In this section, we showcase short line industry stories published in local media.
Railroad members! If you want to be featured in this section, please email us the link. You can also tag us (@ASLRRA) in your social media posts. Interested in seeing your railroad showcased in your local newspaper. Contact Amy Krouse for assistance.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced it has scheduled an in-person public hearing on Sept. 16 and 17 to “gather information about recent trends and strategies for growth in the freight rail industry.”
According to its notice in the Federal Register, the STB requests the attendance of Class I railroad executives and “invites and welcomes” the testimony of shippers, suppliers, labor organizations and other industry representatives. The STB says it “would also like the perspective of short line railroads, who can present evidence of their own growth strategies.”
The hearing will take place at STB headquarters in Washington, D.C. ASLRRA plans to participate.
Those wishing to speak at the hearing must file a notice of intent to participate no later than Aug. 14. Written testimony from participants and written comments from any other interested individuals must be submitted by Aug. 16.
Thanks to Esri for being a sponsor of this edition of Views & News.
The first webinar discussing the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant program will take place July 25. Attendees will receive a general program overview from Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) representatives, as well as a discussion of eligibility requirements and project evaluation and selection criteria.
Applications for RCE funding are due Sept. 23. Approximately $1.14 billion will be available for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects, including planning projects. To apply for funding, railroads must partner with eligible public entities including states, Tribes, local governments and public port authorities.
Click here to register for the webinar. More information about the RCE program can be found on the program webpage, which includes a link to the RCE notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) and other resources.
ASLRRA has filed two petitions for reconsideration concerning the Federal Railroad Administration’s final rules mandating certification of dispatchers and signal employees.
For the dispatcher certification rule, ASLRRA asks the FRA to amend Section 245.103(b) to say, “for each railroad that commences new dispatching operations after July 22, 2024.” Such a change would clarify that existing, approved signal employee certification programs would transfer with the rail line to new ownership, avoiding unnecessary disruptions to railroad operations. ASLRRA requests the same change to Section 246.103(b) of the signal employee certification rule.
ASLRRA also asks that both rules be modified to allow a railroad to rely on operational testing performed by another railroad, which would alleviate the burdensome requirement of every railroad that uses a signal contactor to certify the same signalman annually.
For the signal employee rule, ASLRRA requests the FRA establish a de minimus exception from the requirements of Part 246 that covers limited work to facilitate the adjustment, repair or replacement of essential components of a highway-rail grade crossing warning system. Without this exception FRA risks contributing to delays in repair work and a decrease in public safety at highway-rail grade crossings.
Last, ASLRRA endorses each of the petitions for reconsideration filed by the Association of American Railroads and the Commuter Rail Coalition on both dockets.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a Second Supplement to Safety Advisory 2023-01 concerning the use and maintenance of hot bearing wayside detectors (HBDs).
The second supplement expands on recommendations provided in the initial safety advisory published in March 2023 and the first supplement to that advisory published in June 2023. The FRA focuses on analysis and use of wayside detector data, basing this information on the agency’s analysis of recent accidents and safety trends.
In addition to expanding on existing recommendations, the FRA adds two new ones. Among other things, railroads are advised to evaluate the process used to monitor and act upon information from wayside detectors and ensure desks for monitoring wayside detector reports, advisories and alerts are staffed at all hours of railroad operation.
The Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group has issued a SOFA Alert based on a recent fatality in Illinois.
A conductor was fatally injured while executing a shoving movement into a track. The individual was riding the lead end of a tank car and collided with a train on the lead track. Although the working group has not yet analyzed this fatality, the SOFA Alert reminds employees to be vigilant during switching operations by protecting shove movements and avoiding close or no-clearance hazards.
The alert also advises mentoring of inexperienced employees and holding job briefings if a job or situation changes.
ASLRRA compiles SOFA alerts, as well as various Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety notices on its website.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued its final report on the derailment and hazardous materials release that took place last February in East Palestine, Ohio.
Included in an overview of the report on the NTSB webpage dedicated to this investigation, the agency determined the probable cause of the derailment was the failure of an overheated bearing that caused an axle on the 23rd railcar to separate. The agency also explained what contributed to the post-derailment fire and severity of the hazardous materials release.
As a result of its investigation, the NTSB issued 34 new recommendations, reiterated one previously issued recommendation and classified four previously issued recommendations. View the recommendations, investigation results and other information at the links above.
A report from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) to Congress published July 12 discusses strategies for decarbonizing U.S. transportation and highlights a modal shift from trucks to rail as a way to reduce emissions in the freight transportation sector.
