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NRC Bulletin - December 11, 2014 
Welcome New NRC Member
C3M Power Systems  
Carolina Sunrock Group
 
www.thesunrockgroup.com 
Crew Management Services   
Deal Asphalt    
Hill International
 
www.hillintl.com   
Midwest Pacific Rail Network, Inc.
Protran Safety Technology
 
protrantechnology.com 
NRC Toolbox Talks

 

The NRC Safety Committee has revised and updated the NRC's Toolbox Talks. They are available for download at: www.nrcma.org/learn/SafetyToolbox.

 

A version is available in PDF format as well as in Microsoft Word so that NRC member companies can make company or job specific changes.

 

Member-Get-A-Member Campaign   
 
Help Grow the NRC and Strengthen our Voice

 

Three options to help recruit new members:

 

1. Reply to this email with names and contact information of potential members and we'll send them a membership information package.

 

2. Make a quick introductory call and follow up using the "E-Kit" found here.

 

3. Direct a potential new member to www.nrcma.org where they can learn more about the NRC and join online. 

 

Visit the NRC Bid Notifications page on the NRC website at:

www.nrcma.org/go/bids

 

Publicize your Rail Industry Event on www.nrcma.org/calendar.cfm

Visit: www.nrcma.org/listevent.cfm to submit an event

NRC Website: www.nrcma.org 

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ConferenceNRC Conference Registration & Information; Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available

 

Registration for the NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition - January 7-10, 2015 at the Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL is open and available at www.nrcma.org/form3.cfm or click here to download a pdf registration form. Early registration discounts are available until December 15, after which member registration increases to $650. To view a draft conference program, visit: http://www.nrcma.org/download.cfm?ID=28376. For a list of registered attendees, please visit http://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcconference.cfm?ID=2393.       

 

NRC Membership - Conference registration and exhibit booths rates for NRC members are significantly discounted. If your company is not already a member of the NRC, you may join online at: www.nrcma.org/form4.cfm.  

 

NRC Conference Sponsorships are still available. We encourage you to take advantage of this unique marketing opportunity to showcase your company in front of an audience of Class I's, short line railroads, rail contractors, rail suppliers, and professional service firms. The NRC offers Event and General Sponsorships. To see which sponsorships are still available, visit: www.nrcma.org/go/sponsor

  

Booths are sold out for the NRC-REMSA Exhibition. To be added to the exhibitor waitlist contact Urszula Soucie at 202-715-2921 or [email protected].

 

 The NRC room block at the Diplomat Resort & Spa is full. To be placed on the waitlist for a room in the NRC room block, call 954-602-8700 Monday-Friday, 8am to 6pm. It is typical that some rooms will open up in the block as the conference date approaches, so please do consider the waitlist as a viable option. Be sure to mention that you are with the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Conference. A list of recommended backup hotels in the Hollywood, FL area may be found at: www.nrcma.org/go/backuphotels.

 

The 2015 NRC Golf Tournament will be Friday, January 9 at 12pm at the Jacaranda Golf Club. For more information and to register visit http://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcconference.cfm?ID=167. 

 

The 2015 NRC Fishing Tournament will be held on Friday, January 9 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. For more information and to register visit http://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcconference.cfm?ID=2371. 

 

Information and registration for the additional Seminars at the conference can be found at:  http://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcconference.cfm?ID=2137. These seminars are held in addition to the scheduled conference program and include - RWT, Inc.'s Train-the-Trainer, Finance, Estimating, and Risk Management Seminars. 


For more information on the NRC Conference, visit  www.nrcma.org/go/conference.

 

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FRASafetyFRA Issues Industry-Wide Safety Advisory on Roadway Worker Authority Limits      

 

On 11/25/14 the FRA issued Safety Advisory 2014-02 on Roadway Worker Authority Limits. This safety advisory re-emphasizes the importance of clear communication and compliance with applicable rules and procedures regarding roadway worker authority limits on controlled track. FRA believes it is necessary to issue this advisory in light of miscommunication and errors involved in recent roadway worker incidents that occurred at locations that were either outside of authority limits or within authority limits that were no longer protected due to dispatcher error. This safety advisory recommends that railroads monitor their employees for compliance with existing applicable rules and procedures and that they also examine their train dispatching systems, rules, and procedures to ensure that appropriate safety redundancies are in place in the event of miscommunication or error. In addition, this safety advisory recommends that if a railroad determines that appropriate safety redundancies are not in place, the railroad should adopt electronic technology that would provide appropriate safety redundancies, and adopt certain interim safety measures and procedures at least until such technology is in place.

 

There are three safety measures in the advisory designed to reduce incidents that FRA expects railroads to take action on immediately:

  1. Increase monitoring of their employees for compliance with existing applicable rules and procedures.
  2. Examine train dispatching systems, rules, and procedures to ensure that appropriate safety redundancies are in place.
  3. If a railroad determines that appropriate safety redundancies are not in place, adopt electronic technology-such as the Enhanced Employee Protection System, Hi-Rail Limits Compliance System, and the Train Approach Warning System-that would provide appropriate safety redundancies.

