Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad unveils restored engine ahead of America's 250th anniversary
Port NOLA, NOPB deploy AI cargo rail technology
OmniTRAX SIT rail yard dedicated to former CEO Piacente
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.
Registration is now open for ASLRRA’s first-ever Fall Super Regional Meeting. The meeting, which takes place Oct. 5-7 in St. Louis, Missouri, combines ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern and Central and Pacific meetings, the Finance and Administration Seminar and the General Counsel Symposium.
ASLRRA’s hotel room block at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel is also now open. Book lodging before rooms sell out.
The meeting is a place where short line industry leaders come together to discuss issues and drive policy.
In addition, the Fall Super Regional Meeting will provide an engaging range of content with insightful panel discussions, keynote speakers, interactive breakout sessions with peer-to-peer collaborative learning, plus hours of networking with industry leaders and supplier partners.
Attendees of the Fall Super Regional Meeting will:
ASLRRA welcomes organizations interested in sponsoring this year’s inaugural event. Sponsorships are available at a range of price points. 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.
On May 28, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced it has accepted for consideration the revised merger application submitted by Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). However, the proceedings are currently being held in abeyance, or paused, until the railroads submit additional information requested by the STB.
The STB unanimously decided that any issues concerning application completeness, submitted via public comment, did not merit rejecting the application. Still, the board identified some parts of the revised application it considered unclear or underdeveloped and asked for additional information by July 27.
Because the lack of complete information would affect the ability of stakeholders to provide fully informed comments, the STB decided to pause the proceedings, including the environmental review. A procedural schedule will be set after the information submission deadline.
The STB’s press release lists nine areas requiring supplemental information. Included on that list are enhanced competition, market share projections, downstream merger impacts and issues involving gateways and car supply.
ASLRRA continues to monitor these decisions and the application process. The Association will participate in the proceedings once a procedural schedule is set.
In its decision, the STB also ruled on other issues related to ex parte communications and the environmental impact statement (EIS) process.
Due to the significant implications of this merger, the STB has set up two public websites. One is a project website for information on the STB’s environmental review of the merger, while the second is a merger resources page with links to docket filings, decisions and environmental comments, statutes and regulations and past STB decisions concerning major rail consolidations and major mergers.
ASLRRA has submitted comments in response to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning ex parte communications.
ASLRRA supports the board’s consideration of regulatory language clearly stating that routine status inquiries and procedural communications do not constitute prohibited ex parte communications. This clear codified guidance would reduce the risk of inadvertent violations and encourage appropriate communication.
The Association also notes appreciation for and general support of other aspects of the proposed rule. ASLRRA commends the STB for undertaking a careful review of its ex parte communications rules and seeking public input on targeted reforms.
The Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) June edition of its monthly Q&A discusses unemployment and sickness benefits in the new benefit year starting July 1.
The Q&A explains eligibility requirements for these benefits and the daily rate payable in the new year. Also discussed are waiting period requirements, how to apply and claim benefits and other rules and guidelines.
A revised schedule has been announced for town hall meetings hosted by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to discuss the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022 (CIRCIA) rulemaking.
The meetings, originally scheduled for March and April, will now be held beginning June 15. Registration for the meetings is required and must be submitted no later than two business days before the meeting. See the list of meeting dates and times, along with registration links, at the CIRCIA website.
Stakeholders are being asked to provide input on the scope and burden of a CIRCIA notice of proposed rulemaking. Among other things, CIRCIA calls on CISA to develop regulations requiring covered entities to report certain cyber incidents and ransomware payments to the agency.
ASLRRA plans to participate in the meeting focused on sectors that include transportation systems. Contact the Association’s Fred Oelsner with any questions.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is looking for public feedback on its 2026 State Rail Plan. The comment period closes June 15.
Oklahoma’s State Rail Plan takes inventory of rail lines in the state, discusses rail service goals and infrastructure and safety improvement projects as well as funding for such projects. A final public information meeting took place today, but meeting materials are available on ODOT’s rail plan website.
Two Republican senators have signed on as cosponsors of S. 1532, the Short Line Tax Credit Modernization Bill. That brings total Senate cosponsors to 43.
Montana Senator Tim Sheehy and Pennsylvania Senator David McCormick are the latest lawmakers to throw their support behind the bill, which would update the short line tax credit, also known as 45G. If passed, the bill would increase the tax credit cap to $6,100 from $3,500; index the credit to inflation; and allow all short-line-owned track miles to be eligible for the credit.
Bipartisan support for the House bill to modernize 45G, H.R. 516, also continues to grow. There are 169 House cosponsors from 43 states, Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
ASLRRA’s government affairs team and members of the Association’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) continue to drum up support for 45G modernization on Capitol Hill. Railroads and other stakeholders can also advocate for the bill by telling their elected officials how robust infrastructure investment helps small railroads further improve operational safety and efficiency. Talking points, additional information and resources can be found on ASLRRA’s 45G Short Line Tax Credit Modernization webpage. Or reach out to ASLRRA staff with questions or for help with outreach.
