,” said Jackie Patterson, CEO of Zephyr Rail, and proposed Project Manager. “We are honored by Metro’s [LACMTA’s] trust and excited to contribute to projects that will improve mobility, safety, and sustainability for the region’s communities.”

Zephyr Rail earlier this year was awarded a contract by the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency to provide preliminary engineering and design services for the Ortega Siding project in Carpinteria, Calif.

Metrolinx

Ground has been broken for the second tunnel launch shaft near the site of the future Gerrard Station on the Ontario Line subway, the Ontario government reported Aug. 14 (see map below).

(Map Courtesy of Metrolinx)

From the launch shaft, tunnel boring machines will travel north, digging 1.86 miles (3 kilometers) of twin tunnels underneath Pape Avenue. The launch shaft will eventually serve as the tunnel portal, where Ontario Line trains will move from above-ground tracks to the underground tunnels. Gerrard Station, located just south of the launch shaft and future portal, will put nearly 12,000 people within walking distance of the Ontario Line, with more than 3,000 riders expected to use the station during rush hour each day.

“After breaking ground on the Ontario Line’s first tunnel launch shaft at Exhibition Station late last year, we’re here at Gerrard and Carlaw creating another starting point for the project’s second set of tunnels,” Metrolinx President and CEO Michael Lindsay said. “These tunnels will run underneath Pape Avenue and create a direct connection to the TTC’s Pape Station, which will help reduce crowding on the busiest section of Line 2 by 21% during rush hour. To put it another way, there will be 6,000 fewer people at Bloor-Yonge Station during the busiest travel hour of the day thanks to the Ontario Line.”

When complete, the Ontario Line will be a 9.7-mile (15.6-kilometer) stand-alone subway with 15 new stations. It will run from Exhibition Place, through the downtown core, and connect to the Line 5 Eglinton at Don Mills Road. It will offer connections to more than 40 other travel options along the way, such as the TTC’s Line 1 and Line 2, three GO Transit rail lines, and the Eglinton Crosstown LRT.

The Ontario Line is being delivered through several procurement contracts:

1. Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM)
2. Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel
3. Pape Tunnel and Underground Stations
4. Elevated Guideway and Stations

Separately, Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx earlier this month awarded a C$1.4 billion contract for the Yonge North Subway Extension project in Toronto.

Metra

Today, Metra CEO/Executive Dir. Jim Derwinski and Chief of Staff/Dep. Exec. Dir. of External Affairs Janice R. Thomas were joined by Jessica Vasquez, Cook County Commissioner 8th District… pic.twitter.com/zmYOPZf3NB

— Metra (@Metra) August 14, 2025

Metra, along with local officials, celebrated completing a $39.5 million project to replace a railroad bridge (circa 1899) over Milwaukee Avenue on the North Side of Chicago and to reconstruct the adjacent Grayland Station.

Replacing the aging bridge “was critical,” Metra said, because it provides a link in the regional and national rail network, serving Metra and Amtrak intercity passenger trains and Canadian Pacific Kanas City and Wisconsin Southern freight trains, and it had become a source of operational delays due to its “deteriorating condition.” The replacement project included new abutments, columns, and precast retaining walls, eliminating slow zones and reducing maintenance-related service disruptions.

In addition, the Grayland Station, just south of the bridge, was upgraded. It now features longer platforms, ADA-compliant ramps and stairs, new warming shelters with on-demand heating on each side, a modern public address system with visual information signs, and improved lighting and platform furnishings.

The project was funded with $16.5 million from the Federal Transit Administration, $17.8 million from the Federal Railroad Administration, $2.3 million from Canadian Pacific (which merged with Kansas City Southern in 2023), and $2.9 million in other Metra funding. IHC Construction Companies of Elgin handled the construction.

“We know this work was disruptive for our riders, local drivers, and residents of the nearby community, and we would like to thank them for their patience and understanding while we replaced this critical infrastructure,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Jim Derwinski, who will be a speaker at the 2025 Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail Conference. “We now have a bridge, and a comfortable and functional new station, that will serve them for many years into the future.” 

Further Reading:

• Metra’s MACs: From Freight Haulers to Commuter Service
• Metra Awarded $104MM for Station Upgrades, Switchers
• Alstom Opens Plant 4 Manufacturing Facility in Hornell, N.Y.

Sound Transit (Sound Transit Photograph)

Sound Transit has launched the next phase of Sound RideGuide beta testing. This new trip planning tool is slated to make regional travel easier, more personalized, and more accessible—no matter which agency operates the service. The web-app, Sound Transit said, will allow riders to plan a journey using a mix of transit, biking, micromobility (bike and scooter share), and drive to transit (Park & Ride). They can mix and match modes to find the most convenient route for their needs. The web-app also will offer personalized alerts. Riders can create an account to save their favorite trips, receive real-time alerts about delays or cancellations, and choose how to receive alerts (email, SMS, or push notifications via the mobile app).

(Sound Transit Photograph)

According to Sound Transit, Sound RideGuide will integrate fare information, so riders can see their total fare upfront (includes cash, ORCA, and reduced fare options, and calculates transfers for multi-leg trips). Additionally, it is available in eight languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), Russian, and Tagalog.

Riders can turn on Accessible Routing to get: 

• Routes optimized for those who use mobility devices. 
• Accessibility information for sidewalks, stops, and vehicles.
• Color-coded results: wheelchair accessible (Green); accessibility unknown (Blue); and not wheelchair accessible (Red).

They can also:

• Quickly compare trip options with filters for duration, arrival/departure time, walk time, and cost, and choose the trip that works best for their schedule and preferences.
• View current schedules for all transit routes across the region and get real-time trip results based on the latest real-time data.
• View shared stops. According to Sound Transit, transit stops used by multiple agencies are now easier to determine with combined stop locations on the map and agency logos shown for each stop.

Separately, Sound Transit Board on July 24 approved plans that will support an earlier than expected opening of the Federal Way Link Extension, now projected to begin operating as soon as winter 2025.

CTDOT (CTDOT Photograph)

CTDOT on Aug. 14 released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking redevelopment proposals for the Stewart B. McKinney Stamford Transportation Center (STC), which it said marked “a major step in its initiative to reimagine the STC as a modern, multi-modal transportation hub integrated with vibrant transit-oriented development.”

Interested development teams are invited to submit their proposals for the Stamford Transportation Center redevelopment by the Dec. 5, 2025, deadline. CTDOT said it plans to select up to two teams and execute pre-development agreements by Feb. 27, 2026.

The 11-acre STC site, currently serving more than 5.5 million annual MTA Metro-North commuter rail, Amtrak intercity passenger rail, and bus riders, “is in need of comprehensive upgrades and reconfiguration to meet the demands of a growing population and future transit expansions, including anticipated service increases from Metro-North and Amtrak,” CTDOT said.

“Redeveloping the Stewart B. McKinney Stamford Transportation Center is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a vibrant transit hub that meets Stamford’s growth and the evolving needs of travelers,”  CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto noted. “By reimagining this property, we can deliver new housing, enhanced transit amenities, and commercial and retail spaces that will serve residents and visitors for decades to come.”

Developers interested in responding to the RFP may review full details and submission requirements on the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) CTSource Bid Board (Project Solicitation Number STCTOD8.14.25) and contact CTDOT at DOT.TOD@ct.gov for further information.

Separately, CTDOT recently released its second-annual Customer Experience Action Plan Progress Report.

The post Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Metrolinx, Metra, Sound Transit, CTDOT appeared first on Railway Age.

ITS Logistics, a Nevada-based third-party logistics (3PL) firm, releases each month an index forecasting port container and dray operations for the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf regions; ocean and domestic container rail ramp operations are also highlighted for both the West and East inland regions.

(ITS Logistics)

“As tariff negotiations continue, industry professionals can anticipate surges in export volumes to follow agreements between the US and other countries as shippers work to meet pent-up demand,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics. “This should increase freight costs, especially in the spot market. While export volumes continue to be challenged, inbound volumes are still strong as front-loaded goods and retail peak shipments arrive in preparation for the fourth quarter. Day-side congestion at the terminals is also being reported, and empty termination availability is challenging.”

The agreement reached between the U.S. and China back in May to roll back tariffs and implement a 90-day pause for the continuation of negotiations “was expected to have immediate effects on global shipping and transportation markets,” according to news sources. “The matter was creating global economic disruption, and transportation rates were expected to surge as importers rushed to leverage temporary tariff reductions. Both capacity and rate changes were also expected to escalate quickly.”

Now, with new tariffs placing pressure on international trade, the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Global Port Tracker report—released this month—confirmed that import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports “is forecasted to end 2025 at 5.6% below 2024’s volume.” Overall, the preliminary data depict just how great an impact both the current administration’s trade policy and existing tariffs are having on the supply chain. Furthermore, according to the report, “tariffs are increasing consumer prices, but due to fewer imports being received, businesses will eventually experience fewer goods on shelves, with small businesses especially struggling to remain open altogether.” In July, total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 1.45% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.89% unadjusted year over year in comparison to June, with consumers increasing spending habits in anticipation of future price hikes and potential shortages.

This past June, the Port of Los Angeles handled 892,340 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of cargo, which was 8% more than last year, making it the busiest June in the 117-year history of the port. June 2025 loaded imports amounted to 470,459 TEUs (10% more than 2024) and loaded exports landed at 126,144 TEUs (a 3% improvement from 2024). A total of 295,746 empty container units were also processed, a 7% increase over last year.

Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain, ITS Logistics (ITS Logistics Photograph)

“Volumes should subside as we approach September, except for infrastructure and project freight. With the newly passed congressional bill, companies should increase those activities through 2025 into 2026,” said Brashier, who went on to confirm that industry professionals “should also pay close attention to the financial health of their trucking partners,” citing recent closures of major West Coast drayage providers.

Last month, both T.G.S. Logistics and GSC Logistics closed after serving shippers for nearly four decades. The two well-respected companies cited the current state of the market for their decision to end services, and they will be missed by supply chain communities across the nation, especially that of the Port of Oakland, ITS said.

The post ITS Logistics Issues August US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index appeared first on Railway Age.

The Women in Rail 2025 Conference, presented by Railway Age and RT&S, will feature a panel of railroaders covering how having a background in the military adds to their success in leadership roles across the freight and passenger rail industry. These panelists will speak to hiring practices, talent development for veterans, and more.

“Railroading’s Heroes” is one of many dynamic sessions scheduled for the third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference, taking place in Chicagoland on Oct. 15-16. It will also include a celebratory luncheon for the Railway Age 2024 Women in Rail and RT&S 2025 Women in Railroad Engineering award honorees, and the chance to network with a wide-reaching group of like-minded professionals. All this will take place at a new, larger venue: the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg. Plus, don’t miss a special tour of Canadian Pacific Kansas City’s (CPKC) Bensenville Yard.

