This didn't seem to fit into any of the current streetcar or rail threads.  This is a good example of how increased demand for rail equipment (locomotives, passenger cars, light-rail vehciles and streetcars) can have an impact of jobs connected to the rail industry.  We have several companies in or near Ohio that could benefit from greater investment in major rail and transit projects...

 

Columbus Steel Products and Griffin Wheel (Columbus)

Timken Roller Bearing (Canton)

GE Transportation Ssystems / Locomotives (Erie, PA)

 

Here's an example from Oregon.

 

Oregon Company to be Awarded Federal Contractor for First U.S.-Made Modern Streetcar

By Sam Adams

By Mass Transit - January 29, 2007

 

Congressman Peter DeFazio, joined by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, announced today that Oregon Iron Works Inc. (OIW) is set to be awarded a $4 million contract to produce the nation's first domestically manufactured modern streetcar. "This project affirms Oregon's leadership role in streetcar transportation and technology," said DeFazio. "I'm proud that Oregon will get to show that we can produce a quality product as good or better than they make in Europe and restore good, family-wage manufacturing jobs here at home."

 

The announcement was made at a morning ceremony at company headquarters,  attended by Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Congressman Peter DeFazio (recently named Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Transportation), Congressman Earl Blumenauer, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley, Clackamas County Commissioners Martha Schrader, Bill Kennemer, and Lynn Peterson, Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, and TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. Many regional and local community leaders and OIW employees were also present.

An excellent report on the economic impact of public transportation:

 

http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/world_economy.cfm

GE, Siemens May Invest in Expanded U.S. Rail Manufacturing Share Business

Full story at:

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a1vCMHFx3vmo

By Angela Greiling Keane

 

Dec. 4 (Bloomberg) -- General Electric Co. and Siemens AG are among 32 companies pledging to establish U.S. rail- manufacturing operations or expand their domestic workforce if they get economic stimulus funds for high-speed passenger trains.

 

The companies are vying for a portion of $8 billion for high-speed rail contained in President Barack Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus package, which includes a “Buy American” provision.

 

“Our goal is to develop a national high-speed rail network, create good jobs here in America and help reinvigorate our manufacturing base,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said today in a written statement announcing the agreement. “We know these are tough economic times for many folks and we believe that U.S. rail manufacturers and suppliers will benefit greatly from this new program.”

 

 

OHIO RAIL

DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

1980 W. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223

(614) 644-0306 telephone or fax (614) 728-4520

http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             

Date: 

CONTACT: Stu Nicholson

[email protected]

614-644-0513

 

 

High Speed Rail Can Boost Ohio Industry & Jobs

USDOT Sec. Say Several Ohio Companies Among

Those Committing to Build U.S. Passenger Rail Systems

 

 

(Columbus) -- Pointing to the need to create good jobs in America and the importance of a revitalized manufacturing sector, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that more than 30 rail manufacturers and suppliers, both domestic and foreign, have committed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are chosen by states or groups of states to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines.

 

At least four out of the 30 are either based or have a presence in Ohio, including Columbus Steel Castings, Wabtec, Cleveland Track materials and U.S. Railcar. 

 

“We are elated to see the recognition by the federal government of the importance of Ohio manufacturers to the development of passenger rail systems in the United States”, says ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich.

 

Earlier this year President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which included $8 billion for states to build high-speed rail corridors and improve intercity passenger rail service.

 

The State of Ohio is aggressively pursuing $564 million in federal stimulus funding for the 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan - connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati with 79 mph passenger trains. The stimulus funds could be awarded as early as the first quarter of 2010.

 

The full USDOT news release and the complete list of manufacturers can be viewed at:  http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/press-releases/335

LaHood champions HSR for manufacturing, job prospects

Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood gave the opening address Friday at a conference in Washington, D.C. convened to address domestic high speed rail manufacturing potential, and hammered at rail manufacturing’s potential to put Americans to work as an extension of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

 

Perhaps mindful of criticism in recent days suggesting a large portion of federal stimulus dollars targeted for alternative energy development was reportedly generating jobs outside the U.S., LaHood stressed that no such scenario would occur for U.S. high speed rail. “If this program is perceived as not creating American jobs, it is not going to succeed,” he asserted. “This a tremendous opportunity for the rail industry to capitalize on a historic achievement.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/lahood-champions-hsr-for-manufacturing-prospects-job-generation.html

Passenger railcar deliveries at eight-year high    

 

Railway Age magazine’s annual survey of the passenger railcar market shows that 1,141 new cars valued at nearly $2 billion were delivered to passenger train operators in the United States and Canada in 2009, the highest number since 2001’s 1,332.

 

On Dec. 31, 2009, builders had a backlog of 2,580 new cars on order and undelivered. The operating agencies told Railway Age that they plan to place orders in 2010 for an additional 1,382 cars.

 

New railcar deliveries last year were nearly double the 596 cars delivered in 2008. Alstom/Kawasaki’s delivery of a 602-car order to MTA New York City Transit in 2009 made the big difference.

 

MOre at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/passenger-railcar-deliveries-at-eight-year-high.html

This is a pretty remarkable shift. It probably won't last but it is remarkable, nonetheless....

 

2010 rail capital spending: Passenger vs. freight

 

A survey conducted by Railway Age in late 2009 shows that the market for passenger railcars exceeded that for freight railcars last year and may do so again this year.

 

In 2009, 1,141 new passenger cars worth around $2 billion were delivered to passenger rail operators in the United State sand Canada, and on Dec. 31, 2009, manufacturers had backlog of 2,380 new passenger railcars on order and undelivered.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/2010-rail-capital-spending-passenger-vs.-freight.html

Some interesting points from the Christian Science Monitor about the impact of the $8-billion dollar federal stimulus funds for high speed and passenger rail.

