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Yesterday and today, ASLRRA staff and members of the Association’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) participated in over 65 meetings on Capitol Hill to advocate for key short line issues, particularly passage of bills to modernize the 45G short line infrastructure tax credit.
ASLRRA will also participate in additional meetings with lawmakers and their offices next week Tuesday through Thursday. These fly-ins are an ASLRRA-only, scaled-down version of May’s Railroad Day on Capitol Hill advocacy event, which was open to railroad employees and stakeholders from all parts of the industry, including Class Is.
The primary goal of the July meetings is to garner more co-sponsors for the House and Senate 45G modernization bills, H.R. 516 and S. 1532. Participants are also taking the opportunity to talk to lawmakers and their staff about short line priorities as they relate to the surface transportation reauthorization bill currently being discussed in Congress.
Each day of meetings targets representatives and senators from a small group of states. Yesterday LPC members met with individuals from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Today they met with Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.
ASLRRA has organized several focused fly-ins in 2025. The Association appreciates all those who have helped plan and those who participated in these events.
The Association also continues to encourage individuals to contact their elected officials in Washington, D.C. and urge support of short line priorities, particularly 45G modernization. For information about or assistance with contacting lawmakers, reach out to ASLRRA’s government affairs team.
Members of ASLRRA's Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) are participating in fly-ins this week and next to discuss short line issues with lawmakers and their offices.
(L to R) Jaguar Transport Holdings' Jeff Van Schaick, Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad Company's Danny Robbins and Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.'s Arielle Giordano pose for a photo outside of Cotton's office.
ASLRRA encourages individuals to contact their elected officials to urge their support for the House and Senate 45G short line tax credit modernization bills, H.R. 516 and S. 1532.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is soliciting nominations to fill vacant positions on its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC) and Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). Nominations for both committees are due Aug. 8.
There are nine vacancies in RETAC, including one for a Class II and III railroad representative. Other vacancies are for representatives from electric utilities, biofuel companies, the petroleum shipping industry and two Class I railroads. There is also a need for an at-large representative.
For RSTAC, there are only two vacancies, one for a small railroad representative and one for a small shipper representative.
The STB’s announcements of the committee vacancies and nomination solicitations, found at the links above, include further information about RETAC and RSTAC. That information includes the purposes of the committees, responsibilities of members and instructions for submitting a nomination.
ASLRRA has made an update to the Part 243 template program. This update, which affects the On-the-Job Training (OJT) Check Sheet under Part 236 (less subpart H and I), has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The FRA determined that the previous OJT Check Sheet was missing a recordkeeping task. ASLRRA has added the Part 236.110 Results of Test task to the checklist. Anyone who uses the OJT Check Sheet after June 25 should download and utilized the revised checklist dated June 17, 2025.
Members can find the OJT Check Sheet by logging in to the ASLRRA website and accessing Compliance Templates, clicking Part 243 (Training, Qualification, and Oversight for Safety-Related Railroad Employees), then Part 236 (less subpart H and I) and finally OJT Check Sheet.
Iowa is in the process of updating its State Rail Plan, so the Iowa Department of Transportation is encouraging the public, including railroads and shippers, to provide feedback on the State Rail Plan draft.
According to an Iowa DOT press release, the plan “provides an overview of the state’s rail network, examines the ongoing development of infrastructure by railroads, and provides a pathway for the future rail transportation system in the state.”
Individuals can view a plan draft here and access a link to submit feedback. The comment period opened July 14 and will close Aug. 28.
In an effort to bolster outreach, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has begun publishing an RPH Spotlight to highlight investigation reports from the NTSB’s Office of Rail, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Investigations.
The inaugural report features seven investigations published between January and June 2025. Reports will be sent out quarterly to railroad industry contacts for inclusion in the organization’s communications efforts. The reports can also be printed and posted in yard offices. Each report will include a link to the NTSB webpage discussing it.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has reiterated its support for integrating automated track inspection (ATI) technology with manual track inspection practices, issuing a statement further discussing its position and its request to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver to the agency’s track inspection regulations.
AAR has also set up a website detailing its position on ATI. The organization’s original waiver petition was published May 9, with the comment period ending July 9.
AAR argues that use of ATI would improve inspection safety and efficiency, saying that current manual-inspection-only rules are outdated. AAR also says that using ATI can improve safety by speeding up inspections to enable faster repairs; reducing track inspectors’ exposure to risk along railroad tracks; and reducing the need for inspectors to stop or slow train traffic.
An update made by the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit program will now allow financing for all types of transportation infrastructure projects, up to 49 percent of eligible costs.
TIFIA financing was previously limited to 33 percent, with 49 percent authorized only in certain cases. The decision to increase the loan percentage was based on customer feedback, analysis of program data and the results of several pilot programs.
