Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad getting green makeover
Reading & Northern Railroad expanding Bike Train schedule
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.
Today is the last day to register for ASLRRA’s 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition at early bird rates. Secure your spot at the short line railroad industry’s premier event before the cost increases tomorrow!
ASLRRA is excited to welcome keynote speakers Katie Farmer, president and CEO of BNSF, and David Fink, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
Attendees can learn from industry- and subject-matter experts about important rail industry issues, from technology to human resources to marketing, and earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits for legal sessions at no additional cost. There will be multiple networking opportunities in the exhibit hall and a closing reception at Topgolf that is free for railroad members.
For those also needing to book a room for the event, ASLRRA has room blocks in three hotels within walking distance of the convention center. Click here to view available hotels. Do not wait to book lodging as rooms at one hotel have already sold out.
The Association also continues to sell event sponsorships, though there are only a few sponsorship opportunities still available at each price point. Click here to learn more.
A limited number of exhibit hall booths are also still available. Click here to learn more or submit an interest form. Individuals can also contact the meetings team to ask a question about sponsorships or booth sales.
ASLRRA has posted an update to its Part 217 resources. Members can now access an updated Model Program – Efficiency Testing Program Guide that they can use to comply with 49 CFR Part 217, which covers railroad operating rules.
The model program can be found in the Compliance Templates section of ASLRRA’s website, listed under Part 217 (Railroad Operating Rules). Template programs are one of the many benefits available to Association railroad members. Some programs are also available to associate business members.
ASLRRA, with help from its committees, continually evaluates and updates its compliance resources to assist railroads in these areas. Those with questions should contact ASLRRA’s JR Gelnar.
Interested in obtaining access to these Compliance Templates? Click here to join ASLRRA.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it will reestablish the charter of the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC).
The RSAC was established in 1996 to develop new regulatory standards through a collaborative process and advise the FRA on matters related to railroad safety. ASLRRA has represented the interests of short line railroads in the RSAC process since its inception and welcomes the return of the committee.
Other members of the committee have traditionally represented the railroad industry’s major stakeholders. This includes railroads, labor organizations, suppliers and manufacturers.
The RSAC was disbanded in August 2025 along with several other federal safety advisory committees in various agencies. This new announcement says the charter renewal will be effective for two years from the date it is filed with Congress.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to repeal 49 CFR Part 1144, which governs the STB’s authority to prescribe reciprocal switching agreements, through routes and through rates.
Comments on the proposed rule are due March 10, with reply comments due April 24. ASLRRA is reviewing the rule and plans to submit comments to the docket.
In repealing the rule, the STB would use a case-by-case approach to evaluate through routes, through rates and reciprocal switching agreements according to applicable statutory standards. According to a press release issued by the STB, the NPRM would “streamline the path for shippers to obtain competitive access before the Board, bringing the agency’s approach more closely in line with statutory intent.”
Most minimum random testing rates for covered railroad employees will not change in calendar year 2026, according to the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) notice of determination that was published and went into effect on Jan. 8.
The only change is to the alcohol testing rate for mechanical employees, which will be lowered to 10%. The testing rate for mechanical employees will remain at 50% for drugs.
Drug and alcohol testing rates for covered service employees and maintenance-of-way (MOW) employees will remain at 25% for drugs and 10% for alcohol in 2026.
Testing rates are determined based on the last two complete calendar years of railroad industry drug and alcohol program data. The FRA notes that these are minimum rates and railroad carriers and contractors can conduct FRA random testing at higher rates.
More information about how the FRA determined this year’s rates can be found in the agency’s notice linked above.
Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is on March 4, and registration is key to helping ASLRRA secure meetings with members of Congress and their offices. This is an important opportunity to speak in person with elected officials and policymakers about the importance of our industry and how decisions made in Washington, D.C. affect railroads and railroaders nationwide.
Hotel rates are high in Washington at this busy time of year. Those who are planning to travel to our nation’s capital to participate in Railroad Day are encouraged to reserve lodging in one of two room blocks available at nearby hotels. There are limited rooms remaining at the discounted rate. Click here to find hotel links. The reservation cutoff date is Feb. 2.
Click here to register for Railroad Day. Attendees can sign up to participate only in meetings, in meetings and an evening reception or the evening reception only.
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) has passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. The bill will now go to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
CORCA would strengthen law enforcement’s ability to combat organized retail crime, which includes cargo theft on railroads. This includes strengthening investigative resources for law enforcement and enabling increased agency collaboration to develop a cohesive anti-crime strategy and share resources.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) strongly supports the bill, as cargo theft has cost the freight rail industry over $100 million in 2024 alone.
Diversified Service Partners (DSP) is based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and provides a wide range of services to the railroad industry. They specialize in on-site and off-site demolition, transportation, environmental services and abatement. DSP is also permitted to place decommissioned stock on sea floors for coral reef rejuvenation projects. Our primary contact and CEO of Diversified Service Partners, Robert Carter, can be reached at (954) 809-9494.
