Federal grant eases Commerce Street crossing issues (Grenada Railroad)
TNW Corporation Subsidiary Railroads Receive Federal Grants
OmniTRAX Adds Third P&G Manufacturing Plant to National Rail Network
R. J. Corman Railroad Group Awarded Two CRISI Grants for Major Rail Improvement Projects
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.
Veterans Day is one day in November, but many of ASLRRA’s members work to honor U.S. service members year round. These efforts include volunteering with and raising funding for veterans organizations; participating in or supporting military training and exercises; recruiting and hiring veterans; and mentoring or providing training and internship opportunities to transitioning military members.
One of the most public ways short lines express their gratitude for members of the U.S. military is through specially painted locomotives.
ASLRRA member parent company North Shore Railroad Company and Affiliates (NSHR) spent two years designing and painting their commemorative locomotives, which NSHR unveiled in May. NSHR decorated two units, LVRR 9052, the Veterans Unit, and LVRR 9050, the Veterans Unit, in consultation with a team of employees that included veterans and veterans’ families.
Though NSHR’s military units are generally used in freight service, the company used them for passenger excursions for the first time on Nov. 9, at a Veterans Day event that raised money for two veterans organizations, Expedition Orange and Lycoming County Hometown Heroes. NSHR donated all ticket sales to the organizations, as well as money raised from items raffled off during the event.
Other railroads who show support through military tribute locomotives include member parent company Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. (G&W), which unveiled some new designs on Monday, Florida East Coast Railway, Lake State Railway, the Indiana Rail Road, Aberdeen, Carolina & Western Railway and Louisville & Indiana Railroad Company (LIRC).
Beyond their locomotives, LIRC has made helping veterans an important part of the company’s community service efforts. Every year, LIRC participates in service projects benefitting veterans. They have sponsored the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Bass Tournament and veteran golf outings for the Indiana USO. LIRC employees have also helped veterans in their community through PVA, assisting with home improvement projects, landscaping and general repairs.
“It’s our way of saying thank you for your service,” said LIRC President John Goldman. “It’s really just about doing the right thing.”
Because rail continues to be an important component of national security and military readiness, some short lines support military units and their training exercises. This year, for the first time, the Alaska Railroad participated in the U.S. Army Alaska’s largest annual Arctic-readiness exercise, helping move a convoy of vehicles and equipment 400 miles from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to Fort Wainwright, Alaska in minus 20 degrees.
Other railroads assist with military exercises in their states, and some like LIRC provide resources to enable military and National Guard members to conduct training on skills like loading and securing equipment on railcars.
Implementing initiatives to recruit, mentor and train veterans and service members is another focus for short lines. Railroads and parent companies work to attract veterans by participating in military job fairs and developing strong relationships with transition offices on nearby military installations and veteran employment organizations in their regions.
But hiring veterans is not the sole end goal for short lines. Many of these companies and their employees help mentor service members looking for new jobs after a career in the military, whether or not they end up in railroading. Railroads like LIRC have participated in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, which allows active-duty members to intern with public- and private-sector organizations during their last 180 days of service. In addition, G&W is a corporate partner of veteran and spouse mentor program American Corporate Partners (ACP) and G&W Recruiting Manager Joseph Ciufo serves as an ACP veteran mentor.
Once they hire veterans, though, short lines work hard to honor their service. A number of ASLRRA members have been recognized as military friendly companies, including LIRC and parent companies G&W and Watco. Other companies have received recognition through the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program and signed the ESGR pledge to support employees who are also National Guard members or reservists.
Other efforts to recognize military veteran employees include profiles in company newsletters and on social media, special Veterans Day events, military-themed gifts and more. This year, for example, parent company TNW Corporation made custom sweatshirts for its veteran employees and individual railroads held celebrations complete with treats like cake and cookies.
When reflecting on his military service and railroad career, Air Force veteran and TNW Manager, Safety and Operating Practices Jacob Noe said, “It was a very easy transition from the military to the railroad; they shared many of the same values. I was successful at every turn in all my different roles as a railroader. That can all be attributed to the strong foundation that the military gave me early on. When I came to TNW it was the perfect alignment. The TNW core values of integrity, safety, servant leadership, and quality were already part of who I was.”
The connection between railroads and the U.S. military has been strong since some of the earliest days of U.S. history. ASLRRA’s members continue to nurture that bond in myriad ways, fostering relationships that aim to benefit all involved.
