Correction: A speaker in the video provided in the Legislative section of the Jan. 21, 2026, issue of Views & News was incorrectly identified. The individual pictured was Tracy Alves of Modesto & Empire Traction Company. We apologize for the error.
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 excited to announce its first in-person training seminar of the year will take place in March. The Association will hold its Part 219 Drug and Alcohol Training and Designated Employer Representative (DER) Roundtable in Phoenix, Arizona from March 24 to 26.
This popular training seminar provides an in-depth review of all sections of Part 219, including requirements for railroads and contractors. Attendees will also have an opportunity to engage in interactive discussion of rule requirements and practices with peers from across the country. Presenters include both ASLRRA’s subject-matter experts and experts from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The third day of the seminar features a roundtable discussion for short line railroad DERs. There will be presentations and discussions meant to foster an environment where DERs can openly discuss unique challenges, share best practices and expand their professional network.
Click here to view the planned 2026 training schedule. ASLRRA continues to finalize the 2026 training seminar schedule and will update its website with registration links and other details as they become available.
ASLRRA has a limited number of scholarships available to help employees of small railroads attend Association seminars like the Part 219 Drug & Alcohol Training. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be submitted now for future attendance at an ASLRRA event. Follow the link above to learn about available scholarships and submit an application.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a final rule concerning reflectorization of rail freight rolling stock. The rule, which went into effect yesterday, codifies waivers and removes an outdated implementation schedule. ASLRRA is pleased with this new rule, as it provides regulatory flexibility for short line railroads.
The reflectorization rule, 49 CFR Part 224, sets minimum safety requirements to help motor vehicle operators see rail freight rolling stock at night and in poor visibility conditions. This final rule would codify two waivers, one excluding rail freight rolling stock used only for tourist, historic, excursion, educational, recreational, or private (THEERP) purposes, except for incidental freight service; and one allowing the use of a performance-based method to determine when to replace reflectorization sheeting.
For the latter waiver, railroads had previously been required to replace reflectorization sheeting every 10 years, even though sheeting can continue to perform effectively beyond the 10-year mark. The FRA now allows alternative evaluation of sheeting but continues to retain the 10-year replacement cycle as an option. Small railroads with limited equipment may still prefer the time-based approach.
By publishing this final rule, the FRA eliminates the need for railroads to submit waiver petitions and request waiver extensions every five years. The FRA will also no longer need to review and approve waiver petition and extension requests.
On Jan. 21, ASLRRA’s government affairs team hosted a Lunch & Learn event for legislative assistants who work in the offices of House representatives who are not yet cosponsors of H.R. 516, the short line freight rail tax credit modernization bill.
The event is a new effort by the Association to connect with congressional staff on important short line industry issues. Representative Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) presented opening remarks and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker gave a presentation on the history and economic importance of the 45G tax credit. Thompson originally introduced H.R. 516 with Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pa.).
There are currently 141 House cosponsors of H.R. 516, including four who joined this month: Representatives Bonne Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), John Rose (R-Tenn.), Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) and Nicholas Langworthy (R-N.Y.).
ASLRRA will continue to advocate for passage of the tax credit modernization bill in both the House and Senate. The bill will also be a topic of discussion during Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, when freight rail representatives and stakeholders will travel to Washington, D.C. to speak with elected officials and their staff about industry priorities.
More information about the 45G Tax Credit, its impact and who has cosponsored can be found in the Advocacy section of the website.
The Association encourages its members to participate in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, which offers them a chance to connect with lawmakers and provide first-hand accounts of how federal policies can support a robust freight industry. Click here to learn more about Railroad Day on Capitol Hill or click here to register.
ASLRRA has a very limited number of rooms still available in a room block at one Washington, D.C. hotel. Rooms in the second hotel have already sold out. Click here to reserve event lodging.
Sponsorships are also still available for Railroad Day. Click here to learn more or contact the meetings team to become a sponsor.
Representative Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) gave opening remarks at ASLRRA's House 45G Lunch & Learn event for legislative assistants. Thompson was one of the representatives who originally introduced H.R. 516, the short line freight rail tax credit modernization bill.
The Senate is in session this week while the House remains in recess, with lawmakers focused on finding a path forward on fiscal year (FY) 2026 appropriations before the current continuing resolution expires on Jan. 30.
