Naugatuck Railroad to bring the Connecticut Ice Cream Train back this summer
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.
Although short line railroads are, at their core, businesses, not charities, the most successful among them prove that profitability and community service can go hand in hand. ASLRRA member Madison Railroad exemplifies how small railroads can drive economic growth while serving as pillars of the local community. By deeply understanding the needs of both its customers and its neighbors, Madison Railroad has consistently expanded its business while bolstering partnerships that benefit the entire region.
As a small railroad owned and operated by the City of Madison Port Authority, located in a remote part of Indiana, Madison Railroad has faced challenges attracting businesses to the area. Investing in any major capital project requires meticulous evaluation, as miscalculation could have disastrous effects.
After weighing the risks, the eight-person team at Madison Railroad decided to pursue key growth opportunities. In 2024, after several years of planning, development and construction, the railroad completed a new 32-acre transload facility that has had a significant ripple effect beyond the freight business.
The new facility has enabled Madison Railroad to position itself as a key player in the area’s industrial and logistics network. In addition to expanding freight and transload services, Madison Railroad used its railcar storage facility in partnerships with other companies to provide important value-added services like railcar cleaning, repair and scrapping. This has helped Madison Railroad develop one of the most well-equipped railcar servicing locations in the Midwest.
Completion of the transload facility project and other efforts led to the creation of 42 new jobs and facilitated the expansion or relocation of multiple businesses to Madison. The railroad also added five new rail shippers and achieved record carload and revenue numbers in the past year.
Collaboration with local officials and stakeholders was critical to bringing the project to fruition. Madison Railroad met with the city council to present plans and gather feedback on local priorities, which helped shape the project to ensure it reflected the needs of the community. The railroad also provided first responder training and worked with authorities to redesign emergency management plans. These partnerships enabled Madison Railroad to complete its own project and laid the foundation for continued industrial development and long-term economic growth.
While Madison Railroad’s work to build business has been successful for itself and companies in the area, the railroad has leveraged its own success for the further benefit of other community members. Madison Railroad has donated $25,000 to establish an ongoing scholarship program for local high school seniors; sponsored local events and held fundraisers like a Toys for Tots collection; hosted grade-school students for train excursions to promote rail industry knowledge; supported regional economic development efforts; and worked with organizations like Indiana Operation Lifesaver and Purdue University to further rail safety awareness, education and research efforts.
“Our unique combination of local ownership, operational efficiency, financial discipline, and industry collaboration ensures that every project we undertake is positioned for long-term success and mutual benefit,” said Madison Railroad General Manager Adam Robillard. “We’ve come to believe that growth within the freight rail industry hinges on building relationships and taking calculated risks. Throughout this project, we’ve been fortunate to attract new customers by being visible, transparent, and willing to share the financial risks with our partners. This approach has been crucial to overcoming the challenge of balancing risk with the need for growth and long-term sustainability.”
After completing construction of a 32-acre transload facility (above left), ASLRRA member Madison Railroad hosted city officials and others for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the facility's opening (above right).
ASLRRA has submitted comments in response to the Office of Management and Budget’s request for information (RFI) concerning deregulation.
The RFI asked those submitting comments to identify any rules to be rescinded and provide detailed reasons for such actions to be taken. Any regulations currently in effect were considered open for comments.
In its comments, ASLRRA recommended deregulatory changes for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). ASLRRA says that repealing burdensome regulations, completing deregulatory actions, engaging in transformational regulatory change at FRA, repealing a burdensome regulation at EPA and ensuring a cost-effective transition from directives to regulation at TSA, OMB can begin to actualize meaningful regulatory burden reduction.
ASLRRA recommended the FRA repeal four rules, finalize two rules and implement the Risk Reduction Program congressional mandate. The Association also recommended the EPA amend its rule concerning disposal by burning of creosote-treated railroad ties and asked that TSA be as targeted as possible when formulating cybersecurity rules that will affect Class II and III railroads.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced it has issued statements of service for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB mails these documents, known as Form BA-6, Certificate of Service Months and Compensation, to employees during the first half of June.
Employees are encouraged to review their form for accuracy, as it provides a record of a person’s railroad retirement service and compensation and is used to determine whether an employee qualifies for benefits and the amount of those benefits. Form BA-6 includes other information such as any deemed service months, creditable months of verified military service, amounts of payments subject to railroad retirement tier II taxes and more. Instructions on the form explain how to file a protest of service and compensation totals.
