Latest news with #railcars
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
EPA finds no deployment delays of specialized aircraft in train derailment response
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WKBN) — A new report conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency's oversight office found that the agency did follow procedures related to deploying a specialized aircraft to detect airborne chemicals during the East Palestine train derailment. The EPA's Office of Inspector General released the report on Tuesday after a complaint alleged the deployment of the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) did not follow policies and was delayed, leading to an unnecessary, uncontrolled burn. According to the EPA, ASPECT assists local, national, and international agencies supporting hazardous substance response, radiological incidents, and situational awareness. Its policies state that an ASPECT aircraft must take off within 90 minutes of receiving the mission order during non-business hours. The report states that on-site coordinators requested an ASPECT aircraft from a branch chief at around 10:30 p.m. on February 5, 2023. A written mission order to the aircraft was issued at 12:06 a.m. and took off 28 minutes later from Addison, Texas, at 12:34 a.m. The EPA says that ASPECT branch chiefs can authorize aircraft deployment but cannot activate the actual deployment like contractors. According to the report, the branch chief could not immediately reach the primary contractor because they were on approved leave, and the substitute was not authorized to deploy aircrafts. The ASPECT aircraft went to Pittsburgh after taking off from Texas and did not fly over the derailment site on February 6 because of 'concerns regarding low-hanging clouds and icing conditions.' However, two flight missions were conducted the next day, and the EPA said data collected indicated a 'successful controlled burn of the railcars.' The burn and vent was conducted three days after the derailment of numerous railcars carrying hazardous materials on February 3, 2023. An NTSB report from June 2024 found that the controlled burn was not necessary to prevent an explosion. The EPA said in the new report that documents procedures for ASPECT 'lack clarity and are not known to all involved stakeholders,' which could have 'negatively affected emergency response decision-making.' To ensure that on-site coordinators can deploy ASPACT and are knowledgeable about performance procedures, the EPA is recommending the following: Develop a formal, written Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology deployment procedure to include such items as a decision tree and to facilitate the timely request for and deployment of the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology aircraft. Doing so would help ensure the timely receipt of and response to Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology deployment requests. Regularly train the EPA on-scene coordinators on the new formal, written procedure developed in response to Recommendation 1. Doing so would better inform emergency response decision-making and help ensure the timely receipt of and response to Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology deployment requests. Develop and implement a contact system, such as a central phone number or an automated routing system, to ensure the timely receipt of and response to Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology deployment requests. Update the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology fact sheet to list the full range of capabilities, including temperature sensitivity, and share the fact sheet with the EPA on-scene coordinators. Doing so would better inform emergency response decision-making so on-scene coordinators know the full extent of the aircraft's capabilities. The full report can be viewed below: epaoig_20250602_25-e-0034_cert2Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Wells Fargo signs deal to sell $4.4 billion rail assets portfolio
May 29 (Reuters) - Wells Fargo (WFC.N), opens new tab said on Thursday it has signed a deal to sell its rail equipment leasing business to a newly formed joint venture between railcar lessor GATX Corporation (GATX.N), opens new tab and Brookfield Infrastructure (BIP.N), opens new tab. The deal, which the U.S. banking giant said will not have a material impact on its financial position or earnings, includes the entire rail operating lease assets valued at around $4.4 billion, as well as the rail finance lease portfolio. "This transaction is consistent with Wells Fargo's ongoing strategy of simplifying our businesses and focusing on products and services that are core to our clients," said David Marks, executive vice president, Wells Fargo Commercial Banking. In a separate statement, GATX and Brookfield Infrastructure said the rail operating lease portfolio includes roughly 105,000 railcars. Additionally, Brookfield Infrastructure has also agreed to acquire Wells Fargo's rail finance lease portfolio, composed of roughly 23,000 railcars and around 440 locomotives. GATX will initially own 30% and Brookfield Infrastructure 70% of the joint venture, with the former having the option to acquire full ownership over time. GATX will have commercial and operational control, and manage all joint venture assets. The companies said they expect the deal to close in the first quarter of 2026 or sooner.
Bloomberg
7 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
NYC Transit Upgrade Hinges on $17 Billion of Uncertain Funds
New York City's transit system is counting on a combined $17 billion in federal aid and projected cost savings — both tentative sources — to help fund a record-setting $68.4 billion capital plan. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority 's multi-year program is the largest in its history. It will pay for about 2,000 new rail cars to replace trains from the 1980s, modernize signal systems, upgrade aging power substations, repair bridges and tunnels and launch a new light-rail line linking Queens and Brooklyn.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
CAF wins bid to supply Belgium's SNCB with new AM30 train fleet
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) has been granted the preferred bidder position in a tender process to supply the National Society of Belgian Railways (SNCB) with a fleet of AM30/MR30 trains. The board of directors of SNCB has approved the continuation of the procurement process, aiming to finalise a framework agreement worth up to €1.7bn ($1.84bn). The framework agreement, potentially spanning 12 years, includes an initial base commitment for units equating to 54,000 seats, part of a larger scope for 170,000 seats. The AM30 railcars, designed for intercity, suburban, and local connections, will feature integrated engines, eliminating the need for separate locomotives, reported Trip By Trip. These trains, which will have a maximum speed of either 160km/h or 200km/h, are planned for both domestic and cross-border operations, connecting Belgium with neighbouring countries. SNCB has requested three configurations for the new fleet, including a battery-powered variant to replace older diesel-powered models. If the contract with SNCB is finalised, this will mark the first introduction of CAF trains into the Belgian railway network. A prototype is expected to be ready by the second quarter of 2027, with testing and approval slated for the following two years. The first AM30 railcars are anticipated to enter service by the second quarter of 2029. In October 2024, CAF strengthened its foothold in the Italian market by securing two tram rolling stock contracts in Bologna and Rome, worth around €200m ($219m). In Bologna, CAF has been awarded a framework contract to deliver up to 60 trams, along with a four-year maintenance agreement, spare parts, and special tools. "CAF wins bid to supply Belgium's SNCB with new AM30 train fleet" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