I’m excited to see the incredible range of perspectives and experiences other leaders bring to the rail industry. I’m really looking forward to hearing stories of leadership, innovation and resilience of those who pave the way for the next generation. – Quilesha Hodges, BNSF

Meet ‘Railroading’s Heroes’ Moderator: James T. Riley, President, Railway Supply Institute

James T. Riley will moderate this “fireside chat” on how veterans play a key role in the railroad industry. Since March 2025, he has served as President of the Railway Supply Institute after spending more than 20 years in the trade association sector. Previously, Riley served as Interim President and CEO at the National Waste & Recycling Association and Senior Director of Government Affairs at the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association. In these roles, he has advanced industry advocacy and played a part in supporting key legislation. For his efforts, Riley was awarded the American Society of Association Executives’ 2021 Summit Award for Advocacy.

Jean Savage, CEO and President, Trinity Industries, Inc.

Jean Savage has served as CEO and President of Trinity Industries, Inc., since February 2020 and on its Board of Directors since 2018. A U.S. Army veteran, Savage served for nine years as an Army Reserve Intelligence Officer. In this fireside chat, Savage will speak to her experiences as a veteran and her career in operations and engineering.

Currently, Savage sits on the board of many organizations, including Parker Hannifin, the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation, and the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, as well as the Texas A&M University Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology (MMT) External Advisory Committee. Previously, Savage held many manufacturing and engineering positions at Parker Hannifin Corporation and served as Vice President of the Surface Mining & Technology Division of Caterpillar Inc. 

Quilesha Hodges, Asst. Terminal Superintendent, Women’s Network Mentorship Chair, BNSF

Quilesha Hodges spent 14 years in the U.S. Navy and joined BNSF through the Experienced First Line Supervisor program in May 2011. She worked in BNSF’s Mechanical shop in California where she oversaw 35 employees in locomotive maintenance. Soon after, she was promoted to a terminal trainmaster position in San Bernadino to work in overseeing terminal operations. Now, Hodges is assistant superintendent at Phoenix/Glendale/El Mirage, Ariz. 

Hodges is serving a 2nd term as the Mentorship Chair for the BNSF Women’s Network where she supports the growth and advancement of men and women across the organization.

In the Railroading Hero’s session, I hope to address the importance of leading with both vision and empathy. Taking a deep dive into how the best leaders not only drive for results but also create a culture where people feel valued and empowered. – Quilesha Hodges, BNSF

Jim Derwinski, CEO and Executive Director, Metra

Jim Derwinski spent six years in the U.S. Navy as an electrician in America’s nuclear submarine fleet. In 1993, he began his career in rail with Chicago & North Western Railroad. Now, Derwinski leads Metra as its CEO and Executive Director where he oversees transportation initiatives including updating its fleet of railcars, increasing transit affordability and accessibility, and contracting to deliver the first all-battery passenger equipment in the U.S. 

Derwinski is an advocate of public transportation, serving on the American Public Transportation Association Board of Directors, the MxV Rail Board of Directors, and the Passenger Rail Advisory Committee for the Surface Transportation Board, and is Chairman of the Illinois High Speed Rail Commission. Derwinski is also a founder of the Commuter Rail Coalition and was named one of Railway Age’s “Influential Leaders” in 2021.

Herman E. Crosson, Chief Safety and Compliance Officer, Anacostia Rail Holdings

With more than 35 years of military service and 26 years of rail industry experience, Herman Crosson brings his expertise to this “fireside chat.” In May 2022, Crosson joined Anacostia Rail Holdings as its Chief Safety and Compliance Officer. 

Before retiring from the service, he served as the Brigade Commander of the 59th Troop Command Brigade, South Carolina National Guard. He holds a BS from Excelsior College, an MBA from Liberty University, and an MSS from US Army War College. Crosson has held various positions with CSX and Patriot Rail Company as VP of Safety, Training, and Regulatory. He received the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s (ASLRRA) Safety Professional of the Year award in 2021 and 2025 and serves on the association’s Environmental Committee and as Chairman of its Sustainability Sub-Committee.

About Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2025

These “Railroading’s Heroes” panelists will be joined at the 2025 Women in Rail Conference by a diverse group of railroaders with a shared commitment to our industry’s future. Among them: Annie Adams, Chief Human Resources Officer, Norfolk Southern; Jennifer Hamann, EVP & Chief Financial Officer, Union Pacific; Sarah Watterson, President, Brightline West; Jenni Benton, SVP Commercial, Patriot Rail; Vianey De la Mora, Director General, Mexican Railway Association (AMF); Kari Gonzales, President & CEO, MxV Rail; Henrika Buchanan, SVP, National Practice Consultant, Transit & Rail Market Sector, HNTB; Paul Hubler, Chief Strategy Officer, Metrolink; Cherise Myers, Director-Workforce Development, American Public Transportation Association (APTA); and many more.

Speakers will offer their candid thoughts on topics ranging from marketing yourself to ESG and new technologies.

Supporting Organizations

Industry support for the 2025 Women in Rail Conference is already strong, including sponsorship from: AITX, GATX, TrinityRail, CN, CPKC, RailPros, R. J. Corman, API, Genesee & Wyoming, The Greenbrier Companies, UTLX, Progress Rail, Patriot Rail, Union Pacific, The National Association of Railway Business Women, and The League of Railway Women.

Learn More

To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.

View the agenda and confirmed speakers, plus take advantage of the early bird rate for Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2025 >>

As a reminder, the last chance for early bird rates is August 15th!

Don’t Forget

Through Oct. 2, Railway Age is accepting nominations for its 2025 Women in Rail Awards program, which will honor 25 trailblazers for their achievements in our November issue and at the 2026 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference. These outstanding railroaders will be selected based on their leadership, vision, innovation, and accomplishments. This award celebrates female leaders in rail and pioneers with a track record of breaking down barriers and helping to create industry opportunities for women. Entries will be judged by Barbara Wilson, Senior Advisor at Railroad Financial Corporation, and Catherine Rinaldi, Executive Vice President of Gateway Development Commission, with input from the Railway Age staff. Both Wilson and Rinaldi will participate at the 2025 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference.

Submit your nomination now >>

The post ‘Railroading’s Heroes’: Military Veterans Share Successes at WIR 2025 appeared first on Railway Age.

Parks, of all people, would know.  

The transportation planner was a formative force in the Bay Area punk scene, particularly from the mid-1980s through the 1990s. This was an inflection point for punk, with bands like Green Day, Neurosis, and the Offspring making the leap from tiny scene venues to sold-out concert halls and stadiums.  

These iconic bands have at least two things in common. All of them are graduates of one of the most legendary punk venues of all time – 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, often called Gilman by the punk community – and Parks played an early role in their success. 

Parks cofounded 924 Gilman – an all ages, collectively organized nonprofit music venue still going strong today – in 1986 as part of the MaximumRockNRoll ‘zine and collective spearheaded by Tim Yohannan. Getting the venue off the ground required wading through the leasing and zoning process, attending city hall meetings, and speaking with officials. The experience was Parks very first taste of urban planning, and it would come to serve her professionally many years later.  

So, Green Day…well, Parks was their first-ever band manager. Neurosis and the Offspring? She booked their first two national tours. The Offspring were the first to bring her on tour as their road manager, the first of many tour managing roles she did for multiple bands. 

When she wasn’t uplifting other bands, Parks was drumming for Cringer, the Gr’ups, Naked Aggression, and the aptly named Kamala & The Karnivores. If you saw the recent film Freaky Tales, you might have spotted a Kamala & The Karnivores patch stitched on the back of star Ji-young Yoo’s jacket.  

“Parks is a networker of East Bay punk,” a 2017 profile of her proclaimed, noting that she unknowingly designed “what would become a blueprint for DIY scenes worldwide.” 

A recent photo of Kamala Parks at Lake Merritt Station.  

In sum, Parks is a punk legend.  

Many of her BART coworkers have absolutely no idea. Rather, they know Parks from her planning efforts, like her work on BART’s Transit-Oriented Development, her leadership on projects like Safe Trips to BART, and her role as the Station Area Planner from Orinda to Antioch. 

“Some folks are surprised I’m a punk rocker. They say I don’t look like one,” Parks said. “But I don’t have to look it. It’s my people, it’s a way of being in the world.”  

And transit, she said, is decidedly punk.  

“When you’re a punk, you love efficiency, sustainability, democracy,” she said. “Transit fulfills all these things.” 

Parks brings the spirit of punk to the workplace. When you’re a punk, if there’s an obstacle, you find a way to work around it. Low on resources? Figure it out. And most importantly, never take anything at face value, always question the status quo.  

“As a planner, I’m constantly asking myself things like, is there a reason this is the way it is? Can we revisit this? Reimagine it?”  

It’s a helpful vantage point for someone in her line of work. Crudely put, planners assess the present to construct the future. There’s a synergy with planning and punk, the music and movement known for holding a magnifying glass to the world and asking, “Why does it have to be like that?” 

“You don’t buy into the mainstream narrative as much when you’re a punk,” Parks said.  

Kamala Parks, pictured front right, circa late 1980s/early 1990s at a backyard gig in Pinole. Credit: Murray Bowles

Parks’ career was the least of her concerns as a free-spirited teenager growing up in Berkeley.  

“I was not exactly an ambitious kid,” she said. “When I was young, I wanted to be a cashier. They seemed to know everything – the price of an apple, the cost of a can of corn. This was way before the scanner. You had to enter all the prices manually! But as soon as the scanner rolled out, my dream was quashed.”  

Parks described her teenage years as “directionless.” She was a mediocre student at Berkeley High School, didn’t have a lot of friends or grand ambitions.  

What she did have was music. Parks recalled the summer before 11th grade when her dad left her in the care of one of his students from Diablo Valley College while he was on sabbatical in Europe. He gave the college kid $500 for Parks’ care and keeping. Not long after dad hit the road, the young woman and her boyfriend decided to spend the summer in Mexico, leaving Parks to fend for herself.  

“I came home from school one day and no one was home. But she had left the money on the table,” Parks recalled. “I immediately went to Telegraph [Avenue] and bought records and a Walkman. Needless to say, I spent that $500 in a very short amount of time.”  

“Music,” she went on, “was the thing that saved me as a kid. I cared about it so much, and I was beginning to have this incredible community in the punk scene full of very smart, supportive people.”  

But she had a bone to pick with Berkeley: All the cool live music venues in town were 21 and over. So 17-year-old Parks wrote a letter to the city council more or less asking, “What gives? There’s nothing for young people to do in this city. Why aren’t there any all-ages music venues?” 

