‘There she was, still meowing’: Kitten found alive after being stuck on train tracks for hours
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.
ASLRRA offers a diverse set of programs and resources to help meet railroad and supplier members’ wide-ranging needs and accommodate their varied interests. One noteworthy offering is the Association’s webinar program, which features both live and recorded discussions of topics important to short line freight rail stakeholders.
ASLRRA has announced two new upcoming webinars that will feature popular industry speakers and provide insight into the critical issues those in the industry currently face.
On June 30, ASLRRA and speakers from member law firm Steptoe, LLP will present “Strategies to Protect Short Line Interests in a Shifting Federal Landscape.” The webinar will discuss the impact of policy changes made by the Trump Administration and provide suggested strategies to help short lines react to these changes and work proactively to protect their interests.
Legal professionals in California, Illinois, New York and Texas can also receive an hour of continuing legal education (CLE) credit for attending this webinar. And thanks to a generous sponsorship by Steptoe, registration is free for ASLRRA members and $50 for non-members.
On Aug. 12, individuals can hear from popular railroad industry analyst Tony Hatch of ABH Consulting. During this webinar, titled “Railroads in a Turbulent Environment,” Hatch will discuss the current railroad market, which is affected by issues related to labor dynamics, regulatory pressures, international conflict and supply chain instability.
This webinar is scheduled for 90 minutes instead of the usual 60 to accommodate audience questions at the end of the presentation. Registration is $25 for ASLRRA members and $50 for non-members.
For those who are unable to attend webinars live, ASLRRA offers webinar recordings on-demand. The Association’s On-Demand Webinar Library features over 200 presentations in various categories, including operations and safety, regulatory, technology, human resources and marketing and business development.
These on-demand webinars feature subject-matter and industry experts from ASLRRA, member railroad and supplier companies, federal agencies like the Federal Railroad Administration and Railroad Retirement Board and many others. Users can access the library by logging in from ASLRRA’s Webinar page.
ASLRRA always welcomes webinar ideas and sponsorships from its members. To discuss potential webinars, contact ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Education and Business Services Sabrina Waiss.
A new Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Alert from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reminds railroad employees to maintain vigilance during switching operations, especially when switching between adjacent tracks.
A serious injury prompted the release of this latest alert. A conductor with 11 years’ experience was severely injured during a shove movement into an adjacent track. The SOFA Working Group reminds employees to ensure equipment is standing clear of adjacent tracks before beginning a shove movement, and to be sure to stop the movement whenever there is uncertainty.
ASLRRA maintains copies of recent safety notices from federal agencies. Find them on the Association’s Safety Alerts, Reports and Advisories page.
The July edition of the Railroad Retirement Board’s (RRB) Question and Answer (Q&A) series discusses disability annuities for railroaders.
Railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled can be eligible for annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act. The Q&A describes the difference between total disability and occupational disability, the standards for each type of disability and how to apply for a disability annuity. Also discussed are early Medicare coverage for disabled annuitants, disability work restrictions and more.
In a separate announcement, the RRB noted it has relocated its Wichita District Office to the U.S. Courthouse Building on North Market Street in Wichita, Kansas. The office opened to the public on June 27. Importantly, the RRB notes that this change is one of several field office moves scheduled in 2025.
An update from Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs describes recent actions taken to facilitate and expedite the resolution of several outstanding STB proceedings.
The seven actions described in the STB’s press release cover a variety of issues including a construction exemption, a railroad revenue adequacy proceeding, a petition for rulemaking concerning annual revenue determinations and a petition for a declaratory order.
Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed its version of the reconciliation bill in a 51–50 vote, with Vice President JD Vance acting as tie-breaker. This bill includes several pro-business tax provisions, including some that could be beneficial to the rail industry.
The bill makes bonus depreciation permanent, allowing 100 percent expensing for qualifying assets placed in service after January 19, 2025. It also permanently reinstates the Section 163(j) EBITDA-based limitation on the deductibility of business interest expense, capped at 30 percent of a company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Additionally, the bill makes the 20 percent pass-through qualified business income (QBI) deduction permanent, with a $400 minimum benefit for small filers. Finally, it permanently restores full expensing of domestic research and development (R&D) costs, including retroactive relief for small businesses.
