Rail Group On Air

In Part 3, the conclusion of our series on “PSR 2.0,” Sonia Bot and John Orr discuss their systematic and modern approach for delivering value while taking Precision Scheduled Railroading to the next logical steps in its evolution: Precision Scheduled Transportation, pushing the envelope now and in the future toward a major shift in thinking and delivering an integrated transportation system. “When you share objectives, your overall value increases; taking a shared systematic approach for implementing PSR 2.0 ensures low risk, high gain and least cost. Start with the end state in mind, in this case, the future vision of PSR 2.0. Then assess the current state to establish the starting position. In well-defined value-added iterations, the journey to the future vision progresses. It’s an iterative journey, with new discoveries or entry of new forces that could not have been predicted. Knowing when to pivot—and having the organizational capability to do so—are key, as progression on the familiar, comfortable path is self-limiting and counterproductive. Each railroad and ecosystem partner must follow this progression according to their respective timing and pace of adoption.”

Recently installed Amtrak President and CEO Bill Flynn and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Commercial Officer Stephen Gardner discuss the company’s role as a provider of national passenger rail service with Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. What is their long-term vision for Amtrak? What role do they see intercity passenger rail playing in the national transportation network? What is Amtrak’s plan for long-distance trains? For short- to medium distance corridor services? Is Amtrak truly bound by politics, as is widely perceived? What is the solution to the problem of having to request funding from Congress every year? Is it fair to characterize Amtrak, as some critics have said, as a “monopoly”? Flynn and Gardner talk candidly about these and other issues as Amtrak approaches its 50th year.

This edition of Railway Age’s Rail Group On Air podcast series with the Commuter Rail Coalition features Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District/South Shore Line President and CRC Vice Chairman Mike Noland. Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono and Noland discuss system capacity enhancements, expansion programs, bipartisan support for NICTD, COVID-19 safety, PTC deployment and the symbiotic relationship between the South Shore commuter rail and freight operators.

MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phil Eng and Chief Innovation Officer Will Fisher describe enhancements to the LIRR’s Train Time® App, which now provides real-time information to customers. “The Route of the Dashing Commuter” is now the route of the informed commuter. Podcast sponsored by the Commuter Rail Coalition.

Sound Transit is constructing a floating rail bridge in the state of Washington. The project is full of challenges and could be the most complex of its kind in the world. RT&S talks with Sound Transit's Sepehr Sobhani, who is a principal construction manager on the job.

CN President and CEO JJ Ruest, in his second Rail Group on Air appearance, describes his vision for CN’s future as the industry pushes forward following a challenging second quarter Ruest, Railway Age’s 2019 Railroader of the Year, discusses the best opportunities for business growth, and the railroad’s commitment to its 2020 C$2.9 billion capital plan, with Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono. Podcast sponsored by TrinityRail.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), issued on June 19 a final rule authorizing the bulk transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail. Specifically, the rule will permit the bulk transportation of LNG in DOT-113C120W9 specification tank cars with enhanced outer tank requirements and additional operational controls. Scott Nason, Application Development Manager – Rail & ISO Markets at Chart Inc., discusses the market potential and safety aspects of LNG by rail with Railroad Financial Corp. President and Railway Age Financial Editor David Nahass and Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono.

Renowned railway industrial designer Cesar Vergara, Principal of Vergarastudio, talks with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono about the numerous challenges facing passenger rail agencies and railcar engineers and designers created by the COVID-19 pandemic and requirements for social distancing and cleaning/disinfecting of equipment.

This installment in Railway Age’s Rail Group On Air Podcast series with the Commuter Rail Coalition features New Jersey Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett, who discusses NJT’s approach to ridership recovery and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the agency’s long-term capital plans and strategy.

RT&S Editor-in-Chief talks to Wayne Presby of the Mount Washington Railway Company about a re-railing project full of innovation.