That was the genesis of the idea that would eventually give birth to 924 Gilman.  

Left: Kamala and The Karnivores Girl Band EP, originally released on Lookout Records in 1989. Right: Kamala and The Karnivores second record, Vanity Project, released in 2018. 

Flash forwards a couple of years, and Parks and her cofounders are sitting in a city council meeting, ready to make the case for their venue.  

“The lightbulb did not go off that this sort of work was what I should be doing, not at all,” Parks said of urban planning. “I thought the city was being silly, asking things like, ‘Where will people park?’ And I said, ‘Parking? Who cares about parking!’”  

Parks argued that the industrial area already had ample street parking, and most people would carpool or use transit. The majority of her friends didn’t own cars.  

“We ended up rezoning the building for an entertainment permit,” she said. “At the time, it seemed like a bunch of hooey that we couldn’t have our club immediately. There was so much hoop jumping. I was definitely not inspired to pursue urban planning.” 

But there was a lesson in all of it.  

“The wonderful thing about youth is you’re not weighed down by past experiences that tell you what is and isn’t possible,” she said. “Fresh, questioning eyes are an asset.”  

After Parks “barely” graduated high school, she worked at the Peet’s Coffee and Tea warehouse and other blue collar or service jobs to prioritize and fund the unpaid efforts of touring, booking tours and shows, playing music, and volunteering at Gilman. However, part-time studying at community colleges eventually led to her getting a math degree from a four-year college. Unsure of what to do next, she got her teaching credential. 

“Teaching was brutal,” she said. “I have so much respect for teachers. That is the hardest job I’ve ever had.” 

Before getting the credential, Parks had taken a few urban studies classes at San Francisco State and realized, “This is it! This is what I want to do!” 

But Parks wasn’t sure she wanted to spend more time in school to get a second bachelor’s degree. And though she loved the field, she was sick of being poor and just wanted to start working. 

Her stint as a teacher lasted about two years, and Parks took some time to regroup working as a project assistant at a construction management company. While there, she discovered the urban studies flame still flickered inside her.  

Parks eventually decided to enroll in a grueling program at UC Berkeley, where she got two master’s degrees, one in civil engineering and one in city and regional planning.  

She went on to work in consulting and for the City of Berkeley. BART, however, was always the dream.  

Kamala drumming with Kamala and The Karnivores in 2017. Credit: Jonathan Botkin.  

“BART has a very special place in my heart and has been crucial to many aspects of my life,” she said.  

In 2018, after applying for years to any position she was qualified for, Parks finally got the call that she was selected for a planner role.  

She’s never looked back. 

“There is rarely a day I wake up and say, ‘I don’t feel like going to work today,’” she said. “I just feel so lucky.”  

Parks wishes she had discovered transportation planning earlier. Growing up, she never thought of it as a profession or really knew that the field existed at all. Now, she’s doing her part to amend that for the next generation.  

“A few years ago, I went back to Berkeley High School for a lunch session called ‘How did you get that cool job?’ where I met with seniors and talked about what I do,” she said. “I wish someone had done that for me!”  

Through it all, the punk community has remained a constant force in her life. And she’s still involved with 924 Gilman, not as a booker or board member anymore, but as an attendee and an as-needed advisor. To this day, the venue hosts more than 20 nights of performances a month, often with bills consisting of five to six bands.  

Parks left an indelible mark on the Bay Area punk scene, and now, as a planner for BART, she gets to leave a different sort of legacy behind.  

“Planners come up with the ideas that spur improvements to connect communities,” she said.  

And that’s a through line in her life. Whether its music or street improvements, she wants more than anything to facilitate connections– to other people and to the spaces in which they gather. 

The post Transit is Punk: Kamala Parks Went From Cofounding 924 Gilman Street to Urban Planning at BART appeared first on Railway Age.

They laced up, volunteered and showed what it means to play with purpose. Hockey Helps the Homeless, sponsored by CN, raised an incredible C$7.8 million for local organizations fighting homelessness across Canada through a series of friendly hockey tournaments.

Our inaugural season has been an incredibly positive experience. This partnership is yet another way CN shows its commitment to communities across our network—and beyond. Together with Hockey Helps the Homeless, we’re working toward a vision of Canada where everyone has a safe place to call home.

–Olivier Chouc, CN Senior Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer

Team CN showed up in full force: 162 players and 46 volunteers across eight cities stepped onto the ice alongside former pro-players, all united by one goal: to help shutout homelessness.

John Mazzei, CN National Account Manager, Bulk, who played hockey in his youth, was all-in at the tournament in Calgary. “It was a fantastic day of hockey! Playing alongside teammates and against opponents who were all united in the same cause created an incredible atmosphere,” says Mazzei, who got to play left wing on a line with former Montreal Canadien Brian Skrudland, who brought in his Stanley Cup ring for people to try on.

We each have a responsibility to show up for our communities and Hockey Helps The Homeless offered a chance to contribute in a meaningful and focussed way,” says Camila. “Seeing the genuine camaraderie between athletes, volunteers, and community partners –people from all walks of life – who were there with their families, was the best part.

–Camila Andrea Sanchez, CN Junior Coordinator, Legislative Affairs

The hockey events were made successful thanks to the efforts of many volunteers, including an enthusiastic group of CN pensioners, employees and their families in every participating city. Camila Andrea Sanchez, CN Junior Coordinator, Legislative Affairs, volunteered at the Montreal tournament, welcoming players, helping coordinate team logistics, and supporting the teams throughout the day. “Homelessness is not something people choose—it can happen to anyone. It has many faces, and it doesn’t define a person’s worth. Everyone deserves compassion. Everyone deserves a second chance—and a safe place to call home,” says Sanchez.

About Our Partnership

In 2024, CN became the new Premier National Partner of Hockey Helps the Homeless, beginning with the 2024–2025 season, to raise awareness and support for people experiencing homelessness through education, fundraising, and partnerships with solution-focused local shelters and services.

The stories shared, the connections made, and the collective energy dedicated to helping others truly exemplified the best of our hockey community. It was a great reminder of how sport can be a powerful force for unity and positive change.

–John Mazzei, CN National Account Manager, Bulk

Currently, there are 300,000-plus unhoused people each year in Canada, though this figure is likely underreported. In 2023-2024, the organizations benefiting from HHTH tournaments provided over 2.7 million meals and 1.8 million nights in beds across the country, among many other vital services. Support from CN will enable HHTH to expand into new markets and to deepen support in existing markets, allowing more lives to be impacted.

(CN Photographs) This story first appeared on the CN website.

The post CN: Playing With Purpose appeared first on Railway Age.

What Happened?

​At about 5:44 p.m. local time, eastbound NS mixed-freight train NS-167, as it passed over a spring switch at milepost 139.90W, derailed 24 railcars. The derailed cars then collided with stationary westbound mixed freight train NS-33K on the NS Midwest Division, Southern West District, near Browns, Ill., which was holding in a siding adjacent to the derailment site. The derailed equipment from train NS-167 included three tank cars carrying hazardous materials, two tank cars containing molten sulfur that were breached and released product, and one tank car carrying denatured fuel ethanol, which released about 15 gallons of product. “Two NS crewmembers from train NS-33K were injured,” the agency said. Visibility conditions at the time of the accident were clear with no precipitation; the ​ temperature was 88°F.

​The crew of train NS-1​67, which was composed of two locomotives and 44 railcars (26 loaded railcars and 18 empty railcars), consisted of one engineer and one conductor. Shortly before the accident, a signal maintainer had conducted work on the spring switch. “About 40 minutes later, train NS-167 proceeded through the spring switch, the first train to do so after the maintenance was completed. As the train traversed through this switch, 24 of its railcars derailed,” according to the report.

The crew of train NS-33K, which was composed of two locomotives and 44 railcars (37 loaded railcars and 7 empty railcars), consisted of one engineer, one conductor, and one engineer trainee. “At the time of the accident, train NS-33K was stopped in a siding adjacent to the switch at milepost 139.90W,” NTSB said.

​As the head end of train NS-167 traversed the spring switch at 47 mph, the railcars derailed, according to the report. “As a result, the train NS-33K engineer sustained a leg injury and was treated at a local hospital; the engineer trainee was injured when molten sulfur splashed onto him and was treated on scene and later airlifted to a trauma center,” according to the report.

While on scene, NTSB investigators inspected the railcars involved in the accident, examined conditions of the track and signals, reviewed event recorder data from the lead locomotive and the video from inward- and outward-facing image recorders, conducted a reenactment of the accident, tested the spring switch cylinder from the accident switch, and conducted interviews.

NTSB’s investigation is ongoing. “Future investigative activity will focus on testing and maintenance protocols of spring switches, and review of interdepartmental collaboration between the railroad’s Signals and Communications and Maintenance-of-Way departments, with emphasis on communication, joint procedures, training programs, and overall maintenance practices related to spring switch inspection and maintenance,” the agency reported.

Parties to the investigation include the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA); the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC); NS; the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART), the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET); the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS); and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED).

The post NTSB Issues Preliminary Report for NS July 18 Derailment appeared first on Railway Age.

Rail industry icon Thomas F. Prendergast, CEO of Gateway Development Commission, leads off  Next-Gen Rail Systems, the communications, signaling and advanced technology conference presented by Railway Age, and formerly known as Next-Gen Train Control.

Next-Gen Rail Systems reflects the evolving state of rail technology. Over the years, rapid technological developments—artificial intelligence, deep data analysis, machine learning, cybersecurity, telematics—have transformed train control into just one element of a complex, integrated platform. Systems and technology are constantly undergoing improvements and enhancements that deliver better safety, functionality, interoperability, versatility and reliability at lower life-cycle costs for rail transit, main line passenger rail, and freight railroads.

Meet Tom Prendergast

The Gateway Development Commission in January appointed Tom Prendergast, Railway Age’s 2017 Railroader of the Year, as Chief Executive Officer. Prendergast came to GDC from AECOM, where he, as Executive Vice President and Americas Transit Team Leader, oversaw design and consulting services across all business lines in New York and New Jersey, including transportation, water and wastewater, environment, power, and buildings. He brought significant experience managing large rail systems, including serving as President, Chairman and CEO of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, President of MTA Long Island Rail Road and MTA New York City Transit, and CEO of TransLink in British Columbia. At MTA head, Prendergast led the way to securing a five-year capital plan to modernize New York City’s public transportation systems, oversaw restoration of service after Superstorm Sandy and critical rehabilitation and flood resiliency efforts, and spearheaded completion and opening of Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway.

