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.
ASLRRA is closely monitoring the election results and preparing for the upcoming lame duck session, as well as the next Congress and Administration. With the Republicans winning the White House and flipping the Senate, and the House likely to follow, we are gearing up to engage with the transition team for the incoming President and the new Congress as soon as it convenes.
In the event of unified Republican control, a “reconciliation” bill addressing tax issues could be on the agenda early in 2025. We will work diligently to ensure that the 45G modernization is well-positioned within this process.
A new Administration typically brings changes in regulatory priorities, though how this will unfold remains to be seen. The ASLRRA is committed to collaborating with elected officials and remains steadfast in its efforts to advance short line legislative and regulatory issues.
ASLRRA and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) have submitted comments in response to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) direct final rule (DFR) that would codify policies for gathering information and consulting with stakeholders during accident/incident investigations, effective Nov. 15. ASLRRA and AAR call on the FRA to withdraw the DFR and proceed with a rulemaking process allowing opportunity for public comment.
According to the comments, the FRA does not indicate when it implemented the DFR, and neither ASLRRA nor AAR were made aware of the FRA “making a formal public announcement or other communication to the Associations or their member railroads notifying them that the policy is in effect.” ASLRRA and AAR say the FRA should take no final agency action until it has properly provided notice of the rulemaking and an opportunity for public comment.
In addition,the associations identify multiple issues with the rule such as including vague catch-all provisions for determining triggering events and underestimating the cost of compliance.
On ASLRRA’s Testimony and Comments page, the Association publishes all documents it submits concerning federal and state agency actions. In addition to public testimony and comments, these documents include responses to requests for information and petitions.
A proposed rule published by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would establish cyber risk management and reporting requirements for some surface transportation owners and operators, including certain freight railroads.
According to a TSA press release, the rule would require surface transportation owners and operators that have higher cybersecurity risk profiles to establish and maintain cyber risk management programs. These groups would also have to report physical security concerns to TSA and cybersecurity concerns to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The rules regarding having a physical security coordinator would also be extended to higher-risk pipeline owners and operators.
ASLRRA staff is reviewing the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for its potential impact to short lines. The NPRM is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 7, and comments will be due 90 days after its publication.
The Railroad Retirement Board has appointed a new chief information officer (CIO). Bob De Luca’s appointment to the role was effective Nov. 3.
As CIO, De Luca will lead the RRB’s Bureau of Information Services, which comprises roughly 100 employees and contractors. De Luca will also be in charge of planning, directing and coordinating the RRB’s information technology program and serve as a member of the agency’s Executive Committee.
Prior to joining the RRB, De Luca was deputy CIO and chief technology officer at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Before then, he was acting director and deputy commissioner of the technology transformation services at the General Services Administration (GSA). De Luca also serves in the Maryland Air National Guard as a lieutenant colonel in the 175th Cyberspace Operations Squadron.
Yesterday, ASLRRA member New York & Atlantic Railway (NYA) welcomed New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages for a tour of its Fresh Pond rail yard and discussion of the economic and environmental benefits of moving goods by rail.
NYA President Marlon Taylor led the tour and the discussion, which also touched on NYA’s safety record, its work with local public safety departments, its support of community organizations and more.
ASLRRA encourages its members to connect with elected officials at all levels to help them understand the short line railroad industry and its contributions to local, state and national economies. Making these connections can help encourage state programs, like state rail tax credits, and public-private partnerships with state agencies that benefit short lines looking to grow business, fund infrastructure projects and apply for grant funding. Members needing help connecting with lawmakers can contact ASLRRA’s Crystal Gitchell or Richard Sherman.
ASLRRA is happy to recognize the winners of the golf tournament at the Central and Pacific Region Meeting last week in Dallas, Texas. Congratulations to:
Individual Winners
Top Teams
Winners can contact ASLRRA’s Golf Chair Tom Austin for information regarding their prizes. ASLRRA thanks Austin for his help coordinating golf events at the Association’s meetings.
Golfers enjoyed their outing at the Central and Pacific Region Meeting. Pictured on the left is the team that finished in first place, with the second-place team on the right.
ASLRRA is offering individuals a chance to register for its 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition at the early bird rates for its 2024 conference. Rates will increase on Nov. 14!
ASLRRA is eager to introduce its new conference schedule to attendees, with adjustments made in response to survey feedback provided after the 2024 event. The 2025 Annual Conference, held April 6 through 8 in Denver, Colorado, offers participants more time in the Expo Hall, which will be open on Tuesday.
The Association will also break the general session into two shorter assemblies, one each on Monday and Tuesday, and schedule education sessions through the afternoon on Tuesday. Committee meetings will be scheduled throughout the conference, allowing attendees to attend multiple meetings. Therefore ASLRRA encourages attendees to plan to stay until Wednesday to take advantage of all this conference has to offer including more educational opportunities, and networking events including the closing party.
The Lucky Strike networking event is one of two special activities offered at the 2025 Annual Conference. The other is a train ride on the Rocky Mountaineer, which takes place on Sunday. To register for these events, individuals must also be registered for the conference. ASLRRA Class II and III railroad members receive complimentary admission to the Lucky Strike event, but still need to add it when signing up for the conference. Please note, space is limited for both events.