Left: A team from Louisville & Indiana Railroad Company, including (L to R) Doug Wolfe, Anthony Ritchie, Karen Walker, Ryan Barbato, Nick Adams, Jeremy Kramer, Will Brock and John Goldman participated in a service project with Paralyzed Veterans of America to help with landscaping and other home improvement tasks. Not pictured: Jon Jordan, Dan Watson and Mike Gary. Center: Kramer, Goldman, Brock and Barbato use a wood chipper to help clear downed trees on the veteran's property. Right: Members of the Indiana National Guard at Camp Atterbury participate in rail load out training using railcars and equipment provided by LIRC. (Photos courtesy of LIRC)
Left: North Shore Railroad Company held a raffle fundraiser at its Veterans Day event, with all proceeds going to two veterans organizations. Center: NSHR put its two military tribute locomotives into passenger service for the first time for its Veterans Day event. Ticket sale proceeds also benefitted veterans organizations. Right: Expedition Orange, an organization bringing awareness to Vietnam veterans and their families, was one of the beneficiaries of NSHR's fundraising efforts. (Photos courtesy of NSHR)
Left: TNW Corporation gave its military veteran employees custom sweatshirts and challenge coins in honor of Veterans Day. Texas Rock Crusher Railway employees and Army veterans (L to R) Jonathon P., Alex R., James F. hold up their gifts. Right: Military veteran employees at TNW Corporation's railroads were celebrated on Veterans Day with gifts and cake. Texas North Western Railway employees (L to R) Tim C., Tim F. and Clayton F. are pictured at TXNW's event. (Photos courtesy of TNW Corporation)
Many ASLRRA members demonstrate their commitment to veterans and military service members, and ASLRRA honors one of its members every year with the Veterans Engagement Award. The award is one of three bestowed on ASLRRA member companies at the Association’s Annual Conference. The nomination period for these awards opens today. All nominations for these company awards are due Jan. 10.
This award honors industry employers who demonstrate positive policies toward U.S. veterans and who implement unique programs and practices to hire, recognize, support, and engage with veterans in the workplace and the broader community. Last year’s winner, Watco, was recognized for its many efforts in this arena, including the hiring of a dedicated military and veteran recruiter, work with military Transition Assistance Program offices, recognition of military veteran employees and support for veterans organizations.
Click here to view Veterans Engagement Award criteria, or click here to complete a nomination form.
The Business Development Awards
This award recognizes Class II and III ASLRRA-member railroads that have designed and enacted the most innovative and successful business-building initiatives in the small railroad industry. ASLRRA selects multiple winners each year. In 2024, the Indiana Rail Road Company was recognized for completion of an intermodal hub that enabled the railroad to offer customers an all-rail option for moving freight to and from Indiana via West Coast ports. The Indiana & Ohio Railway was honored for its work connecting North Star BlueScope Recycling with sister company North Star BlueScope Steel by rail, reducing road congestion and truck accidents in the area and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. And Mission Mountain Railroad came back from the brink of closure by identifying and capitalizing on an opportunity to ship lumber from Canada directly to markets in Texas and Arizona.
Click here to view the Business Development Award criteria, or click here to complete a nomination form.
This award goes to a Class II or III ASLRRA-member railroad that has designed and enacted an innovative and successful environmental initiative, such as reducing its own carbon footprint or helping a customer do the same. The 2024 Environmental Award winner was Sierra Northern Railway, recognized for its work to move agricultural products in California by rail instead of truck, reducing emissions and air pollution. Sierra Northern is also working to be the first to build and operate a zero-emission hydrogen fuel-cell switching locomotive.
Click here to view the Environmental Award criteria, or click here to complete a nomination form.
Sierra Northern Railway President Kennan Beard III (far left) accepts the ASLRRA Environmental Award from Environmental Committee Chair Sean Strong during the 2024 Annual Conference General Session.
ASLRRA staff is working diligently to evaluate and prepare responses to a number of proposed rulemakings and other regulatory issues from federal agencies that may affect the short line railroad industry. Based on initial evaluation of these rules, ASLRRA staff believes several stand to have a significant impact on short line operations.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a notice of information collection with comments due Dec. 3. The notice of information collection would affect the forms FRA requires as part of its grant management work. The FRA has also issued three other notices of proposed rulemaking (NPRMs) with comment periods that close within ten days of each other later in December:
Given the burden that responding to these three NPRMs simultaneously presents to ASLRRA and its members, ASLRRA filed an extension request in each docket on Nov. 13.
An NPRM published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would establish requirements for employers to protect employees from heat and mandate employers create plans to measure and control workplace heat hazards. Comments are due Dec. 30. ASLRRA previously filed supplementary comments last year after OSHA convened a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has also issued an NPRM that ASLRRA staff is evaluating. PHMSA’s NPRM would change rules concerning the transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) as defined in the Hazardous Materials Regulations.
And a proposed rule from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) would establish cyber risk management and reporting requirements for some surface transportation owners and operators, including certain freight railroads.
ASLRRA has updated forms in its online resource section concerning Part 240, engineer certification and Part 242, conductor certification.
For the sections, the Association has updated the hearing and vision form and combined and updated the field vision instructions and form. These forms are available to members, and were designed to help them comply with federal regulations. Members can find them in the Compliance Templates section of ASLRRA’s Safety and Compliance webpage.
ASLRRA President Chuck Baker and ASLRRA member representatives spoke recently with industry publications about the announcement of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants and the program’s impact on the short line freight rail industry.
In an interview with Trains magazine, Baker called CRISI “a real godsend” to short lines, noting the program makes significant funding available for bigger infrastructure projects that otherwise “is not realistically achievable for most short lines in a normal course of business.”
