Industry Update

• Attention on HSR upstages the vital U.S. freight rail network
  The attention given to high-speed rail in the U.S. is far more than that given to the freight rail system, even though freight rail is "a great asset to our economy and environment," says Christopher Barkan, director of the RailTEC center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Edward Hamberger, CEO and president of AAR, also discusses the interconnected freight network "that binds this country together" in this NPR broadcast. National Public Radio (2/16)     

• BNSF's Rose to receive honor for career, life achievements
  BNSF CEO Matthew Rose will be one of 11 recipients of the 66th Annual Horatio Alger Awards in Washington, D.C., in April. The award honors selected individuals "who overcame adversity or obstacles to become successful in business or as community leaders." Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Texas) (2/18)     

• CSX enters into multiyear, multimillion-dollar console deal with Avtec
  RailwayAge.com (2/15)     

• Thomas Hall, Jay Commer named to new operations positions at Amtrak
  RT&S online (2/15)     

Infrastructure & Economic Spotlight

• Calif, Va. ports record cargo volume growth in January
  Freight volume of 20-foot equivalent units at the Port of Long Beach, Calif., rose 17.5% in January year-on-year. Meanwhile, cargo volume of TEUs at the Port of Virginia climbed 2.9% and rail volume surged 10% in the same month, said Rodney Oliver, Virginia Port Authority interim executive director. ProgressiveRailroading.com (2/15), The Journal of Commerce (2/15)     

• Economic indicators are expected to point upward
  An indicator this week for the U.S. economy is expected to reveal continued strength in the housing market as measured by construction. Meanwhile, a business-outlook gauge is projected to turn modestly positive this month, from negative last month. MarketWatch (2/17)     

• NS receives construction approval from Ohio commission for crossing upgrades
  RT&S online (2/15)     

Energy & Environmental Watch

• BNSF mulls natural gas facility in N.D. for locomotive fuel
  BNSF is considering the prospects of using natural gas as an alternative for locomotive fuel through a proposed processing facility and refueling station in North Dakota. The project has the support of Gov. Jack Dalrymple. "North Dakota's vast natural gas resources and location within the BNSF rail system would make our state the ideal place to build and operate a natural gas processing plant and locomotive refueling station," he said. Minot Daily News (N.D.) (2/16), The Bismarck Tribune (N.D.) (2/15)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by AAR SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• Transportation consultant sees 2013 as railroads' "bridge year" (Progressive Railroading)

• GWI makes "important new additions" amid RailAmerica acquisition (ProgressiveRailroading.com)

• Federal grant to boost passenger rail across Iowa (The Des Moines Register (Iowa) (tiered subscription model))

• BNSF will add rail cars as Boeing boosts 737 production (American City Business Journals)

• Kate Betsworth promoted to VP of intermodal operations at UP (The Journal of Commerce)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Safety & Security

• NS partners with Ind. DOT for 550-crossing upgrade program
  Norfolk Southern will work with the Indiana Department of Transportation on a statewide initiative to upgrade 550 rail crossings to enhance safety. The partnership follows a similar one done by CSX and IDOT. "It's a good safety project," said Gary Evers, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission's transportation project manager. The Times (Munster-Hammond-Merrillville-Valparaiso, Ind.) (2/15)     

SmartQuote

You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration." --James Allen, British author