“A modern rail system that ensures fast, reliable service for commuters and travelers is the foundation for strong and sustained economic growth,” Prendergast says. “As someone who has spent much of my career working to improve rail mass transit for residents of New York and New Jersey, I understand the urgent need for the Gateway Program—the most urgent infrastructure project in the nation—and am committed to making sure it is built on time and on budget.”

Next-Gen Rail Systems is an essential gathering for all those involved in the growing rail systems market—whether the focus is transit, main line passenger, or freight. Railway Age is proud to present a rebranded, expanded event that features the same in-depth technical sessions and comprehensive project updates that attendees have come to expect. This conference, since its 1995 inception, has always been a “must attend” event.

In addition to Tom Prendergast, leading experts in the lineup are Kris Kolluri, President and CEO of New Jersey Transit; Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada; Dustin K. Lange, P.E., Senior Director of Engineering, Norfolk Southern, Mark Salsberg, Principal of WDG Consulting; Matthew Kim, Assistant Vice President Enterprise Strategy, Canadian Pacific Kansas City; Wilson Milian, PE, President and CEO of Milian Consultants, LLC; Pete Tomlin, Independent Consultant, Jonathan Kirby, Senior Director, NJT PTC, New Jersey Transit; Clarelle DeGraffe, General Manager, PATH; Steven Vant, Chief Signal Engineer, Conrail, Mike Palmer, Senior Project Manager, Parsons; Brian Yeager, Director Advanced Technology & Train Reliability, Norfolk Southern; Yousef Kimiagar, Vice President, Institution of Railway Signal Engineers; and Catherine Campbell-Wilson, Principal, StrategyFive.

Registration is now open for Next-Gen Rail Systems, to be held Oct. 30-31, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. Attendees can get early bird rates on their registration from now until Sept. 5.

Railway Age conferences are known for providing valuable opportunities: networking with professionals from around the world; learning about innovative approaches to implementing advanced technologies; discovering new methods for procurement and contracting; providing input on standards development; becoming better-informed about ongoing and planned projects; and discovering what regulations are coming and how they could impact business.

Supporting Organizations

Industry support for Next-Gen Rail Systems is strong, including sponsorships from: 4AI Systems, Alstom, CSA – Critical Systems Analysis, Hitachi Rail, HNTB, KB Signaling, Parsons, Piper, SATS, and Milian Consultants, LLC. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.

The post Prendergast Keynoting Next-Gen Rail Systems Conference appeared first on Railway Age.

OmniTRAX on Aug. 14 reported signing an agreement with a second soda ash producer to provide exclusive third-party rail switching in Green River, Wyo. In addition to serving the Tata Chemical Soda Ash Partners mine, which was announced earlier this month, the transportation and infrastructure affiliate of The Broe Group will serve WE Soda’s Westvaco mining facility.

Wyoming has the world’s largest deposit of trona, a sodium carbonate compound that is processed into soda ash—found in the glass used in bottles, cars, and homes, and in insulation, light bulbs, soaps, and detergents—or bicarbonate of soda, or baking soda, according to the Wyoming Mining Association.

OmniTRAX’s new service agreement with WE Soda is long-term, and annual cargo volumes at the Westvaco mine are projected to exceed 3.5 million tons.  

“Excited to work with Union Pacific Railroad EVP Kenny Rocker to help WE Soda Chief Executive Officer Tarlan Oguz E. and his team create [a] seamless global supply chain,” OmniTRAX reported via LinkedIn on Aug. 14. Green River, Wyo., Map Courtesy of OpenRailwayMap.org.

“WE Soda is the global market leader and a visionary company,” said Dean Piacente, Co-CEO of OmniTRAX, which operates 31 railroads, serving ports, industrial parks and customers across the country. “We are excited to partner with WE Soda and provide safe and reliable rail service that can scale with their North American mining operations. WE Soda’s Wyoming facility is a vital production hub to serve domestic and global demand for soda ash.”  

“The OmniTRAX partnership supports our continued investment in North American infrastructure and logistics, reinforcing WE Soda’s commitment to deliver sustainable, low-cost soda ash to customers worldwide,” said Oguz Erkan, CEO of WE Soda, the world’s largest soda ash producer, supplying 80 countries.

Earlier this year, OmniTRAX became the exclusive operator of the Long Island, N.Y.-based Brookhaven Rail Terminal and of Port Muskogee’s Port Muskogee Railroad in Oklahoma. It also teamed with Coast Belle Rail Corporation to run Santa Maria Valley Railroad in California.

The post For OmniTRAX, Another Wyoming Mining Partnership appeared first on Railway Age.

Metro Transit

Metro Transit’s Blue Line Extension LRT project has achieved a critical milestone with federal environmental approval, “clearing the way for final design and construction while setting a new standard for supporting communities and businesses impacted by construction,” the Minnesota Metropolitan Council announced Aug. 13.

(Minn. Metro Council)

The FTA signed the Amended Record of Decision for the Blue Line Extension’s Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement (SFEIS), “concluding years of comprehensive environmental review and community engagement.”

This federal action also allows for the project, which is a proposed 13.4-mile light rail line that will connect downtown Minneapolis to the communities of North Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park, to include groundbreaking measures to support residents and businesses before, during, and after construction of the line:

• $5 Million Business Support Program: Construction-impacted businesses will be eligible for up to $30,000 each in rent assistance, helping maintain economic stability during the multi-year construction period.
• $5 Million Community Investment Fund: This program will provide funding to community-serving organizations for things like rent and housing cost assistance, specifically designed to help existing residents remain in their neighborhoods.

“This is the first time this type of support for residents and businesses impacted by construction has been included in a major project in Minnesota,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Irene Fernando. “The Blue Line Extension will connect thousands of people to new opportunities to work, go to school, and access healthcare. It is a generational investment in communities where many people rely on transit to get where they need to go every day.”

“Light rail projects, more than any other mode of transit, generate significant economic and community investment. This project will unlock long-overdue investment in some of our state’s most vibrant communities. The strategies included in this project’s environmental documents will help make sure this investment benefits the people there today and the generations that will follow,” Fernando added.

Additionally, the environmental documents outline strategies to address other environmental, economic, and social impacts and opportunities of the Blue Line Extension, including things like noise and vibration, parking, property impacts, and more.

“This milestone represents a significant investment in our region’s future,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Charlie Zelle. “It brings us closer to advancing our regional transit vision to create jobs, improve mobility, and strengthen communities.”

A public engagement process will launch this fall to inform the development and design of these community support programs, “ensuring maximum benefit for residents and businesses once a Full Funding Grant Agreement is awarded,” the Council said.

Santa Clara VTA

“In a decisive move to support public transportation across the Bay Area,” the Santa Clara VTA Board of Directors voted unanimously to join California Senate Bill 63 (Weiner/Arreguin). This landmark funding measure, the agency says, “is poised to preserve and enhance transit service throughout the region.”

By participating in SB 63, VTA joins a coalition of Bay Area counties—Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo—committed to preventing service cuts. The measure is expected to provide $264 million annually to VTA to support local transit improvements, positioning Santa Clara County to receive funding for critical needs such as VTA’s Visionary Network—an ambitious plan to improve frequency, reliability and connectivity.

“SB 63 represents a transformative opportunity to invest in the future of public transit,” said Carolyn Gonot, VTA General Manager/CEO. “With this measure, we can deliver faster, more reliable service and ensure equitable access for all riders across Santa Clara County.”

“The board’s vote affirms VTA’s regional leadership role and will allow Bay Area residents to not just protect but transform vital public transit services,” added Sergio Lopez, VTA Board Chair. “I am grateful to all who invested countless hours in putting in the hard work to improve this measure and ensure a fair deal for Santa Clara County, while strengthening our regional network.”

According to the agency, SB 63 would create a special district across five counties that would allow this regional funding measure to be placed on the November 2026 ballot. “It would include transformational regional investments such as enhancing speed and reliability, supporting cross-county paratransit, streamlining fare programs, and unifying wayfinding across systems. VTA’s endorsement underscores its leadership in shaping a more integrated, equitable, and sustainable transit future.”

This board decision, the agency says, “follows voter engagement research and a thorough evaluation of the bill’s alignment with VTA’s strategic priorities. VTA’s action ensures Santa Clara County has a seat at the table in shaping the future of Bay Area mobility.”

In related news, the VTA Board discussed potentially switching from a single-bore tunnel to a twin-bore tunnel “in an effort to make the best financial decisions for the Silicon Valley BART Expansion project,” according to a KGO news report.

According to the report, a new study (download below) released this week has concluded that a single-bore tunnel is the “smarter, faster, and more community-friendly way” to complete the final phase of the project.

(Santa Clara VTA)

The findings, VTA says, “show that this design is more cost-effective, quicker to build, already approved, and far less disruptive to downtown San José and its business community. It keeps streets open, supports the local economy during construction, and brings BART to Santa Clara County sooner.”

After years of technical analysis, public input, and federal review, the VTA says it continues to advance the single-bore tunnel as the preferred design for extending BART through downtown San José to Santa Clara. Compared to a twin-bore tunnel, the single-bore option “offers clear advantages and is significantly less expensive and less risky,” the agency noted.

Attachment-13809Download

The post Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Santa Clara VTA appeared first on Railway Age.

NY&A

BLET members on Aug. 6 ratified a new two-year agreement with Anacostia‘s NY&A, which operates more than 270 route miles throughout Brooklyn and Queens, N.Y. The new provides a $1.00 per hour increase to all pay grades effective June 1, 2025, followed by two general wage increases totaling 8% through the end of 2028.

The BLET’s Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) General Committee of Adjustment represents the NY&A membership. The negotiating team consisted of General Chairman Gilman Lang, previous General Chairman Kevin Sexton, 2nd Vice General Chairman Duane O’Connor, and National Vice President Jim Louis.

R.J. Corman

R. J. Corman Signaling Project Manager Shane Burks II has been selected to participate in the 2025-26 Leadership Lexington program, “marking a significant milestone not only in [Burks’s] professional journey but also in R.J. Corman’s continued commitment to leadership development and community engagement.”

Leadership Lexington has served as the premier leadership development initiative in the greater Lexington, Ky., area for more than four decades, the company noted. With a highly competitive application and selection process, the program admits only 50 professionals each year. Participants engage in 10 immersive day-sessions hosted by local leaders, gaining firsthand insight into Lexington’s community dynamics, signature industries, and public issues. Each class also completes up to four community-based projects, selected and led by the participants themselves.

“The program’s mission is to prepare emerging leaders to meet the challenges facing Lexington by fostering deeper understanding and collaboration across sectors. Through educational experiences and meaningful connections, Leadership Lexington empowers participants to broaden their perspectives and become catalysts for positive change,” R.J. Corman said.