Now that the Senate has passed its version, the bill heads back to the House. From there, two scenarios are possible. First, the House could approve the Senate version as-is and send it directly to the president for his signature. Second, and more likely, the House and Senate will negotiate a final version through a conference committee, with both chambers needing to pass the final compromise bill.
Although the short line rail infrastructure tax credit modernization bill was not included in either the House or Senate reconciliation bill, the good news is that the 45G tax credit is already permanent and short line advocates are making progress gaining cosponsors for H.R. 516 and S. 1532, the House and Senate Short Line Tax Credit Modernization bills. While ASLRRA’s team works to identify the next legislative opportunity for the modernization bill, the current 45G credit stays in effect, and short lines can keep receiving credit for eligible track upgrades.
In the meantime, ASLRRA will continue to advocate for the bill and encourages its members to do the same. These efforts will be conducted in a number of ways, including through in-person meetings. Members looking to get involved are encouraged to contact their elected officials to tell the short line story and talk about the importance of legislation like the 45G modernization. See ASLRRA’s 45G position paper here, or reach out to ASLRRA’s government affairs team for assistance with these efforts.
In an article in RailPrime, the subscription site of Progressive Railroading magazine, Senior Editor Julie Sneider examines efforts of short line railroaders and stakeholders, including ASLRRA, to encourage robust funding for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program.
Sneider talks about recommendations made in this year’s presidential budget to provide $500 million in discretionary spending for CRISI in fiscal year 2026, an increase of $400 million over the fiscal year 2025 enacted amount. While a presidential recommendation is far from enacted law, ASLRRA President Chuck Baker, whom Sneider interviewed for the article, noted that such a request is an encouraging sign of support for this critical program.
Sneider calls Baker and ASLRRA members relentless in their CRISI advocacy, and Baker goes on to explain why the program is so valuable to short lines and why it attracts significant bipartisan backing. Although the current focus in Congress is on passing reconciliation legislation, attention will soon return to surface transportation reauthorization, which Baker and others in the short line industry hope will continue the CRISI program and provide guaranteed annual funding.
Know a company that would benefit from joining and participating in ASLRRA? Please contact Vice President, Membership Danialle Lovik via email or on (202) 585-3443.
Santiam Excursions LLC, based in Lebanon, Oregon, offers train excursions and rail bike tours in the scenic Willamette Valley. Santiam Excursions’ trips offer catered dinners, brunch buffets, romantic moonlight scenery, wine and beer tasting, in addition to kid friendly and holiday rides throughout the year and private train rentals for events. It also offers a special ride on a newly restored steam locomotive. The excursion trains run over 17+ miles of track on the Albany & Eastern Railroad’s Sweet Home Branch line. Our primary contact is Director Nancy Randall, who can be reached on (541) 401-3663.
Trans-Global Solutions, Inc. (TGS) is a nationwide provider of contract railroad services, specializing in third-party switching, locomotive leasing, and track construction and maintenance. They serve a wide range of industrial clients including refineries, chemical plants, ports, and logistics terminals, with a focus on safety, efficiency, and customized rail solutions. TGS brings over 45 years of experience with dedicated crews and cutting-edge technology to support reliable and scalable operations.
Blue Ocean Composites LLC dba Triton Group, based in St. Louis, Missouri, is the manufacturer of Triton Ties, a proven composite railroad tie product. With over 25 years in the plastics industry, they are plastic experts, and plastic makes up over 80 percent of the tie. With a projected lifespan of 50+ years, their ties are impervious to rot, moisture, and insects and can be recycled at the end of their use. It also owns and operates a plastic recycling company, providing complete control of its supply chain. President Greg Janson is our primary contact and can be reached on (314) 963-8000.
This year’s Eastern and Southern Region Meeting mixes old and new elements to create an optimal experience for ASLRRA members looking to balance the best of short line education, networking and more.
In a change from previous schedules, this year’s region meeting will take place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 9 through 11. Also new this year is the addition of a networking happy hour event on Wednesday night at Bowlero.
What has not changed, however, is ASLRRA’s commitment to offering meaningful educational opportunities to meeting attendees. Sessions at the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting will include a live Q&A with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) representatives, information on leadership development and succession planning, discussions of procurement, technology, marketing and more.
This commitment to quality education also applies to the General Counsel Symposium and Finance and Administration Seminar, which are co-located with the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting and take place Sept. 9 to 10 and Sept. 10 to 11, respectively.
