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Views & News - June 11, 2025

Views & News


Issue Highlights:

  • Regulatory – RRB Q&A focuses on unemployment and sickness benefits
  • Legislative – ASLRRA to launch new state legislation e-newsletter
  • ASLRRA Events – Registration open for three fall meetings
  • Grants and Funding – USDOT approves 529 grant projects
  • Out and About – Chuck Baker’s Railway Age column discusses advocacy efforts 

 


Headlines

Short Line Notable News

Sierra Northern Railway honored for testing hydrogen-fueled switcher

St. Louis panel encourages teens to consider rail, freight industry careers

Parallel Systems Launches First Commercial Pilot (Updated)

Tracks through time: Discovering railroad history (Housatonic Railroad)

Roadtrippin' 2025: Railroad explains travel opportunities for tourists and Alaskans alike

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.

Meeting Customer Needs Often Requires Navigating Complex Issues

Much has been said about short line railroads’ dedication to meeting customer needs. But as is often the case in the freight rail industry, the results of a successful project rarely capture the full scope of the work behind it. For ASLRRA member Kyle Railroad (KYLE), meeting a longtime customer’s service request involved careful planning, coordination, and problem-solving. It was a complex effort that ultimately delivered benefits on both sides.

KYLE customer Scoular, an agriculture company, had two distinct service needs for the railroad. Scoular’s Grain division ships both single carloads and unit trains of wheat, milo and corn in Goodland, Kansas. The Scoular Crush facility in Caruso, Kansas handles a combination of inbound canola and soybeans as well as outbound meal and oil. Meeting these needs required deft movement from KYLE’s team, as the railroad needed to navigate multiple challenges.

One task was keeping Scoular’s shipping costs down. To avoid hiring additional crews while accommodating increased trains at the Goodland location, KYLE adjusted its schedule and added a yard job. In Caruso, KYLE invested in a rail switch and helped add additional track at the facility.

KYLE also had to make sure inbound and outbound shipments would get to their destinations seamlessly. Coordinating this required many discussions with Scoular and Class I rail partners, because cars moving both as part of train manifests and whole unit trains needed to go to and from multiple destinations, moved by several different carriers. In addition, KYLE’s team needed to constantly do research and adjust rates to ensure the railroad could supply the raw materials needed and offer Scoular the most cost-effective shipping routes.

In the end, KYLE’s ability to accommodate Scoular’s needs and provide additional service has helped both companies grow. Scoular added 30 new jobs at one of its facilities and KYLE moved over 500 new carloads in 2024. Moving forward, the railroad anticipates this business will add 1,200 carloads to its annual volumes.

Expanding service is not as simple as finding space for a few extra railcars, especially when the need goes far beyond that. Scoular required a significant increase in capacity and KYLE stepped up to meet the challenge. By drawing on deep experience in both rail operations and the agriculture industry, as well as a strong relationship with a trusted customer, KYLE navigated the complexities to deliver a workable, profitable solution. It’s a clear example of the resourcefulness and responsiveness that define short line railroads.

ASLRRA member Kyle Railroad was able to meet a longtime customer's service needs, leveraging deep experience in rail and agriculture to address complex issues and develop a workable solution that helped both businesses grow.

 



 


Regulatory

RRB’s June Q&A Focuses on Unemployment and Sickness Benefits

The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) discusses unemployment and sickness benefits for railroad employees in the June edition of its Question and Answer (Q&A) series.

A new unemployment and sickness benefit year begins each summer, generally on July 1. The Q&A explains eligibility requirements and the daily benefit rate payable in the new benefit year.

The RRB also answers general questions about these benefits, including how an employee applies for and claims them, how long benefits are payable and how payments are made.

 

STB Identifies Initial Recommendations Based on Listening Sessions With Attorneys

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has identified five initial recommendations for streamlining board processes and procedures based on feedback gathered at recently held informal listening sessions with legal practitioners.

