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.
Nine individuals are the most recent recipients of ASLRRA’s Doug Golden Scholarship. While receiving a $1,200 scholarship allowed these employees of small railroads to attend important industry training, the ability to go to these events offered benefits beyond the planned curriculum.
All of the recipients received scholarships for an ASLRRA training seminar. In email interviews, several awardees described the ability to meet in person and network with other railroad industry professionals as an additional perk of the seminars they attended.
“Something I had not thought of before attending this training seminar…was how much I would learn from other peer railroaders,” wrote Copper Basin Railway Trainmaster Adam Wade. “Myself and the others at our table spent our breaks asking each other questions and learning from each other’s experiences and processes.”
Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company Marketing and Sales Professional Andrew Hershman made a similar observation, writing “the setting with other railroaders is a benefit in itself” because participants can “network and share experiences and questions on the training subject.”
Dakota Missouri Valley & Western Railroad Manager of Transportation and DSLE Chad Dockter and Safety Manager and DSLE Greg Iverson attended an ASLRRA seminar together, and both said the training facilitated connections with “a lot of great people in the railroad industry.”
Networking opportunities offered at these training seminars do more than bring together railroad employees. As Massachusetts Coastal Railroad Compliance Manager Don Pingel noted, ASLRRA’s seminars provide a crucial connection between regulatory agencies and small railroads, offering important information “within an environment that builds trust between the railroads and the regulators.”
While networking is a benefit of attending a training seminar, the core mission of the Doug Golden Scholarship program is to enable small-railroad employees to attain crucial industry knowledge their employers might otherwise find it difficult to afford. In their comments, this group of scholarship recipients provided affirmation that the program is achieving its goal.
“This [ASLRRA] training is a great asset to short lines with limited staff and/or ability to provide this level of knowledge and discussion,” wrote Hershman. “Without the scholarship, it was unlikely I would have attended.”
For Dockter and Iverson, only one person would have been able to attend ASLRRA’s Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE) training were it not for the scholarship program. Now, having two trained DSLEs allows for more flexibility at their railroad, and Dockter and Iverson can “trade off duties as needed.”
Wade and Pingel shared similar thoughts. In Pingel’s case, he wanted to attend ASLRRA’s Railroad Workplace Safety (Part 214) seminar because he had specific questions to ask FRA representatives and he wanted to tailor his railroad’s training to address situations frequently encountered by Massachusetts Coastal Railroad employees. Pingel said that while he may have been able to attend training without a scholarship, “obtaining the scholarship made my attendance an absolute reality.”
ASLRRA is glad to have played a role in helping individuals take advantage of training opportunities and is grateful for the generosity of retired former board member Doug Golden and the Doug Golden-Mary Cullen Charitable Fund for making this scholarship program possible. In addition to Dockter, Hershman, Iverson, Pingel and Ward, ASLRRA congratulates the other scholarship recipients. They are:
Additional Scholarships Available Through Two Programs
ASLRRA continues to offer Doug Golden Scholarships throughout the year, although limited funding remains through the end of 2024. Interested applicants can learn more and access an online application form on the Doug Golden Scholarship website.
Thanks to a generous donation from the family of the late Jake Jacobson, ASLRRA also offers Jake Jacobson Memorial Scholarships, which can be used to cover registration fees for any ASLRRA training seminar. Click here to learn more about Jake Jacobson Memorial Scholarships and access an online application form.
Adam Wade (at head of table in blue collared shirt) leads a meeting of his colleagues at Copper Basin Railway. As a trainmaster, Wade is responsible in part for training and testing members of the operations department. With a scholarship Wade was able to attend an ASLRRA training seminar for the first time, which greatly enhanced his understanding of his role.
Chad Dockter (left) and Greg Iverson both attended ASLRRA's DSLE training seminar thanks to Doug Golden Scholarships. Having two trained DSLEs gives their company, the Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western Railroad, more flexibility with assigning duties instead of having to rely on one individual.
Employees at Massachusetts Coastal Railroad participate in a roadway worker protection briefing performed by a roadway worker in charge (RWIC). By attending an ASLRRA training seminar made possible in part by a Doug Golden Scholarship, Massachusetts Coastal Railroad Compliance Manager Don Pingel was able to update the training material used in this briefing and address specific questions frequently asked by roadway workers at his railroad.
