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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.
Kelvin “Kel” MacKavanagh, former director of short line marketing at Conrail and long-time New Jersey Short Line Association member and ASLRRA volunteer, has died. He was 89.
MacKavanagh got his start in railroad marketing in 1964 with New York Central. He also worked for Penn Central before joining Conrail in 1982.
“Conrail had a lot of short line connections and was one of the first railroads to create a dedicated marketing position to act as liaison to the short lines. Kel was, as far as I know, the first person to be a director of short line marketing,” said Everett Railroad Company President Alan Maples. “Kel was more than just Conrail’s ambassador to the short lines; he was our advocate within the company. Kel believed that Conrail would profit from the short lines’ entrepreneurial approach to business, and he believed in the importance of face-to-face meetings between the short lines and Conrail’s marketing staff.”
In his work at Conrail, MacKavanagh was credited with helping the railroad win two Golden Freight Car Awards sponsored by industry magazines Modern Railroads and Railway Age. MacKavanagh also helped create the Standard Transportation Commodity Codes for hazardous materials and played a role in initiating the Association of American Railroads (AAR) program for handling bulk shipments of hazardous materials in container-on-flatcar (COFC) service.
MacKavanagh also worked for CSX Transportation after Norfolk Southern and CSX acquired Conrail. He later started his own railroad consulting company and was a consulting editor for The Official Railway Guide. He was secretary of the New Jersey Short Line Association for many years and in 2005 won the organization’s Benjamin J Friedland Award for meritorious service to the short line industry.
"From our working days together at Conrail, to his immersion in the New Jersey Railroad Association, Kel was a tireless advocate for the short line industry and a fount of knowledge that all of us who knew him benefitted from,” said OmniTRAX Senior Vice President, Government Affairs David Arganbright.
At ASLRRA MacKavanagh was a familiar face, giving his time generously to the Association. He lent his industry expertise as a judge for the Marketing Awards, now known as the Business Development Awards, and served at the Association’s Annual Conventions and other events, where he was often the de facto photographer.
“Kel served for years on the Business Development Award team, reading nominations and selecting the winners,” said ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Communications Amy Krouse. “He loved to highlight the successes of the nominees and wrote overviews for Views and News of each of them. He was an important part of the events teams, volunteering and taking professional photographs, capturing important moments in ASLRRA’s history.”
MacKavanagh served in the Army Transportation Corps for three years, after which he continued in the Army Reserve for 25 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was an active volunteer at Christ the Redeemer Church, Virtua Hospital and The Fountains retirement community.
MacKavanagh is survived by Marion, his wife of 60 years, children Karen, Mark and Jill and five grandchildren. Everyone at ASLRRA extends their deepest sympathy and condolences to MacKavanagh’s family, friends and former colleagues.
ASLRRA has published its monthly Short Line Carloads Report, showing March 2026 carload volumes exceeding all monthly volumes since the data series begins in July 2024.
March 2026 carloads increased 15% over February 2026. Comparing March 2026 to March 2025, originations, terminations and total carloads all saw measurable growth year over year. Every commodity type also saw year-over-year growth except lumber, paper and wood products, which decreased 4%. The three commodities experiencing the most growth compared to March 2025 were agriculture, waste and coal.
Carload data is based on a custom short line carload report created in cooperation between ASLRRA and Railinc based on waybill data submitted by railroads. This work product may not be disseminated without permission granted by ASLRRA. Contact ASLRRA at foelsner@aslrra.org for all inquiries.
Last week, ASLRRA filed comments concerning the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) notice of proposed rulemaking titled Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act; Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention.
The rule would make changes to the EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations. The affected provisions cover a variety of topics including third-party audits, community and emergency responder notification, employee participation and more. The changes are meant to improve safety by avoiding duplicative requirements, realign RMP requirements with requirements under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM).
ASLRRA notes that its members are subject to both RMP and PSM regulations. The Association says in its comments that RMP regulations are working and do not warrant revision at this time. ASLRRA did respond specifically to one question concerning siting issues, recommending the EPA define “Storage Incident to Transportation” and coordinate with the U.S. Department of Transportation on this definition.
On May 18 the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) released the 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP). The five-year plan establishes a framework for strengthening the U.S. freight system, with strategic objectives organized under six categories: safety, efficiency, security, resiliency, innovation and a capable workforce.
The 2026 plan builds on the first-ever NFSP published in 2020. The USDOT uses the NFSP to inform infrastructure planning, coordinate investments, provide a framework for partnerships and identify data needs to support decision-making.