“I am truly honored and privileged to be a member of the 2025–26 Leadership Lexington class. This opportunity is one I deeply value, and I am committed to challenging myself to grow both personally and professionally. I look forward to learning from and engaging with fellow leaders in our community, and I am excited to bring back invaluable knowledge and connections to R. J. Corman. Together, we will continue to foster growth and innovation within our organization and community,” said Burks.

Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Aug. 11, manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings Charlotte and Foundry Company’s new $80 million manufacturing facility is officially open in Maize, Kans.

(Image Courtesy of Watco via X)

The 134,000-square-foot plant has premier access to Watco’s Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad, “aiding in the company’s continued success and swift production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes for plumbing and irrigation applications.” Watco, a single-source transportation and supply chain services company, was a pivotal partner in addressing Charlotte Pipe’s rail needs, according to Governor Laura Kelly.

The plant, which is located on the 5801 block of 119th Street West and is the company’s seventh plastics plant in the U.S., will provide 50 full-time jobs in the area, which the company has already hired for, according to a KSNW report. Plants are also located on the East and West Coast.

“It’s a great location, has a terrific workforce, a can-do attitude when it comes to business and it’s where we want to be,” said Hooper Hardison, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry CEO. “We don’t have a plant in this area to serve the central part of the country so being in Kansas and Maize is really going to help us ground out our footprint and serve our customers better.”

“Along with Sedgewick County, Maize, Kans., and the Greater Wichita Partnership, our team is excited to welcome the newest customer on the Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad,” Watco wrote in an X post.

The post Small-Road Briefs: New York & Atlantic Railway, R.J. Corman, Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad appeared first on Railway Age.

July was the busiest month on record in the Port of Los Angeles’s 117-year history, according to the Port. It processed 8.5% more TEUs than in July 2024. This followed a busy June, when it handled 892,340 TEUs, up 8% from last year.

Port of Los Angeles’s Latest Monthly Container Counts (Courtesy of the Port)

July 2025 loaded imports came in at 543,728 TEUs, 8% more than last year and the most imports ever in a month at the Port, it reported. Loaded exports landed at 121,507 TEUs, a 6% improvement from 2024. Additionally, the Port processed 354,602 empty container units, 10% more than last year. 

Port of Los Angeles’s Annual Container Statistics; container counts (TEUs) for years 1981-1994 are provided in calendar year totals only, as monthly breakdowns prior to calendar year 1995 are unavailable. (Courtesy of the Port)

Seven months into 2025, the Port of Los Angeles has handled 5,975,649 TEUs, 5% more than the same period in 2024. 

“Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America’s top port really tells that story,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka, who recently gave a cargo briefing with Dr. Zachary Rogers, Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management at Colorado State University, to discuss the impacts of tariffs on transportation, warehousing, and inventory (watch below). “Port terminals in July were jam-packed with ships loaded with cargo, processed without any delay—much to the credit of our dedicated longshore workers, terminal and rail operators, truckers, and supply chain partners.”

(Port of Long Beach Photograph)

A pause in tariffs in recent months lifted the Port of Long Beach to its most active July on record and the third-busiest month in its 114-year history, according to the Port, which predicted the trade rebound in its June cargo report.

Port of Long Beach Container Trade in TEUs: July 2025 (Courtesy of the Port) Port of Long Beach Container Trade in TEUs: Fiscal Year to Date – July 2025 (Courtesy of the Port) Port of Long Beach Container Trade in TEUs: Calendar Year to Date (Totals) – July 2025 (Courtesy of the Port)

The TEUS processed by dockworkers and terminal operators in July were up 7% from the previous record set in July 2024. Imports rose 7.6% to 468,081 TEUs and exports declined 12.9% to 91,328 TEUs. Empty containers moving through the Port increased 12.3% to 384,824 TEUs.

Port of Long Beach Container Trade in TEUs: Calendar Year to Date (By Month) (Courtesy of the Port)

The Port has moved 5,690,863 TEUs through the first seven months of this year, up 10% from the prior-year period.

“Retailers are now seeing the arrival of goods that were purchased for lower costs during the temporary pause placed on tariffs and retaliatory tariffs earlier this year,” Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero said. “Due to the ongoing uncertainty caused by shifting trade policies, our Supply Chain Information Highway digital tracking tool forecasts that cargo will be down about 10% in the second half of 2025, resulting in a flat year for volume.”

“We appreciate our terminal operators, truckers, dockworkers and all the individuals who are moving cargo through the Port at a record-setting pace,” Long Beach Harbor Commission President Frank Colonna added. “We continue to work closely with labor and industry to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

The ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles recently announced they are extending their agreement with Pacific Harbor Line to provide railroad operating and maintenance services within the San Pedro Bay ports complex. Union Pacific and BNSF move cargo in and out of the complex.

(Courtesy of the Port of Los Angeles) Further Reading:

• Jacobs Tapped for POLB Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility
• POLB: $3.2B 10-Year Capex Plan
• Watch: California ‘State of the Port’ Priorities for 2025

The post For Ports of LA, Long Beach, ‘Record’ July Cargo appeared first on Railway Age.

Here we go with another shutdown of democratic free speech by a POTUS and his inner circle consolidating power in pursuit of a unitary form of government controlling every aspect of American life from the arts, to Congress, to the courts, to education, to independent federal agencies, non-government organizations, corporate decision making and transportation.

In a formal statement issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Aug. 13 and citing instructions from POTUS 47 and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, FRA announced it is deconstructing its Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) and “refocusing [it and other Executive Branch] federal advisory committees on what matters.”

Without specifics, the statement asserts that “some committees have lost sight of the mission and have been overrun with individuals whose sole focus is their radical DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) and climate agenda.” The statement says DOT has “intent to reconstitute membership” without providing a date or preferred membership qualifications.

Duffy previously weaponized the Department of Transportation against transit, high-speed rail and Amtrak funding, and ordered DOT agencies to cancel DEI programs whose appreciation of cultural, racial and gender differences offends POTUS 47.

Notably, FRA has been without a Senate-confirmed Administrator since POTUS 47 took office. His nominee, former Pan Am Railways President David Armstrong Fink, cleared a Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing in May, but his name has yet to reach the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.

There is no evidence RSAC has offended the POTUS as asserted. FRA, under previous Republican and Democratic Administrations, celebrated RSAC’s “invaluable input” toward improving railroad safety nationwide, terming RSAC “a unique tool of democratic government.” RSAC’s mission, say previous FRA statements, is to “develop new regulatory standards, through a collaborative process, with all segments of the rail community working together to fashion mutually satisfactory solutions on safety regulatory issues.”

RSAC was created in 1996 by the longest serving (1993-2000) and first female FRA Administrator, Jolene Molitoris, whose legacy is consensus building. She convened an informal version of RSAC in 1994 to focus on reducing track worker deaths and injuries. Its success drove its expansion.

Participating in RSAC, up to POTUS 47 and Duffy’s ordered execution of it, have been representatives of railroads; rail labor; and organizations representing rail passengers, rail shippers, manufacturers, suppliers and states.

At its October 2024 meeting—RSAC typically convenes formally twice each year, but its working groups more often—discussion topics included C3R (confidential close call reporting), train braking modernization, wayside detectors, roadway worker protection and electronic devices. RSAC is the only forum for such a diverse group to share knowledge on these and other complex rail safety issues.

“The process has not always been perfect nor always productive, but there were outcomes beneficial to everyone,” says a former Class I mechanical officer who participated two RSAC Working Groups—locomotive crashworthiness and locomotive cab sanitation and working conditions—in the late 1990s and early 2000s. “We incorporated the existing AAR standards for crashworthy noses and fuel tanks into FRA locomotive safety regulations. That effort alone by my estimate saved lives by preventing ‘cab crush’ and fuel fires. Overall, I believe the RSAC WG process allowed the unions to see that railroad managers were like them—people—and capable of reaching commonsense solutions.

“Cab sanitation was a ‘rapidly boiling pot’ situation as the unions had made the FRA aware that cab sanitation on some railroads was truly deplorable. One eastern railroad took the extreme step of replacing ‘dry hoppers’ with a welded angle-iron ‘seat frame’ on which each employee would attach a black plastic ‘disposal bag’ that was to be placed after use in a sanitary waste dumpster upon arrival at their destination. To enforce use, each bag was serial-numbered and recorded as to which employee was issued which bag. Many bags eventually ended up in trees along the right-of-way. Residents threatened to sue the railroad. The unions threatened a strike. FRA, in the first RSAC cab sanitation Working Group meeting in 1998, gave the railroads one month to come up with a joint solution, or FRA would quickly issue a regulation without any involvement by anyone, and the unions would strike. The eastern railroad said ‘hell no.’

“I returned to headquarters at my railroad and met with the executive vice president of operations, suggesting he talk with his eastern counterpart to urge common sense. He did, and they ‘saw the light.’ That railroad subsequently installed airliner-style microprocessor-controlled vacuum toilets (though after about 10 years they discovered the toilets were unsuited for a locomotive environment).”

Railroads, as described above, have had difficulties with RSAC, but it has everything to do with FRA Administrator neutrality. The RSAC advisory process, when respected, brings together a peer group representing a variety of academic disciplines, practical experience, diverse viewpoints and data open to collegial scrutiny.

Its low point came in 2014 with allegations that then Administrator Joseph C. Szabo—a former union officer—placed the agency’s thumb on the scale in pursuing rail labor’s objective of minimum two-person crews on intercity freight trains and in switch yards nationwide.

The Szabo-led FRA said its two-person minimum crew-size mandate was collaborated with RSAC. But the Association of American Railroads, whose members were and are seeking to operate some trains with one-person crews, termed the process “a sham,” saying “there was no consensus. There was no vote taken. [FRA] spurned the collaborative RSAC process by declaring in advance the only result it would accept.”

When FRA published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in March 2016, following Szabo’s departure, it confirmed “FRA cannot provide reliable or conclusive statistical data to suggest whether one-person crew operations are generally safer or less safe than multiple-person crew operation.”

The NPRM was eventually withdrawn when career railroader Ronald L. Batory was Administrator, but his successor, Amit Bose, in 2024 finalized a minimum two-person crew requirement now being challenged in federal court as running afoul of a Supreme Court holding that regulatory agency edicts have “a rational connection between the facts found and the choice made.”

As to the crew-size matter, the RSAC process is not to blame if FRA, as alleged, failed to consider the full record before it as presented by all RSAC stakeholders. Overall, RSAC has performed as advertised and enjoyed, prior to this Administration’s attack, laudatory bipartisan comments.

At the independent (of the Executive Branch) Surface Transportation Board, several advisory groups continue to function, with the agency seeking to fill membership vacancies.