Last week, the House passed and sent a FY 2026 appropriations minibus to the Senate that includes six appropriations bills covering the Departments of Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and Transportation and Housing and Urban Development (THUD). That package provides, in addition to the $1 billion available for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program in the final year of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) through advance appropriations, an additional $137.4 million for new CRISI grants. Of that amount, $87.4 million is designated for congressionally directed spending (special projects), with the remaining $50 million reserved for competitive grants.
The Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) program does not receive any new discretionary funding in FY 2026, however, $600 million remains available through IIJA advance appropriations. In positive news for short lines, the Short Line Safety Institute would receive a total of $2.75 million in FY 2026, consisting of $2.5 million in base funding plus an additional $250,000 in new funding for the maintenance of its safety train.
The package also includes the funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The DHS funding bill passed the House by a much slimmer margin, amid nationwide protests and political backlash tied to aggressive federal immigration enforcement actions. Those developments have intensified pressure on Democratic senators, who are now saying they will not vote to advance the appropriations package as currently structured unless changes are made to the Homeland Security bill.
There are signs that Senate leaders are considering options to address those concerns, including removing the Homeland Security bill from the minibus or revising its terms. If the Senate strips the DHS component and alters it, the minibus will likely need to return to the House for approval, and the House is not scheduled to return before the current funding deadline.
Without an agreement by Jan. 30, parts of the federal government could face a partial shutdown beginning Friday. Negotiations remain fluid, and lawmakers from both parties are weighing how to balance funding priorities with the highly charged political dynamics around immigration enforcement.
Integrity Testing and Safety Administrators is a leading nationwide third-party administrator specializing in customized drug and alcohol testing and DOT-required previous employer background check services backed by over 50 years of leadership experience. They are committed to integrity and accuracy, providing expert guidance and federally mandated solutions to ensure workplace safety for organizations of all sizes. ITSA’s mission is to deliver dependable, value driven programs that promote regulatory compliance and informed hiring. Sam Noe, ITSA’s new director of regulatory compliance, is our primary contact. Noe’s prior experience with the FRA’s Drug and Alcohol Program and work with the railroad industry helps ITSA provide services specific to railroads and their contractors. Contact Sam at snoe@integritytesting.net or 586-991-0000 Ext 1014.
Ontario Trap Rock, a division of the Tomlinson Group of Companies, operates a specialty aggregate quarry near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. The 1,000-acre site holds over 80 million tons of high-quality diabase, more commonly known as trap rock. Ontario Trap Rock’s material is currently used throughout the Great Lakes region and meets AREMA specifications.
To provide an in-depth look at some of the issues most important to railroaders, ASLRRA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition offers mechanical super sessions, longer education sessions that focus more time on key topics, and four education sessions focused on mechanical and maintenance-of-way professionals.
Industry experts will be at the conference to discuss other engineering and maintenance-of-way topics. Representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will focus on records reviews, as well as give an update on the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance of Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee. ASLRRA member representatives will also discuss their experiences with streamlined environmental permitting and rapid natural disaster recovery.
View a complete list of all education offerings here. Click here to register for the conference, which takes place April 12 to 14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
ASLRRA’s Engineering Committee and Mechanical Committee will meet in person during the Annual Conference. Railroading professionals interested in learning more about the work of the Association in these areas should consider attending these meetings. A complete list of committee meetings, including any attendance restrictions, can be found here.
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.
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.
The Exhibit Hall will feature more than 200 exhibits, and is 90% sold out! If your company would like to have an opportunity to showcase their offerings, do not delay in securing a spot. 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.
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.
Employee recruitment and retention can be a challenge for small railroads, especially when it comes to filling key frontline roles. Fortunately, ASLRRA members have access to cutting-edge pre-hire talent assessments provided by Aon, a trusted ASLRRA Preferred Provider.
Years of analysis of candidate pre-hire assessment data and training and retention records demonstrate Aon’s proven ability to help railroads find and keep top talent, including in conductor positions. Aon has created optimal candidate profiles to predict short- and long-term success for conductor hires, helping identify those who not only excel in safety and performance but who also commit to long-term growth with the railroad.
Aon provides a significant return on investment (ROI) for its clients. Analysis has shown that those who score top marks on Aon’s conductor pre-hire assessment, known as high-fit candidates, qualify and stay with the railroad one year after being hired at a rate almost 20 points higher than those considered low-fit candidates based on the assessment. Two years post-hire, these high-fit candidates are still retained at a rate over 12 points higher than others.