The plan explores the U.S. freight system, with railroads starting on page 26. It also looks at insights and challenges according to major economic sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing; explores various barriers to improved freight performance, including regulatory, technological and financial barriers; and establishes a framework for how the USDOT plans to address its strategic objectives.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning rules that govern the filing of a reply to a reply.
The STB is seeking public input as to whether it should change rules regarding replies to replies, or if it should leave the regulation unchanged. Comments are due on June 17. ASLRRA is evaluating the ANPRM to determine whether comments are warranted.
STB rules generally prohibit the filing of a reply to a reply, but in a series of listening sessions with legal practitioners, the STB heard from many attorneys who asked for a more consistent approach to these filings.
In the ANPRM, the STB notes that it has accepted replies to replies in individual cases in the interest of a complete record. However, the agency wrote “the benefits from the orderly and efficient administration of cases, including reducing burden on the public and agency, justify enforcing this rule more strictly.”
Surface Transportation Board (STB) member nominee Richard Kloster has been confirmed to be a member of the STB. His term will expire on Dec. 31, 2028.
Kloster was confirmed as part of a group of approximately 50 other nominees for various positions. He fills the seat vacated by Martin Oberman, who retired in 2024.
Kloster joins STB Chair Patrick Fuchs and members Michelle Schultz and Karen Hedlund. Hedlund has been nominated for a second term and is awaiting Senate confirmation. Although her current term expired at the end of 2025, she is able to remain in her position for up to 12 months.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced it is preparing to send Form BA-6, Certificate of Service Months and Compensation, to railroad employees with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. They will be mailed during the first half of June.
Individuals should receive their form by the end of the month. The RRB advises anyone who has not received it by July 1, or anyone who needs a replacement, to contact an RRB field office by calling the agency’s toll-free number, 1-877-772-5772. Copies can also be requested online at RRB.gov/myRRB.
Form BA-6 is used to determine whether an employee qualifies for benefits and identifies the benefit amount. Employees should review it to ensure their personal records match the information on the form.
In the press release discussing the form, the RRB provides additional information concerning annual earnings and other details individuals can expect to find, such as months of verified military service and any deemed service months. The form also includes instructions for filing a protest of service and compensation totals.
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee has struck a bipartisan deal and released their proposed long-awaited surface transportation reauthorization bill. This would reauthorize and fund a wide variety of surface transportation programs for five years, from FY2027 through FY2031 and be considered a successor to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), often called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which covered FY22-26.
The bill is officially called the BUILD America 250 Act, which is short for “Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for America’s 250th Act.”
Two documents, listed below, are available for further reference by clicking here.
The top line number for the bill is $588B over 5 years (FY27-FY31), which is a mix of “real money” Highway Trust Fund (HTF) contract authority and authorization for future appropriations.
The bill proposes a $90B/23% increase over the five-year HTF funding levels from the IIJA FY22-26 bill, but a $65B/12% decrease if you consider the advanced appropriations that were a part of IIJA.
Of that $580B, the rough breakdown is:
In total, this bill proposes somewhere close to $95B/year in HTF contract authority spending ($474B over 5 years), but the HTF is currently taking in only about $45B/year in revenue. The question of where all that additional funding comes from is partially addressed in this bill through a new annual fee of $130 on EVs and $35 on plug-in hybrids to account for the fact that they don’t pay much or any gas tax, but that only raises $1B- $2B/year. It’s a small step in the right direction, and the first step at all in decades. Beyond that, all of this money would need to come from a general fund transfer.
Rail provisions include authorizing $1.8 billion annually for CRISI grants, expanding RRIF loan eligibility and authority, creating new rail safety and emergency relief programs, and streamlining environmental review processes. Additional measures address grade crossing safety, railroad bridge reporting, rail technology pilots, and FRA oversight requirements.
In the Rail Title, the bill:
Authorizes CRISI at $1.8B/year. That is a large number, but it’s an authorization only. There are no major changes to eligibility.
Expands “Rail Crossing Safety Improvements and Elimination” program to $800M/year. Also authorization only, not advanced appropriations.
Click here for a full read out on the bill.
Thankfully, several controversial rail safety mandates, including crew size and defect detector requirements, were excluded from the base bill but could emerge through amendments. The legislation still faces committee markup, House and Senate consideration, and potential reconciliation challenges before final passage.
ASLRRA’s legislative team will be engaged with Congressional staff throughout the process.
Founded in 1906 and based in Westmont, Illinois, John Burns Construction Company is a self-performing general contractor specializing in complex infrastructure projects across the rail, transit, utility, and telecom sectors. Serving clients throughout Illinois, Texas, and the Midwest, the company combines a close-knit family culture and growth-minded leadership with large-scale capabilities to deliver safe, reliable execution in demanding environments. Marketing Manager, Carol Johanns, can be reached by email at cjohanns@jbcco.com.