RSAC participating organizations include:

• American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners
• American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
• American Chemistry Council
• American Petroleum Institute
• American Public Transportation Association
• American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
• American Train Dispatchers Association
• Association of American Railroads
• Association of State Rail Safety Managers
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen
• Brotherhood of Maintenance of Ways Employes
• Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen
• The Chlorine Institute
• Commuter Rail Coalition
• The Fertilizer Institute
• Heritage Rail Alliance
• Institute of Makers of Explosives
• International Association of Machinists
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
• National Conference of Firemen & Oilers
• National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association
• Rail Passengers Association
• Railway Supply Institute
• SMART Transportation Division
• Transportation Communications Union
• Transportation Workers Union

Railway Age Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Frank N. Wilner is author of “Railroads & Economic Regulation,” available from Simmons-Boardman Books, 800-228-9670. 

The post DOT Dumps FRA’s Collaborative RSAC appeared first on Railway Age.

NS Meet-the-AmbassadorsDownload

NS on Aug. 12 reported bringing together 17 railroaders (see list above) to serve as its representatives at local events, “fostering relationships with community organizations and stakeholders.” Selected through a competitive application process earlier this year, the Community Impact Ambassadors will also recruit volunteers, “inspiring fellow employees to get involved and give back,” and promote safety, becoming Operation Lifesaver-certified and supporting safety education efforts.

“In partnership with NS Community Impact, they’re helping us build bridges between our work and the people it touches,” NS said. Through its Community Impact program, the railroad last year contributed approximately $18.3 million to charitable organizations across its 22-state network. Of that total, $1 million was awarded to 65 Hampton Roads, Va., nonprofits.

The Community Impact Ambassadors team includes:

1. Shawn Bruderly, Foreman
2. Katie Byrd, Assistant Director Executive Communications
3. Trevor Cain, Track Patrol Foreman
4. Ariana Draine, Wayside Detection Analyst
5. Marijoy Halitzka, Bridge Tender
6. Mark Goin, Telephone Maintainer
7. Andrew Homick, Senior Supervisor Equipment Engineering
8. Ernest “Leon” Jackson, Manager Public Safety
9. Kelly Keil, Supervisor C&S II
10. Paul Lawson, Locomotive Engineer
11. Shawn McCauley, Signal Maintainer
12. Willie Mills, Road Foreman of Engines
13. Taylor Morton, Payroll Business Analyst
14. Thomas Saathoff, Terminal Manager
15. Christopher Slasinski, Field Sales Manager
16. Matthew Wade, NSPD Special Agent
17. Courtland Wheat, Conductor

Further Reading:

• Union Pacific + Norfolk Southern: It’s Official
• Momentum on All Fronts: Safety, Operations, Customer Trust, Growth
• NS Recaps 2024 Safety Achievements

CSX (Photograph Courtesy of CSX)

“CSX is helping Sappi North America, a global leader in sustainable wood fiber products, achieve its supply chain goals through dependable freight rail service and a collaborative partnership,” the Class I reported Aug. 12.

CSX works with the company to develop shared key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress and prevent delays.

“We’ve established some good KPIs around congestion and service visibility,” said Mike Segal, Director of Logistics and Operations Planning for Sappi North America, which produces graphic papers, packaging, and dissolving pulp used in textiles, hygiene products, and pharmaceuticals. “This has strengthened our relationship with CSX and helped us move things forward.”

The CSX-Sappi partnership, he added, is built on communication and collaboration. “I’ve been very pleased with our relationship with CSX because I feel like they really understand our challenges and our network,” Segal reported. “We’ve had a number of meetings with them to identify potential issues and solve them ahead of time.”

According to Segal, the railroad’s transparency has been a standout feature of the partnership, CSX reported. “CSX has been very honest with us,” Segal said. “If things aren’t going a certain way, they’ve been very clear with us, and then we can make a plan.”

That level of openness and alignment supports Sappi’s commitment to reliable service and continuous improvement, Segal pointed out.

“Freight rail is a key component of our transportation network,” he said. “We fully expect that our rail volume will grow, and CSX will be a key partner in that.”

“We appreciate the investments they’re making in the network,” Segal added, “and we hope to support that moving forward.”

Further Reading:

• CSX ‘Elevates Freight Efficiency’ With CSX Howard Street Tunnel Bridge Project
• CSX: ‘We Continue to Stay Focused’

The post Class I Briefs: NS, CSX appeared first on Railway Age.

Conagra Brands

Union Pacific (UP) via a LinkedIn post congratulated Conagra Brands on the opening of its newest distribution center in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We are proud to provide safe and reliable service to your state-of-the-art facility,” the Class I wrote.

(Conagra Brands photo) TexAmericas Center

TexAmericas Center has taken a major step forward in expanding its logistics and infrastructure capabilities with the arrival of two new locomotives. The additions are a part of a $3.15 million dollar investment into “strengthening its fleet and bolstering rail services across the industrial park.”

As one of just a few UP Focus Sites across the country, TexAmericas Center is “uniquely positioned to support tenant connectivity and logistics operations. The new locomotives further strengthen the Center’s ability to provide in-house rail movement and support a wider range of tenant operations. With increased power and flexibility, the new equipment allows the organization to aid in the growth of its tenants, Spring Creek Holdings, transload service offerings, connect its tenants to broader markets, reduce delivery times, and improve Speed-To-Profit offerings.”

“This investment gives us the horsepower to meet our tenants’ needs today and scale for what’s next,” said Scott Norton, CEO and Executive Director of TexAmericas Center. “We’re eliminating barriers and enabling businesses to adjust and expand their logistics strategies right here on our footprint—all while supporting safer, more efficient operations.”

The project was funded in part through a $1.5 million Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) from the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC). This support, the industrial park says, empowered TexAmericas Center to upgrade its locomotive fleet with remarkable efficiency. The need for upgraded locomotives emerged after TexAmericas Center acquired a railcar storage business in 2021, inheriting two aging locomotives and a growing demand for its rail system. “With rail use expanding, leadership identified a clear opportunity to invest in infrastructure that could better support existing tenants, attract new business, and strengthen logistics capabilities for the nearby Red River Army Depot and its contractors,” the Center said.

“The support we received from the TMPC through the DEAAG program was instrumental in accelerating this investment,” said Norton. “Their partnership not only helped us move quickly but also allows us to enhance regional logistics capabilities, including those supporting the Red River Army Depot. We’re deeply grateful for their continued commitment to economic development in defense communities like ours.”

These new locomotives directly support industries that rely on heavy commodities or long-distance shipping and position TexAmericas Center as a unique rail-served location in the mid-south region, the Center noted.

“We now have the rail power, the trained staff, and the long-term vision to grow a competitive logistics platform,” said Norton. “This aligns with our broader strategy to be responsive, aggressive, and future-ready.”

TexAmericas Center is also moving forward with broader rail expansions, including new track on the south end of East Campus, additional spurs, and the development of sit yards, all aimed at “increasing capacity and flexibility for tenants.”

“Our success comes from listening to the needs of our tenants and prospects,” said Norton. “When tenants or prospects bring us challenges or ideas, we respond with solutions. These locomotives are just one example of how we turn feedback into forward motion.”

With the arrival and service of these new locomotives, TexAmericas Center says it “continues to strengthen its reputation as a high-performance industrial park serving the four-state region of Texarkana.”

The post Industrial Development Briefs: Conagra Brands, TexAmericas Center appeared first on Railway Age.

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) announced another record-breaking year in truck diversion through its freight rail programs, allowing the Commonwealth of Virginia to continue “leading the way in rail efficiency.” In 2024, a total of 16,234,884 trucks were successfully diverted from Virginia’s highways, a significant increase from 15,054,707 trucks diverted in 2023.

This milestone, DRPT says, reflects a consistent upward trend in truck diversion that has continued every year since 2017, supported by the Youngkin Administration’s focus on modernizing infrastructure and maximizing taxpayer return on investment.

According to the agency, these results highlight the transformational impact of rail investments across the Commonwealth. On average, one railcar removes 3.4 truckloads from the road. In 2024 alone, 4,774,966 railcars contributed to this achievement, “demonstrating that freight rail is playing a crucial role in improving transportation efficiency and reducing highway wear.”

Virginia’s success is made possible through the combined efforts of several targeted DRPT programs, including the Rail Preservation Fund, the Rail Industrial Access Program, the FREIGHT Program, and its predecessor, the Rail Enhancement Fund. Each program, DRPT says, “plays a strategic role in strengthening and expanding the Commonwealth’s freight rail infrastructure, while helping businesses shift goods off crowded highways and onto rail.”

All recipients of DRPT rail grant funding are required to report annually on project performance for several years after completion. This performance tracking, the agency says, “enables DRPT to evaluate long-term project success and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being invested responsibly and effectively.” In 2024, 32 grantees submitted carload data for projects completed that year, contributing to the overall truck diversion count and providing insight into the sustained impact of these public investments.

“This progress demonstrates that rail is not only a smart investment, but it is a strategic solution to some of Virginia’s biggest transportation challenges,” said DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson. “Every truck we keep off the road means less congestion for drivers, lower maintenance costs for our infrastructure, and a more efficient supply chain for Virginia businesses. These results show that our freight rail programs are delivering meaningful benefits to communities and the Commonwealth as a whole. We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built, and we’re committed to taking it even further in 2025.”

“Freight rail is essential to Virginia’s economy, and this new data proves that our investments are making a measurable difference,” said Secretary of Transportation Shep Miller. “Under Governor Youngkin’s leadership, we are focused on infrastructure solutions that are efficient, fiscally responsible, and designed to support long-term growth. By leveraging public-private partnerships and targeting smart infrastructure projects, we’re supporting growth, while also helping to ensure that Virginia remains a competitive and connected place to live and do business.”

Virginia’s freight rail network spans more than 3,000 route-miles and includes nearly 6,000 miles of active track, reaching every region of the Commonwealth. The system is served by two Class I railroads, Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX, as well as nine short line railroads that connect local industries to national and global markets.

The post Virginia DRPT Breaks Record in Truck Diversion Via Freight Rail Programs appeared first on Railway Age.

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic came in at 511,194 carloads and intermodal units, a gain of 3.0% from the same week in 2024, according to the AAR. Total carloads were 227,327, up 2.4%, while intermodal volume was 283,867 containers and trailers, up 3.4% from 2024.

Results were similar for the week ending Aug. 2, 2025: U.S. Class I railroads carried 513,529 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.9% from the same point last year, according to the AAR. That comprised 233,805 carloads, up 6.4% from 2024, and 279,724 containers and trailers, up 0.2% from 2024.