These first-class hiring solutions are available to ASLRRA members through the Association’s Member Discount Program. To learn more, reach out to Aon's rail sector leader Michael DeNunzio at michael.denunzio@aon.com or log in to view Aon’s Member Discount Program page.
More states have announced grant funding awards for freight rail infrastructure projects, many of which will go to ASLRRA member railroads.
In North Carolina, the N.C. Department of Transportation's Rail Division will award $16.3 million to 12 short line railroads and the Port of Morehead City through the Freight Rail & Rail Crossing Safety Improvement (FRRCSI) program. Eleven of the 12 short lines receiving grants are ASLRRA members. An ASLRRA member, Carolina Coastal Railway, also provides switching services at the Port of Morehead City, which received funding for two rail projects.
FRRCSI funding will help these North Carolina railroads complete a number of improvements, including upgrading track and grade crossings, making bridge repairs, replacing rail and more. The ASLRRA members receiving funding are:
In Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced nearly $53 million in grant awards made through the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
The funding, awarded to railroads, shippers, economic development agencies and ports, will support 30 rail freight improvement projects. With their funding, 16 ASLRRA members will replace ties and jointed rail, rehabilitate bridges, improve grade crossings, construct new track, upgrade turnouts and more. The members receiving funding are:
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved funding for three railroads to complete safety upgrades at rail crossings. Two of the three railroads are ASLRRA members.
ASLRRA member Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway will install flashing lights and gates at a crossing in Harrison County, while Ashland Railway will also install flashing lights and gates at a crossing in Ashland County.
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: Louisville and Indiana Railroad Company (LIRC)
Fiscal Year: 2023/2024
CRISI Grant: $6,492,000
Local Match: $6,492,000 (50%)
Total Project Cost: $ 12,984,000
This project will complete sheave, trunnion, and bearing replacements on the Fourteenth Street Bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Louisville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Indiana. Replacement of these assemblies has become necessary due to the age of the existing components and to replace a failing piece of equipment. The bridge is over 100 years old, and this project will increase the lifespan of the existing structure by a minimum of 50 years.
Notable Quotes
“Ports of Indiana is fully supportive of the project and is confident that it will have a dramatic impact on improving the long-term safety and efficiency of the railroad’s operation. As a statewide port authority, Ports of Indiana depends on robust infrastructure connections by rail, road, river, and the Great Lakes. LIRC provides critical rail service to our Jeffersonville port and many other industries in the area. LIRC’s operations are vital to Indiana’s economy, and we strongly support its effort to secure funding for this important project.”
Jody Peacock, Chief Executive Officer, Ports of Indiana
Recordings of ASLRRA’s January webinars, including the popular 2025 wrap-up with presenter Tony Hatch, are now available in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar Library.
The newest recorded webinars are “Managing CRISI Projects from Announcement to Completion: Tips and Tricks from the Railroad Perspective,” “Scouts of America – Railroad Merit Badge” and “2025 Railroad Industry Economic Wrap-Up and the Year Ahead.” Recordings include audience Q&A after the presentations, and presentation materials from these webinars are also available for download.
Members can log in to access these webinar recordings at any time. Follow the link above to view the January 2026 webinars or to browse the over 200 other recordings available in ASLRRA’s online library.
ASLRRA maintains an industry calendar featuring events that may be of interest to members. If you have an industry event you would like included on the calendar and possibly in Views & News, please send relevant event details and links to Mariel Takamura for consideration.
Entries are due Feb. 5 for Railway Age magazine’s Short Line Railroad of the Year and Regional Railroad of the Year awards. Railway Age presents the awards at ASLRRA’s Annual Conference and Exhibition, held this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota from April 12 to 14.
Railroads are recognized for their outstanding achievement in one or a combination of areas. All small railroads in the U.S., Canada and Mexico are eligible for the awards. In addition to being recognized at ASLRRA’s Annual Conference, winners will also be featured in the magazine’s March issue. Follow the link above to learn more about the award and access a nomination form.
On March 19 the Keystone State Railroad Association (KSRRA) will hold a day-long Railroad Derailment Readiness for Leaders training event in Milton, Pennsylvania.
The event will cover several aspects related to derailments and derailment response. There will also be representatives from the Federal Railroad Administration and CBIZ McRail to talk about reporting and insurance requirements.
Event seating is limited. Use the link above to learn more and register for the event.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