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.
Both Kentucky and New York recently awarded grants for various railroad projects, several of which will go to ASLRRA members.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced nearly $3 million would go to railroads and local governments through two state programs. Paducah and Louisville Railway (P&L) and R. J. Corman will each receive funding from the Kentucky Rail Crossing Improvement (KRCI) program. P&L will upgrade three crossings with $776,831 in grant money, while R. J. Corman will upgrade signals and lights at two crossings with $455,554.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $101 million awarded through the Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP) will support 25 rail and port projects throughout the state. Of those 25 awards, seven will go to ASLRRA members or to county industrial development agencies (IDAs) working on projects with members. Funding will help railroads make infrastructure upgrades, improve crossings, connect customers to rail and more.
A list of Association members receiving or benefiting from PFRAP funding, as well as the amount received, is below.
This section highlights ASLRRA members that have received Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants, showcasing the importance of this funding and how benefits reach beyond the railroad itself.
If your railroad has received a CRISI grant and would like to submit information for this section please complete our online form.
Project Facts
Railroad: Appalachian and Ohio Railroad (AO)
Fiscal Year: 2022
CRISI Grant: $19,442,500
Local Match: $15,907,500 (45%)
Total Project Cost: $35,350,000
The project will rehabilitate nine aging and deteriorating tunnels, complete various track-related improvements and rehabilitate and make emissions-oriented and safety improvements to A&O's fleet of locomotives. This work will help upgrade A&O’s infrastructure to a state of good repair, allowing A&O to provide efficient, safe, and reliable freight service, which has a direct connection to CSX Transportation.
Notable Quotes
"Arch's subsidiary Leer South, located in Philippi, WV, is reliant on the A&O rail line to move our product to our metallurgical customers globally. Reliable locomotives and well-maintained and operable infrastructure are critical to our success. The project is important to Arch to ensure business continuity at our operation."
Arch Resources Support Letter
Last week, Chuck Baker attended the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) Annual Conference and NRC-REMSA (Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association) Exhibition. Also at the event were Amy Westerman and Lauren Schlechte, who staffed an ASLRRA booth in the exhibition hall.
This week, JR Gelnar attended the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Hazmat Committee meeting on the CN campus in Homewood, Illinois. The committee discussed various hazmat topics including real-time consist reporting.
Amy Krouse and Jo Strang attended the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) 2026 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Krouse spoke on a panel titled “Understanding the Economic Benefits of Freight and Passenger Rail” while Strang spoke on two panels, one titled “Advancing Rail and Transit Safety Management Systems: Lessons, Tools, and Future Directions” and another titled "Breaking Down Barriers to Efficient Rail Transportation.” Krouse also represents short line railroads as a member of TRB’s Freight Rail Transportation and Supply Chain Reliability Committee (AR-013).
Jo Strang (third from left) sits on her first of two panels at the TRB Annual Meeting.
Today and tomorrow, Chuck Baker will attend the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) 2026 Winter Meeting in Schaumburg, Illinois. He will moderate a short line panel discussion featuring ASLRRA member leaders.
Later this week, Fred Oelsner will travel to Atlanta, Georgia to attend a meeting of AAR’s Geographic Information System (GIS) Committee.
Join us for an exciting conversation as the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) team reveals its partnership with the Scouts of America to bring the Railroad Merit Badge to Merit Badge University students! This initiative allows high schoolers to dive into rail safety, operations, and career paths in the rail industry. Discover the journey behind their sponsorship and newfound partnership with the Scouts of America.
Speakers: Chasity Rojas, Assistant Director HR/Talent Acquisition, IAIS and Tom Meirhoff, Director Rules and Operating Practices, IAIS
Join Tony Hatch of ABH Consulting for a review of 2025 railroad industry highlights and a discussion of what’s ahead in 2026. We will block 90 minutes for this session to allow ample time for audience questions following the presentation.
Presented by Tony Hatch, ABH Consulting
Q&A moderated by Chuck Baker, President, ASLRRA
The Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) team discusses Safety Action Plans and provides steps on how to develop one. A Safety Action Plan is a living document that tracks your safety performance, manages your safety programs, and outlines your future safety goals. Whether you don't know where to begin or have already developed one and have specific questions, SLSI's "Ask the Experts" is here to be your resource to keep safety on track.
Speakers: Sam Cotton, Director of Safety Culture Programs, SLSI; Julia Leone, PhD, Assistant Director of Research and Organizational Development, SLSI; Karen Adams, Safety Culture Assessor, SLSI
Progressive Railroading magazine is welcoming nominations for its annual Rising Stars Awards, a program that recognizes up-and-coming leaders in railroading.
The nomination deadline is February 27. Nominees must be younger than 40 as of Sept. 1, 2026 and work in the North American rail industry. A nomination form is available here. The 25 winners will be recognized at a celebration this summer and featured in Progressive Railroading’s September issue.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
