Mount Rushmore locomotive unveiled to celebrate America 250
TRRA expands Madison Yard to add 500-car storage-in-transit capacity
Watco reveals new locomotive honoring America's 250th anniversary
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To help railroads share the short line story and its connection to America’s 250th anniversary, ASLRRA offers a press release template to members.
The customizable template allows railroads to talk about their own origins and the critical services they provide to their customers. It is a part of the toolkit designed by ASLRRA’s communications team enabling small railroads to focus some of the America 250 spotlight on the contribution of short lines to America. The toolkit includes social media graphics and post text. Click here to view the template and all toolkit resources.
America will celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4. Across the country, short lines are participating in local festivities and honoring America’s past, present and future with specially designed tribute locomotives.
Several ASLRRA members unveiled their tribute locomotives in recent weeks, including Florida East Coast Railway, Iowa Interstate Railroad and member parent companies Watco and OmniTRAX. Other companies have revealed the latest of several repainted units.
Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (G&W) has created several tribute locomotives for use in freight service by various subsidiary railroads across the country. The fifth in the series, shown in G&W social media posts earlier this week, shares the same dark blue color scheme with red and white accents but features a unique graphic – Mount Rushmore. The image is fitting for the railroad that will be using the locomotive, the Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad, which operates in South Dakota where the Mount Rushmore National Monument is located.
Reading & Northern Railroad recently revealed a second commemorative locomotive as well as a festive caboose, both painted red, white and blue in celebration of America’s anniversary.
These new additions join the many locomotives short lines have unveiled since as early as last summer. A gallery of photos with brief descriptions can be found on ASLRRA’s 250th Anniversary Tribute Locomotives webpage.
Members’ locomotives will primarily be used in regular freight service, while some railroads that run excursions may use their tribute units on special train rides. As G&W Vice President of Communications Tom Ciuba commented, putting these designs into regular service offers “no better way to demonstrate our pride and the importance of railroading to the country's economic engine.”
While a specially painted locomotive may be a visible and lasting way to honor America’s 250th anniversary, several members are also participating in local celebrations, with or without their new units.
On April 25 and 26, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.’s Ohio Central Railroad participated in Ohio’s America 250 celebration, with the bald eagle tribute locomotive powering the 250 Buckeye Train.
North Shore Railroad’s tribute locomotive, NSHR 2238, participated in its first public excursion on June 27. NSHR 2238 and LVRR 9052, North Shore Railroad’s veterans unit, powered trains offering public rides during the Union County Veterans’ 4th of July Parade.
In conjunction with the cross-country tour of Union Pacific Railroad’s “Big Boy” locomotive #4014, Reading & Northern Railroad will host two viewing opportunities of the iconic locomotive during a USA 250th Anniversary Celebration on July 1 and 2. Two trips powered by Reading & Northern locomotives will allow passengers to see Big Boy as it moves through Pennsylvania. The railroad will also offer a separate Independence Day Steam Excursion on the Fourth of July.
These are just a few of the ways short lines are celebrating America’s landmark anniversary. As closely as U.S. history is tied to the railroad and the way it has moved people and goods over the past centuries, it is no surprise that railroads big and small feel a special connection to America, its people, its communities and its growth. For the entire industry, it is a connection to recognize, honor and celebrate.
ASLRRA member The Prairie Line recently unveiled a new locomotive with a paint scheme honoring America’s 250th anniversary. It is just one of the many examples of short line tribute locomotives unveiled in anticipation of the Fourth of July holiday.
ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Policy Jo Strang has been appointed to the Region 3 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board.
The boards advise the Small Business Administration (SBA) ombudsman about federal regulations affecting small businesses. The SBA ombudsman convenes hearings and roundtables to provide impartial counsel and recommendations concerning uneven or excessive regulatory enforcement.
There are 10 regions nationwide, and individuals serve three-year terms. Strang is excited about the opportunity, which she believes will help her provide more insight to and better advocate for the Association’s members.
ASLRRA signed on to an industry letter sent to leaders at four federal agencies sharing concern about the Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) plans to transfer all marijuana products from Schedule I to the lower Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act.