Since CRISI was established in 2017, short lines have received approximately $2.6 billion to help fund over 220 projects that can involve replacing old bridges, upgrading miles of track and procuring more environmentally friendly equipment. The benefit of this funding for the rural and small towns served by many short lines is often easy for residents to see, as improvements attract more business, support additional jobs, ease congestion on roads, eliminate railroad crossings and more. This direct line from federal appropriations to grant awards to project completion is a “fulfilling virtuous cycle” that leads “to the satisfaction of all stakeholders – regulators, lawmakers, shippers, railroads, and communities.”
An article on Progressive Railroading’s RailPrime website interviews Baker and those from ASLRRA member railroads, highlighting the specific ways CRISI grants will help these members complete crucial projects.
First-time CRISI grant recipient Manning Rail Inc. will use their award to rehabilitate a rail line and restore transload services to the company’s grain elevator facility, enabling local farmers to expand the market for their products. In California, Trona Railway Company will be able to replace six older locomotives with three more efficient, Tier 4 versions.
ASLRRA’s Vice President, Data, Technology and Security Fred Oelsner also discussed the CRISI grant the Association received, which will help ASLRRA and project partner Wi-Tronix install advanced digital onboard locomotive systems on member locomotives across the country. This enables ASLRRA to improve data collection and analysis and help members improve fuel efficiency and streamline operations.
During the current lame-duck session of Congress, lawmakers are busy with tasks related to the transition, including conducting orientations for new members and preparing for the 119th Congress.
Other important work for this session includes finalizing Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) appropriations. The current continuing resolution, which keeps federal government spending at FY24 levels, will expire Dec. 20. Congress must pass a budget or another continuing resolution by that date to prevent a government shutdown.
Congress must also take up the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which specifies the annual budget and spending for the U.S. Department of Defense. Filed to the NDAA is a “manager’s package” of 93 amendments that includes the Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act, which would permanently end mandated cuts to railroad workers' unemployment and sickness insurance benefits.
On Nov. 21 the House Homeland Security Committee's Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee will hold a roundtable on the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) cybersecurity directives and the recent cyber risk management proposed rule. ASLRRA's Fred Oelsner will participate.
ASLRRA staff will continue working through the transition to advocate for industry priorities, such as the 45G short line railroad tax credit modernization, short line disaster relief and robust appropriations for key funding programs. Once the new Congress meets in January and the new administration is in place, ASLRRA will meet with key officials and work to introduce freshman lawmakers to the short line industry.
Today is the last day to register for ASLRRA’s 2025 Annual Conference and Exhibition at last year’s early bird rates.
Conference attendees will have the opportunity to attend engaging education sessions, hear from industry-leading keynote speakers, network with hundreds of railroaders, suppliers and stakeholders and honor multiple award winners.
As individuals register to join fellow railroaders in Denver, Colorado from April 6 to 8, ASLRRA continues to welcome organizations interested in sponsoring the event and/or exhibiting in the conference Expo Hall. Booth sales in the Expo Hall are already off to a strong start, with over 160 spots reserved. There are also many opportunities to sponsor the conference at different levels to fit different budgets.
Click here to learn more about procuring an exhibit booth. Click here to learn about sponsorship opportunities. Any company wanting to be an exhibitor or sponsor must also be an ASLRRA member. Contact Kathy Keeney with questions regarding becoming an ASLRRA member, conference exhibitor or conference sponsor.
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.
The only way to register for events is through ASLRRA communications and its website. Likewise, the only way to book a hotel room in ASLRRA’s room block at special rates is by using links provided on the Association’s website or by contacting the hotel directly using information and codes from ASLRRA.
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.
Rail Safe Training offers unparalleled expertise in the railroad industry through comprehensive online and onsite safety training services. Their instructors held careers as locomotive engineers, switchmen, yardmasters, track inspectors, track repair professionals, track designers, FRA instructors, and supervisors. Rail Safe's services include training programs in industrial operations, motive power, hazardous loading/unloading, mentorship and rules compliance, risk assessments, and track inspections. Learn more: info@railsafetraining.com or (712) 212-4145.
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.
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.
Chuck Baker will attend the 2024 RailTrends conference in New York City this week, participating in an opening-day presentation to discuss the current state of the railroad industry with Railway Association of Canada President and CEO Marc Brazeau and Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies.
Jo Strang will participate in two of the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) groups this week, the train braking modernization working group and the train braking modernization ECP task force, both of which will take place virtually.
Fred Oelsner is attending the Association of American Railroads’ Rail Information Security Committee meeting, which takes place at the Washington, D.C. office of Union Pacific Railroad.
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
In addition to being a supporter of Operation Clean Sweep, which will be discussed in a live webinar tomorrow, ASLRRA is also a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, which helps companies advance supply chain sustainability. ASLRRA has hosted several webinars on the SmartWay program, recordings of which are available at any time online. Look for the following titles in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar library:
Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
Railway Age magazine is accepting nominations for its Fast Trackers 25 Under 40 awards. The awards recognize those who have had a significant impact in their field or at their company.
Nominees must be under the age of 40 as of Jan. 1, 2025 and be located in the United States, Canada or Mexico. Individuals can nominate themselves, and organizations or individuals can submit multiple entries. Nominations are due Jan. 8.
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.