Indiana Northeastern Railroad's Andrew Hershman (seated) and Chris Homco conduct a check ride. Being able to attend ASLRRA training was especially valuable for Hershman, whose official title is in marketing and sales but who is a newly trained DSLE and is responsible for a variety of tasks at his small railroad.
Thanks to Irwin Car for being a sponsor of this edition of Views & News.
A new template developed by ASLRRA’s Safety and Training Committee will help Association member railroads train contractors on host-railroad-specific rules. The template, titled “Part 214 Roadway Worker Supplemental Training for Contractors,” is available in the Compliance Templates section on ASLRRA’s website under Part 214 and Part 243.
Every roadway worker, roadway maintenance machine (RMM) operator, watchman, lookout and flagman on a railroad’s property must know that railroad’s on-track safety procedures and rules. This new template, which has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), can be used as a supplement to annual roadway worker protection training.
Additional host-railroad-specific training is required for roadway workers in charge (RWICs) and lone workers. ASLRRA members can log in online to access additional templates for roadway worker protection, safety-related railroad employee training and more.
A presentation from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Office of Research, Development and Technology (RD&T) details all the department’s current research projects, which include several being undertaken with ASLRRA.
The FRA describes over 150 different research projects covering a variety of topics, from autonomous track inspection to alternative fuels research to pedestrian trespass behaviors. ASLRRA is a project partner in one research project. Titled “Evaluation of Non-Traditional Methods of Reducing Locomotive Emissions for Shortline Railroads,” this project will develop an inventory of the short line locomotive fleet, and a methodology to evaluate short line railroad emissions.
ASLRRA is also listed as a partner supporting several ongoing RD&T efforts, including
The Short Line Safety Institute’s (SLSI) work with the FRA is also listed. SLSI is participating in a pilot program with FRA, acting as the peer review team for very small railroads so that those railroads can participate in the Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS). Also noted, the FRA’s Human Factors Division provides grant program oversight for SLSI and the FRA’s Volpe Center evaluates the effectiveness and fidelity of SLSI’s programs and activities.
The FRA has published two new technical reports and a research results paper. One technical report discusses the third phase of a study of a ballast fouling measurement tool while the second analyzes freight railroad voice communications. The research results discuss efforts to expand a Tracks to the Future summer program for students.
Ballast Fouling Measurement Tool – Phase III
This project involved additional tests for a second-generation RAdar Ballast Inspection Tool (RABIT), which is a ground-penetrating radar (GPR) ballast inspection system. The RABIT is meant to provide “a non-invasive method to estimate the amount of fouling and moisture present in in-service track in real time.” While study results show RABIT estimates correlated well with actual measured values, researchers recommended additional field testing. Researchers also made recommendations for improvements to the RABIT itself, including making the shipping container smaller and the frame adjustable to different rail heights.
An Analysis of Freight Railroad Voice Communications
This study looked at voice communications from three Class I freight railroad dispatch centers to understand the types of information exchanged between railroad personnel and the types of communication errors that occur. Analysis of communications from signal, dark and mixed territories took place, showing that 79 percent of all communications contained at least one error and 95 percent of all errors went undetected. The report suggests several possible follow-up studies to further examine communications errors. In the meantime, mitigation strategies for reducing errors include minimizing distractions for those involved in the communications; using digital communication such as text to reduce errors related to frequency congestion and background noise; and establishing standardized training on radio communication procedures throughout the railroad culture.
Expanding the Talent Pool: Tracks to the Future Program for High School Students
This paper describes the FRA’s collaboration with six universities to offer the “Tracks to the Future Railroad Transportation and Engineering” summer program to students entering grades 9 to 12. The FRA funded course development and covered students’ program fees, while some rail industry companies provided scholarships to help cover some travel expenses for students in need. Phase I of the project offered an on-campus program and a hybrid program that involved remote and in-person activities, while Phase II comprised solely of the hybrid program option. For both phases, which took place over two consecutive summers, 171 students from 24 states participated. Feedback from students and parents was positive, though researchers noted room for improvement in program coordination, registration and teaching. Phase 3 of the project took place this summer with 10 universities participating, each hosting 20 students.