In an overview of the state of current transportation sector emissions, the report notes that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from freight movement increased five times as much as passenger emissions between 1991 and 2021. According to the report, “The growth [in emissions] has been entirely led by increases in freight trucking, which grew 83 percent during that same period.”
In addition to describing strategies to reduce commuter and public transportation emissions, the report discusses reduction of emissions from the movement of goods. Because shipping by truck is “about four times more polluting than rail shipping,” the report urges a shift of freight transport from trucks to rail and maritime options.
Also highlighted are grants like the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) and Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) programs and the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), among others, that provide crucial funding to bolster more efficient, non-truck freight movement. Funding from programs like CRISI can also be used to acquire lower-emission equipment like battery-electric switcher locomotives or modify existing equipment to emit fewer emissions.
On July 10 the House Appropriations Committee considered and approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, providing $25.131 billion to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Of the $25.1 billion allocated to the USDOT, the committee recommended $2.8 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), a reduction of $212 million from FY 2024. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA), however, would receive an increase of $13.2 million from FY 2024 to $384.5 million, spread across grants and operations.
The Appropriations Committee recommended $298 million for the CRISI grant program, of which $38.5 million would be congressionally directed spending (CDS), also known as earmarks. The recommended amount is in addition to the guaranteed $1 billion in CRISI funding each year that is provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Published with the bill is a report that directs other spending. The report proposes $2.5 million for the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) in FY 2025, which is less than the $2.75 million requested.
The Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which has funded several short line projects involving ports, was recommended for funding at $72.4 million, a substantial cut from FY 2024’s $120.5 million. The RAISE and MEGA programs received no annual appropriations in this bill.
ASLRRA staff continues to evaluate the House bill and associated report to identify additional items of interest for Association members. The bill is expected to come to the House for a vote on or around July 29. View a bill summary here, the bill report here and a recording of the full committee markup here.
The Senate Appropriations Committee will soon begin the appropriations process. ASLRRA will also work with committee members and their staff to advocate for short line priorities like robust funding for CRISI and SLSI.
Know a company that would benefit from joining and participating in ASLRRA? Please contact ASLRRA’s Senior Vice President of Membership and Business Development Kathy Keeney via email or on (202) 585-3439.
TGB Group, LLC, based in Conroe, Texas, is a full-service civil engineering and consulting firm specializing in rail transportation and site development. The firm’s expertise includes planning, design, implementation and oversight of projects for short line and Class I railroads, industrial concerns, municipalities and economic development agencies. President Mike Murphy is our primary contact and can be reached on (866) 217-7794. Many thanks to our friends at TNW Corp. for recommending that they join ASLRRA.
Two industry-specific fall meetings are now open for registration. ASLRRA’s General Counsel Symposium and the Finance & Administration Seminar, held concurrently with the Central and Pacific Region Meeting in Dallas, offer education sessions specifically geared toward industry professionals in the legal, human resources, finance and administration fields.
The General Counsel Symposium takes place Oct. 28 and 29, while the Finance & Administration Seminar takes place Oct. 29 and 30. Attendees must register separately for these events.
General Counsel Symposium attendees can also register for continuing legal education (CLE) credits for certain sessions. Planned session topics include a Surface Transportation Board (STB) update, a general counsel roundtable and an update on ASLRRA’s litigation efforts.
Sessions at the Finance & Administration Seminar will discuss such topics as employee turnover and the cost of attrition, pre-employment functional testing and drug and alcohol regulations.
Please note that sessions for these events and the Central and Pacific Region Meeting may overlap. The early bird rate for both events expires Aug. 15. Attendees can also secure a room in the ASLRRA room block at the Westin Galleria Dallas. Discounted room rates expire Oct. 7.
Registration is now open for both ASLRRA’s Central and Pacific Region Meeting, which will be held Oct. 28 to 30 in Dallas, Texas, and the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, which will be held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Both meetings will feature general and breakout education sessions, regional and supplier sandhouse sessions and numerous networking opportunities. ASLRRA will also recognize winners of each region’s President’s Safety Awards at their respective meetings.
Attendees at both meetings can also play golf. A separate registration is required for each golf tournament, which take place on the Luna Vista Golf Course in Texas and the Slammer & Squire Course in Florida.
Click here to register for the Central and Pacific Region Meeting. Early bird rates for the meeting and golf end on Aug. 20. Those needing accommodations can click here to reserve a room in the ASLRRA room block at the Westin Galleria Dallas. The deadline for discounted hotel rates is Oct. 7.