 

What will $8 billion buy?

 

The initial investment will pay to build, upgrade, and plan about 7,100 miles of track, including 1,340 miles of new track, 4,724 miles of upgrades to existing track, and planning for 1,032 more.

 

What will be the impact?

 

According to some projections, the $8 billion might be expected to produce about 320,000 jobs and roughly $13 billion in economic benefit.

 

A nationwide high-speed rail network could mean 29 million fewer car trips and 500,000 fewer plane flights annually, according to a 2006 study. That would save 6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of removing a million cars from the road annually.

 

Full article at: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2010/0211/High-speed-rail-Stimulus-dollars-wisely-spent

It's good this development moved ahead, but the fact that a TIGER grant was not awarded to US Railcar complicates them putting their plant in the old Gahanna bomber plant east of Columbus. Hopefully Ohio officials will be able to help them find other funding......

 

APNewsBreak: Carl Icahn backs startup company's bid to make new passenger trains

Matt Leingang, Associated Press Writer, On Thursday February 18, 2010, 4:20 pm EST

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is backing a startup company that would build trains to run on President Barack Obama's high-speed rail network, challenging international manufacturers that dominate the market, the company said Thursday.

 

Icahn's American Railcar Industries Inc. has formed a joint venture with US Railcar LLC, a Columbus-based company that aims to re-establish passenger train manufacturing in the United States.

 

Production would be based in Arkansas, where American Railcar has two freight car factories. Icahn Enterprises LP has a 54 percent stake of American Railcar, based in St. Charles, Mo.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/APNewsBreak-Icahn-backs-apf-731145078.html?x=0&.v=3

US Railcar, LLC

NEWS RELEASE

FOR RELEASE: February 18, 2010 Contact: Michael P. Pracht

Phone: 614.246.9465

US RAILCAR, LLC ANNOUNCES FORMATION OF

US RAILCAR COMPANY – JOINT VENTURE

 

Columbus, Ohio (February 18, 2010) – Ohio-based US Railcar, LLC and Missouri based American Railcar Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARII) (“ARI”) announce the formation of a joint venture to be named US Railcar Company, LLC. The joint venture is being formed to design, manufacture and sell Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs), an efficient train set without a locomotive made up from self-propelled and unpowered passenger railcars in both single and bi-level configurations.

 

According to US Railcar, LLC’s Managing Member Barry H. Fromm who will serve as a Director in the joint venture, “One of US Railcar Company’s goals is to reestablish FRA compliant DMU production in the United States.” As Chairman and CEO of Value Recovery Group, Inc. (“VRG”), Mr. Fromm led a group of initial investors in the purchase of assets from the former Colorado Railcar Manufacturing Co. that ceased operations in late 2008.

 

US Railcar Company, LLC, the joint venture of US Railcar, LLC and ARI will be led by President & CEO Michael P. Pracht, a rail industry veteran with extensive experience with the world’s leading rail transportation companies. “These are extraordinary times with growth opportunities for passenger rail in the US” said Mr. Pracht. “The US Railcar Company DMU is designed to enable new cost-effective and environmentally friendly passenger rail service across a range of corridors and routes, all with a proven, existing equipment platform already in service.”

 

“ARI is excited to participate in this opportunity to join US Railcar and bring ARI’s long and proud freight rolling stock manufacturing heritage to the passenger equipment sector,” said ARI President and CEO James Cowan. “Our commitment to expand and diversify ARI’s manufacturing program results from ARI’s desire to grow, and build on the expected federal commitment to passenger rail as part of a balanced national transportation system. Through this partnership, we look forward to being an integral part of that new growth with modern, passenger rail equipment built in the USA.”

 

ARI will provide US Railcar Company, LLC with its experience in the production of railcars and ARI representatives will comprise half of the Board of the joint venture. Representatives of VRG will comprise half of the Board of the joint venture and will bring to the venture government contracting experience. The joint venture plans to produce railcars on order for public authorities and communities to improve public transit, commuter and regional rail service.

 

The US Railcar Company DMU was prototyped through a demonstration project in 2002 and is currently the only DMU that is fully compliant with Federal Railroad Administration passenger equipment safety regulations as stated in 49 CFR Part 238. This means the US Railcar Company DMU can be quickly pressed into service using existing freight tracks. 1O DMUs are currently providing reliable passenger service in Florida, Alaska and Oregon. Available in both regional and intercity configurations, the US Railcar Company DMU is well suited for incremental corridor development at speeds from 79-to-90 mph. Platform enhancements currently anticipated include a diesel-electric upgrade, increasing speeds to 125 mph, making this American-made DMU an attractive solution for both mature and emerging passenger rail agencies around the country.

 

For more information about US Railcar Company, LLC and the DMU please check US Railcar’s website at www.usrailcar.com or contact US Railcar Company, LLC at 614-246-9465.

About American Railcar Industries, Inc.

 

American Railcar Industries, Inc. is a leading North American manufacturer of hopper and tank railcars. ARI also repairs and refurbishes railcars, provides fleet management services and designs and manufactures certain railcar and industrial components used in the production of its railcars as well as railcars and non-railcar industrial products produced by others. ARI provides its railcar customers with integrated solutions through a comprehensive set of high quality products and related services.

 

About Value Recovery Group

 

VRG is an economic development consulting, government advisory services and asset recovery and management firm that represents state and local governments, commercial banks, private investors and several federal agencies.

 

Forward Looking Statement Disclaimer

 

This press release contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties... blah blah blah

But wait, there's more.....

