Pueblo, CO, April 5, 2024
- Officials, including U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, gathered for a behind-the-scenes look at the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado.
- Senator Hickenlooper voiced his support for the Railway Safety Act, which was introduced last year after a freight car derailment in Ohio.
- Tour participants took a ride on a hydrogen-powered train along some of TTC’s 50 miles of test track.
Video courtesy of KOAA News5. The video below will play after a brief advertisement.
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (CO) joined leaders from the City and County on Pueblo, CO, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), CSU Pueblo, and ENSCO, Inc. for a tour of the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) in Pueblo, Colorado.
The visit highlighted the important role TTC plays in advancing railway safety, efficiency, reliability and sustainability as well as supporting the local Pueblo economy with hi-tech jobs and through the many visitors the center draws to Pueblo each year. Senator Hickenlooper, representing Colorado, reiterated his support for the bipartisan Railway Safety Act, initiated in response to a freight car derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February 2023. Notably, last October, a coal train derailment just north of Pueblo resulted in a bridge collapse, tragically claiming the life of a semi-truck driver. Senator Hickenlooper proposed amendments to the bill aimed at bolstering emergency response capabilities in rural areas.
“The TTC is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing this legislation through research initiatives focused on new train inspection technologies, tank car enhancements, and Hazmat incident response training for first responders. We stand ready to support these initiatives at TTC.”
— Jeff Stevens, President of ENSCO
During the tour, officials and media representatives were given exclusive access to explore TTC’s impact wall, the Ambipar Emergency Response Training Center, and the facility’s expansive 50-plus miles of test track. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to experience a ride on Stadler’s hydrogen-powered FLIRT H2 train, which recently set a record at TTC for the longest distance traveled by a hydrogen powered electric multiple unit passenger train on a single tank of fuel.
Since its establishment as the High-Speed Ground Test Center in 1971, TTC has served as a crucial hub for research, development, and testing of rail infrastructure and equipment. In October 2022, ENSCO assumed operations and maintenance of the TTC under a $571 million dollar contract awarded by FRA.
The visit was covered by a number of attending media outlets. Follow each link to learn more:
- Sen. Hickenlooper to tour the Pueblo Transportation Technology Center Thursday (koaa.com)
- Future of railroad safety tested in Pueblo (fox21news.com)
- Sen. John Hickenlooper visits Pueblo with stops at TTC and Mt. Carmel (chieftain.com)
- CPR: Senator Hickenlooper Tours Transportation Technology Center
- CBS/KKTV Colorado Springs: Following a Deadly Coal-Train Derailment, Hickenlooper Visits Pueblo to Tour the Transportation Technology Center
- ABC/KRDO Colorado Springs: Hickenlooper Tours Pueblo’s Transportation Technology Center
ABOUT TTC
ENSCO, Inc. is the operator of the Transportation Technology Center (TTC) located in Pueblo, Colorado, on behalf of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Spanning 52 square miles, the TTC is dedicated to innovating and advancing research, development, testing, and training to improve safety, security, and sustainability in all forms of surface transportation. The TTC is also home to the Center for Critical Infrastructure Protection (CCIP). CCIP's mission is to fortify critical infrastructure entities against cyber and physical threats through comprehensive training, rigorous assessments, meticulous testing, and robust protection measures. Located at 55500 DOT Road, Pueblo, CO 81001, the TTC stands as a cornerstone of innovation and advancement. Explore the vast TTC capabilities.
ABOUT ENSCO
ENSCO, Inc., and its wholly owned subsidiaries, represent an international technology enterprise with 750+ employees headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area. For more than 50 years, ENSCO has been providing leading-edge engineering, science and advanced technology solutions to governments and private industries worldwide. ENSCO operates in the aerospace, national security, and surface transportation sectors. ENSCO serves customers in cutting-edge, mission-critical environments where safety, security, reliability, and resilience are of paramount importance. ENSCO field offices and subsidiaries, representatives, and partnerships are located throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more.