 

Until such technologies are in place, railroads should stress importance of dispatchers being advised of roadway workers' whereabouts and work plans; forbid student dispatchers from removing blocking devises until confirmed by a supervisor; and that, prior to passing any absolute signal, a roadway worker should verify the limits of his or her authority.

 

FRA believes Positive Train Control would have prevented the incidents described in the Safety Advisory. However, where Positive Train Control is not in effect, FRA recommends that railroads adopt one or more electronic technologies that may serve to fill the technology gap and safeguard roadway workers.

 

For the full advisory please visit: https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-27955   

 

Sources: FRA, Federal Register


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RAPastWinnersRailway Age Features Past NRC Project of the Year Winners' Successful Working Practices on Transit Projects

  

NRC members and past Project of the Year winners Stacy and Witbeck, Kiewit, Herzog Contracting, and Delta Railroad Construction were featured in a Railway Age Magazine article on best practices for working on successful transit projects.    

 

For the full article please visit: http://issuu.com/railwayage/docs/december_2014_railway_age/28 

 

For a description of the past NRC Projects of the Year please visit: http://www.nrcma.org/ps.nrcawards.cfm?ID=2422

 

Source: Railway Age 

 

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CaltrainCaltrain Releases Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project Final Environmental Impact Report

 

Caltrain released the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the planned electrification of the Caltrain corridor between San Jose and San Francisco, a major milestone in the railroad's efforts to improve its commuter service.

 

The Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project is part of the Caltrain Modernization Program, which will electrify the corridor between San Francisco and San Jose and purchase new high-performance electric multiple units (EMUs), upgrade the railroad's signal system and implement Positive Train Control. The cost for electrification is projected to be between $1.47b and $1.53b.

 

The FEIR can be viewed at Caltrain's website: http://www.caltrain.com/projectsplans/CaltrainModernization/Modernization/PeninsulaCorridorElectrificationProject/FEIR_Release.html   

 

Sources: Caltrain, Mass Transit Magazine

  

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MNGreenLineTwin Cities' Green Line Extension Reaches Local Funding Commitments

  

The Southwest light-rail project in Minnesota has reached local funding commitments for 85% of the cost required to seek the federal 50% match to build the $1.65b line, also known as Metro Transit's Green Line extension.

 

The project now is well positioned to seek the federal funding match in 2016. With $705m in local funding committed, the project is at a level of more than the 70% that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires before approving projects to enter into the engineering phase. Local officials expect to receive FTA approval in 2015 to enter into engineering and a Full Funding Grant Agreement in 2016 for $827m (50%) in matching funds.

 

Earlier this fall, the Counties Transit Improvement Board and Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority approved their full commitments of $496m (30%) and $165m (10%), respectively. The state has committed $44m of its $165m (10%) share.


Source: Progressive Railroading 

 

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GradeCrossingsIL, OH Authorize Project Funding for Grade Crossing Projects 

  

The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has authorized a $4.2m allocation from the Grade Crossing Protection Fund (GCPF) to help pay for construction of a grade separation in Hinsdale. The $12.7m project calls for replacing a bridge that carries Oak Street over BNSF Railway Co. tracks. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2015 and conclude in June 2016.

 

The ICC also authorized up to $50,000 from the GCPF to help fund construction of an expanded multi-use path and pedestrian gates at a grade crossing on 135th Street in Plainfield. The $300,000 project includes installation of the multi-use path and raised median. The GCPF allocation will fund half of the cost to install the pedestrian gates. 

 

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission directing the the Columbus & Ohio River Railroad to install gates and mast-mounted flashing lights at a Sinfield Road/Township Road 171 crossing near Cadiz. The upgrade, which will be funded by federal dollars, must be completed no later than Sept. 10, 2015.  

 

Source: Progressive Railroading 

 

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PalmettoRFPPalmetto Railways Issues Intermodal Crane Sourcing Notice 

  

On 12/10/14 Palmetto Railways issued a sources sought notice for electric-powered, dual cantilever, wide-span, rail-mounted gantry cranes (WSCs) for intermodal container handling. This is for the purposes of market research in anticipation of future procurement. These cranes will be used to transfer intermodal containers between trucks, container stacks, and trains in a new near-dock rail intermodal container transfer facility to be constructed in North Charleston, South Carolina.  

 

For the full notice please visit: http://www.nrcma.org/go/bids

 

Source: Palmetto Railways

 

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UnitracUnitrac Names Phil Pietrandrea as President

 

Unitrac Railroad Materials, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Healy Railroad Corporation, promoted Phil Pietrandrea to president. Pietrandrea, who joined Unitrac in 2006, most recently served as senior vice president of sales and marketing for the company. Phil began his railroad career 33 years ago as a track laborer for the Aliquippa & Southern Railroad and has been in the supply side of the business since 1984. He is also a former NRC Board Member.

 

Sources: RT&S, Unitrac

 

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