ASLRRA continues to welcome sponsors for its first-ever Fall Super Regional Meeting, which combines ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern and Central and Pacific meetings, the Finance and Administration Seminar and the General Counsel Symposium. The meeting will be held Oct. 5-7 in St. Louis, Missouri.
There are different levels of sponsorship for all budgets. Becoming a meeting sponsor puts organizations in front of hundreds of attendees and includes mention in various ASLRRA communications including in Views & News and on social media.
Visit ASLRRA’s website to learn more about each sponsorship level and the associated benefits. Contact meetings@aslrra.org to ask questions or purchase a sponsorship.
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.
Registration and hotel room blocks will open June 2. Mark your calendars to be among the first to sign up and take advantage of early bird rates.
Colliers has experience in writing and administering numerous state and federal grants. They have long been recognized as a trusted partner and advisor for architecture, engineering, planning and program management. Their proven capabilities have resulted in efficient, economical and viable infrastructure projects that reflect the needs of their clients.
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.
View recorded regulatory webinars presented by ASLRRA subject matter experts Jo Strang, JR Gelnar and Sarah Yurasko.
Log in to ASLRRA’s webinar homepage to view all on-demand offerings.
Only 10 seats remain!
Professional Trainer Development, Leadership Program – July 14-16, Charlotte, North Carolina
This interactive 2-and-a-half-day seminar is designed for subject matter experts and trainers of all levels who want to expand and enhance their training skills. Course content includes designing training using adult learning principles, managing participant engagement and the learning environment, enhancing personal presentation skills, and developing course materials using Bloom’s Taxonomy for Instructional Design and ADDIE methods.
Click here to see additional upcoming seminars as well as event details and online registration and hotel booking links.
ASLRRA welcomes George Washington University Law School student Emeline Stewart, who has joined the Association’s legal team as a summer intern.
Stewart will work at ASLRRA for the next eight weeks, taking on various tasks such as reviewing the Surface Transportation Board’s recent advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning replies to replies. She comes highly recommended to ASLRRA by George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center Director Roger Nober.
“I find this industry interesting because it is so heavily regulated, so there is a lot to learn about how the government interacts with the rail industry,” said Stewart. “One of the most interesting things we have talked about so far is federal preemption of state regulation, since that is a topic I also learned about this past spring in law school.”
Through her internship, Stewart hopes to hone her legal writing skills and learn more about what it is like to be general counsel and work in-house for an organization.
“I can tell I will be exposed to many different legal issues here which is very unique and exciting for me,” said Stewart.
Stewart is from Vermont, which she excitedly notes has only short line railroads. In her free time, she enjoys reading and fiber arts like knitting, crocheting and embroidery. This summer, she is looking forward to tackling her reading list and finishing up several art projects.
ASLRRA will host a virtual Supplier Sandhouse session for members only on May 27 at 11 a.m. EDT. This gathering offers an informal opportunity for participants to engage directly with fellow industry peers.
The event encourages meaningful discussions on the short line freight rail industry, ASLRRA and more. The Supplier Sandhouse aims to foster open dialogue and support continuous improvement.
Registration for the Supplier Sandhouse is free, but required. Click here to reserve a spot.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved safety upgrades at a rail crossing owned by ASLRRA member Indiana & Ohio Railway Company (IORY).
IORY will install flashing lights and gates at a crossing in Hamilton County. The railroad will receive $408,631 in federal funds to complete the project.
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.
The League of Railway Women (LRW) is accepting applications for three scholarships, the Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship, the Future of Railroading Scholarship and the Sue Black Memorial Scholarship.
All scholarships are open to individuals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Applications for all three are due June 19. Follow the links below for more information and to apply.
Connie Sumara Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship awards $5,000 to a woman who is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree and seeks to further her career in the rail industry. The scholarship is named in honor of Connie Sumara, the longest-serving LRW president and one of the organization’s founders. Sumara passed away in 2014.
Future of Railroading Scholarship
This scholarship awards $3,000 to a student pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree who is interested in supporting the rail industry.
Sue Black Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship, sponsored by The Greenbrier Companies, awards $5,000 to an individual pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree in the rail industry. For this scholarship, applicants must demonstrate financial need.
The University of Illinois Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) announced its Railway Engineering Short Course schedule for this summer. There will be two online courses offered in August.
The Track Engineering Fundamentals course will take place Aug. 3-6, while the Railroad Project Design course takes place Aug. 10-13. The courses discuss the practical aspects and science behind railway engineering and transportation concepts. Attendees can earn 14 professional development hours for each course.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