STB Vice Chairman Michelle Schultz reported receiving over 100 ideas for process improvements. Of those ideas, the five potential initial action items focus on the areas of ex parte communications and the use of staff liaisons, delegations of authority, discovery, technical conferences and replies to replies.

Schultz held three sessions in May, two in person and one virtual. ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel Sarah Yurasko participated in the virtual session.

 

New Public Safety Data Website Finalized by FRA

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) finalized the transition to a new, more user friendly online public safety data website, which was required by Section 22405 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

The new site replaces two older websites. The FRA engaged a variety of stakeholders to inform the site design process, including representatives from the agency, railroads, industry associations, state departments of transportation and researchers.

According to the FRA, users will find improved site navigation, streamlined reports and expanded and standardized filter options, all of which will make it easier to find relevant data and navigate pages more quickly. The new site also aligns with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Open Data Portal.

 

PHMSA Solicits Stakeholder Feedback on Burdensome Regulations

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit stakeholder feedback concerning the repeal or amendment of requirements in the pipeline safety regulations.

Feedback is meant to help PHMSA identify ways to “eliminate undue burdens on the identification, development, and use of domestic energy resources and to improve government efficiency.” The ANPRM also asks stakeholders to comment on whether the agency should amend the pipeline safety regulations to require PHMSA to conduct periodic regulatory reviews.

Comments on the ANPRM are due Aug. 4. ASLRRA is reviewing the document and intends to submit comments.

 


Legislative

Government Affairs Team Launches New State Legislation E-Newsletter

ASLRRA’s government affairs team is launching the State Legislation Digest, a new e-newsletter.

The newsletter, which will be published twice a month, will track state-level pending legislation relevant to short lines. This can include broadband access, vegetation clearing and tax credits. Newsletter subscribers will see reports related to topics like tax credits. Clicking the report link will show different bills across the country and their current status.

Only ASLRRA members are eligible to receive the newsletter. To subscribe, individuals can log into their member portal and click View/Edit User Profile. Members then go to Communication Preferences and update it by selecting State Legislation Alerts. Those who need assistance should contact Assistant Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Policy Crystal Gitchell.

 


ASLRRA Wurth MDP


 

 


ASLRRA Events heading

ASLRRA Opens Three Fall Meetings for Registration

Registration is now open for ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, Finance and Administration Seminar and General Counsel Symposium, which will take place Sept. 9 to 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Individuals can also book lodging in the Association’s hotel room blocks. Follow this link to go directly to the hotel page. The deadline for booking a room in the room block is Aug. 22.

Registration for the Central and Pacific Region Meeting, held Nov. 3 to 5 in New Orleans, Louisiana, will open Aug. 4.

ASLRRA is also selling sponsorships for these events. Click here to view the sponsorship prospectus or contact the Association’s meetings team at meetings@aslrra.org with questions.

 


Announcements

ASLRRA Quick Clips

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.

  • Share details about your organization’s feel-good stories or community work
  • Have a near-completed CRISI project? Contact Amy Krouse to tell us more.

DSLE and Part 217 Training Seminar Provides Expert Training on Important Industry Regulations

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.

 

Railroad Workplace Safety Training (Part 214) is Delivered Online Via ASLRRA’s LMS

 

Short line railroads now have the capability to train and assess employees on Railroad Workplace Safety (Part 214) using a comprehensive FRA-reviewed online training program available through the Short Line Training Center’s Learning Management System (LMS). 

Built using the latest technology and incorporating interactive tools to engage learners, railroads may use the Part 214 program for both initial classroom training and refresher training for employees. This program will familiarize workers with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 214, designed to prevent accidents and casualties to employees involved in certain railroad inspection, maintenance and construction activities. With an estimated completion time of two hours, the course covers the following Subparts of the regulation: General Rules, Bridge Worker Standards, Roadway Worker Protection (RWP) and On-Track Roadway Maintenance Machines and Hi-Rail Vehicles.

Railroad Workplace Safety is just one of the cutting-edge regulatory training programs being developed by ASLRRA and the Iowa Northern Railway Company with funding from an FRA CRISI grant. The training program is currently available to railroads using the Short Line Training Center LMS; railroads using another LMS platform may license and access the ASLRRA/IANR training programs through a cloud hosting service.