The letter was addressed to DEA Administrator Terrance Cole, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Sean Duffy. ASLRRA and the other letter signatories, representing industries like trucking, aviation, hazardous materials, pipelines and highway safety, expressed worry that changing marijuana’s classification would endanger the traveling public unless steps are taken to preserve employers’ ability to test safety-sensitive transportation workers for marijuana.
Marijuana is one of the most frequently detected drugs in transportation testing programs. The letter points out that while the USDOT has said it intends to continue testing for marijuana, whether the agency can do so also depends in part on if HHS will provide the procedures and certifications DOT needs to conduct the tests.
Without HHS guidelines and certified laboratories, industries would have no reliable way to confirm workers in safety-critical, high-risk transportation jobs, like rail operators, dispatchers and signal personnel, are not actively using marijuana.
The letter asks officials to safeguard marijuana testing; affirm the authority of regulated employers to conduct testing; ensure HHS resources remain available; and establish a federal strategy to address the implications of rescheduling marijuana.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) announced it has reopened its district office in Louisville, Kentucky. The office has been closed since March 2025 due to a lack of staff.
The office is located in the Mazzoli Federal Building in Louisville. Although the office has reopened, there is currently only one employee, so there may still be intermittent closures.
The Louisville office serves 99 of 120 Kentucky counties and seven counties in southern Indiana.
New York Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (left) visited ASLRRA member Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad's headquarters and locomotive shop in Lakeville, New York. LA&L President and CEO Bob Babcock (right) and other LA&L team members hosted Tenney for a tour and industry discussion.
In June, ASLRRA member Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad (LA&L) hosted Representative Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.) for a visit to the railroad’s Lakeville headquarters and locomotive shop.
LA&L President and CEO Bob Babcock and LA&L team members spoke with Tenney about how the railroad supports local businesses, with over $400 million in customer investment planned or in development along LA&L lines. The group also spoke with Tenney about the importance of federal and state rail grant programs and reaffirmed the importance of modernizing the 45G short line railroad infrastructure tax credit.
Tenney is a cosponsor of H.R. 516 and a supporter of short line railroads. As Tenney’s visit to LA&L demonstrates, maintaining relationships with elected officials helps them stay abreast of the changing industry landscape. Babcock and the LA&L team were able to talk about the current state of the railroad and show how their investment in infrastructure, transload capacity and locomotive modernization boosts customer growth and regional competitiveness. Programs and policies that help short lines make these connections are vital to a community’s economic wellbeing.
ASLRRA reminds its railroad members that inviting lawmakers to tour their operations is one of the best ways to build industry awareness and make and strengthen relationships with elected officials. Summer is an ideal time to schedule these visits.
Members looking for assistance connecting with their elected officials or setting up such a visit can always reach out to ASLRRA’s government relations team.
On June 29, ASLRRA member Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCPE), a Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (G&W) subsidiary, hosted South Dakota Senators John Thune and Mike Rounds and other officials for a special event that included an up-close look at RCPE’s tribute locomotive celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Joining Rounds and Thune were representatives from the South Dakota Department of Transportation and a staff member for South Dakota Representative Dusty Johnson, who was in Washington, D.C. for House sessions.
Everyone had a chance to view G&W’s newest commemorative locomotive, a graphic image of Mount Rushmore, which is located in South Dakota’s Black Hills. The group also had lunch with RCPE employees, when they talked about the railroad’s safety and commercial performance and its contributions to the local and national economy.
Thune is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the tax committee with jurisdiction in the Senate over items like the 45G short line infrastructure tax credit.
The event culminated with a check presentation to the South Dakota Ag Foundation. RCPE donated $10,000 to support the organization’s mission enriching agriculture for future generations.
South Dakota Senators Mike Rounds (second from left) and John Thune (third from left) joined other special guests at an event hosted by ASLRRA member Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad. The event included an up-close look at RCPE's new tribute locomotive featuring Mount Rushmore.
Held October 5-7 in St. Louis, Missouri, ASLRRA’s Fall Super Regional Meeting will provide many opportunities to broaden and deepen industry relationships. The Fall Meeting enables attendees to expand their professional network at the exclusive Topgolf networking event, designed to bring together individuals representing every aspect of the short line industry in a dynamic yet relaxed setting.
