A view and a brew: Reading and Northern Railroad launches coffee brand
Cando Rail & Terminals completes acquisition of Savage Rail
Texas short line opens Class I-served facility along Gulf Coast
A&O Railroad to hold June 2 job fair in Bridgeport
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 looking forward to its first-ever Fall Super Regional Meeting and planning continues in earnest as the Association prepares to open event registration on June 1.
ASLRRA continues to accept proposals for speaker presentations. Potential event speakers are invited to offer their ideas for industry-related presentations at the regional meeting. Proposals must be submitted via online form and are due June 1. Incomplete submissions or proposals sent in after the due date will not be considered. For more information, click here to view the full call for proposals.
The regional meeting, which combines ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern and Central and Pacific meetings, as well as the Finance and Administration Seminar and General Counsel Symposium, will be held Oct. 5-7 in St. Louis, Missouri.
This meeting will offer an opportunity for railroaders to not only network with each other, but to share ideas and connect in-person with ASLRRA staff. The focus will be on industry connections and discussion.
ASLRRA is welcoming sponsors for the Fall Super Regional Meeting. Contact meetings@aslrra.org for more information or to purchase a sponsorship.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a proposed rule to allow operators and proprietors of certain sites, including railroads, to apply for restrictions on drone operations around their facilities.
Comments on the rule are due July 6. ASLRRA is evaluating the rule for its effect on short line railroads and plans to comment.
The rule would establish a process to request two types of restrictions, standard unmanned aircraft flight restrictions (UAFR) or special unmanned aircraft flight restrictions. The former would bar unmanned aircraft operations except by certain authorized individuals, while the latter would bar all operations except for those with express, prior approval from the FAA and the site operator.
There are 16 categories of sites that would be eligible to apply for a restriction. Applicants would need to prove the restriction is necessary for safety or national security. The U.S. Department of Transportation has created a fact sheet with information about the proposed rule.
On Monday the Senate voted to move Surface Transportation Board (STB) member nominee Richard Kloster toward a final confirmation vote. He was part of a package of 50 nominees voted through. Also on Monday, Karen Hedlund was nominated for another term as member of the Surface Transportation Board.
If confirmed, Kloster will fill the seat left vacant by Martin Oberman, who retired in 2024. Kloster’s term would expire in 2028. Meanwhile Hedlund’s term expired on Dec. 31, 2025. Members are allowed to remain 12 months past their term expiration, but must depart if not confirmed before that deadline.
The STB currently comprises Chair Patrick Fuchs, Michelle Schultz and Hedlund. There is no statutory quorum requirement, so the STB can operate with only one member making case decisions.
On May 12, the House voted to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) by a vote of 348-60.
CORCA would strengthen federal law enforcement and prosecutorial tools to dismantle organized theft rings; establish a national coordination center to improve intelligence sharing and multijurisdictional investigations; and support state and local law enforcement with resources, training, and technical assistance.
In 2025, the rail industry estimated that more than 75,000 retail crime incidents occurred resulting in $200 million in losses.
A companion bill, S. 1404, has been introduced in the Senate by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). The bill has 43 cosponsors and is pending consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Congress is in town this week and next and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is now targeting May 20 for its markup of the next surface transportation reauthorization bill.
In advance of this markup, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation released reports showing the devastating impacts to transportation infrastructure if funding is gutted and advance appropriations are not included in the next surface transportation bill.
ASLRRA contributed to the report on the impact on American rail, including a quote from Association President Chuck Baker.
Also included in the release was a letter from Senate Democrats in support of robust funding levels for transportation.
In addition, the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Subcommittee on Appropriations will hold its Fiscal Year 2027 budget hearing on May 18. No witnesses have been listed yet, though Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is expected to attend.
API Heat Transfer, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, provides rugged thermal systems designed to endure relentless vibration, extreme temperatures, and continuous duty cycles of locomotive operations. API Heat Transfer General ThermoDynamics & Airtech has been meeting that challenge for over 25 years with mechanically bonded radiators, oil coolers, intercoolers, and EMD and GE replacement cores engineered for long service life and immediate availability. Contact Raul Arredondo, Marketing & Product Management, by email at raul.arredondo@apiheattransfer.com.
Ondas Networks develops proprietary, software-based wireless technology that helps short line and regional railroads modernize legacy communications infrastructure and extend reliable connectivity across their networks. Its multi-patented FullMAX™ platform, built on the IEEE 802.16 standard, enables applications such as real-time wayside monitoring, predictive maintenance, and improved operational visibility using spectrum railroads already own. Primary contact and Vice President of Product Marketing Kevin Nichter, can be reached by email, kevin.nichter@ondas.com.
Their comprehensive solution combines hardware, software, and cloud services for maximized fleet efficiency and reliability. A powerful onboard platform grants unparalleled visibility into rail operations, enabling real time, data-driven decisions for peak performance.
Click here to learn more about ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program and view all available products and services, or contact ASLRRA’s Sabrina Waiss for more information about becoming a Preferred Provider.