Members of Congress return to Washington, D.C. from their August recess on Sept. 9. House and Senate leaders have outlined their wish lists for the remaining session, but with only 13 legislative days when both chambers are in session, what they can actually accomplish may differ significantly.
Key issues that impact the short line industry and which may be considered during this time include:
ASLRRA staff will continue to monitor the Senate and House floor schedules and communicate with Association contacts on Capitol Hill regarding short line industry issues.
ASLRRA has announced several featured speakers for this year’s Central and Pacific Region Meeting in Dallas, Texas, which include Class I executives and federal agency leaders.
During Tuesday’s general session, BNSF Group Vice President Colby Tanner and Union Pacific Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Kenny Rocker will provide updates on their respective organizations, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Associate Administrator Bill Schoonover will discuss PHMSA real-time reporting. During Wednesday’s general session CPKC Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing Coby Bullard will provide a CPKC update.
Other speakers at the meeting will include Norfolk Southern Director, Foundation and Community Impact Kristin Wong, who will lead a breakout session titled “Making it Right in East Palestine, Ohio.” There will also be a Short Line Leaders Panel, representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), ASLRRA-member organizations and more.
The Central and Pacific Region Meeting will be held Oct. 28 to 30, and is co-located with ASLRRA’s targeted educational events, the General Counsel Symposium and the Finance & Administration Seminar, which take place Oct. 28 to 29 and Oct. 29 to 30, respectively. Those who register for the Central and Pacific Region Meeting, the General Counsel Symposium and the Finance & Administration Seminar can secure a room in ASLRRA’s room block at the Westin Galleria Dallas.
ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern Region Meeting
There is still time to register for ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in Jacksonville, Florida. Sign up now to hear from industry and subject-matter experts, participate in sandhouse sessions, attend networking breaks and honor safety award recipients.
Accommodations Plus International (API), headquartered in Melville, New York, is a leader in crew lodging specializing in meeting the dynamic needs of the rail industry. API’s best-in-class technology platform streamlines every step of crew accommodations, from hotel sourcing and reservation management to check-in validation, invoicing, and advanced data analytics. The platform integrates directly into Crew Management Applications (CMA), offering customizable solutions that enhance the entire accommodations lifecycle for T&E, Engineering, and MOW crews. With a focus on optimizing operations, API delivers transparency, efficiency, and cost savings for both railroads and rail service providers. Our primary contact is VP-Business Development, Rail Falyn Coleman-Wright, who can be reached at (516) 760-2555. Many thanks to our friends at Koppers for recommending they join ASLRRA.
American Dedicated Rail Services, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a railroad services company founded in 2020 by industry veterans Scott Setser and Ken Dziwulski. Its services include railroad switching, track maintenance & repair, mechanical inspection & repair, temporary labor services for FRA and non-FRA locations, and railroad consulting. President Scott Setser is our primary contact, who can also be reached at (904) 424-0629.
Sidley Austin LLP is well known worldwide for its legal representation of the railroad industry. It represents railroads in transactions, regulatory proceedings, federal court litigation, and appellate proceedings. Sidley also represents private equity firms, companies in the emerging U.S. high-speed passenger rail industry, equipment manufacturers, rail car companies, and logistics firms. Partner Raymond Atkins is our primary contact and can be reached at (202) 736-8889. Many thanks to Crystal Zorbaugh of Mullins Law Group for encouraging them to join the Association.
Railroads seeking to pursue locomotive replacement projects through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program now have some additional information from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
As part of its Locomotive Replacement Initiative the FRA has published a document answering several frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CRISI-funded locomotive replacement projects. The document explains what entities and locomotive projects are eligible for this funding, defines the phrase “significant reduction of emissions” as used in the CRISI program and more.
The FAQ document also gives an overview of how grant applicants and recipients can calculate emissions reductions as supporting documentation for CRISI applications and environmental reviews. Included is a link to the FRA’s Locomotive Emissions Comparison Tool (LECT) website, which includes the LECT itself, an LECT user guide and other supplementary information.
ASLRRA is asking its members for help in an effort to expand its current image library and would like members to consider contributing high-resolution images for use in various communication and other efforts.
ASLRRA often uses member photos on its website, and in projects related to communications, advocacy and more. With a larger and more current image library, the Association can be sure it is sharing the best short line industry pictures when telling the short line industry story.