 

Siemens revs up to compete for U.S. high speed rail business

 

Siemens Mobility said Thursday that it’s ready to expand its manufacturing plant at Sacramento to meet U.S demand for high speed trains and associated rail infrastructure technologies. Specific actions include the now-completed purchase of 20 acres of land adjacent to its existing 34-acre light rail vehicle manufacturing facility in Sacramento. Power supply will also be added from renewable energy sources.

 

“We applaud the Obama Administration's commitment to building America’s high speed rail system. Siemens is ready to not only bring its proven high speed train technology to the U.S. market, but also to build the systems right here in the United States,” said Oliver Hauck, president of Siemens Mobility in the U.S.

 

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/siemens-revs-up-to-compete-for-u.s.-high-speed-rail-business.html

This will have an impact both on increasing demand and safety for passenger rail vehicles:

 

NTSB adds passenger-car design to ‘most wanted’ safety improvements list

 

Passenger-car design, and certain aviation and marine issues are the newest additions to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) annual “most wanted” list of transportation safety improvements. The 2010 list includes 15 items and cites hundreds of open safety recommendations.

 

The NTSB added “improve transit rail-car design” to the list in light of several serious passenger-rail accidents that occurred last year, “notably the June 22 collision on Washington, D.C.’s system that killed nine people,” board members said in a prepared statement. A passenger car needs to withstand dynamic forces during an accident to protect riders, they said.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=22626

News from Milwaukee....

 

Spanish trains to be built at Tower Automotive

By Larry Sandler of the Journal Sentinel

 

Posted: March 1, 2010

 

Milwaukee's vacant Tower Automotive Corp. plant will be the site of a new factory to build passenger trains for use in Wisconsin, Oregon and possibly other states, Ald. Willie Wade said Monday.

 

The plant could create "hundreds of jobs," far more than the original projection of about 80 positions, Ald. Bob Bauman added.

 

Wade confirmed that the Spanish train manufacturer Talgo has selected the Tower site for its new plant. He said Gov. Jim Doyle would announce details at a 10 a.m. Tuesday news conference on the Tower grounds.

 

Full story at: http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/85834502.html

Another article on the same subject....

 

Spanish train maker picks Milwaukee for plant site

March 2, 2010

By Dinesh Ramde

 

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A Spanish train company that agreed to build an assembly plant in Wisconsin said Tuesday it has chosen a site in Milwaukee, creating about 125 new jobs in the city.

 

Talgo Inc. chose Milwaukee over other options in Appleton, Janesville and Racine because of the city's access to a harbor and local rail station, the availability of skilled workers and the reasonable cost of living, said Antonio Perez, the company's chief executive.

 

The new facility will be on the site of a former Tower Automotive plant. Perez said it has enough room to accommodate train sets of 14 rail cars and also allows room for expansion as more orders roll in.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/W/WI_TALGO_TRAINS?SITE=AZTUS&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Interesting that the article makes a point at the end of saying Talgo intends to use the U.S. supply chain as a parts source.

This is the stuff Ohio's gotta get on top of.  Cleveland possesses every advantage listed there for Milwaukee, and I bet our costs are even lower.

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/03/01/story3.html?b=1267419600^2950761

 

Gahanna rail plant's prospects delayed as backers try new routes

Business First of Columbus - by Adrian Burns

 

Gahanna remains a candidate for a passenger rail car factory, if the right connections are made.

 

Despite being passed over for federal stimulus money that could have quickly put plans for the Central Ohio plant into motion, the project’s backers aren’t giving up on the possibility.

 

“We intend to try to bring it to Ohio,” said Barry Fromm, principal of Columbus-based US Railcar LLC, which disclosed the day after losing out on the stimulus grant that it had formed a joint venture to build its passenger rail cars in Arkansas.

 

More at link above:

To those who doubt that rail projects will create jobs, check out this story from Kentucky.  This is a freight project and the jobs are temporary, but look at the turnout of applicants....

 

Crowd turns out for Kentucky railroad jobs

March 07, 2010 @ 08:45 AM

 

The Parkersburg Sentinel

 

Herald-Dispatch.com

 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — About 2,600 people lined up at a Lexington job fair to apply for about 100 well paying but temporary railroad jobs.

 

The R.J. Corman Railroad Group originally said applications for the $25 to $35 an hour jobs would go to the first 500 people at the Saturday fair.

 

 

Full story at: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1101257481/Crowd-turns-out-for-Kentucky-railroad-jobs

 

And more to come....

 

Bridge to ease rail gridlock, create 1,450 jobs

 

March 6, 2010

BY MARY WISNIEWSKI Transportation Reporter

 

A $133 million federal stimulus project to build a railroad "flyover" at the Metra, Amtrak and freight tracks in Englewood will untie a knot in the nation's rail system and make way for high-speed rail, government and rail officials said Friday.

 

"The single biggest source of delays in the Midwest is right here at the Englewood crossing," said Amtrak chair Thomas Carper, at an announcement at the project site at 63rd Street. "This project is going to fix that. That's how important this is."

 

The project will create a railroad bridge to carry the north-south Metra Rock Island District line over the east-west Norfolk Southern/Amtrak tracks at 63rd St., near the Dan Ryan Expy. Ground will be broken on the project later this year, and it will be completed by 2012, said U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Chicago), who has promoted the project as part of the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency program.

 

The project is expected to create 1,450 jobs, improve traffic on the Metra Rock Island line and cut Amtrak and freight delays.

 

Full story at: http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/2086795,CST-NWS-rail06.article#

How about this for an economic impact??

 

High Speed Rail: A Social Cohesion Strategy for the U.S.?