Short line railroads are not directly eligible for the TIFIA program but can partner with eligible entities like state and local governments and government-sponsored authorities to apply. Intermodal facilities are an example of the types of projects that can be funded.
ASLRRA will participate in a meeting with the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Policy Review Team to discuss topics of importance to short line railroads. In advance of the meeting, ASLRRA has sent a letter to STB Chair Patrick Fuchs with information concerning the issues the Association plans to address.
Attending the meeting will be ASLRRA's Chuck Baker, Sarah Yurasko and Mike Ogborn, Farmrail Systems' Eric Betke, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc.'s Arielle Giordano, Patriot Rail Company's Don Itzkoff and Watco's Laura McNichol and Curtis Sloan.
The letter focuses on improving competition and reducing regulatory burdens. Two recommendations are for the STB to proactively provide guidance about federal preemption under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA) and create a process to license common carriers like ASLRRA’s members.
In a July 8 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit struck down the Surface Transportation Board’s reciprocal switching final rule.
The court ruled in favor of the petitioners, Class I rail carriers, and their argument that the STB’s rule exceeded its authority as established by the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. The rule would have established procedures to enable a shipper to request an STB-ordered reciprocal switching agreement if its incumbent rail carrier did not meet performance standards as described in the rule.
The court decision does not have much bearing on ASLRRA members. During the rulemaking process, when the STB was soliciting comments on a proposed version of the rule, ASLRRA advocated to have short lines excluded from the final rule. Other than a very narrow exception that could have impacted some small railroads, the final rule did exclude short lines.
On July 14, the House Appropriations Committee marked up and advanced its fiscal year (FY) 2026 transportation, housing and urban development (THUD) appropriations bill. The bill proposes $538.4 million for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, up significantly from the $100 million enacted in FY 2025. Of the total, $38.4 million is designated for Community Project Funding, also known as earmarks.
Most of the proposed CRISI funding, however, comes from other rail programs. Specifically, the bill transfers $2.8 billion from the $7.2 billion in FY 2026 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) advance appropriations originally dedicated to the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program.
The funding reallocation reflects House Republicans’ focus on freight rail safety and rural infrastructure, particularly through CRISI, which benefits short line and regional railroads across the country. However, the transfer drew criticism from Democrats, who argued against diverting resources from the passenger rail network.
While the House bill shows continued support for CRISI, total rail funding remains well below levels authorized in the IIJA. The IIJA provides CRISI with $1 billion in advance appropriations annually, with authority for up to $1 billion more per year through FY 2026—the final year of the law's funding unless Congress acts to extend or reauthorize it.
The full House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up the bill on July 17. The Senate’s version of the THUD bill is expected in the coming weeks, and passenger rail stakeholders will be watching closely to see if the Senate restores passenger rail funding and increases CRISI support without using internal offsets.
Meanwhile, ASLRRA has been actively advocating for strong CRISI funding. Earlier this year, the Association worked with members of Congress to circulate a bipartisan sign-on letter to THUD subcommittee leadership, calling for robust CRISI appropriations. Copies of the letter can be found on ASLRRA’s CRISI page.
That letter builds on ASLRRA’s formal appropriations requests to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Office of Management and Budget, and House and Senate appropriators. Additionally, numerous members have submitted individual programmatic requests in support of full CRISI funding.
Today U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy testified at a House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee hearing titled “Oversight of the Department of Transportation’s Policies and Programs and Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request.” It is the first time Duffy has testified before the committee.
According to a brief committee press release, committee members will be able to question Duffy on a number of transportation issues, including the agency’s policies, programs and its budget request for fiscal year 2026.
ASLRRA staff is monitoring the hearing for any information that would be relevant to short lines. A recording of the hearing is available on the hearing webpage, along with copies of official written testimony and opening statements.
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.
The Oregon Rail Heritage Center, based in Portland, Oregon, is run by a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Oregon’s rail history and inspiring future generations through education, hands-on experiences, and public engagement. The center showcases historic locomotives and hosts community events that spotlight the region’s rich rail heritage. It offers Saturday train rides through the Springwater Corridor along the east bank of the Willamette River, with great views of the city, river, and wildlife as well as special holiday trains. Executive Director Renee Devereux is our primary contact and can be reached on (503) 233-1156.
In addition to providing important industry education, ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern Region Meeting offers an opportunity to celebrate safety achievements and network with colleagues, including at a new, free happy hour event at Bowlero on Sept. 9.
The meeting takes place Sept. 9 to 11 in Charlotte, North Carolina. ASLRRA will honor President’s Award winners during the Wednesday and Thursday General Sessions. Click here to view a full agenda.
This year’s honorees are:
Southern Region President’s Safety Award Winners
Eastern Region President’s Safety Award Winners
This year, the Finance & Administration Seminar and the General Counsel Symposium are co-located with the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting. Consider adding on registration to attend sessions focused on these career areas. Continuing Legal Education credit (CLE) is included in the registration for the General Counsel Symposium.