Click here to register for the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting. Early bird rates for the meeting and golf expire on July 23. Those needing accommodations can click here to reserve a room in the ASLRRA room block at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville. The deadline for discounted hotel rates is Sept. 9.
The final agenda is now available for the 2024 Joint Committee Meeting taking place Aug. 13 and 14 in St. Paul, Minnesota.
On Aug. 13 a general session will take place at the Union Depot, with some ASLRRA committees providing updates to the group. For instance, the Safety and Training Committee will discuss new regulations such as those focused on crew size and employee certification and the General Counsel Committee will provide an update on the status of current litigation efforts.
There will be an optional evening reception on Aug. 13 which includes a free tour of the James J. Hill House. Events on Aug. 14 will comprise individual committee meetings at the Hyatt Place Hotel. Click here to register.
Becoming a Preferred Provider in ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program is an opportunity available exclusively to associate members who are committed to providing exceptional service and volume discounts to short line railroads.
ASLRRA is actively seeking to expand program offerings and onboard new Preferred Providers for new and existing categories, including grant writing services, electronic recordkeeping software, railroad software and equipment, drug and alcohol programs and services, digital onboard data system platforms, background screening services and payroll processing services. Preferred Providers must be an ASLRRA Associate Member in good standing. Interested companies may visit our website or contact Sabrina Waiss to learn more.
Preferred Providers are vetted by the Association and trusted by railroads to deliver quality products and services at negotiated discount rates. ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program is highly rated as a valuable member benefit providing access to programs tailored specifically for the short line railroad industry and including exclusive offers, special pricing and guaranteed exceptional service. Preferred Providers benefit from a broad range of marketing/promotional activities, including visibility on ASLRRA’s website and in print and electronic communications.
Member Discount Program offerings currently include personal protective equipment plus safety eyewear and shoe programs from Würth; tie inspection services from Loram Technologies; grant writing services from Colliers; electronic recordkeeping software and services from MaxAccel; background screening services from ISB Global Services; and employee health insurance from HUB International.
ASLRRA will hold its popular Leadership Development - Regulatory Module training seminar Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Association’s leadership development seminar covers a variety of topics, including an overview of federal railroad regulatory agencies, leadership qualities for managers and several key regulations including railroad operating rules and practices.
Subject-matter experts JR Gelnar of ASLRRA and Mitch Harris of Rio Grande Pacific Corporation will lead the training, which combines traditional presentation methods with interactive discussion using real world examples to round out the attendees’ understanding of complicated regulations and how they impact front line operations.
Registration is limited to 40 people. Spots fill quickly so interested individuals are encouraged to register soon. The seminar is co-located with the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Separate registration is required for the regional meeting.
Fred Oelsner is in San Diego, California this week to attend the 2024 User Conference hosted by ASLRRA supplier member Esri. The conference is helping Oelsner understand new ways ASLRRA and its short line railroad members can use geographic information systems (GIS) in their operations.
Chuck Baker is attending a meeting of the BNSF Short Line Caucus in Ft. Worth, Texas on July 16 and 17. The caucus was established to improve communication between BNSF and its connecting short lines, and members comprise ASLRRA’s president and 14 short line executives.
On July 16, Mike Ogborn was the keynote speaker at the Midwest Short Line & Reginal Railroads Summer Conference hosted by the Minnesota Regional Railroads Association in Brainerd, Minnesota. Ogborn gave an update on happenings in Washington, D.C., including at federal agencies such as the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Conference attendees included representatives of railroads and vendors from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Saskatchewan, Canada.
Short lines that operate two-person crews with one crew member outside the cab of the locomotive must comply with the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) crew size regulation and submit notification to the FRA by Sept. 6.
A recording of ASLRRA’s July 16 webinar, “FRA New Minimum Crew Size Rule: Short Line Requirements,” is now available online. The webinar helps railroads that currently operate or intend in the future to operate with only one crew member in the cab of a locomotive understand the requirements under the new rulemaking.
ASLRRA has offered webinars addressing Part 219, control of alcohol and drug use, and offered valuable information on regulatory requirements, testing programs and issues and available educational materials. Recordings of these important webinars are available any time to ASLRRA members. Look for the following titles in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar Library:
Most of the recordings also have a copy of the accompanying PDF presentation available for download. Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
Click here to learn more about our education offerings.
Click here for a calendar of industry events.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