 

When President Obama unveiled his budget allocation for high-speed rail, he said, “In France, high-speed rail has pulled regions from isolation, ignited growth [and], remade quiet towns into thriving tourist destinations.” His remarks emphasize how high-speed rail is increasing the accessibility of isolated places as an argument for similarly investments. So, what’s the source of this argument in the European context?

 

In November 2009, the European Union’s ESPON (the European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion) released a report called “Trends in Accessibility.” ESPON examined the extent to which accessibility has changed between 2001 and 2006. ESPON defines accessibility as how “easily people in one region can reach people in another region.” This measurement of accessibility helps determine the “potential for activities and enterprises in the region to reach markets and activities in other regions.”

 

ESPON’s research concluded that in this five-year period, rail accessibility grew an average of 13.1 percent. The report further concludes that high-speed rail lines have “influenced positively the potential accessibility of many European regions and cities.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.tnr.com/blog/the-avenue/high-speed-rail-social-cohesion-strategy-the-us

Train makers worldwide eye U.S. high-speed corridors

 

March 16 (Bloomberg) -- Walt Disney World in Florida may be the next stop for bullet-train makers in Japan and China.

 

Central Japan Railway Co. and China South Locomotive & Rolling Stock Corp. are competing for the $8 billion President Barack Obama granted for 13 high-speed corridors across the U.S., including a Tampa-Orlando line that may include a station at the Walt Disney Co. resort in Orlando. The Japanese company, also known as JR Central, is eyeing North America as a shrinking population at home limits its growth.

 

Full story at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601205&sid=aHtNhhMRCloM#

Railroad shipping: National high-speed rail effort may be beneficial for freight railroads

Jeff Berman, Group News Editor -- Logistics Management, 3/15/2010

 

When President Barack Obama and the White House awarded $8 billion in federal grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to 31 states-and 13 major corridors-in the U.S. for high-speed and intercity passenger rail projects earlier this year, it was widely heralded as welcome news that was long overdue, given how other parts of the world-like China and Europe-are far more advanced on this front with proven high speed rail (HSR) systems up and running.

 

The Department of Transportation also lauded this effort, citing how this investment portends "an historic investment in the country's transportation infrastructure." And the DOT also said that the bulk of these grants will go toward developing new, large-scale high-speed rail programs, including $1.25 billion for a new HSR corridor between Tampa and Orlando, Florida, with trains running up to 168 miles per hour, as well as $2.25 billion for a planned project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour.

 

While these examples show how HSR can truly make an imprint in the U.S., there are subsequently myriad benefits of future HSR development for freight railroads and shippers, too.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/453056-Railroad_shipping_National_high_speed_rail_effort_may_be_beneficial_for_freight_railroads.php

triangle/stories/2010/03/29/daily38.html

 

 

Wednesday, March 31, 2010, 7:54pm EDT

NCDOT event aims to put businesses on track for high-speed rail workTriangle Business Journal - by Chris Baysden

 

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will hold a conference April 21 in Greensboro to help educate contractors on the business opportunities that will be created from high speed rail funding in the state.

 

Earlier this year, North Carolina won $545 million in federal funds designed to help build a high-speed rail corridor from Charlotte to Washington, D.C. About $520 million of that money will go toward 30 improvement projects designed to boost speeds between Raleigh and Charlotte.

 

Full story at above link:

Link doesn't work. What's the name of the publication? ;)

U.S. DOT chief reaffirms passenger rail support

April 5, 2010   

 

On a visit Friday to Amtrak’s Beech Grove, Ind., shops, where $32 million in stimulus funding has created 108 jobs repairing passenger railcars, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood reaffirmed the Obama Administration’s dedication to creating a new era of fast intercity passenger trains.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/u.s.-dot-chief-reaffirms-passenger-rail-support.html

Good piece by FRA Administrator Joe Szabo:

 

www.shore-line.org/_pdfs/Szabo_Railroad_Impact_Spring10.pdf

Also note neighboring Pennsylvania ranks second in the nation. All of this means that investment in passenger rail on Ohio-based corridors will preserve and produce significant manufacturing jobs right in our own backyard. KJP

_______________________

 

http://apolloalliance.org/2010-press-releases/duke-rail-study/

 

New study shows several states poised to benefit economically if next U.S. transportation bill invests in public transit

June 23, 2010

By Sam Haswell

Apollo News Service 

 

Duke University analysis of U.S. rail manufacturing shows that U.S. rail supply chain includes 247 manufacturing facilities across 35 states

 

DURHAM, NC –The U.S. rail manufacturing industry stands to undergo considerable growth in the coming years, as Amtrak upgrades its railcars and adds high-speed trains, and as lawmakers consider a transportation bill that calls for significantly greater investments in public transit, including rail, according to a new study by Duke University prepared for the Apollo Alliance. States like New York, Pennsylvania and California, which are home to a combined 80 rail-manufacturing facilities, would reap major benefits from such a bill.

 

“Our research found that while there is already a healthy chain of U.S. manufacturing locations that manufacture components and systems for rail cars, the sector still has plenty of room to grow if the next federal transportation bill prioritizes public transit and rail investments,” said Marcy Lowe, a senior research analyst at the Duke University Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC) and the report’s lead author.

 

The report, U.S. Manufacture of Rail Vehicles for Intercity Passenger Rail and Urban Transit: A Value Chain Analysis, looks at the manufacture of U.S. rail vehicles in six categories: intercity passenger, high speed, regional, metro, light rail and streetcars. It finds that the U.S. rail supply chain includes at least 247 manufacturing locations in 35 states. The states with the most manufacturing facilities are New York (32 rail manufacturing facilities), Pennsylvania (26), Illinois (23), California (22) and Ohio (13). Although the U.S. rail manufacturing industry is small—the report’s authors estimate its employment at between 10,000 and 14,000 employees—industry analysts expect it to grow due to pent-up demand for intercity and urban rail service.

