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ASLRRA is halfway through this year’s scheduled slate of in-person training seminars, and the Association’s offerings are proving to be more popular than ever.
Last week, training professionals attended the Short Line Training Center’s Professional Trainer Development course held in Charlotte, NC. The two-and-a-half day program focused on the development of the trainer as a presenter and communicator, and methods of developing training for adult learners. The course culminates with teams presenting a topic utilizing all of the skills learned over the two days.
This trainer development seminar is consistently highly rated by participants, and is offered twice a year in person. It will be next offered in the spring of 2027.
Next week, ASLRRA staff and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Human Performance Specialist Lance Hawks will be in San Diego, California for the seminar titled FRA Part 243 Minimum Training Standards and the Impact on Part 214 / Part 217 Training Requirements. There are 90 people registered for this event, a testament to its popularity and the value of the course topic.
ASLRRA’s in-person training seminars cover critical regulatory and compliance issues railroads and their employees face every day. Beyond offering vital information, these seminars provide attendees with an opportunity to speak directly with subject-matter experts, which often include FRA representatives, and network directly with railroad industry colleagues whose work responsibilities mirror their own.
After next week’s seminar there is still the Regulatory Module – Leadership Program, Sept. 22-24, also in San Diego, and the FRA Part 215 Locomotive & Car Compliance Training Seminar Nov. 17-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
ASLRRA continuously evaluates its seminar schedule to offer training on issues members find relevant and important. This has led to development of a new course being introduced this fall.
New to the slate of in-person training will be a course in strategic communications, preparing railroad management and communicators for their worst day. The course will be offered in Charlotte, North Carolina on Oct. 27 – 29, and will cover both ongoing day-to-day communications, and the management of the media and message when an incident occurs on your railroad. Topics will include:
Visit ASLRRA's Training Seminars webpage to learn more.
Attendees at last week’s Professional Trainer Development seminar participated in a partner exercise. The seminar helps improve presentation and communication skills and is one of the many in-person educational offerings provided throughout the year by ASLRRA.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published a new Safety Bulletin after a recent fatal incident involving a conductor. Though the FRA is still investigating the incident, the agency urges railroads and their employees to review the safety recommendations in the bulletin.
The incident occurred when a conductor assigned to an eastbound train stopped on Main Track 2 dismounted to perform a ground-level inspection of a westbound train. The westbound train was crossing from Main Track 1 to Main Track 3 and the conductor was struck by the westbound train while fouling Main Track 3.
In issuing Safety Bulletin 2026-03, the FRA calls on railroads to review important safety information with managers and employees. These discussions should cover topics listed in the bulletin: expecting equipment movements, assessing inspection safety, enforcing safe observation locations and reviewing past lessons learned.
ASLRRA’s Safety Alerts, Reports and Advisories page compiles recent safety-related notifications from the FRA and other federal agencies. Safety Bulletin 2026-03 is there, along with other recent notices.
ASLRRA joined two labor groups and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) in a letter to leaders of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The letter expresses strong support for the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Stability Act of 2026, S. 4965.
View the text of the bill here, or click here to see a one-page bill summary.
ASLRRA, AAR, the Transportation Trades Department AFL-CIO (TTD) and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) wrote to Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The letter describes how the bill will provide consistent administrative funding to the RRB, enabling the agency to address technology modernization issues and improve efficiency and service for railroaders.
Although the RRB’s administrative costs are not covered by the federal general revenue fund, the agency must go through the appropriations process each year to receive approval for allocated funding that covers administrative costs. The RRB Stability Act would provide a stable, consistent funding stream allocated from the RRB’s own trust fund. Money for the RRB’s fund comes from payroll taxes paid by railroad employers and employees.
Cassidy and Sanders, along with Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), introduced the RRB Stability Act on July 14. ASLRRA President Chuck Baker is quoted in the press release, applauding the senators for taking the lead on “this common sense RRB reform and modernization bill.”
Last week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Environment Subcommittee held a markup of seven bills, including the Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives (LOCOMOTIVES) Act. All seven bills passed out of committee by voice vote.
During the markup, Representative Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) called the LOCOMOTIVES Act a “commonsense bill” that will “close the loophole which allows the California Air Resources Board to request waivers from EPA that allow the state to issue overreaching mandates.” ASLRRA supports the bill.
Know a company that would benefit from joining and participating in ASLRRA? Please contact Vice President, Membership Danialle Lovik via email or at (202) 585-3443.