Individuals can also book lodging for these events 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’s Part 225 training seminar takes place in little over a month. Register today to secure a spot in this valuable and popular training seminar.
From Aug. 26 to 27 in Freeport, Maine, ASLRRA will hold its FRA Railroad Accidents/Incidents (Part 225) Training Seminar with ASLRRA’s JR Gelnar and the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) 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.
ASLRRA’s final training seminar in 2025, the ASLRRA Leadership Program – Professional Trainer Development, will take place Oct. 7 to 9, also in Freeport.
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.
Wi-Tronix, one of the newest Preferred Providers in ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program, offers valuable products and services to Association members.
Wi-Tronix provides digital onboard solutions. Short line railroads can use the company’s Violet Edge system to operate locomotives smarter, safer and more efficiently. The Violet Edge solution includes locomotive installed hardware with options for adding video and compliance tracking.
Violet 830 hardware provides real-time locomotive tracking capabilities along with live monitoring of fuel usage, fuel monitoring, and excess idle reporting. The Violet 800 series hardware includes all the functions of the Violet 830 and is also an FRA-approved event recorder (ER), digital video recorder (DVR), and PTC recorder.
For more on Wi-Tronix and a full listing of products available, members can login and click here. To join ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program, contact ASLRRA’s Senior Vice President, Education and Business Services Sabrina Waiss.
This week, Fred Oelsner is participating in the 119th Annual Meeting of the American Railway Development Association (ARDA) in St. Louis, Missouri. ARDA is an organization focused on educating railroad professionals on best practices and technologies utilized for industrial development projects and real estate management.
On Monday, Nicole Brewin was a panelist at a briefing on Capitol Hill hosted by nonprofit organization Center Forward. The title of the briefing was “Railroads: Leaders in Safety and Innovation.”
JR Gelnar and Sabrina Waiss traveled to Sacramento, California to hold the DSLE and Railroad Operating Rules (Part 217) training seminar. The full-to-capacity event also featured speakers Mark Vaughn of Iowa Northern Railway Company and Kevin Lewis and Kurt Erickson from the Federal Railroad Administration.
Iowa Northern Railway Company's Mark Vaughn (standing) spoke to participants at ASLRRA's DSLE and Railroad Operating Rules (Part 217) training seminar held this week in California.
The Trump Administration has rapidly unveiled a series of policy changes from suspensions of federal funding to tariffs that create potential disruptions for rail projects and could lead to disputes, renegotiated deals, terminated or suspended contracts, and potentially, litigation. These far-reaching actions will require short line railroads to react quickly to the changing landscape and to strategize in advance to protect their interests. Join legal experts from Steptoe LLP and ASLRRA for an engaging discussion of these challenges and strategies for addressing them.
Steptoe is an accredited continuing legal education (CLE) provider in California, Illinois, New York and Texas and is pleased to offer one hour of CLE credit or general MCLE credit depending on the state. Those seeking credit in other jurisdictions are asked to note that in their registration form so an application can be submitted on their behalf.
Sponsored by:
Join Tony Hatch of ABH Consulting for insight into the current railroad market. Hatch will explore today’s industry, which is beset by issues related to labor dynamics, regulatory pressures, international conflict and supply chain instability, and provide his perspective on how shippers, investors and rail are affected. Join us for what promises to be an engaging discussion that will help railroad professionals understand these challenges and see the opportunities in them. This webinar is scheduled for 90 minutes to allow ample time for audience Q&A at the end of the presentation.
Short line railroads are seeing a major uptick in union activity on their properties and there appears to be no property that is "too small" for labor organization. What options do carriers have when union organizations approach their employees? And, once the unions have established the right to a union vote with the National Mediation Board, what is the role of the carrier? This webinar will provide answers to all your questions and allow for an open discussion for ASLRRA railroad members to ask questions and share their experiences.
Sponsored by:
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has designated July 14 to 20 Freight Rail Innovation Week, focusing on the people and the cutting-edge technological tools that work to improve operational safety and efficiency across the nation’s freight rail network.
As part of Freight Rail Innovation Week, AAR highlighted the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) and its efforts to help small railroads improve safety culture. SLSI is featured on AAR’s Freight Rail Innovation Week website and was the subject of an AAR social media post that appeared on AAR’s Facebook, LinkedIn and X timelines.
Railway Track and Structures (RT&S) magazine has named 14 winners of the 2025 Women in Rail Engineering Award, which includes two ASLRRA-member employees.
The awards recognize women who demonstrate achievements in their fields. ASLRRA congratulates all this year’s winners, especially Heather Padavell, project manager at Watco, and Rita Bulsara, senior program manager at RailPros.
Winners will be honored at the Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail conference that will be held in Schaumburg, Illinois from October 15 to 16.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