 

“These states have a real chance to be at the center of America’s 21st century rail manufacturing industry,” said Phil Angelides, chairman of the Apollo Alliance. “Our nation needs a new transportation policy that invests in expanded public transit and more energy-efficient transportation, including rail. Done right, these investments could mean a windfall of rail manufacturing jobs across the country.“

 

Another study released today, by Transportation for America and the Economic Policy Institute, finds that a $500 billion transportation bill that invests heavily in public transit will create 7.2 million jobs across the economy, including 761,321 manufacturing jobs, of which 168,024 jobs would be located in the rail manufacturing sector. To read the full report, visit www.t4america.org.

 

The Duke report’s authors conclude that growing the U.S. rail manufacturing industry will require committing much larger and more consistent U.S. investments to intercity passenger and urban transit rail. The report also recommends that Buy America provisions be improved through additional accountability mechanisms and the closing of loopholes. Finally, it recommends that policymakers and manufacturers implement measures to capture higher-value activities in the supply chain, such as design and engineering, for the U.S. market. Currently those activities are mostly performed abroad.

 

The full report is available at apolloalliance.org and at cggc.duke.edu.

 

CONTACT: Sam Haswell: (415) 371-1700 x201

 

###

 

The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of unlikely and diverse interests – including labor, business, environmental, and community leaders – advancing a bold vision for the next American economy centered on clean energy and good jobs.

Great report.....not sure what the Apollo Aliances definition of "rail manufacturing" is, but according to this excerpt from 3C Quick Start summary....

 

At least 225 Ohio businesses who currently supply or contract with the railroad industry - with more than 26,000 employees - are gearing up for more investment, as part of the growing national reinvestment in rail.

Right in Ohio's backyard....

 

Bombardier partners with Carnegie Mellon

Thursday, June 24, 2010

 

Carnegie Mellon University and Bombardier Corp. are founding partners in a plan to open a $2.2 million research center this fall known as the Pennsylvania Smart Infrastructure Incubator (PSII), to study critical technology areas in a search “more efficient and sustainable civil infrastructure and transit operations.”

 

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a providing a “significant” economic development grant for the project.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/bombardier-carnegie-mellon-team-up-on-research-center.html

Check out how much Philly's transit authroity will generate in revenues from just one example of using naming rights......

 

SEPTA approves naming rights pact for Pattison Station

 

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) board has approved a resolution to rename Pattison Station "AT&T Station" under a naming rights agreement.

 

The renaming will occur later this summer as part of a five-year contract that will generate more than $5 million in revenue, SEPTA officials said in a prepared statement.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=23690

While I suspect a 3C station may not fetch as much money (depending on the rider numbers), I am surprised to see the market rate for naming rights is THAT good! A pleasant surprise.

From the Ohio Blue/ Green Alliance:

 

Full Speed Ahead: Creating Green Jobs Through Freight Rail Expansion

 

Holding a "press conference" and looking for supporters to show up!  Feel free to send along to anyone you think might be interested.  We'll begin at 9:30 and wrap up no later than 10:00, so if you can spare a half on hour, sure would appreciate it! 

 

WHAT:   Full Speed Ahead: Creating Green Jobs Through Freight Rail Expansion

 

WHEN:   Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

                9:30 a.m.

 

WHO:  Congressman John Boccieri; Local Elected Officials; United Steelworkers; Sierra Club

            Ohio

 

WHERE:  820 East Main Street

                  Alliance, OH  44601

                  (Amtrak Station)

 

The BlueGreen Alliance will highlight a report showing that investments in America's freight rail system would create thousands of green jobs in Ohio, improve the country's infrastructure and reduce dependence on foreign oil carbon emissions.  Look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

 

While I suspect a 3C station may not fetch as much money (depending on the rider numbers), I am surprised to see the market rate for naming rights is THAT good! A pleasant surprise.

 

They're getting 5 million for a 5-year contract.  I'd be happy with 4-5 million a year for rights to all 8 3C stations.

For Immediate Release

July 6, 2010

 

Contacts:

Eric Steen, BlueGreen Alliance, 612-466-4488

Jessica Kershaw, Congressman John Boccieri, 202-641-0098

 

Full Speed Ahead: Report Shows How Investments in Freight Rail Will Create Green Jobs in Ohio

 

Congressman Boccieri, Local Officials, Members of the Labor and Environmental Communities

Highlight Report and Call for Action on Policies to Promote Freight Rail

 

Alliance, OH - Investments in America’s freight rail system would create thousands of green jobs in Ohio, improve the country’s infrastructure and reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, according to a report released by the BlueGreen Alliance and the Economic Policy Institute. Congressman John Boccieri (D – Alliance) and local elected officials joined members of the United Steelworkers (USW), the Ohio Sierra Club, and Growth Options for the 21st Century (Go21) to highlight the significance of this report in Northeast Ohio.

 

The report shows that the expansion of freight rail in the U.S. can create approximately 7,800 green jobs for every $1 billion of capital invested and serves as a guide for policy makers on sustaining and expanding the domestic freight rail network.  If this is expanded to include re-spending by freight rail and supporting industry employees, between 12,300 and 26,600 American jobs would be created or sustained per $1 billion invested.

 

“It’s a simple choice: Do we spend $1 billion a day buying oil from countries that wish to do us harm or do we take the $1 billion and reinvest it in an energy efficient freight rail system which has proven can create as many as 26,000 jobs nationwide,” said Congressman John Boccieri. “Freight rail not only connects our manufacturers with global markets, it makes the products railroads need. In fact, railroad vendors employ 26,000 Ohioans.”