ASLRRA reminds its members that the Association does not partner with outside groups to book registration or hotel rooms and does not authorize any individuals or companies to do so on ASLRRA’s behalf. ASLRRA will not contact you directly via phone or email to make hotel reservations.
Those who receive solicitations about hotel rooms or registration should not provide any sensitive information to those individuals and instead forward details about the encounter to ASLRRA’s Amy Westerman.
Simple Tech Innovations, Inc., based in Rochester, New York, specializes in comprehensive IT and cybersecurity services with a tailored approach to the unique needs of the railroad industry. As trusted partners of both Microsoft and Google, it provides seamless email services, cloud phone systems, and everyday IT support to keep your operations running smoothly. With a deep understanding of FRA and TSA cybersecurity compliance requirements, it ensures your railroad business stays protected and aligned with regulatory standards. President & CEO Andrew Hollister is our primary contact and can be reached on (585) 200-3182. Many thanks to Chelsea Sweet from Bowers CPAs & Advisors for recommending that they join. Learn more about Simple Tech by visiting Booth #441 at ASLRRA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Denver.
What are the latest ways Association members can engage with ASLRRA? What is ASLRRA’s most recent call-to-action? Below are some of the different types of information the Association would love to gather.
Industry experts in ASLRRA's Member Discount Program can assist member railroads in the preparation and submission of a number of different grant applications at the federal, state and local levels.
As a preferred provider of grant writing services, Colliers Engineering and Design offers discounted rates, industry expertise, and exceptional service to ASLRRA members. Visit ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program page and select Grant Writing Services to learn more about Colliers and other exceptional preferred providers.
Hundreds of employees at ASLRRA-member companies are now receiving crucial industry training through programs available on the online Learning Management System (LMS), part of the Short Line Training Center. Meanwhile, their employers can track training and manage other records, all in one convenient place.
The training center is a collaboration between ASLRRA and Iowa Northern Railway Company and includes the LMS and a mobile training center. With the LMS, short line railroads can access a custom-built suite of industry training programs, including three newly added virtual reality courses. The LMS simplifies the training process, allowing companies to enroll employees, assign courses and monitor progression. Railroads can also generate reports and upload employee on-the-job training records to take full advantage of the platform’s ability to facilitate a company’s record-keeping capabilities.
In addition to the virtual reality courses, railroads can access training on Part 214 roadway workplace safety, drug and alcohol reasonable suspicion training and post-accident toxicological testing training. There are also a variety of other programs on federal regulations including track safety standards, railroad operating rules and freight car safety standards. Click here to view a list of programs currently available in the LMS.
For more information about enrolling in the LMS program or to schedule an online demonstration, please contact ASLRRA’s Sabrina Waiss.
Sarah Yurasko traveled to Chicago to moderate a panel titled “Safety and Security” at the Women in Rail conference hosted by industry publications Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures. The panel, which discussed rail safety and security topics affecting passenger and freight operations, included Julia Leone, PhD, of the Short Line Safety Institute.
ASLRRA's Sarah Yurasko (at podium) moderated a panel featuring SLSI's Dr. Julia Leone (seated, first from left) at the Women in Rail Conference.
This webinar includes an introduction to Operation Clean Sweep (OCS), of which ASLRRA is an official supporting member. 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
Unlike some live events, ASLRRA members will never be denied access to the recorded webinar content they need because registration is full. Members can view our most popular webinars at any time, from any place, through our On-Demand Webinar Library. Look for some of our most-viewed recordings, such as:
Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
Ohio is updating its State of Ohio Rail Plan, and the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has invited stakeholders to complete a survey providing feedback on rail in the state.
Ohio, like other states, is required to update its state plan at least every four years. Maintaining a state plan enables states to remain competitive for federal grant opportunities. According to the ORDC, the survey asks the public to offer feedback on several areas, namely “the current state of the rail network in Ohio, the importance of the rail network to them, and any concerns they may have as well as priorities they would like to see the State of Ohio pursue.”
The survey is available here, and a copy of the 2019 State of Ohio Rail Plan is here.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Rail Share event takes place in two weeks in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition to federal agency representatives and representatives from Class I railroads and labor, speakers at Rail Share will include ASLRRA’s JR Gelnar, Mark Vaughn of ASLRRA member Iowa Northern Railway and Katie Inouye of ASLRRA associate business member Spark TS.
The event is free for attendees, but registration is required. A link to register can be found here, along with hotel information. The FRA has also published an agenda, which can be found here.
The two-day meeting will bring together rail industry professionals, regulators and safety experts to discuss issues related to two main areas, “safety success through training and proactive safety methods for modern railroading.” Listed in the agenda are presentations focused on training best practices, safety risk identification and mitigation and more.
Progressive Railroading magazine announced a new recognition program called Women of Influence in Rail and is inviting nominations from industry professionals.
The Women of Influence in Rail awards will recognize those “who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, mentorship, technological advancements and sustainability efforts within the rail sector.” Women can win an award in one of five categories, leadership, innovation, mentorship, technology and sustainability.
Organizations can nominate one person per category. Women who work for “North American Class Is, short lines, regionals, passenger railroads and rail industry suppliers, contractors, product manufacturers or engineering firms that contract with railroads” are eligible.
Nominations are due Dec. 31. Click here for more information and to complete a nomination form.
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.