Check out our popular three-part series on railroad retirement, unemployment, and sickness benefits:
Log in to ASLRRA’s webinar homepage to view all on-demand offerings.
LIMITED SEATS REMAINING! DSLE and Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules Training Seminar – June 2-3, Freeport, Maine
The Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineer (DSLE) and Part 217 Railroad Operating Rules training seminar is intended to provide railroad managers with training on a complex designation that they address daily. Attendees will receive training on DSLE responsibilities, including application and administration of 49 CFR Part 240 and Part 242 similarities and differences, and Part 217 railroad operating rules.
Click here to see additional upcoming seminars as well as event details and online registration and hotel booking links.
America’s 250th anniversary is this year. To celebrate, ASLRRA is collecting stories from its members about all the ways they will be commemorating this milestone.
In addition to capturing these commemorative events, ASLRRA is interested in hearing about how members are connecting the history of their organizations to the history of the United States.
Sending photographs, both modern and archival, is encouraged, along with stories, testimonials and other information. ASLRRA’s communications team will share the information on its website and via other mediums, such as social media. Providing items to ASLRRA grants the Association permission to use them in its communications efforts.
Send information and images directly to mtakamura@aslrra.org, or use that email to ask questions. ASLRRA is eager to share its members stories and appreciates the support of all those who have already provided images, press releases and more.
Applications are being accepted for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP). These applications are for fiscal year 2027 (FY2027).
The program will make $3 million available for infrastructure projects that directly support freight rail access. Applications are accepted year-round and reviewed quarterly. The review deadlines are June 30, Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
MassDOT will reimburse up to 80% of eligible project costs. The maximum award per project is $700,000. Click here to learn more about IRAP and submit an application.
Chuck Baker moderated a short line panel yesterday at the Michigan State University’s 2026 Rails to the Future conference in Troy, Michigan. Panelists included Justin Broyles, ASLRRA board chair and president and CEO of ASLRRA member holding company R. J. Corman Railroad Group; Peter Gilbertson, president and CEO of ASLRRA member holding company Anacostia Rail Holdings Company; and Mike Stickel, president and CEO of ASLRRA member Lake State Railway Company.
Amy Krouse (pictured left) and JR Gelnar were in Deadwood, South Dakota for the Outback Railroad Association’s 2026 Safety and Training Conference and Tradeshow. Gelnar provided an update on regulations from a variety of agencies. Krouse and Short Line Safety Institute Chief Administrative Officer Jill Medeiros made a presentation on crisis communications.
Jo Strang participated in a virtual meeting of the Penn State Altoona Rail Transportation Engineering (RTE) Industry Advisory Board. Strang and other board members help guide and develop the RTE program.
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.
On May 5, ASLRRA member Winchester & Western Railroad’s General Manager of Operations Doug Long celebrated 50 years in the railroad industry. The surprise party took place at the historic Martinsburg Roundhouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where over 50 family members, friends, past and present coworkers and customers gathered to honor Long and his major career milestone.
A number of speakers shared stories about Long and praised him for his many decades of hard work and dedication. OmniTRAX owner Pat Broe wrote remarks that were shared by OmniTRAX Regional Vice President Bob Ellman. Long’s daughter Raegan Long also spoke, as did OmniTRAX Senior Vice President, Sales Jeff Goutcher and Jennifer Smith of the Berkeley County Development Authority.
To commemorate his anniversary, Long received an engraved locomotive bell, framed locomotive reverser and custom painting of a Winchester & Western locomotive. He and guests enjoyed a BBQ lunch and custom railroad-themed cakes.
Long grew up in a town not far from where he now works. He started his rail career in 1976 as a track laborer with Class I railroad CSX. At CSX he also held other roles, including fireman and trainmaster.
Long moved to Winchester & Western in 2011. In 2019 OmniTRAX acquired the railroad, and Long’s strong industry and community relationships helped bring many customers to Winchester & Western.
Though some partygoers thought the anniversary celebration would double as a retirement announcement, Long assured them that he planned to remain on the job as long as possible.
Progressive Railroading magazine has announced its 2026 Rising Stars award winners, which include the Short Line Safety Institute’s Assistant Director of Research and Organizational Development Julia Leone, PhD.
This program recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who have a positive impact on their company, department or team and are seen by others as up-and-coming rail industry leaders. Winners will be featured in the September issue of Progressive Railroading and honored in a virtual ceremony on July 22.
ASLRRA congratulates all this year’s 25 honorees, especially Leone and all those who work at ASLRRA-member organizations.
Rail safety education organization Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), has awarded $197,999 in crossing safety awareness grants to state Operation Lifesaver programs.
Funding will help Operation Lifesaver programs in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas deliver crossing safety public education projects and campaigns. Each state will work to encourage safe choices around railroad tracks and crossings, particularly among at-risk groups. These groups include professional drivers, agricultural communities, sports fans and others.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
