Andalusia railroad gets new life after two years; chugs new opportunities into area
Pacific Northwest Short Line Looks to Restart Tourist Train
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By Kayden Howard, OmniTRAX Senior Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environmental Programs
Across our portfolio, our railroads experienced very different conditions, ranging from heavy snow and ice to extreme cold, while some properties were not impacted at all. This required localized decision-making supported by consistent, systemwide expectations.
Ahead of the storm, OmniTRAX activated its winter weather preparedness guidelines, which emphasize proactive planning, early communication, and deliberate, risk-based decision-making. As forecasts evolved, properties coordinated closely with customers, adjusted service plans, and, where appropriate, suspended operations to reduce risk.
Precautions included evaluating forecasted temperatures and wind chill, limiting outdoor exposure, staging snow and ice removal resources, clearing switches and walkways ahead of train movements, and delaying or suspending work when access conditions or temperatures created elevated safety concerns.
“In extreme weather, our responsibility is to anticipate risk and act early,” said Kayden Howard, senior vice president of health, safety and environmental programs at OmniTRAX. “That means setting clear expectations across the system, staying closely engaged with our operating teams and supporting decisions to slow down or stop work when conditions warrant it. The goal is to prevent injuries and incidents before they happen, not respond to them after the fact. The well-being of our employees always come first.”
The OmniTRAX East Region experienced some of the most significant impacts, with multiple properties affected by heavy snowfall, ice accumulation and temporary road inaccessibility. In those areas, many employees appropriately remained off duty while conditions were unsafe or customers were shut down. Other operating teams focused on preparing the railroad by clearing switches, crossings, and walkways, maintaining frequent communication with customers and interchange partners and resuming service methodically when conditions allowed it to be done safely.
At the national level, Howard coordinated closely with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). She provided the agency with daily updates regarding the weather’s impact on OmniTRAX’s operations.
“Our teams approached this storm with discipline and good judgment,” said Brian Bennett, OmniTRAX’s regional vice president, East Region. “Our dedicated employees safely worked through very difficult conditions to prepare the railroad, clear critical infrastructure and support our customers where possible, while also looking out for one another. When customers were shut down or conditions were unsafe, we kept people out of unnecessary exposure and focused on being ready to restart service safely and efficiently as soon as conditions improved.”
Across the OmniTRAX portfolio, these efforts helped minimize risk to employees and the public, maintain customer trust and support a safe and orderly return to normal operations as weather conditions stabilized. The storm reinforced the importance of preparation, local expertise and strong coordination when operating our railroads in extreme weather.
ASLRRA asked its members to share their experiences with recent winter storms that have impacted and continue to affect areas across the United States. The Association thanks Howard for contributing this article.
Other railroads interested in contributing stories to ASLRRA can contact Mariel Takamura.
General managers from across the OmniTRAX network submitted photos showing the impact of winter storms on their railroad properties. Featured above are (clockwise from top left) a locomotive pushing through snow piles on the South Branch Valley Railroad, which connects Maryland and West Virginia; a rail facility in Catoosa, Oklahoma; Newburgh & South Shore Railroad's all-battery electric locomotive in Cleveland, Ohio; and Chicago Rail Link waiting on Norfolk Southern traffic to clear at Pullman Junction in Chicago, Illinois.
A Cybersecurity Safety Alert issued by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) warns railroads that power inverters and batteries could contain unexplained communication devices.
According to the alert, unexplained communication devices have been found inside Chinese-made power inverters and batteries. Railroads use these inverter-based resources in “wayside signaling and communication equipment, train stations and depots, yards and maintenance facilities, and specialized locomotives and freight cars.” They can also be used in autonomous equipment such as grade crossings.
Beyond complying with current standards and rules, the FRA advises railroads to treat the equipment like networked operational technology (OT) systems. Actions to take include disabling and removing unused services, enforcing identity management and monitoring for unusual connection activity.
The FRA plans to publish additional cybersecurity safety alerts as needed to advise the railroad industry on cyber vulnerabilities that could affect the safety of rail operating technology. Alerts will be made available on the FRA’s website. ASLRRA has added this safety alert to its Safety Alerts, Reports and Advisories webpage, where similar federal notices are also archived.
The Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) February edition of its monthly Question and Answer (Q&A) series reviews the agency’s performance under its Customer Service Plan.
Each year, the RRB evaluates its ability to meet timeliness standards set in the plan and shares those results publicly. The report covers information from the previous fiscal year, which spans Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.
In fiscal year 2025, the RRB exceeded its timeliness goals for processing railroad retirement annuities. The agency also exceeded its goals for processing survivor annuity applications. For disability annuity applications, the RRB did not meet its timeliness goal. This result, according to the agency, was due to the more complicated nature of disability applications, the processing of which is made more difficult by limited resources, funding constraints and a significant application backlog.
The RRB exceeded goals for processing unemployment benefit applications but fell short of its goal for sickness benefit applications by less than a percentage point. The agency also exceeded its goal for processing subsequent unemployment and sickness claims.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking to encourage more participation in its Chemical Operations Support Specialist (COSS) training program.
A COSS is a subject matter expert in chemical incidents. These individuals assist state and local emergency managers and first responders in chemical incident and emergency planning and response. COSS are also qualified through the National Qualification System and trained to integrate into the Incident Command System.
COSS candidates are expected to already have a strong background in chemical incident response. The target audience for this training includes hazmat technicians, certified industrial hygienists, environmental health specialists, toxicologists, epidemiologists, quantitative risk assessors (qra), transportation safety specialists and chemical specialists. To become a COSS, individuals must first attend a five-day resident course at the Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP).
Those who would like more information can contact FEMA-COSS@fema.dhs.gov to ask questions or submit a resume.
ASLRRA joined 20 other organizations in signing a Jan. 28 letter to House and Senate leaders of several committees urging them to oppose any legislation that would allow heavier, longer trucks on federal highways.
The letter is addressed to lawmakers who are working to finalize their respective versions of the surface transportation reauthorization bill. Both chambers are expected to draft transportation bills by March.
In addition to calling for opposition to legislation increasing maximum truck weight and length limits, the letter also asks officials to oppose legislation that would allow these increases in other ways, such as through so-called “pilot programs” or as part of state or commodity exemptions or waivers.
The letter goes on to point out the significant infrastructure damage heavier, longer trucks would cause. This includes a severe negative impact on state and local roads and bridges.
Letter signatories also included the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, the National League of Cities and the Institute for Safer Trucking.
For more information on this issue from a short line perspective, ASLRRA’s website includes a Modal Equity with Trucks page that outlines the industry’s position on truck size and weight and related issues.
Join Us on March 4 for Railroad Day on Capitol Hill
Truck size and weight will be one of the topics of discussion during Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, being held on March 4 in Washington, D.C. Participants will have the opportunity speak directly to elected officials and their staff, making a real connection between the issue and the people it affects. Click here to register to join other citizen lobbyists at Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.
The House and Senate are in session this week as Congress works to finalize fiscal year 2026 appropriations following a partial government shutdown triggered by the expiration of the Jan. 30 continuing resolution (CR).
Yesterday, the House voted to end the partial shutdown, approving a funding package that restores funding for the remaining federal agencies caught in the shutdown, Energy, Defense, Treasury, State, Labor, Transportation, Health and Human Services, and Education, plus funding for the judicial branch and various independent agencies, and provides an additional 10 days of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as negotiations continue over DHS policy provisions related to immigration enforcement.
The measure passed the House by a narrow 217–214 vote and was sent to the president's desk for his signature. The funding package will expire on Sept. 30, 2026.
Cascade Geomatics developed a remote sensing and AI platform for railroad corridor risk monitoring. They turn LiDAR and imagery into GIS-ready layers and alerts that help railroads identify rockfall, landslide, and washout exposure near critical track assets, prioritizing inspections, reducing disruptions, and improving safety. Our primary contact, CEO and Geophysicist Braden Kislin can be reached at bradenkislin@cascadegeomatics.com.