(Union Pacific Photograph)

For the week ending Aug. 9, 2025, seven of the 10 carload commodity groups posted an increase compared with the same week in 2024. They included metallic ores and metals, up 1,825 carloads, to 21,247; grain, up 1,052 carloads, to 19,454; and coal, up 810 carloads, to 61,843. Commodity groups that posted declines were petroleum and petroleum products, down 232 carloads, to 10,092; chemicals, down 123 carloads, to 32,838; and farm products excluding grain, and food, down 33 carloads, to 16,161.

For the first 32 weeks of 2025, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,055,736 carloads, a 2.8% gain over the year-ago period; and 8,618,069 intermodal units, a 4.6% increase from last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 32 weeks of this year came in at 15,673,805 carloads and intermodal units, up 3.8% from 2024.

In comparison, for the first 31 weeks of this year, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 6,828,409 carloads, up 2.8% from the same period in 2024; and 8,334,202 intermodal units, up 4.7% from 2024. Total combined traffic for this period was 15,162,611 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, up 3.8% from 2024.

North American rail volume for the week ending Aug. 9, 2025, on nine reporting U.S., Canadian, and Mexican railroads totaled 324,349 carloads, down 0.04% from the same week last year, and 371,325 intermodal units, up 5.3% from last year. Total combined weekly rail traffic in North America was 695,674 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.7%. North American rail volume for the first 32 weeks of 2025 was 21,639,091 carloads and intermodal units, rising 2.9% from the same point last year.

Canadian railroads reported 84,689 carloads for the week ending Aug. 9. 2025, down 5.6%, and 74,518 intermodal units, up 11.4% from the same week last year. For the first 32 weeks of this year, they reported cumulative rail traffic volume of 5,194,861 carloads, containers, and trailers, up 1.6%.

For the week ending Aug. 9, 2025, Mexican railroads reported 12,333 carloads, dipping 3.2% from the same point last year, and 12,940 intermodal units, rising 14.5%. Their cumulative volume for the first 32 weeks of 2025 came in at 770,425 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, a 4.8% drop-off from the prior-year period.

(Ferromex Photograph)

The post AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up Through Week 32 appeared first on Railway Age.

ProTecht, described as “the rail industry’s first mobile, autonomous tank car cleaning system,” is now available across the U.S. and Canada through Marmon Rail brands UTLX in the United States and Procor in Canada.

“Tank car cleaning is one of the rail industry’s most hazardous and time-intensive operations,” Marmon Rail said. “Whether for repairs or change of service, every tank car must be cleaned—a process that traditionally requires human entry into confined spaces containing hazardous residues. This manual approach is one of the most dangerous aspects of tank car maintenance. ProTecht represents a major technological breakthrough in tank car cleaning. This proprietary mobile cleaning system revolutionizes tank car maintenance with safer, more sustainable and highly efficient on-site cleaning.

The patent-pending ProTecht system, Marmon Rail noted, “is compatible with all tank car types, regardless of ownership or manufacturer. Designed specifically for industrial railyard environments, it eliminates the need for confined space entry and features three specialized cleaning modes tailored to the commodity being handled:

• “Water Filtration System – Efficient cleaning for light residues.
• “Steam Injection System – Precision cleaning for midgrade commodities.
• “Automated Cannon System – High-impact cleaning for hardened residues.”

ProTecht Automated Cannon System. Marmon Rail photo.

ProTecht’s closed-loop system filters and reuses water and detergent, “significantly reducing waste, extending operational uptime and minimizing environmental impact,” Marmon Rail added. “By eliminating the need for costly freight moves and out-of-service delays, ProTecht helps fleet owners accelerate turnaround and improve asset utilization.”

Marmon Rail photos.

“Seeing firsthand the risks of traditional cleaning methods inspired me to develop a safer alternative,” said Evan Ingram, Operations Manager at Marmon Rail. “Our mobile, autonomous system eliminates the need for operators to enter hazardous environments.” Ingram, inventor of ProTecht, spent four years developing, testing, and patenting the technology.

“If it ships in a tank car, ProTecht can clean it,” said Jay McGill, President Repair Services, On-Site & Mobile. “Marmon Rail has long been the industry leader in railcar repair and maintenance. ProTecht builds on that legacy with a cutting-edge system that is safe, sustainable, versatile, and purpose-built for on-site deployment. It is a major leap forward in modernizing tank car cleaning for today’s rail industry.”

Marmon Rail photo.

The post New From Marmon Rail: ProTecht Mobile Autonomous Tank Car Cleaning appeared first on Railway Age.

NYMTA

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Global Ratings upgraded the MTA’s Transportation Revenue Bonds rating from “A-” to “A” with a “stable” rating outlook, MTA reported Aug. 12.

According to the transit authority, S&P took this action based on the six-month success of the Congestion Relief Zone tolling program with net revenues 8% favorable to budget; the state’s new funding source to support the MTA’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan by increasing the maximum rate of the Payroll Mobility Tax (PMT) projected to generate an additional $1.4 billion in recurring annual revenues; and the MTA’s balanced budget through 2026 with baseline increases in farebox revenue, toll revenue, dedicated taxes, and state and local subsidies, allowing the MTA to maintain a sufficiently strong financial profile.

MTA said it is also managing expenses by achieving operating efficiencies and reducing outyear deficits, which contributed to the upgrade of its credit rating. Per S&P’s report, it noted, “these deficits are manageable due to the Authority’s financial planning and strategic adjustments, including the baseline increases from previously mentioned sources.” MTA said that over the past year it has reduced the outyear deficit by $198 million, and overall operating expenses remain below budgeted levels. The July Financial Plan, it added, “reaffirms the Authority’s previously forecasted $500 million in annual cost savings beginning in 2025.”

According to MTA, S&P also “cited an increase in paid ridership, due in part to growing ridership and progress in reducing fare evasion, and expects this positive trend to continue based on the expectation of more employees returning to office, contributing to an increase in revenue through transit or the Congestion Relief Zone tolling program.”

This S&P upgrade follows Moody’s Investors Service earlier upgrade of the Transportation Revenue Bonds credit to “A2” this summer and comes ahead of the planned issuance of the Transportation Revenue Bonds this fall, the Authority reported. The Transportation Revenue Bonds are also rated “AA” by both Fitch Ratings, Inc. and Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC, it added.

“S&P’s upgrade demonstrates continued growth in confidence in the MTA’s financial stability while recognizing the early success of the Congestion Relief tolling program, ongoing ridership recovery, and dedicated State support to maintain a strong financial position,” MTA Chief Financial Officer Jai Patel said. “To further support the MTA’s financial profile, we’ll continue to focus on operating budget savings while delivering reliable service.”

Further Reading:

• NYMTA: ‘Safest July in Subway History’
• NYMTA Kicks Off IBX Engineering and Design Phase
• NYMTA Approves Purchase of 316 M-9A Passenger Railcars

MDOT “#PurpleLineProgress Construction is advancing over Rock Creek! The new trail bridge’s concrete deck is in place,” the Maryland Transit Authority Maryland Department of Transportation reported via social media earlier this month. Maryland’s 16-mile Purple Line light rail project is under construction and features 21 stations from New Carrollton to Bethesda. (Purple Line/MDOT Photograph)

MDOT on Aug. 12 reported awarding $500,000 in the second round of its Purple Line Small Business Grant Program. The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, will help businesses located along Purple Line sustain operations and preserve jobs during the 16-mile, 21-station light rail project’s construction. Out of the 350 applications, 46 eligible businesses “most directly impacted by construction” were selected to receive awards, it said (download list below).

round-2-grant-awardsDownload

The Purple Line, slated to open in 2027, will extend from Bethesda in Montgomery County to New Carrollton in Prince George’s County (see map below). It will directly connect to Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Red, Green and Orange lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak and local bus services. The project is 80% complete with more than 60% of rail installed across the alignment, according to MDOT. Half of all CAF-built Purple Line light rail vehicles (14 of the full fleet of 28 vehicles) are onsite at the Operations and Maintenance Facility in Glenridge.

Purple Line Project Map (Courtesy of MDOT)

The Purple Line Small Business Grant Program, launched in February 2025, will invest $4 million over four years, according to MDOT. The program will hold three grant rounds each year. In May 2025, the Department awarded $1 million.   

“Grant awards to eligible businesses are prioritized based on the location of the business and its proximity to the areas most significantly impacted by construction in the prior and upcoming six months,” MDOT reported. “Grant amounts vary by business size and location and funds may be used for any business-related expenses. To be eligible, awardees must be small businesses that primarily do business with customers onsite at a location within one-quarter of a mile of the Purple Line and have been open and operational since Jan. 1, 2022.”

MDOT is encouraging businesses that did not receive an award during the second round of funding or businesses that did not apply to submit an application in the next funding cycle, which opens Oct. 6, with applications due by Nov. 14, 2025. Program details, full eligibility requirements and a link to the grant application (available in multiple languages) can be found at https://purplelinemd.com/small-business-grants/.  

“Small businesses are the heart of Maryland’s economy and its diverse communities, providing jobs, essential services and economic opportunities,” MDOT Acting Secretary Samantha J. Biddle said. “It is critical that small businesses impacted during construction of the Purple Line are supported.” 

Further Reading: Maryland Again Delays Purple Line Opening

NC By Train (NCDOT Photograph)

First-half 2025 ridership on NC By Train, the state-supported Amtrak intercity passenger rail service, was up 4% from the same period in 2024, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported Aug. 12. It carried more than 355,000 riders compared with approximately 342,000 riders last year.

According to NCDOT, all stations along the Piedmont corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte saw an increase in riders getting on or off at specific stops: Salisbury was up 13%; Burlington, 12%; Kannapolis, 11%; Charlotte, 10%; Greensboro, 8%; High Point, 7%; Durham, 7%; Raleigh, 6%; and Cary, 5%.

NC By Train ridership has grown over the past three years, carrying 522,000 riders in 2022, 641,000 riders in 2023, and more than 720,000 passengers in 2024, NCDOT reported. It noted that it continues to see a positive response to the addition of a fifth-round trip between Raleigh and Charlotte in July 2023.

“We’re proud to provide an effective transportation option for North Carolinians that is convenient, affordable and reliable,” NCDOT Rail Division Director Jason Orthner said. “This type of growth supports continued improvement and expansion of NC By Train as we plan for the future.”

Separately, on May 30, NC By Train celebrated 35 years of the Carolinian between Charlotte, N.C., and New York and 30 years of the Piedmont between Charlotte and Raleigh, N.C. NCDOT also unveiled a commemorative locomotive, No. 1893, that was specially painted for the Piedmont’s anniversary.