This unique experience provides the opportunity to build meaningful relationships, exchange insights and explore new business opportunities while enjoying Topgolf's engaging atmosphere.
Whether strengthening existing partnerships or making valuable new connections, the evening is designed to encourage productive conversations beyond the traditional networking environment. No golf experience is necessary. Simply come prepared to connect, collaborate and grow your professional network!
Attendance at the Topgolf event is free for railroad attendees, but the option must be selected when registering.
Other networking opportunities at the Fall Meeting include an evening reception on Oct. 5, committee meetings and Sandhouse Sessions for each region and associate members.
Register and secure your hotel by July 18 to lock in the best rates.
ASLRRA welcomes organizations interested in sponsoring this year’s inaugural event. Visit ASLRRA’s website to learn more or contact meetings@aslrra.org to ask questions and purchase a sponsorship.
MaxAccel provides innovative, best-of-class web and mobile-based software solutions to drive safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. Over 220 freight railroads, passenger operations and railroad contractors rely on MaxAccel’s suite of AssetPro™ and SafeTrack™ applications every day making them some of the most widely used in the rail transportation industry.
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.
Registration is now open!
FRA Part 215 Locomotive and Car Compliance Training Seminar
Nov. 17-19, Indianapolis, Indiana
ASLRRA has partnered with The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to offer a Locomotive and Car Compliance Training Seminar for short line railroads. Intended for short line railroad chief mechanical officers, shop foremen and inspectors, this three-day training seminar includes 2 and a half days of classroom and one half day of hands-on field training covering compliance requirements of locomotives and railcars.
FRA subject matter experts will review CFR Parts 215, 229 and 232 from a mechanical employee’s perspective and discuss common defects found throughout the industry and recommended actions for compliance.
Very few spots still available!
Leadership Program Professional Trainer Development
July 14-16, Charlotte, North Carolina
The training is intended for anyone who teaches, trains, or leads others and who would like to become a more confident presenter and more skilled in designing training for adult learners. Whether just starting as a presenter or instructor or having led training for decades, this course will level up skills for delivering exceptional training in a range of settings, from the classroom to the railyard.
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.
The Short Line Training Center has added two new computer-based training programs to its online learning management system (LMS) platform, Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineers (DSLE) training and General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) training.
The Short Line Training Center has provided critical CBT and instructor-led training (ILT) to more than 1,500 railroad employees since its inception in 2021. It is supported by a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program
DSLE training was initially launched as an in-person seminar. Now, railroad employees can also access this critical training online. The DSLE training course will provide managers of locomotive engineers with the training required under Part 240 and will cover aspects of Part 242. The training will provide an understanding of the qualifications and requirements of a DSLE including revocations and hearings. This training course can be utilized to cover Part 243 requirements concerning training of DSLEs.
Similarly, the GCOR training has been a highly popular in-person seminar, that is now an online course. The GCOR training program is provided in six individual stand-alone courses with the core GCOR course covering chapters 1-8 of the rule book. Other chapters, 9, 10, 14, 15 and 18, are provided as stand-alone options, applicable to specific railroad operations.
Click here for more information on the Short Line Training Center including a list of available courses.
The City of Boca Raton received $2 million in federal Congressional Community Project Funding to help build a roadway connection across ASLRRA member Florida East Coast Railway’s corridor.
Florida East Coast Railway will work with the City of Boca Raton and the Florida Department of Transportation to complete the Jeffery Street Crossing project, which will improve connections between neighborhoods, allow faster emergency response, improve transportation efficiency and more.
Construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed in 2027.
Mike Ogborn spoke at the 2026 Mid-States Highway-Railroad Safety Conference on June 23 in Lincoln, Nebraska, outlining the importance of short lines to the country and ASLRRA’s role. Attendees represented Class I and short line railroads, state departments of transportation from seven states, federal agencies, rail safety organizations and community partners.
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.
There are only five spots remaining in the special training opportunity being offered by the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI). It is the SLSI’s in-person Leading Forward – Skills Development for Railroad Professionals training seminar and a brief hazmat training program.
This is the first time both events are being offered together. The training takes place Aug. 11-13 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with the leadership course followed immediately by hazmat training. Click here to register today.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