The RRB advises anyone with compensation reported in 2024 who does not receive their Form BA-6 by July 1 to contact an RRB field office by phone at 1-877-772-5772. Individuals needing to request a replacement form can do so via phone at that same number or by clicking the Request Documents button and completing the form on the myRRB website.
On May 12, Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs announced the addition of three new senior advisors to the chairman. Sharon Clark, Rob Reilly and Chris Bertram have been appointed to temporary term positions to help drive agency reforms.
According to an STB press release, these appointments support Fuchs’s commitment to leveraging expert advice, analysis and ideas on mission-critical initiatives and agency functions. Clark, Reilly and Bertram will “work closely with Chairman Fuchs to provide strategic counsel and support initiatives to streamline processes, improve collaboration and transparency, and ensure a more efficient and effective regulatory environment for the nation’s surface transportation network.”
Clark is a former senior vice president at Perdue AgriBusiness, where she had responsibility for transportation, compliance and regulatory affairs. She has also served on the STB’s Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council and the National Grain Car Council.
Reilly is a former railroad executive at both BNSF Railway and Canadian National Railway. He has also served as chair of the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, an ASLRRA member railroad.
Bertram has held multiple senior transportation policy and finance positions in the United States House of Representatives, United States Senate and the Executive Branch. He has also served in positions of leadership at the U.S. Department of Transportation and was a recipient of the secretary of transportation’s Gold Medal award.
ASLRRA thanks all those who were able to participate in last week’s Railroad Day on Capitol Hill advocacy event. The day included 305 meetings with approximately 327 participants from across the freight rail industry. The Association also appreciates those who participated in online engagement, posting updates and pictures from the day and interacting with the posts of others.
While Railroad Day has passed, ASLRRA’s government affairs team and members of its Legislative Policy Committee continue to build on the positive momentum generated by the event. There are many follow-up meetings scheduled with lawmakers and their offices, as well as meetings with those who were unable to participate on May 7.
All Association members can support these advocacy efforts. This can be done by contacting elected officials to encourage support for short line priorities like passage of the short line infrastructure tax credit modernization bill and appropriation of robust funding for CRISI grants.
Members can also start working now to invite lawmakers to visit their organizations during the summer. The House will be in recess from July 24 to Sept. 2, while the Senate will be in recess from Aug. 2 to Sept. 2. Elected officials appreciate the opportunity to meet with constituents and learn about those in their districts. Contact ASLRRA’s Richard Sherman or Crystal Gitchell for help connecting with congressional offices.
Representative Dina Titus (D-Nev) and Representatives Don Bacon (R-Neb.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.) have sent a letter to colleagues in the House of Representatives urging them to show their support for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB).
Titus, Bacon, Deluzio and Stauber are asking their fellow members of Congress to sign a letter to leaders of the Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee to request $170 million for the RRB’s Limitation on Administration.
The representatives point out that approving these appropriations for the RRB enables the agency to use its own trust funds, gathered from railroad and rail employee contributions, to support RRB’s programs and services. These funds do not come from taxpayers and limiting their disbursement does not reduce the federal deficit or limit federal spending.
ASLRRA strongly supports this bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter and all efforts to provide the RRB the full amount of funding it is requesting. Other organizations endorsing the letter include the Transportation Trades Department (TTD), AFL-CIO, International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing yesterday to consider multiple nominations including that of David Fink to be administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
ASLRRA’s Jo Strang and Richard Sherman attended the hearing in person to observe the proceedings. Prior to the hearing, Association President Chuck Baker submitted a letter of support on behalf of Fink to Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Baker highlighted Fink’s previous role at the helm of ASLRRA member Pan Am Railways, noting his thorough understanding of the railroad industry and describing Fink as “thoughtful, high-energy, smart and tough.”
ASLRRA has supported Fink’s nomination since it was first announced in December, with Baker also issuing a statement of support then.