 

Boccieri continued, “The Freight Rail Capacity Expansion Act will mean a significant investment in energy efficient transportation infrastructure and thousands of jobs. I want to make sure that as many of those jobs as possible are located right here in Northeast Ohio.”

 

In addition to lessening our dependence on foreign oil and creating greater energy efficiency among our nation’s transportation infrastructure, an investment in U.S. freight rail will keep the country economically viable in changing times. America is expected to invest $150 billion in our infrastructure over the next decade, however, the European Union has planned for $300 billion and China has budgeted $200 billion over the same time frame.

 

“Rail has played a pivotal role in America’s economic success and investments in rail will help ensure we remain competitive in this global economy,” said Joe Holcomb, a USW Staff Representative and former president of USW Local 2211 at Alliance Castings Company. “Freight rail is a very efficient way of moving goods, and increased investment in freight rail will create thousands of green jobs and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.”

 

The press conference was held in front of Alliance Castings, an area business that would greatly benefit from a renewed focus on freight rail investment.  Just a few years ago, the closed factory was reopened to make components for rail cars and it eventually employed 700 workers.  Though the recession has lead to a temporary closing of Alliance Castings, it is expected that demand for the components manufactured at the plant will return as rail volumes increase.

 

“Alliance has a proud tradition of being a railroad town and we are hopeful these workers will return to work soon,” said Alliance Mayor Toni Middleton. “We can’t just wait for it to happen, though.  We have to take action and make strategic investments to get this factory back up and running.”

 

One key finding of the Full Speed Ahead report is that freight rail is much more efficient than other forms of transportation and continues to innovate to become more efficient. One example in the report shows how TTX Company has innovated and prevented more than 2.5 billion empty miles per year and saved more than 167 million gallons of fuel annually. 

 

“Freight rail and passenger rail jobs are green jobs, and are crucial to reducing carbon and saving energy in the transportation sector,” said Jen Miller, the Conservation Program Coordinator at the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter. “Over the past three decades, the industry has nearly doubled the amount of goods it has shipped without increasing fuel consumption, creating a fraction of the pollution of other modes of transportation. This report shows that expanding freight rail will meet our goals of creating good jobs while reducing pollution and our dependence on oil.”

 

In addition to job creation and pollution reduction statistics, the report makes a series of policy recommendations for lawmakers, including tax credits for rail capital investments, and “Buy American” provisions to ensure that the jobs created are not outsourced.

 

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The BlueGreen Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy. Launched by the United Steelworkers and Sierra Club in 2006, the BlueGreen Alliance now includes the Communications Workers of America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Laborers’ International Union of North America, Service Employees International Union, Utility Workers Union of America, American Federation of Teachers, Amalgamated Transit Union, and the Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association.

 

Growth Options for the 21st Century (Go21) is a national, non-profit, public interest organization dedicated to promoting freight transportation alternatives. As the nation faces a complex freight mobility challenge, Go21is organizing the local voice of thousand of supports across the nation to build awareness for the economic development, positive environmental impact, and congestion reducing attributes of freight rail.

 

Rail, new Tampa Bay Rays stadium on collision course

By Michael Van Sickler, Times Staff Writer

In Print: Tuesday, July 6, 2010

 

ST. PETERSBURG — Whether the Tampa Bay Rays find a new home in the region could hinge on something that doesn't exist here yet.

 

Rail.

 

Long-delayed efforts to bring passenger rail to the Tampa Bay area have gained steam in recent months, just as the Rays have launched a public campaign to escape Tropicana Field and downtown St. Petersburg.

 

The two seemingly unrelated issues appear to be on a collision course. How, where and if rail gets built in Tampa Bay could determine whether the Rays stay or go.

 

Full story at: http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/plans-for-rail-set-to-collide-with-discussions-for-a-new-tampa-bay-rays/1107052

Why are these mutually exclusive? It would seem building a train station as part of the stadium is a natural outcome.

Local rail station would make sense.  This being a high speed end point coming from Orlando seems a little over the top.  Sounds like their article states that the local transit though connects series of office parks but doesn't connect communities and a stadium wouldn't help, but that's not the stadium's problem...

Report: Ohio economy would get boost from rail projects

Mansfield News Journal

MNJ.com 

 

DAYTON, Ohio — Ohio manufacturers and workers who produce component parts for passenger rail cars and infrastructure showed their support for investment in rail today and unveiled a report by an Ohio non-partisan policy group detailing the economic impact of rail and other mass transit infrastructure to Ohio.

Calling investments in rail infrastructure an “investment in Main Street,” U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said a resurgance of passenger rail would create manufacturing jobs and help put Ohio’s economy “on a path towards long-term economic growth.”

 

At least 6 million Ohioans live within 15 miles of the proposed 250-mile 3C route, making it among the densest corridors in the United States without passenger rail service. A 2009 Amtrak study predicted a ridership of 500,000 in the first year, making it the 12th most traveled route in the nation.

 

Full story at: http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20100712/UPDATES01/100712011

The complete report, “All Aboard,” is available at http://www.policymattersohio.org.

More coverage from the Youngstown Business Journal...

 

Brown, Report Support Ohio Rail Investment

July 15, 2010 7:05 a.m.

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio., says additional investment in a rail system throughout the state could spur more jobs and a more robust manufacturing economy.

 

Nations in Asia and Europe have committed billions of dollars to developing their rail infrastructure and expanding opportunities for manufacturing. "There's simply no reason we can't do the same in our country with Ohio playing a leading role," Brown told reporters during a conference call Wednesday. "There's no reason we shouldn't help to lead the nation in rail car and locomotive manufacturing. We know how to make big things in Ohio."

