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Posts published in “Railroad Industry News”

South Shore adds rail-car storage capacity

Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) recently added rail-car storage opportunities for empty or loaded freight cars.The expanded storage space is the result of new investments in track capacity designed to help third-party and off-line customers with short- and long-term rail-car storage needs, CSS officials said in a press release."The need for railcar…

Metra to buy 21 used EMD locomotives

The locomotives previously were used on Amtrak's West Coast routes. Photo – Metra Metra's board yesterday approved the purchase of up to 21 used F59PHI locomotives for $1.3 million apiece.  Built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division (EMD) in 1998, the units will enable the railroad to quickly supplement its locomotive fleet and continue a longer-term…

TriMet unveils plans to replace oldest light-rail vehicles

The Type 1 vehicles have been operating since the MAX Blue Line began service in 1986. Photo – TriMet's blog The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) this spring will begin the process to replace 26 of its oldest light-rail vehicles.The "Type 1" vehicles have been operating since light-rail service began in 1986. TriMet…

Ontario Northland to speed up locomotive overhauls

The company's new line-boring equipment is expected to cut the timeline for engine overhauls and increase efficiency. Photo – CNW Group/Ontario Northland Transportation Commission The Ontario Northland Transportation Commission (ONTC) has obtained new line boring equipment for locomotive overhaul projects.Line boring is a mechanical procedure for overhauling locomotives and other industrial engines. The procedure restores…

Metra issues RFP for locomotives

The railroad is seeking proposals for both new and remanufactured engines. Photo – Metra Metra last week issued a request for proposals (RFP) for new or remanufactured locomotives to start replacing its aging fleet.The RFP calls for a base order of at least 12 new locomotives or 15 remanufactured ones, with options for up to…

MARTA to sign contract for new rail cars in 2018

MARTA Interim GM and CEO Elizabeth O'Neill said the contract will be worth nearly $1 billion. Photo – MARTA's YouTube account By Daniel Niepow, Associate EditorThe Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) late last week unveiled plans to replace its entire rail-car fleet.In the 2018 "State of MARTA" address, Interim General Manager and Chief Executive…

MTA board OKs $4 billion Kawasaki rail-car order

In December 2017, New York City Transit presented prototypes of the new cars. Photo – Metropolitan Transportation Authority / Patrick Cashin [Editor's note: This story was updated at 1:10 p.m. CST.]The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) board yesterday approved a $1.4 billion contract with Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. for 535 next-generation subway cars.Known as R211 units,…

BNSF budgets $3.3 billion for 2018 capex plan

BNSF Railway Co. will spend $3.3 billion on capital expenses this year, the Class I announced yesterday.The investment is the same amount as last year's capital budget, according to a BNSF press release.This year's capital plan reflects BNSF's continued focus on maintaining its network as well as expansion projects aimed at meeting customer demands, BNSF…