Learn more about industry training and resources available from the Short Line Training Center or contact ASLRRA SVP, Education and Business Services, Sabrina Waiss for more information and pricing.

 

Access Important PPE and Related Services Through Preferred Provider Würth

Würth is ASLRRA’s Preferred Provider of personal protective equipment (PPE) and related services and their customer-first approach to service and support has a long history. Since opening their doors, Würth has helped thousands of companies protect their employees and work with optimum efficiency for maximum output. Their team of railroad specialists currently supports nearly 200 short line railroads, rail industry contractors and Class I railroad companies.

ASLRRA members can depend on Würth for quality safety and industrial products and exceptional customer service, plus discounted pricing on a huge assortment of products and equipment needed to implement an effective and efficient safety program. Offerings include foot and leg protection, signs, ergonomic products, hearing and eye protection, clothing protection, lighting and electrical products, storage containment and environmental spill cleanup, traffic control and much more.

Visit the Association’s Member Discount Program page to view Würth’s complete product offering and suite of services and start saving today.

 


ASLRRA Grants and Funding heading

USDOT Approves 529 Additional Infrastructure Grants, Including CRISI Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it has moved more infrastructure grant projects to obligation, enabling the projects to receive funding and begin work.

Included in the list of projects are eight Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants worth $69 million total, and 22 Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) grants worth $28 million.

Several of the CRISI grants are for projects being undertaken by ASLRRA members, including Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad, Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railway Company (CRANDIC), Great Lakes Central Railroad, New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway and Finger Lakes Railway Corporation.

A more detailed Excel sheet of each of the approved grants, which total 529 and were awarded by several different USDOT agencies, can be found here.

 


ASLRRA Out and About heading

Baker’s ASLRRA Perspective Talks About Ways to Achieve Short Line Goals

In this month’s ASLRRA Perspective in Railway Age magazine, ASLRRA President Chuck Baker discusses the multiple challenges and opportunities currently facing the short line freight rail industry.

Baker homes in on issues in the legislative arena, including securing both passage of the 45G short line infrastructure tax credit modernization bill and robust funding for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. He also mentions efforts on the regulatory front to identify burdensome rules and get them modified or repealed.

In order to produce results beneficial to short lines, Baker calls on those in the industry to step up their engagement efforts. He lists three ways to do so, saying short lines should invite lawmakers and agency leaders to see their operations; short lines should get other stakeholders involved in advocacy; and short lines should publicize the ways they have benefited from programs like CRISI.

 

Staff Shorts: Who’s Where in the Railroad World

Sarah Yurasko is in Chicago, Illinois to participate in the League of Railway Women’s (LRW) 2025 Symposium. The theme of the event is “Navigating the Rail Industry, Telling your Story,” and will build on last year’s theme of personal branding. Yurasko is the LRW’s immediate past president.

Yesterday, Cameron Downs attended the Esri Washington D.C. Nonprofit Regional Meetup. The meeting brings together nonprofit leaders and subject-matter experts to discuss the application of geographic information system (GIS) technology at their organizations.

Chuck Baker traveled to BNSF headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas to attend the BNSF Short Line Caucus Meeting yesterday. Today, he was back in Washington, D.C. for the Eno Center for Transportation's Annual Leaders Development Conference to participate in a panel discussion titled "How Lobbying Really Works."

 


ASLRRA Part 214 online training course ad


 


Webinars

On-Demand Webinars

View Recorded Webinars Presented by ASLRRA’s Expert Staff

ASLRRA’s on-staff subject-matter experts have presented several webinars, the recordings of which are available any time to Association members Look for the following titles online in the Regulatory category:

  • Emergency Docket Waivers
  • FRA Penalties and Violations
  • FRA Regulatory & Program Requirements for Short Lines, Part 1
  • FRA Regulatory & Program Requirements for Short Lines, Part 2

Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.


Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.