 

Brown was joined by Wendy Patton of Policy Matters Ohio, which issued a new report that assesses the impact of developing rail and mass transit infrastructure on the state's manufacturing economy.

 

Full story at: http://www.business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/brown-report-support-ohio-rail-investment-p16948-1.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

July 15, 2010

 

Passenger rail might benefit local company

 

Brown, Hottinger offer opposing views on 3C plan

 

BY KENT MALLETT

Advocate Reporter

 

NEWARK -- A Licking County business owner said his company might benefit from the proposed 3C statewide passenger rail plan, but he questions if it's best for the state.

 

Tom Ulrich, owner of RedHawk Energy, a division of the Pataskala-based Arthur N. Ulrich Co., said his company could supply backup power for crossings or signaling systems needed for the project.

 

"Our firm would benefit because we do a lot of work with the railroad, so we would benefit with any upgrades," Ulrich said. "There's a lot of other considerations than whether we would benefit.

 

Full story at:http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20100715/NEWS01/7150336/-1/

In a New Decade, During a New Recession, Cities are Going Back to Public Transit

 

In the midst of the Great Recession, civic leaders, developers, and designers are relearning old lessons: Investment in public transit infrastructure is an investment in economic development

 

by Zach Mortice

 

Associate Editor

 

Post-WWII prosperity brought to America coast-to-coast interstate freeways and sprawling green suburbs that become the quintessential image of the American dream, but during today’s economic recession, a different set of development patterns are being rediscovered: dense, urban neighborhoods facilitated by public transit infrastructure. Cities across the country are re-investing in light rail, street cars, and bus lines.

 

The potential causality between previous automobile-centric development patterns and the economic crash will be a topic of discussion for scholars, politicians, and interest groups for decades to come, but the connection between the economy and public infrastructure development is clear in one way: Just in time for a global economic meltdown that created a call for massive investments of public capital, including public transit spending, a growing consensus has settled in among civic leaders, developers, and designers that cities and towns are more sustainable and stronger economically with mass transit.

 

Full report at: http://www.aia.org/practicing/AIAB084440

Though the subject is streetcars.... this editorial speaks volumes about why the investment in the movement of people by rail is not the "waste of money" that critics often decry...

 

 

Streetcar is sound strategy, not silly frill

Rejecting the project wouldn't help ailing schools, libraries.

Posted: Sunday, Jul. 18, 2010

 

Charlotte's plans to build 1.4 miles of a 10-mile streetcar project with a $25 million federal grant and $12 million in city money has plenty of folks wondering if City Hall's gone mad. As Mayor Anthony Foxx said, with some understatement, "I know it's not without controversy."

 

A lot of thinking goes like this: In a recession, why spend millions on a silly uptown frill when they're laying off teachers and closing libraries?

 

It's easy to understand such a reaction. But government budgets make things more complex. Further, viewing a streetcar as just a people-mover uptown misses the bigger picture. It's a growth and development strategy. It's fiscally prudent in the long term and will have its most positive effect in areas outside uptown.

 

Full editorial at: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/18/1568997/streetcar-is-sound-strategy-not.html#ixzz0u61LJZWL

 

From Sherrod Brown's website....

 

Railroad Investment Means Jobs in Ohio

 

Ohio workers know how to build big things. Every day, a plane flies powered by parts built by Ohio workers. Cars and trucks are driven with engines and brake pads built by workers in Defiance and Lordstown. Up and down the Ohio turnpike, manufacturers are building the parts for next-generation clean energy vehicles and technologies. And today, Ohio manufacturers rank fifth in the nation in building the components for our nation’s trains.

 

If we want to be number one in the nation – and if we want to create more jobs – then we need to make the right investments in rail. Last January, President Obama announced an $8 billion investment in a national rail network – the largest investment in public transportation since President Eisenhower established the national highways system in the 1950s.

 

Ohio received $400 million of this historic investment, which recognizes our state’s critical role in connecting the nation’s passenger rail system. The proposed 3-C-D line – connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Dayton – is one of the most densely populated corridors in the country without passenger rail. More than half of all Ohioans – nearly six million people – live within 15 miles of the proposed 256-mile passenger line.

 

And when the line is finished, Ohioans will not only be able to connect to the great cities of our state, but also to Chicago in the west and New York City in the east.

 

European countries and China already have committed hundreds of billions of dollars in rail spending – connecting workers with new jobs, expanding the markets of businesses, and making travel efficient and more affordable for millions of people. We can do the same thing in our country. Instead of sending our dollars to foreign manufacturers, we can ensure that manufacturers are building the trains right here in Ohio.

 

Earlier this month, I was in Dayton visiting a company that has been manufacturing parts for freight and passenger locomotives for more than 70 years. Another company, based in Columbus, wants to build rail cars in Ohio using Ohio-made component parts. Governor Ted Strickland has met with more companies across Ohio who are ready to do the same.

 

Ohio’s $400 million in federal rail investments can help these companies – and companies across Ohio – create thousands of jobs for engineers and construction and factory workers. It would help these companies expand their markets and supplier network – as more states invest in rail, they can turn to Ohio manufacturers to meet their demand for rail technologies and products.

 

Simply put, investing in rail would increase economic opportunities for our manufacturers and create the kind of 21st century manufacturing jobs that Ohio’s workers are prepared to handle. And it would mean tens of millions of dollars in economic development not only in our large urban cities, but also in smaller towns along the route lines.

 

Our state can’t afford to miss out on these jobs and opportunities. We cannot let other states reap millions of dollars of federal benefits at our expense. That’s what would happen if Ohio decides to turn away its $400 million investment in our transportation future – states like Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois will happily accept our share of the investment.