Members can upload their photographs online here. Please contact ASLRRA’s Wayne Whitaker if there is difficulty loading photographs to the link.
Pictures of all aspects of railroad operations are welcome, including those of equipment and track, the shipping process, construction, maintenance and repair, administrative and office work and more. Any individuals in the photographs should have granted permission for their images to be used or shared publicly, and members should have the rights to any photos they decide to contribute to ASLRRA’s library. Please reach out to Amy Krouse with any general questions or concerns.
ASLRRA Member Discount Program Preferred Provider MaxAccel offers a suite of software products available in web and mobile-based solutions to assist small railroads in driving safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and return on investment.
MaxAccel’s product offerings available as part of the Member Discount Program include all eight solutions on the AssetPro and SafeTrack Platforms. ASLRRA members can choose one application or several to make MaxAccel their single solution for electronic recordkeeping. MaxAccel also provides interactive infographic analytics capabilities for easy assessment of reporting and risk management.
Over 220 freight railroads, passenger operations and railroad contractors rely on MaxAccel’s electronic recordkeeping applications every day, making them some of the most widely used in the rail transportation industry.
Click here to learn more about ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program and view all of the products and services available from the Association’s Preferred Providers.
ASLRRA members have exclusive access to downloadable Drug and Alcohol Educational Materials, including posters, a Part 219 educational brochure, affidavit templates and employer review documents, designed in consultation with subject matter experts on the Association’s Safety and Training Committee.
The members-only educational-materials webpage also features links to webinar recordings addressing Part 219 control of alcohol and drug use, and covering regulatory requirements, testing programs and issues, and educational materials for railroads. All recordings can also be found in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar library.
JR Gelnar and Sabrina Waiss traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana this week to hold the Association’s Railroad Accidents/Incidents (Part 225) training seminar for a sold-out group of 74 railroad professionals.
Joining Gelnar and Waiss were 10 representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the most ever to participate in a single ASLRRA training seminar. The FRA group included Part 225 experts, railroad safety specialists, Part 225 attorneys, a Part 225 program analyst and a Part 225 chief inspector and short line expert. Having a large group of subject-matter experts gave seminar attendees an in-depth look at Part 225 and helped them gain a more complete understanding of all aspects of railroad accident and incident reporting regulations.
In another training seminar first, ASLRRA Preferred Provider MaxAccel sponsored a Tuesday evening reception for attendees at Plates restaurant.
Gelnar and Waiss will offer ASLRRA’s final training seminar of the year Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Leadership Development – Regulatory Module seminar covers a wide range of material to help participants improve their knowledge of federal regulatory agencies and railroad rules while bolstering their managerial and leadership skills.
There are very few open spots left for this event. The seminar is co-located with the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, but separate registration is required. Click here for more information or to register.
Seventy-four railroad industry professionals attended ASLRRA's Railroad Accident/Incident (Part 225) training seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana this week. JR Gelnar and Sabrina Waiss were on hand to run the event, which also featured 10 speakers from the Federal Railroad Administration.
This webinar includes an introduction to Operation Clean Sweep (OCS). OCS assists companies in their goal towards achieving zero plastic resin loss during operations, thereby keeping plastic out of the environment and surrounding waterways. The session will also discuss the OCS Rail program that was launched in 2024 as a new category of the OCS program specifically for rail partners and their operations. Several current OCS Rail members will also share individual case studies for an inside perspective on the program.
Speakers:
Sponsored by the American Chemistry Council
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will hold a virtual training seminar next month to provide information about the agency and its services. Those interested in learning more about RRB eligibility and benefits before then can access a three-part webinar series available in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar Library. Look for the titles below:
Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has opened registration for its 12th Triennial National Rail Employer Training Seminar (NRETS), which will be held Sept. 11 and 12 on the RRB’s virtual conference platform.
NRETS is intended for those such as payroll personnel, accountants, benefits administrators and controllers who are involved with areas related to service, compensation and contributions reported to the RRB. The first day features a general session for all attendees while the second day offers more targeted instructional sessions. The RRB has published a schedule with session descriptions, which can be found here.
Registration for the event is free, but everyone who would like to attend is encouraged to register no later than Sept. 10 and access the virtual environment prior to the first day of the event.
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.