Associated Bank, a Midwest-based banking franchise with nearly 200 locations, has a national short line rail vertical that includes a full array of corporate and commercial banking services. Those offerings include lines of credit, term loans, commercial real estate lending, equipment financing, asset-based lending, ESOP lending, trade financing, derivative products, loan capital markets / M&A financing, Treasury management services, electronic payments, receivables & payables automation, private wealth management, and 401K / HSA services. For more information, contact SVP – Region Leader – Corporate Banking Matthew Flynn on (972) 795-9406 or SVP - Corporate & Commercial Banking Alex Burke on (210) 772-0191.
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’s Kathy Keeney celebrates her ten-year work anniversary at ASLRRA this spring, although Keeney has been collaborating with the Association for much longer, helping with management and sales for the annual conference years before she officially joined the organization.
In her current role, Keeney works directly with ASLRRA’s members and prospective members, onboarding new companies and supporting others. Keeney also directs exhibit and sponsorship sales for the annual conference and serves as staff liaison to the Supplier Committee. She continues to put her journalistic acumen to use, helping proofread ASLRRA communications – including Views & News – on a regular basis.
“I’ve worked with Kathy Keeney throughout my time at ASLRRA and she has always encouraged me every step of the way. Her knowledge and support of the rail industry is endless and admirable,” said ASLRRA Director, Membership and Technology Danialle Lovik. “Kathy has been a fantastic mentor over the past five years and I’m grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with a true trailblazer.”
Outside the Association, Keeney is an avid sports fan who has traveled as far as Ireland to support her favorite teams. Learn more about Keeney and her work at ASLRRA in this special anniversary interview.
ASLRRA: How did you get your start in the railroad industry?
KK: I started in Washington, D.C., as an entry-level journalist for a transportation publishing company, writing news articles and feature stories for a weekly magazine and a daily newsletter. Among my first assignments were reporting on filings and decisions from the old Interstate Commerce Commission and summarizing railroad contracts. For me, it was the perfect training to learn about the transportation industry, especially short line railroads. I was fortunate to cover short lines at a time when the industry was growing dramatically, fueled by passage of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980.
ASLRRA: What has been the work or initiative that you’ve been most proud of over the past ten years?
KK: Probably the thing that I’ve found most rewarding was working with our president, Chuck Baker, to launch the Short Line Hall of Fame five years ago. That was an idea that came from our members. It’s been inspiring to see ASLRRA honor legends who helped to build the short line industry through grit, vision and dedication, often one carload at a time.
ASLRRA: What do you enjoy most about your work at ASLRRA? What do you enjoy most about working with short lines?
KK: I enjoy the variety of my job. No two days are the same. Everything I do revolves around membership, whether helping a member register for an event, selling a booth or sponsorship, or speaking with prospects about the many benefits of joining ASLRRA. Short line railroaders are a delight. They really appreciate it when we help them solve a problem or provide timely and effective customer service.
ASLRRA: As you look to the rest of the year and beyond, what are you excited about for railroading/member engagement?
KK: We have some great events coming up for our members. This summer we have a joint committee meeting in Indianapolis with a special train excursion. We’ll have regional meetings in Charlotte and New Orleans this fall. And then it’s full steam ahead to our annual conference and expo in Minneapolis in the spring of 2026.
ASLRRA: What would our members be surprised to know about you?
KK: I’m a proud aunt of two sets of twin nieces. I’m a huge football fan. My college teams are Notre Dame and Alabama. Those loyalties collided when they played each other for the national championship in January 2013! My pro team is the Baltimore Ravens. As for baseball, I’m a Baltimore Orioles fan.
I grew up in the D.C. suburbs and my first job was in Washington, so working in D.C. for ASLRRA the past 10 years has in many ways brought my career full circle. My husband, Dave, has been a big supporter of my railroad career, traveling with me to numerous rail events and serving as a volunteer at many ASLRRA annual conventions. We celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary this year.
ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Membership and Business Development Kathy Keeney (right) is celebrating her tenth work anniversary. Keeney is a long-time rail-industry professional whose husband of 35 years, Dave Smith (left), often joins her at Association events as a volunteer.
ASLRRA’s popular two-day Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineer (DSLE) and Railroad Operating Rules (Part 217) training seminar is led by subject matter experts from ASLRRA, Iowa Northern Railway (IANR), and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
Attendees 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. They also have an opportunity to participate in daily interactive discussions with peers and regulatory experts. Spots are expected to fill quickly, so interested individuals are encouraged to register soon.
