Press
Releases
- Home /
- NOPB Info /
- News and Media /
- Press Releases
If you would like to receive NOPB press releases, please email Kimberly Curth at kimberly.curth@portnola.com. You can also follow Rail NOLA on our social media networks for the latest news and events.
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission (NOPB), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA), has named Tomeka Watson Bryant as its General Manager effective June 1, 2022. With this promotion, Watson Bryant, who has received industry-wide recognition, becomes the first African American woman to lead a short line railroad in the United States.
Governor Edwards Issues Posthumous Pardon of Homer Plessy
January 5, 2022
Governor John Bel Edwards issued a posthumous pardon of Homer Plessy, undoing his conviction 130 years ago for boarding a "whites only" rail car in New Orleans bound for Covington.
Making its way to the Supreme Court, the Plessy case set the “separate but equal” precedent for decades in America until it was reversed by Brown v Board of Education in 1954.
The New Orleans Public Belt was proud to play a role in the pardoning ceremony, alongside elected officials and descendants of both Plessy and Judge Howard Ferguson, who issued the original conviction.
Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Boards Elect Charles H. Ponstein as Chairman
December 16, 2021
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans selected new officers with the election of Charles H. Ponstein as Chairman, Jack C. Jensen, Jr. as Vice Chairman and Joseph F. Toomy as Secretary-Treasurer during the monthly Board meeting Dec. 16.
New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Resumes Operations Just Four Days After Hurricane Ida
September 7, 2021
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) resumed service to the New Orleans Gateway on Thursday, September 2, just four days after Hurricane Ida made landfall as a category 4 storm.
The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad continues to make strides as a thriving rail service with recent milestones and expansion efforts resulting in significant improvements in output, safety and capacity.
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) recognizes its fifth annual Maritime Month May 1-31 and National Maritime Day on May 22 to pay tribute to the region’s rich maritime history and to honor the hardworking men and women of the local maritime workforce.
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Procurement team is hosting a virtual Procurement Roundtable on March 31 at 2 p.m. in recognition of March’s designation as National Procurement Month and to create awareness of and access to opportunities for businesses to work with the Port. The free online session is designed to educate potential and update current vendors about how to best engage with the Port and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) as well as share information about upcoming projects and bid opportunities.
Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Boards Elect Langenstein Chairman
March 25, 2021
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans selected new officers with the election of William H. Langenstein, III as Chairman, Charles H. Ponstein as Vice Chairman and Jack C. Jensen, Jr. as Secretary-Treasurer during the March 25 monthly Board meeting.
Railway Age Magazine Honors New Orleans Public Belt Railroad's Tomeka Watson Bryant With "20 Under 40" Award
January 26, 2021
Railway Age Magazine recently named Tomeka Watson Bryant, Marketing and Sales Manager for the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Commission (NOPB), to its prestigious Fast Trackers "20 Under 40" list.
New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Shatters Safety Record
January 7, 2021
The New Orleans Public Railroad (NOPB) had zero reportable injuries and zero reportable human factor derailments in over 365 days. This is the first time reaching this milestone for NOPB and a significant accomplishment in the railroad industry, which holds itself to stringent safety standards.
Gov. Edwards Appoints Walter J. Leger Jr. to Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans
July 23, 2020
Gov. John Bel Edwards has appointed Walter J. Leger Jr. to the Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA). Leger was sworn in during the July board meeting and will serve a five-year term succeeding Arnold B. Baker as one of four Orleans Parish representatives on the seven-member regional board.
Port of New Orleans and New Orleans Public Belt Railroad Boards Elect Darryl D. Berger Chairman
June 25, 2020
The Board of Commissioners of the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) selected new officers with the election of Darryl D. Berger as Chairman, William H. Langenstein, III, as Vice Chairman and Charles H. Ponstein as Secretary-Treasurer during the June 25 monthly Board meeting.