The General Counsel Symposium, which for the first time includes continuing legal education (CLE) credits as part of registration fees, features sessions on FRA regulatory reform, critical incident response and environmental regulatory requirements. Meanwhile topics covered at the Finance and Administration Seminar will include competitive compensation packages, attracting top talent and using functional testing as a retention tool.
Individuals can also book lodging for the event in the Association’s hotel room blocks. Follow this link to go directly to the event hotel page. The deadline for booking a room in the block is Aug. 22.
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.
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 celebrates Senior Vice President, Communications Amy Krouse on her tenth year working at the Association. Krouse’s work in the rail industry brings her back to her family’s roots, as her great-great grandfather was a train engineer.
“Even though you don’t necessarily see her name that much, Amy Krouse is the voice of ASLRRA and the short line industry,” said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. “From press releases to congressional testimony to [e-newsletter] Views & News to speeches, much of ASLRRA’s public facing commentary comes from Amy, with tremendous success. She’s an awesome team player and her communications and media expertise is put to good use every day on behalf of short lines.”
At ASLRRA, Krouse is head of communications, helping educate members about the Association’s offerings and the public about the importance of the short line freight rail industry. Krouse collaborates across departments and works with countless members and other interest groups to gather and disseminate information for a multitude of efforts. She is also responsible for marketing campaigns, conveying the benefits of ASLRRA membership and advertising the wealth of programs and resources provided by the Association.
“Amy has been an incredible mentor,” said Manager, Communications Mariel Takamura. “It’s difficult to fully explain how well she embodies the duality of being tough and kind. She is no-nonsense and incredibly compassionate, matter-of-fact and warm and personable. She has taught me a great deal not only about short lines and railroading but also about balancing work and motherhood. We’ve also bonded over our similar experiences as military family members. She’s really just an all-around fantastic person.”
Prior to joining ASLRRA, Krouse worked for two decades in brand and messaging development and new product strategy. Read more about Krouse in her anniversary interview below, and learn what household brands she worked with as a product marketer earlier in her career.
Q: How did you get your start in the railroad industry?
AK: The short line railroad industry has been part of my family history – my great-great grandfather, Alonzo Hummer, served as a train engineer (employee #W 39) for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad out of the Washington, New Jersey station. In the early 1900s Washington was a significant hub for coal trains coming from the mines in Pennsylvania, and passengers going to New York City. Like many towns that are serviced by a short line, more than 250 families in Washington were engaged with the rail, or supporting the railroad. Railroad retirement benefits kept the family chicken farm afloat, providing the bedrock for several more generations of my family to prosper in Washington.
Beyond that family touchpoint, I’d worked in transportation marketing for several decades – including running Rand McNally’s technology mapping business which created the precursor to Waze and Google Maps - maps on a Palm Pilot with a clip-on GPS! - and the first commercial and consumer GPS for truck drivers. Eventually, I became the director, public relations at Rand McNally. From there, it was an easy leap to trains!
What began as a several month contracting project for ASLRRA has turned into ten wonderful years in the blink of an eye!
Q: What has been the work or initiative that you’ve been most proud of over the past ten years?
AK: I’m proud of the benefits we provide to members, from advocating in Congress and at regulatory agencies, to training of all types, to events, to creating new programs and services with the help of grant funding. I’m part of a skilled staff that is motivated to deliver outstanding service to our members. And we reflect short lines – wearing a lot of hats, working efficiently for our size. I’m proud of the relationships we’ve developed in the press community and our communication tactics, which continue to evolve. And, I love telling the short line story – it’s incredibly fulfilling to showcase the members’ great work.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your work at ASLRRA? What do you enjoy most about working with short lines?
AK: Work is never dull – every day there is a new challenge, and a new opportunity.
Q: What would our members be surprised to know about you?
AK: I’m not sure they would be surprised, but as a marketing person, I am always looking to experience the product when I’m out and about. My family loves to travel, and no matter where we go, I am on the hunt for a train! They may also be surprised to know that I’ve worked as a product marketer for Mr. Clean, Gatorade, Quisp and Cap’n Crunch cereal – ask me about “roof rip” sometime!
ASLRRA's Senior Vice President, Communications Amy Krouse is celebrating her tenth work anniversary at ASLRRA. When not drafting myriad press releases and other pieces for the Association, Krouse loves to travel and tries to find trains wherever she is in the world.