Other training seminars will take place throughout the summer and into October. Go to ASLRRA’s Training Seminar webpage to view upcoming events.
In order to help employees of small railroads take advantage of various training and education opportunities, ASLRRA offers two scholarships, the Doug Golden Scholarship and the Jake Jacobson Memorial Scholarship.
Doug Golden Scholarships award up to $1,200 for industry-specific training to improve railroad safety and compliance practices and enhance overall operations. Eligible training topics include track, bridge, and signal inspection and maintenance, locomotive and freight car inspection and maintenance, regulatory and compliance training and railroad safety and operations training. The scholarship can be applied toward registration fees and travel and lodging costs.
The Jake Jacobson Memorial Scholarship awards $500 to cover registration for an ASLRRA training seminar. There are less than ten scholarships available to eligible railroad employees and funding will not be renewed once it is depleted.
Both scholarships are open to employees of railroads earning less than $10 million per year in annual revenue. Applications are submitted via online form and are evaluated as they are received, with scholarships awarded on a rolling basis. Individuals can receive only one of each scholarship, and Doug Golden Scholarships are capped at two per railroad.
Click here to view the list of ASLRRA training seminars being offered in 2025. Both scholarships can be applied to these seminars, and those who attended an ASLRRA seminar earlier this year can apply for a scholarship retroactively.
ASLRRA Member Discount Program Preferred Provider Aon is the exclusive provider of workforce assessments, offering Association members access to discount pricing and exceptional solutions and service from Aon’s Talent Assessment team.
Aon is the world’s leading enterprise solution provider for the most accurate and fair pre-hire talent assessments at scale and has assessed more than one million candidates for North American railroads over the past decade. Aside from the delivery of talent assessments and candidate scores and reporting, other solutions and services available to ASLRRA members include job analysis, test development, predictive analytics/validation, implementation, continuous improvement on assessment performance and analytics to evaluate return on investment.
For more on Aon and a full listing of solutions and services available, members can click here and login.
To join ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program, contact ASLRRA’s Senior Vice President, Education and Business Services Sabrina Waiss.
ASLRRA member North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR) announced it would expand its Build Ready Sites Program to offer two rounds of grant opportunities per year. The spring application round is open now until June 13, while the fall round is scheduled to open in September.
The Build Ready Sites Program offers up to $500,000 to help fund development of rail-served industrial sites. Up to $750,000 is available for projects along the NCRR corridor, and NCRR is making $3 million available during each of the funding rounds.
Sites must be at least 50 contiguous developable acres located within half a mile of potential rail service, with priority given to projects in rural and economically distressed communities. Other requirements include demonstrated community support, a 20 percent funding match and confirmation of service from the site’s serving railroad.
In the May ASLRRA Perspective column for Railway Age magazine, ASLRRA President Chuck Baker reflected on the winners of the 2025 ASLRRA Business Development Awards and how their achievements are reflections of the greatness of the short line industry as a whole.
Baker gave an overview of this year’s three winners, Union County Industrial Railroad, South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad and Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad. He highlighted the way their winning initiatives brought new good-paying jobs to local communities, reduced transportation costs for local shippers, made significant investments in U.S. industry and more.
Chuck Baker attended the Norfolk Southern Annual Short Line Meeting, held Monday and Tuesday at NS headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The event included a general session as well as other informational sessions and meetings with NS personnel. And today, Baker was back in Washington, D.C. to attend the Coalition for America’s Gateways & Trade Corridors (CAGTC) Annual Meeting.
One popular webinar series has been ASLRRA’s three-part overview of railroad retirement eligibility and benefits, presented with representatives from the Railroad Retirement Board. Recordings of these webinars are available in ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinars library. Members can access these recordings for free at their convenience. Look for the following titles:
Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
Progressive Railroading magazine announced the winners of this year’s Rising Stars awards. The program recognizes 25 individuals under 40 who have made a positive impact on their company, organization, department or team and are viewed by others as up-and-coming leaders in the rail industry.
The winners will be featured on the Progressive Railroading website and in the magazine’s September issue. They will also be recognized in a virtual ceremony. Of the 25 honorees, 10 work at ASLRRA-member organizations. ASLRRA congratulates all of this year’s winners, especially:
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.