 

Ohio needs a long-term vision when it comes to one of our strongest selling points: our transportation infrastructure and the manufacturers behind it. And our state’s progress depends on creating jobs, promoting economic development, and ensuring our businesses have the resources they need to compete with anyone.

 

With rail construction moving ahead across the Midwest and the nation, Ohio cannot afford to be left at the station.

Report: High-speed train good for economy, environment

September 1, 2010 | Susanne Rust

 

Scientists say a California high-speed rail system will not only get you from San Francisco to Los Angeles in less than three hours, but will create thousands of jobs and eliminate millions of pounds of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere.

 

At least that’s what they're saying in a new report released by the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Irvine.

 

Full story at: http://californiawatch.org/watchblog/report-high-speed-train-good-for-economy-environment-4401

 

And from Florida:

 

Businesses look into high-speed rail work

 

By TIM CONKLIN

News Chief correspondent

Published: Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 4:01 a.m.

 

 

LAKELAND - More than 200 people, most of them representing small and minority businesses from Polk and surrounding counties, converged at The Lakeland Center on Wednesday afternoon for an information session to find out how their businesses might get involved with the multi-billion dollar Florida high-speed rail project.

 

The meeting was conducted by the Florida Rail Enterprise division of the Florida Department of Transportation as part of a series of meetings this week discussing the project. A second meeting for the general public, focusing solely on the progress of the project, also was held Wednesday evening at The Lakeland Center.

 

Similar meetings were held Tuesday in Tampa, with meetings scheduled for today in Orlando.

 

Full story at: http://www.newschief.com/article/20100902/NEWS/9025048/1021/news01?Title=Businesses-look-into-high-speed-rail-work&tc=ar

There's some factual issues with this story, but it's good to see these kinds of programs in Ohio. Also see the video at the link below:

 

Amidac training LCCC students in railroad welding

Published: Sunday, September 19, 2010

By SCOT ALLYN

[email protected]

 

ELYRIA The key to starting a high-speed rail revolution in Ohio could come from Amidac International, a young company in the Entrepreneur Innovation Center at Lorain County Community College.

 

After designing, patenting and selling a device in 21 countries that starts specialized welding equipment necessary to build high-speed railroad tracks, Amidac hopes to train 40 LCCC students in the sophisticated welding technique by the end of the year, according to Ameer Alghusain, president and chief executive officer.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2010/09/19/news/business/mj3318563.txt

 

Monday, September 20, 2010, 2:30pm EDT

Report ties jobs to high-speed rail bid

Business First of Columbus - by Adrian Burns

 

Ohio Public Interest Research Group says the state’s high-speed passenger rail plan would create jobs and drive economic growth.

 

The nonprofit advocacy organization released a 63-page report Monday as Ohio officials consider whether to accept a $400 million federal stimulus grant to help develop a passenger rail system connecting Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. Some state politicians have expressed concern that such a system would not be self-sufficient and would burden Ohio taxpayers with long-term maintenance and operations costs.

 

The Ohio Public Interest Research Group report, however, said the economic benefits would make its construction worthwhile.

 

“Rail is a part of the solution – boosting our economy and creating jobs, modernizing our transportation system and helping to solve our nation’s oil dependency, worsening congestion and pollution,” said Ohio Public Interest Research Group spokesman Jeff Griffin in a news release.

 

 

Full story at: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2010/09/20/daily6.html?t=printable

Charlotte rail leads to millions in development, officials say

By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

 

Mayor Anthony Foxx wisely declined to predict the outcome of last week's football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and his hometown Carolina Panthers in what turned out to be a 20-3 Bucs' victory.

 

Foxx was more certain about what could be in store for Tampa if taxpayers choose in November to fund light rail, which in Charlotte has exceeded 20-year ridership projections in its first three years of operation while adding to the region's economic development arsenal.

 

Since light rail opened in Charlotte in late 2007, $288.2 million in development near light rail stations has been completed and $522 million is under construction, despite a veritable halt in growth since the 2008 recession. The Charlotte Area Transit System projects private investment development stations will reach $1.45 billion by 2013, depending on the economic recovery.

 

Full sory at: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/sep/26/charlotte-rail-leads-to-millions-in-development-of/news-breaking/

Illinois provides $12 million for new Nippon Sharyo rail-car plant

 

Yesterday, Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced a $12 million state business investment package for Nippon Sharyo U.S.A. Inc. to help support the company’s $35 million investment to establish a rail-car manufacturing facility in Rochelle, Ill.

 

The rail-car builder plans to construct a 4,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and relocate its U.S. headquarters to Rochelle from Arlington Heights, Ill. The new facility will enable Nippon Sharyo to meet the Federal Railroad Administration’s Buy America requirements and compete for contracts to assemble high-speed rail cars.

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24825

11/2/2010    Transit-Oriented Development

 

Texas developer launches Denton County TOD project

 

Huffines Communities recently broke ground on the first phase of a transit-oriented development project in Lewisville, Texas.

 

Hebron 121 Station will be a 90-acre, in-fill multi-family community located adjacent to the new Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) Hebron rail and bus station. The agency is building a 21-mile commuter-rail line between Carrollton and Denton that will connect with Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Green Line into downtown Dallas. The line is expected to open to Lewisville by March 2011

 

Full story at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=24929

Robert Samuelson Washington Post hit-piece editorial in Akron Beacon Journal

http://www.ohio.com/editorial/commentary/106501313.html

High-speed rail: A real porker, and nothing more

11/02/2010

 

"In the Northeast Corridor, with about 45 million people, Amtrak's daily ridership is 28,500. If its trains shut down tomorrow, no one except the affected passengers would notice."

Wow.  Brilliant.

Ok, I did not want to transcribe too much of Samuelson.