Morrow Railroad Builders Inc., based in Birmingham, Alabama, provides high quality railroad installations, rehabilitations, maintenance, and repairs for private industry and short line railroads. They also offer 24/7 emergency repair services, track inspection, switch cleaning and lubrication, and thermite welding. With over 100 years combined experience, Morrow Railroad Builders Inc. is the Southeast’s premiere industrial railroad company. Many thanks to Holly Rainwater with Spark TS, a RailCube Company, for recommending that they join ASLRRA.
Railroad technology is always evolving. To help members stay abreast of the latest industry advancements, ASLRRA's 2026 Annual Conference and Exhibition offers a technology education track.
Technology education sessions at this year’s conference include:
There will also be sessions on cybersecurity and positive train control (PTC).
Click here to register for the conference, which takes place April 12 to 14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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. If your company would like to have an opportunity to showcase their offerings, do not delay in securing a spot in the conference expo hall. 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.
Last week, billing contacts from each member company should have received invoices for ASLRRA annual member dues. The invoices came from accountsreceivable@aslrra.org and the subject line reads, "Your ASLRRA 2026 membership invoice is ready."
Payment instructions are included in the email and on the PDF attachment of the invoice. ASLRRA is grateful for its members and their continued support of and participation in the Association. The entire staff looks forward to a productive year working on behalf of all those it represents.
Members can contact ASLRRA Vice President, Membership Danialle Lovik via email with any questions.
Registration is now open for ASLRRA’s Part 219 Drug and Alcohol Training and Designated Employer Representative (DER) Roundtable, to be held 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. 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.
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.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) has approved grant funding for two projects. One grant was awarded to ASLRRA member Ann Arbor Railroad and one went to a company, AluChem, that is served by ASLRRA member Ohio South Central Railroad.
Ann Arbor Railroad will receive $120,000 to rehabilitate a grade crossing on the spur line serving the Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. The improvements will make the crossing safer for the public and workers, improve operational efficiency and reduce delays. It is anticipated that this line will get even busier over the next few years, so this project will enable the line to handle such an increase in rail traffic.
AluChem will use a $75,000 grant to bring a rail spur back into service and reactivate a second track at its facility in Jackson, Ohio. The project will add storage capacity and improve on-time performance, eliminating a need for shipments via truck.
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: Alabama & Tennessee River Railway (ATN)
Fiscal Year: 2021
CRISI Grant: $4,962,110
Local Match: $4,962,110 (50%)
Total Project Cost: $9,924,220
The project will make a series of improvements on the ATN between Birmingham and Guntersville, Alabama. The project includes upgrading siding and wye tracks that can handle increased traffic, eliminating switching across SR-144, rehabilitating the SR-144 grade crossing surface, reactivation of rockslide warning signals to allow for 25 mph train speeds between Birmingham and Ragland, and elimination of bridge defects on nine bridge structures to ensure continued 286,000-pound capacity. The project is expected to increase capacity, speed, efficiency, and eliminate safety risks posed by rail switching operations across SR-144.
Notable Quotes
"Resolved, That the Ragland High School Student Council, in meeting assembled, calls on the Federal Railroad Administration Acting Administrator Amit Bose, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Congressman, Mike Rogers, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, and U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, to promote the ‘Ragland Safety, Transportation, Education, and Mobility Project;’ and Be it Further Resolved, That the Ragland High School Student Council, in meeting assembled, formally endorses and acknowledges the urgency for supporting the ‘Ragland Safety, Transportation, Education, and Mobility Project’."
Resolution, October 25, 2021, Student Council, Ragland High School, Jaxson Phillips, President
A recording of last week’s webinar on safety action plans with experts from the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) is now available in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar Library.
Other recently recorded webinars now available 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 the audience Q&A and any presentation materials.
Members can log in to access these webinar recordings at any time. Follow the link above to view these recent 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.
Registration is now open for the League of Railway Women’s (LRW) 2026 Symposium, which will be held on June 1 in Atlanta, Georgia. The theme of this year’s event is Laying the Tracks Forward: Strengthening Your Story.
The Symposium will feature tours, networking, professional development sessions and industry panels. Follow the link above to learn more and register.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