North Louisiana & Arkansas Railroad (NLA) is owned by the Robbins family and has been operating since 2012. NLA primarily serves regional agricultural communities in Southeast Arkansas and Northeast Louisiana.
Tiger Transfer, LLC is a BNSF designated Certified Site and Premier Transload Facility located in Upton, Wyoming on the double-mainline BNSF Black Hills Subdivision. The facility includes approximately 50,000 feet of rail built to mainline power specifications and nearly 400 acres of shovel-ready property available for expansion.
The Coalition Health Plan is specifically designed for ASLRRA members looking for a solution to reduce medical premiums and simplify the employee healthcare experience. When you partner with HUB, you're at the center of a vast network of experts who will help you reach your goals through risk services, claims management, and compliance support.
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 ASLRRA’s popular Railroad Retirement Board series.
Log in to ASLRRA’s webinar homepage to view all on-demand offerings.
Fewer than 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 joins many of its members and industry partners in celebrating the 250th anniversary of America with a special webpage.
The page, Short Lines Celebrate America 250, discusses the ways short lines both reflect the best of our nation and help support the American way of life. Also featured are images of ASLRRA members’ many commemorative locomotives sporting special designs to honor this important year. Some of these locomotives are pictured below.
ASLRRA will continue adding details to the page as July 4 approaches. These additions will include communications resources such as social media graphics and sample post text.
Members who want to add their commemorative locomotives to ASLRRA’s page or share their organization’s plans for the 250th anniversary can contact Mariel Takamura.
Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.'s Indiana & Ohio Railway Company
North Shore Railroad
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company
Naugatuck Railroad
In collaboration with subject matter experts and members of the Association’s Safety & Training Committee, ASLRRA has cultivated and produced a collection of drug & alcohol educational materials, available exclusively to members for their own internal use, at no cost.
Materials may be used to assist and educate railroads, contractors, and employees about FRA regulations/procedures (49 CFR Parts 40 and 219) and required compliance practices and testing. Resources include downloadable posters, forms and brochures and on-demand webinar recordings. Members can log in to access all available materials and resources on ASLRRA’s website.
The Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) approved $500,000 to help advance a project relocating the main East Yard of ASLRRA member Salt Lake Garfield and Western Railway (SLGW).
The project is meant to reduce railroad crossing congestion in Salt Lake City, helping ease problems for residents and businesses who faced blocked crossings around the East Yard. The new location will be south of Salt Lake City Airport. Moving the yard will also increase SLGW’s ability to serve shippers and decrease truck congestion on local roads.
A 2018 grant from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program originally helped fund the Northwest Quadrant Freight Mobility Project, which included moving SLGW’s interchange and yard operations. But the project budget has expanded to over $31 million, with SLGW expected to cover all costs beyond the original grant amount of $13.65 million. The UIPA funding is meant to help offset growing project costs.
The Port of Long Beach will continue work on its Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility Project after the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners authorized a $283 million grant agreement with the Maritime Administration (MARAD).
Funding comes from a National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program grant announced in 2023. Among other things, the project will expand the existing Pier B rail yard and connect the yard to the Alameda Corridor. ASLRRA member Pacific Harbor Line serves both the Port of Long Beach and the Port of Los Angeles, which are linked by the Alameda Corridor.
ASLRRA member Indiana & Ohio Railway Company (IORY) will install flashing lights and gates at two railroad crossings after the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved construction authorization for the projects. IORY will receive $1.1 million in federal funding to complete the upgrades.
Chuck Baker was in Atlanta, Georgia to attend Norfolk Southern’s 2026 Annual Short Line Conference, held at the Class I railroad’s headquarters. The event brought together representatives from Norfolk Southern’s network of short line partners.
Nicole Brewin and Amy Krouse also traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, not for the Norfolk Southern conference but to attend the League of Railway Women’s 2026 Symposium. Norfolk Southern Assistant Vice President, Mechanical Dianne Barnett was the event’s keynote speaker.
Brewin also participated today in a webinar hosted by freight rail advocacy organization GoRail. She discussed the BUILD America 250 Act, the surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Amy Westerman and Danialle Lovik were in Omaha, Nebraska for the 2026 Railway Interchange conference presented by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA), the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) and Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI). Westerman and Lovik staffed an ASLRRA booth in the Exhibit Hall.
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.
Stanford University’s Hoover Institution will hold a virtual panel discussion on June 11 to discuss the impact of federal regulation on Transportation Networks.
Titled “Regulating Transportation Networks: Opportunities and Challenges for Federal Regulatory Policy,” the discussion will explore what enables the success of regulatory design and what hinders it. Click here to learn more about the event and to register.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