Pivotal Rail Products is a rail solutions manufacturing company currently specializing in the repair, servicing, calibration, and sale of Automated Single Car Test Devices (ASCTD). They partner with railroads and railcar repair shops to keep brake testing equipment accurate, compliant, and ready for service with calibration, repair and technical support. Pivotal Rail Products’ experienced team combines industry expertise and responsive communications to ensure customers are informed and their equipment returns to service quickly. For more information, please call (904) 647-7783 or email orders@pivotalrail.com.
The educational opportunities at ASLRRA’s first-ever Fall Super Regional Meeting are as robust as ever, with industry and subject-matter experts gathering to share their insight on a number of topics from safety to compliance, business development to operations and more.
Several new sessions have recently been added to the meeting agenda, including those related to human resources topics. This year, attendees can attend any education sessions in any track, including legal and finance and administration. Click here to view the full meeting agenda with session titles and descriptions.
Some interesting sessions this year include:
The Fall Super Regional Meeting will take place Oct. 5-7 in St. Louis, Missouri. The event combines all the Association’s fall meetings into one top-notch event. Register today, and be sure to secure hotel lodging before the Sept. 10 cutoff date.
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.
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.
The Short Line Training Center delivers essential safety, regulatory and compliance training programs and materials to short line railroads throughout the U.S.
With the online Learning Management System (LMS), short line railroads may access comprehensive, railroad-specific training programs, interactive coursework, and assessment materials, accessible at any time. Currently available courses include:
Visit ASLRRA’s website for more information about the Short Line Training Center LMS, computer-based courses, and instructor-led training seminars.
ASLRRA Leadership Development Regulatory Module
September 22-24, San Diego, California
The Regulatory Module of ASLRRA’s Leadership Development Program is the only industry training of its kind, covering a broad selection of topics in a single setting. The two and a half-day training seminar provides an overview of the federal agencies that regulate railroads and, in addition to federal regulations 101, the course will cover Part 217, Part 218, Part 219, Part 225, Part 228, and Part 243.
Training combines traditional presentation methods with interactive discussion using real world examples to round out attendees’ understanding of complicated regulations and how they impact frontline operations. Developed for frontline supervisors and managers from multiple crafts, the curriculum is essential for these individuals and relevant for anyone involved in day-to-day railroad operations. Attendees will gain an in-depth understanding of regulations that govern railroad operations and participate in facilitated, interactive dialog with expert instructors and peers.
Click here to see additional upcoming seminars as well as event details and online registration and hotel booking links.
ASLRRA has sent a survey to the primary contacts at its Class II and III railroad members requesting information about their use of the hours-of-service (HOS) exemption waiver. Railroads that do not provide this information will not be eligible for the waiver.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) seeks details concerning a request by ASLRRA and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) to renew the HOS exemption that has been in effect since Dec. 23, 2020. The FMCSA requests information on railroads using the waiver, including the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers under which member railroads operate registered motor vehicles.
ASLRRA wants to be sure it submits a complete and accurate list of its member railroads covered by the FMCSA exemption. To do this, members are asked to complete a very brief survey on the subject. Responses are requested by July 31.
Those with questions about the survey or who have not received a survey link can contact Cameron Downs or Fred Oelsner.
Last Friday, Nicole Brewin attended the unveiling of a Vermont Rail System tribute locomotive commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. The event was hosted by Vermont Rail System, an ASLRRA member parent company, and GATX, an ASLRRA supplier member. Also in attendance at the unveiling were FRA Administrator David Fink, STB Member Richard Kloster (pictured above, right), Vermont Lieutenant Governor John Rogers and Vermont Secretary of Transportation Joe Flynn.
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.
Registration is now open for Next-Gen Rail Systems 2026 presented by Railway Age magazine.
Next-Gen Rail Systems, formerly known as Next-Gen Train Control, is a communications, signaling and advanced technology conference. It takes place Oct. 21-22 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The conference features technical sessions, project updates and panel discussions. Click here for more information and to register.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) has launched the Freight Rail Research Consortium, partnering with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of California, Berkeley, Rutgers University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to establish a platform for research on issues facing freight rail.
In a press release, AAR notes that many questions facing the rail industry “remain understudied.” The initiative aims to address these knowledge gaps, encouraging academic research in key areas such as rail economics, supply chain resilience, freight competitiveness, transportation policy, emerging technologies and infrastructure investment.
AAR will work with specific university programs: MIT’s MIT Mobility Initiative, UC Berkeley’s Institute of Transportation Studies and Rutgers’s Rutgers Rail and Transit Program. AAR will also build on its existing longtime partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) program.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
