Progressive Railroading's 2020 Railroad Innovator Award Winner — CSX's James Foote
In July, Progressive Railroading and RailTrends® named CSX President and Chief Executive Officer James Foote the 2020 recipient of the Railroad Innovator Award, which recognizes an individual's outstanding achievement in the rail industry.
A longtime railroader, Foote joined CSX in October 2017 as the railroad's executive vice president and chief operating officer. As COO, he aligned the Class I's operations and sales and marketing departments to advance the precision scheduled railroading (PSR) model introduced at CSX by the late E. Hunter Harrison. Since taking the railroad's reins in late December 2017, Foote has focused on safety and service, transitioning CSX into the next PSR phase.
Editor Pat Foran talks with Foote about his life, his work, his thoughts on innovation, rail's present and rail's future, and more.
C&S:
PTC Update — Freight Railroads
Freight railroads only have a couple months to finish implementing positive train control (PTC) by the federal Dec. 31 deadline. A few Class Is planned to complete their work well before then, while others have said they need all of 2020 to wrap up PTC installations. What still needs to be done, implementation-wise? Any remaining hang-ups or concerns? For an update, Managing Editor Jeff Stagl checks in with several Class Is.
Passenger Rail and the Pandemic:
Focus on New York City Transit
Facing a staggering financial crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is asking Congress for an additional $12 billion in funding to keep New York City Transit and other transportation services running. Without those additional federal dollars, the MTA may have to slash services and make other severe cuts to subway, bus and other rail services. Although the situation remains fluid, what might the financial crisis mean for NYCT's short- and long-term plans, including the subway's modernization program?
MOW:
Rail Fasteners
Railroads want fasteners and fastening systems that keep track components clamped tight for years, as well as require no or minimal maintenance, and are affordable. Suppliers are trying to meet those demands by enhancing product lines or developing new options. This month, we check in with fastener and fastening system suppliers to gauge the state of product-improvement efforts.
Mechanical:
Rail-Car Repair
How's business in the North American rail-car repair segment? Freight-rail traffic's been down — have repair shops been seeing more work coming their way during the pandemic?? If so, where's it coming from? If not: What rail industry issues or economic factors seem to be preventing it? How have shops adjusted their 2020 plans accordingly? How are they preparing for what's to come? For answers, we reach out to a cross-section of rail-car repair shop officials.
Mike Singler
Regional Sales Manager
815-302-7055
mike.singler@tradepress.com