MBTA

Late-night service is coming to the T. Effective August 24, we're extending service by ~1 hour on subway and 8 frequent bus routes on Fridays & Saturdays with 5 frequent bus routes running extended service every day. All modes will be free after 9pm for five Fridays & Saturdays. pic.twitter.com/2kCUkLL4eM

— MBTA (@MBTA) August 12, 2025

Effective Aug. 24, as part of fall 2025 service changes, MBTA reported that all subway lines and eight frequent bus routes will offer extended service on Fridays and Saturdays, with five of the its most frequent bus routes with the highest number of later riders offering extended service every day of the week. Trip end times for these lines and routes, it said, will be about one hour later compared with current service end times. Extended service will also be added on some ferry lines on Fridays and Saturdays through the end of September with additional trips added. 

To encourage riders to take advantage of the extended service, MBTA said all subway lines, bus routes, ferries, Commuter Rail lines, and the RIDE trips will be free on Fridays and Saturdays beginning at 9 p.m. through the end of service on Sept. 5-6, Sept. 12-13, Sept. 19-20, Sept. 26-27, and Oct. 3-4.

Extending service later into the night is a frequent request and longstanding interest of the riding public, according to MBTA. “Later public transit options enhance quality of life, improve the economic vibrancy of the region, and better position the Greater Boston area to be competitive among other world-class cities that offer late-night public transportation,” it noted. “With the goal of increasing mobility during the nighttime hours for workers and travelers, this targeted approach to extending service prioritizes current evening ridership, improves connectivity across the network, and is a strategic investment that is within the MBTA’s current operating budget.”

Following are the service changes for weekends:

• Subway: Service for the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will be extended by about one hour on Friday and Saturday nights. Frequency during the one-hour of extended service will be about every 30 minutes on the Ashmont and Braintree branches of the Red Line and each of the Green Line branches, and about every 15 minutes between Alewife and JFK/UMass on the Red Line, on the entire Orange Line, and on the entire Blue Line. 
• Bus: Service on Bus Routes 1, 22, 39, 66, 110, SL1, SL3, and SL5 will extend by about one hour on Friday and Saturday nights. Frequency during the one-hour of extended service will be approximately every 30 minutes.
• Ferries: Service for some ferry lines will extend by one to two hours with additional trips on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Friday, Aug. 29, through Saturday, Sept. 27. On Fridays on the Hingham/Hull Ferry, an additional roundtrip will be added to the schedule departing about one hour later than current schedules. This trip departs Hingham to Long Wharf at 10:15 p.m.; the trip departs Long Wharf to Hull and Hingham at 11 p.m. The current last departure from Hingham is at 9:15 p.m. with the last departure from Long Wharf at 9:55 p.m. On Fridays and Saturday on the East Boston Ferry, additional trips will be added to the schedule with service extended to 10 p.m. The last trip from East Boston to Long Wharf will depart at 9:30 p.m.; the last trip from Long Wharf to East Boston will depart at 9:45 p.m. The current last departure from East Boston on Fridays is at 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays is at 8:30 p.m. with the last departure from Long Wharf on Fridays at 7:45 p.m. and on Saturdays is at 8:45 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays on the Charlestown Ferry, additional trips will be added to the schedule with service extended to 10 p.m. The last trip from Charleston to Long Wharf will depart at 9:30 p.m.; the last trip from Long Wharf to Charlestown will depart at 9:45 p.m. The current last departure from Charlestown on Fridays is at 8:15 p.m. and on Saturdays is at 6:15 p.m., with the last departure from Long Wharf on Fridays at 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. For the Lynn, Winthrop, and Quincy ferries, the last trip for these routes will remain as they are on Fridays and Saturdays. 

According to MBTA, service on Bus Routes 23, 28, 57, 111, and 116 will be extended by about one hour every day of the week. Frequency during the one hour of extended service will be approximately every 30 minutes. The current cost of the extended service on subway lines and bus routes for additional operations personnel hours is approximately $2 million, MBTA noted. Schedules for all lines and routes vary; regular fares will be charged for all extended services.

“Safe and reliable transportation is essential and the MBTA wants to do our part with ensuring that the public has access to mass transportation when they need it,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng, who in 2025 was named an Influential Leader by Railway Age readers. “We are not satisfied with simply restoring our system to what we once provided but pushing ourselves to continuously improve. Extended service is something that we have been working towards and I’m proud that the investments being made in the MBTA allows us to now provide later service on subway, bus, and ferries, giving the public the opportunity to choose transit. We could not have done this without the hard work of the MBTA workforce and the commitment to transportation by the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature.”

Separately, John Killeen on Sept. 1 will become the new CEO of Keolis Commuter Services, MBTA’s Commuter Rail operations and maintenance partner.

Further Reading:

• MBTA Honors 35 years of Americans with Disabilities Act
• MBTA Completes Winchester Center Commuter Rail Station Accessibility Project
• Massachusetts Sets FY26 Budget
• Report: U.S. CBP Delaying CRRC MBTA Carshell Deliveries

The post Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MDOT, NC By Train, MBTA appeared first on Railway Age.

This year, Railway Age and RT&S are pleased to venture to Pittsburgh on Oct. 1-2 for the much-anticipated 2025 Light Rail Conference, featuring a packed lineup of LRT professionals who are significantly influencing today’s rail transit industry. Among the list of reasons to attend is a special tour of the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) light rail system.

Light Rail Conference host agency PRT’s network, commonly known as “The T” or “The Trolley,” runs from the North Shore and Downtown Pittsburgh areas, through Pittsburgh’s southern neighborhoods and many South Hills suburbs. With 80 light rail vehicles in its fleet, PRT aims to be the “region’s transportation mode of choice by delivering an innovative network that is clean, sustainable, and equitable; a network that enables individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive.”

Sponsored by Benesch, the tour—a well-attended venue at this conference every year—takes place the afternoon of Oct. 2 and is available on a first-come, first served basis. Attendees will see PRT’s Rail Transportation and Rail Car Maintenance Center, the heart of its 26.2-mile system. Built in the 1980s, the maintenance facility was totally rehabbed in 2022. The project’s scope of work included replacing 4,000 lineal feet of rail, 2,100 lineal feet of elevated rail supports and three work pits; installing 70,000 square feet of epoxy flooring; repair patching of 6,000 square feet of concrete spall, crossover platform replacement; pit lighting upgrading; and complete replacement of the E-Stop safety system.

This edition of our annual in-person Light Rail Conference will be filled with dynamic panels and the chance to network with a wide-reaching group of like-minded professionals. This event will offer a comprehensive review of the specialized technical, operational, environmental, and socio-economic issues associated with light rail transit (LRT) in an urban environment. All this will take place at the Fairmont Pittsburgh.

Program Highlights

Presented Oct. 1-2 at the Fairmont Pittsburgh, the 2025 Railway Age and RT&S Light Rail Conference is a must-attend premier conference on LRT for transportation professionals in planning, operations, civil engineering, signaling, and vehicle engineering. Students at the undergraduate and graduate levels are also welcome.

Transit leaders on the program include Andy Lukaszewicz and  Justin Selepack of Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT), Bryan K. Moore and Casey Blaze of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA), Henry Posner and Ida Posner of Railroad Development Corporation (RDC), Harry Skoblenick of Alstom, Barbara M. Schroeder of Benesch,  Rachel J. Burckardt of WSP USA, and many more.

Key sessions will focus on:

• Strategic insights into major new-builds and expansion projects.
• Engineering sessions illustrating how to best support long-term efficiency and safety.
• Capital program oversight, risk mitigation, and performance tracking.
• Resilience planning, sharing adaptive strategies for extreme weather events.
• Improvements to customer-facing technologies such as fare collection, communications and security.
• The viability and scalability of alternative propulsion technologies.
• Confronting funding challenges.

Supporting Organizations

Industry support for the Railway Age / RT&S 2025 Light Rail Conference is already strong, including sponsorship from 4AI Systems, Piper Networks, Benesch, and RDC.

Learn More

• View the confirmed speakers and agenda, and take advantage of the early bird rate for Railway Age / RT&S 2025 Light Rail.
• To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Jonathan Chalon at jchalon@sbpub.com or (212) 620-7224.

The post Tour PRT at the 2025 Light Rail Conference appeared first on Railway Age.

European freight railcar lessor Ermewa has deployed Load Status in Motion (LSiM) technology from Amsted Digital Solutions SAS across cars already equipped with Amsted Digital telematics.

Ermewa has a fleet of 50,000 railcars covering the aggregates and worksites, automotive, chemistry, grain, energy, intermodal, palletized goods, and steel markets.

The new LSiM technology delivers real-time load status and mileage tracking, without the use of external sensors, Ermewa and Amsted Digital Solutions SAS reported late last month.

According to the companies, LSiM “transforms each railcar into a smart, self-aware asset by analyzing high-frequency motion and vibration data. Its AI [Artificial Intelligence] engine learns in real time, adapting to railcar types, truck designs, and route profiles to deliver sensor-level performance—at a fraction of the cost.”

“At the core of LSiM is unsupervised deep learning (AI learning),” Ermewa and Amsted Digital Solutions SAS explained, “which detects anomalies without needing predefined fault signatures. With edge computing built into every device, insights are processed locally, ensuring low latency, high data integrity, and continuous operation even in low-connectivity environments.”

LSiM supports both predictive maintenance and sustainability goals, they pointed out, as the technology can help users extend asset life, reduce shop time, and eliminate unnecessary part replacements.

“The insight unlocked by LSiM far exceeded our expectations,” commented Peter Reinshagen, Managing Director at Ermewa. “Thanks to Amsted Digital’s AI-native design, we’ve remotely activated powerful new capabilities—without hardware changes, installation costs, or added emissions. The result: significant reduction of the impact of the maintenance on our customers’ supply chain.”

“Activating LSiM fleet-wide—even on units installed years ago—proves the long-term value of embedding edge AI into telematics,” noted John Felty, Managing Director of Amsted Digital Solutions SAS. “And with over-the-air upgrades, we can now add advanced diagnostics—like brake fault alerts, bearing wear, and wheel condition monitoring—without ever touching the wagon.”

“We are proud to push AI forward without relying on additional wireless sensors,” added Evan Weiner, Vice President, IoT Technologies for Amsted Digital. “Sensors increase cost, raise long-term reliability concerns, and contribute to environmental waste through battery disposal. Our architecture enables upgrades without downtime—no depot visits, no field crew interruptions, just seamless performance.”

Further Reading:

• Ermewa Group Selects Amsted Digital Solutions for Telematics
• Telematics: Slow, But Steady
• Amsted Recognized as ‘RailPulse Certified Vendor’

The post For European Railcar Lessor, New Load Health, Tracking Tech appeared first on Railway Age.