Rail Roundup: Training on track, Service on board, FRA chief on deck

TTCI said developing the facility at PuebloPlex will allow TTCI more freedom to make key capital investments, streamline operations, increase flexibility and improve cost-effectiveness as it continues its research and testing. 

“Pueblo has long been home to rail research and innovation, which is why we are thrilled to have TTCI serve as an anchor tenant for PuebloPlex and the region’s economy,” said PuebloPlex President and CEO Russell DeSalvo. “This is a long-haul relationship that will meet TTCI and the rail community’s needs today as well as create opportunities for future development and innovation.”

Related links:

• Rail Roundup: TTCI, TRAC Intermodal

• Rail Roundup: BNSF reopens intermodal facility; KCS, Savage plan railport

• Rail Roundup: Rising rail volumes, short line expansions, Pueblo R&D milestones

Former Patriot Rail exec joins Denver-based Pioneer Lines

Matthew Service has joined Denver-headquartered, short line operator Pioneer Lines as a senior vice president of corporate development. In his role, Service will focus on mergers and acquisitions as Pioneer Lines seeks expansion opportunities in the U.S.

“Matt is an excellent addition to our Pioneer team,” said President and CEO Alex Yeros. “We are pleased to have someone of his caliber join us at this critical stage of our company’s development. Matt has the experience, creativity and energy to implement our disciplined investment strategy and to drive the opportunities that lie ahead. We are very excited about our next phase of growth and building this great company.”

Service recently served as chief operating officer and executive vice president for Patriot Rail and Ports, overseeing U.S. rail operations and the company’s M&A initiatives. He has worked for short line and Class I railroad operators for 15 years, starting his railroading career at OmniTRAX before moving onto CSX (NASDAQ: CSX), where he held senior roles. 

“This is an ideal time to be joining Pioneer,” stated Service. “I am joining an incredible team of railroaders who have done a great job of positioning Pioneer for growth. I look forward to digging in and working together to build and grow Pioneer’s assets across the U.S.”

Pioneer Lines owns and operates 15 short line railroads across 12 states. 

Related link:

• Rail Roundup: Promotions and appointments

Senate Commerce Committee approves Amit Bose nomination

The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee voted by voice vote to confirm Amit Bose as the next administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration.

The full Senate must now vote on whether to confirm Bose, who was appointed as FRA’s deputy administrator in January 2021.

“With the pending bipartisan transportation package that provides for historic investments in rail, we can think of no better time for Amit’s confirmation. We urge the Senate to act quickly on his final confirmation vote and look forward to working with the administrator in an official capacity,” said Michael Friedberg, executive director for the Coalition for the Northeast Corridor, an advocacy group seeking infrastructure support for the Northeast’s passenger rail system.

In his nomination hearing last month, Bose said FRA would be issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking on train crew sizes out of concern that there could be patchwork regulation among the states over the issue.

Related links:

• Regulators gear up for rule setting minimum train crew size

• Biden nominates rail expert to Surface Transportation Board

CSX wins environmental award 

The Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) and The Climate Registry recently awarded CSX (NASDAQ: CSX) a 2021 Climate Leadership Award for its efforts to set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Arlington, Virginia-based C2ES is the successor to the Pew Center on Global Climate Change.

CSX was one of 25 organizations and individuals receiving the award earlier this month. The award recognizes “exemplary corporate, organizational and individual leadership in reducing carbon pollution and addressing climate change in operations and strategies,” according to C2ES.

C2ES said CSX received the award because of the railroad’s goal to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions intensity by 37.3% from 2014 to 2029, which equates to an absolute emissions reduction of 2.5% annually. This goal is in alignment with the Paris Agreement and was validated by the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) in 2020. Units of emissions intensity are metric tons of CO2 equivalents per million gross ton-miles (the movement of 1 ton of freight over 1 mile), C2ES said.

“CSX is proud to receive this recognition, which is a testament to the commitment of our leadership, the knowledge and skill of our environmental team, and the daily implementation of our emission reduction strategies by railroaders across the company,” said Raghu Chatrathi, senior director of public safety, health and environment.

Related links:

• Rail’s role in decreasing carbon emissions — Net-Zero Carbon

• Freight railroads set green goals

• Union Pacific, Progress Rail to increase biodiesel content for locomotives

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