Two in-person training seminars remain in 2025, one of which will be held July 15 to 16 in Sacramento, California.
ASLRRA’s DSLE and Railroad Operating Rules (Part 217) Training Seminar will feature presentations by industry- and subject-matter experts JR Gelnar of ASLRRA, Mark Vaughn of the Iowa Northern Railway Company and Kevin Lewis of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). They will help participants understand Designated Supervisor of Locomotive Engineer (DSLE) responsibilities and related regulations.
Then, from Aug. 26 to 27 in Freeport, Maine, ASLRRA will hold its FRA Railroad Accidents/Incidents (Part 225) Training Seminar with Gelnar and the FRA’s Michael Wissman and Arnoldo Gonzalez. This seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of all requirements related to accident and incident reporting, along with available resources to facilitate compliance.
Register today to secure a spot in these valuable and popular training seminars.
Employees of small railroads are eligible for scholarships to help them attend important industry training. Click here to learn more about ASLRRA’s scholarship opportunities.
The Coalition Heath Plan is specifically designed for ASLRRA members looking for a solution to reduce their medical premiums and simplify the healthcare experience for their employees. As the fifth largest broker in the world with over 500 locations in North America, HUB International is well equipped to provide ASLRRA members with a vast network of benefits experts and best-in-class resources no matter where the member company is located in the US.
Partnering with HUB puts ASLRRA members at the center of a vast network of experts who provide risk services, claims management, and compliance support. Visit ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program page and select Employee Health Insurance to start saving today.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is soliciting applications for funding through the Minnesota Highway Freight Program. This round of funding is specifically meant for projects that support intermodal connections between two or more transportation modes, including railroads. Applications are due Sept. 3.
According to MnDOT, “funding can be used on any public road, railroad crossing or intermodal facility if the project provides a public freight benefit.” Examples of eligible projects can include railroad at-grade crossing improvements, intermodal projects and first- or last-mile projects. Also possible are combinations of eligible projects, such as a facility that connects waterborne freight service to a railway.
Up to $51.2 million will be available through this program. The Minnesota Highway Freight Program website provides more information including the application, a description of evaluation criteria, a recorded informational webinar and a link to register for a live webinar scheduled for July 23.
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) announced it has awarded nearly $1.5 billion in funding to 37 projects across the state, of which $999.5 million will go to projects under the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
According to the CTC, Trade Corridor Enhancement Program funding will help move freight more efficiently, bolstering economic development while improving air quality and prioritizing safety. Some of the projects recommended for funding include those that will help shift freight from trucks to rail and eliminate at-grade crossings.
More information about these freight projects, including links to detailed project descriptions, is available here.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago the UZ railroad, called the "second army," has moved hundreds of thousands of refugees, diplomats, food stuffs, and critical military supplies. UZ employees keep the railroad running under brutal conditions. Over 4,000 rail workers have been killed, wounded or lost their homes.
In response to the railroad’s dire support needs, rail industry leaders including former FRA Administrator Jolene Molitoris created the Global Ukraine Task Force (GURTF). GURTF is led by Molitoris, now with the US Railcar Company, Ray Chambers of the Association for Innovative Passenger Rail Operations and Jon McGrath of the McGrath Rail Company.
The task force has created a charity raising money and purchasing food, water and protective gear. To begin a North American campaign, GURTF has established a special account through the United Way CAF of Alexandria, Virginia which provides an American record, transparency and tax deductibility.
“We have now raised a half million dollars with funds coming primarily from Britain and Europe. We raise the funds and they are administered by United Way and distributed by the UZ Trade Union Foundation. The need is daunting," wrote GURTF members in an email. "Today peace talks are uncertain and Russia is pounding the country to win more territory. This includes accelerated bombing of the rail network. We recently received an urgent request for protective gear for rail workers facing this onslaught.
We are reaching out to our American friends and our rail colleagues. We would really appreciate your making a donation of any size.”
For questions, please contact any of the following members, or click to donate through the United Way/CAF.
Rail industry publication Railway Track & Structures will hold an online conference titled “Track Geometry & Rail Flaw Detection” on July 10.
The conference will feature speakers from ASLRRA member parent company Genesee & Wyoming Inc. and associate business member Holland. Discussions will focus on track inspection technology, track testing and more and attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions during the event. Click here to learn more and register.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
