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Jan 29
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U.S. railroads log traffic increase in 2017’s second week

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Total U.S. rail traffic for the week ending Jan. 14 came in at 516,229 carloads and intermodal units, marking a 2 percent increase compared with traffic the same week last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Wednesday.

Total carloads rose 4.4 percent to 253,223 units, while intermodal volume slipped 0.3 percent to 263,006 containers and trailers, AAR officials said in a press release.

Five of the 10 commodity groups tracked by the AAR on a weekly basis posted increases compared with the same week in 2016. They included coal, up 13.3 percent; metallic ores and metals, up 17.6 percent; and miscellaneous carloads, up 17.3 percent.

Commodities that logged decreases for the week include petroleum and petroleum products, which fell 14.7 percent, and chemicals, which dropped 5.8 percent.

For the first two weeks of 2017, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 474,369 carloads, down 1.6 percent, and 483,227 intermodal units, down 7.5 percent.

Canadian railroads logged 75,862 carloads for the week, up 10.5 percent, and 60,227 intermodal units, up 3.6 percent. Cumulative rail traffic came in at 257,169 carloads, containers and trailers, up 1.3 percent.

Mexican railroads reported 14,688 carloads for the week, marking a 13.5 percent drop compared with traffic in the same week last year. However, intermodal traffic rose 2.6 percent to 10,974 units. Cumulative volume on Mexican railroads for the first two weeks was 45,102 carloads and intermodal containers and trailers, down 14.6 percent.

Jan 29
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CTA awards rail car supply contract to CSR Sifang

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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has awarded a contract to CSR Sifang America JV for the supply of the new 7000 series rail cars.

CSR submitted the lowest bid of $1.3bn for the supply of 846 railcars to support CTA’s efforts to modernise the transit system.

Under the contract, CTA will initially purchase a base order of 400 cars, with options to purchase the remainder in the future. CSR also committed to invest $40m in the construction of a new rail car assembly facility in Chicago, a move that will create nearly 170 jobs.

The cars to be procured by CTA will be assembled in CSR’s proposed plant.

CTA president Dorval R Carter, Jr said: “Providing modern trains and buses is a critical part of having a world-class transit system.

“Providing modern trains and buses is a critical part of having a world-class transit system.”

“This rail car purchase, the largest in CTA history, will give CTA one of the newest fleets in the US and provide our customers with state-of-the-art trains providing comfortable, reliable rides.”

CTA said the prototype models are expected to be completed in 2019. The cars will begin to operate in 2020 following testing.

The new rails cars, with a combination of forward-facing and aisle-facing seats, will maximise passenger flow and capacity. These cars were designed based on riders’ preferences, related to seating and design, obtained by the CTA.

The car design will resemble the 5000 series, CTA’s newest rail cars, with stainless steel bodies, LED lighting and signage, and AC power propulsion for a smoother ride. The cars will replace the oldest cars on the CTA system.

On completion of delivery of the new rail cars, CTA will have its youngest rail fleet in decades, reducing the average age of CTA rail cars from 26 years in 2011 to 13 years when the 7000 series are delivered.

The rail cars will allow CTA to save more than $7m in maintenance costs and power consumption every year.

Jan 29
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US Metropolitan Council awards light rail vehicles contract to Siemens

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The Metropolitan Council has contracted Germany-based Siemens to manufacture 27 new light rail vehicles for the Metro Transit Southwest line expansion in Minnesota, US.

The new S70 light rail systems will be built at the company’s manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California.

The vehicles will offer new features, such as a redesigned middle section, enhanced seating, and ice cutters for removing sleet from overhead wires.

“We’re confident that these new vehicles will help continue to enhance mobility for people in and around the Twin Cities.”

The latest contract will expand Siemens technology partnership with Twin Cities, and will add to the existing 59 S70 light rail vehicles fleet that currently operates on Metro Transit’s Green and Blue lines.

Five additional rail vehicles will also be provided by Siemens to increase the existing system’s capacity.

Siemens Rolling Stock president Michael Cahill said: “Siemens is pleased to continue our successful relationship with Minnesota to provide the latest in light rail vehicle technology that improves the riding experience.

“As the manufacturer of one out of every three light rail vehicles in North America, we’re confident that these new vehicles will help continue to enhance mobility for people in and around the Twin Cities.”

Siemens plans to deliver the first light rail vehicle to Minnesota in 2019.

In the US, the company provides rail vehicles, locomotives, components and systems to more than 25 agencies in various cities.

Jan 29
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BNSF plans $3.4B in 2017 capital spending

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BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) on Jan. 19 announced its 2017 capital expenditure plan will be approximately $3.4 billion.

  Similar to last year’s $3.9 billion plan, the largest component of the plan will be to replace and maintain BNSF’s core network and related assets. This year that component is expected to be $2.4 billion. BNSF says the projects included in this part of the plan will primarily be for replacing and upgrading rail, rail ties and ballast (which are the main components for the tracks on which BNSF trains operate) and maintaining its rolling stock. This year’s maintenance program will include approximately 20,000 miles of track surfacing and/or undercutting work and the replacement of about 600 miles of rail and nearly 3 million rail ties.

Rounding out the plan will be $400 million for expansion projects, $100 million for the implementation of positive train control and $400 million for locomotives, freight cars and other equipment acquisitions.

The states on the BNSF network estimated to receive the largest investments this year include: Texas – $255 million;  Illinois – $190 million; Washington – $175 million; California – $170 million; Kansas –  $125 million; Missouri – $120 million;  Montana – $100 million; Nebraska – $100 million.

“Each year we establish a capital plan that reflects the future needs of our customers and the constant need to keep our infrastructure in good working condition. This year’s capital plan ensures we continue to operate a safe and reliable rail network while capturing the new opportunities our customers will present to us,” said Carl Ice, BNSF president and chief executive officer. “Our ongoing investments, along with the outstanding efforts of our employees, resulted in the lowest number of derailments in company history last year.  The strength and condition of our railroad today gives us the confidence that we will operate safely in the communities we serve and meet our customers’ expectations of reliable and consistent service.”