Richmond railroad modernizes 1980s locomotive with clean-air grant
For OmniTRAX, Another Wyoming Mining Partnership
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.
Registration rates will increase tomorrow for the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting and ASLRRA’s focused industry events, the Finance and Administration Seminar and General Counsel Symposium. These events, which are co-located in Charlotte, North Carolina, are now less than three weeks away.
Don’t forget to add on the Bowlero Networking Event on Sept. 10 when registering. It is free for all attendees.
Meanwhile, rooms in ASLRRA’s hotel room block are selling out and the discounted rate will expire this Friday, Aug. 22. Do not delay in booking hotel rooms. If any rooms are available after Aug. 22, they will be at standard rates.
The Eastern and Southern Region Meeting and the focused industry events each offer engaging and relevant education sessions presented by subject-matter experts. The Finance and Administration Seminar will offer insight into topics such as labor relations, accounting systems, fixed assets and retirement plans, all as seen through the lens of a professional in the short line railroad industry.
Likewise the General Counsel Symposium will discuss legal topics from a short line perspective, examining the FRA’s guidelines for plant railroads, environmental regulatory requirements and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and more. This year, all those who register for the General Counsel Symposium will automatically be registered to receive continuing legal education (CLE) credits. There is also no additional charge for multi-state credit.
An additional benefit of ASLRRA’s Finance and Administration Seminar and General Counsel Symposium being co-located with the region meeting is the ability of attendees of all three meetings to network during breaks and social events. The Association encourages members to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with short line colleagues in a more close-knit environment.
ASLRRA has filed comments in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Request for Information (RSI) regarding the National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP), docket number DOT-OST-2025-0369.
ASLRRA responded to a wide range of questions, providing the short line freight railroad perspective on the most urgent national policies for the 2025 NFSP. The Association emphasized the difference between Class I and Class II and III railroads, noting most short lines are small businesses in accordance with North American Industry Classification Standards.
The unique nature of the short line freight railroad industry served as the foundation for ASLRRA’s responses to the RFI. The Association recommended changes to bolster the impact of the NFSP and suggested the USDOT focus on decision making that is data driven. ASLRRA also urged continued and strong support for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program and explained how regulatory flexibility can promote deployment of new technologies.
The ninth edition of the General Code of Operating Rules (GCOR) book will be effective Sept. 23, with preorders being taken starting today.
There are three size options and four binding options for the book, as well as a letter-size option that can be purchased unbound. Also available for purchase are a transition guide that reviews rule changes and updated images and the GCOR book on CD.
Those wanting to preorder copies of this updated GCOR rulebook must create a user account to access the GCOR online ordering system. Anyone needing assistance with ordering the new book or setting up a new account should contact James Davis at James.Davis2@taylor.com or 214-537-2995.
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Switching Operations Fatality Analysis (SOFA) Working Group has issued a new SOFA Alert concerning a serious injury suffered by a conductor.
The conductor, who has 19 years of experience, was shoving 49 cars into a yard track. While shoving a cut of 30 cars the movement traversed through a switch that was out of correspondence and collided with a standing train on the adjacent track. The conductor was riding the lead car and suffered a lower leg amputation.
Although the incident is still under investigation, the SOFA Working Group urges railroad workers to always be vigilant during switching operations.
A copy of this SOFA Alert and other industry safety notifications is available on ASLRRA’s website. The Association maintains a list of notices from the SOFA Working Group, the Fatality Analysis of Maintenance-of-Way Employees and Signalmen (FAMES) Committee and the FRA to help industry professionals stay abreast of recent safety news.
Education sessions at both of ASLRRA’s Eastern and Southern and Central and Pacific Region Meetings will offer insight into several legislative and government topics, and will include presentations from leaders at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
At the Eastern and Southern Region Meeting FRA’s Chief Safety Officer Karl Alexy will provide an update during the Tuesday General Session. Attendees will also be able to learn about partnering with state departments of transportation (DOTs) on grants and economic development projects, and ASLRRA’s Vice President, Congressional Affairs Nicole Brewin will provide an update on short line legislative issues.
REMINDER – RATES INCREASE TODAY for registration, and HOTEL DISCOUNTS EXPIRE FRIDAY.
Attendees of the Central and Pacific Region Meeting will also hear from Brewin and learn about working with state DOTs. In addition, FRA Acting Administrator Drew Feeley will be on hand for an “Ask a Regulator” Q&A during the Wednesday General Session.
Legislative and regulatory sessions are just a few of the wide range of topics being discussed at ASLRRA’s two region meetings. Register today to join short line railroad colleagues for three days of engaging education and a variety of networking opportunities in Charlotte, North Carolina and New Orleans, Louisiana.
ASLRRA members in recent weeks have continued to welcome elected officials to their facilities for tours and discussions of short line freight rail issues. Although the August recess is winding down for members of Congress, the Association continues to encourage short lines, suppliers and stakeholders to continue their outreach efforts, building momentum on key rail topics as lawmakers begin the trek back to their D.C. offices at the end of the month.
At top of mind for short lines are passage of the 45G short line infrastructure tax credit modernization bills and robust funding for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program. Sharing stories about the ways grant funding and tax credits enable significant infrastructure improvements that benefit railroad, shipper and individual constituents can help motivate lawmakers to support both.
ASLRRA’s government affairs team is eager to help members connect with their members of Congress. In addition to advice on advocacy, these in-house experts can offer support on a wide range of topics. Follow the link above to learn about ASLRRA’s legislative staff and how to contact them.
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.
VRC Manufacturing, based out of Berea, OH, specializes in the manufacturing and remanufacturing of machined parts and assemblies for a diverse range of industries. They produce components like water pumps, oil pumps, drive shafts, and hydraulic adjusters. Notably, they offer an extended-life diesel locomotive water pump with a five-year warranty, serving sectors such as locomotive, marine, military, industrial, and agricultural. Our primary contact, Chris Lovell can be reached at chris.lovell@vrcmfg.com.
ASLRRA’s Central and Pacific Region Meeting is being held Nov. 3 to 5 in New Orleans, Louisiana, and those planning to attend can register for the event and additional activities, such as a golf tournament.
Educational sessions will provide expert insight into the direction the rail industry is moving related to legislation, regulation, legal precedent, technology, federal grant programs and business development. ASLRRA will also honor the regions’ President’s Safety Award winners. Click here to register. The reduced early bird rate, which applies to golf registration, will end Sept. 24.
Attendees can also click here to reserve a room in the ASLRRA hotel block at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans.
Organizations interested in sponsoring the Central and Pacific Region Meeting can 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 Engineering Committee has developed a new resource for Association members – a template of safe work practices for engineering employees.
Members can log in to the Compliance Templates section on ASLRRA’s website and find the new template under Part 214, Roadway Worker Protection. The template reviews safety rules and practices when conducting certain tasks or using different types of equipment. There are also charts on personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements that railroads can modify to reflect the company’s PPE policy.
ASLRRA and the Engineering Committee staff liaison JR Gelnar are grateful to past committee chair Kyle Kellem of Tacoma Rail, current chair Lucas Brewer of Colliers Engineering & Design and all members of the working group for creating this resource.
With autumn already on the horizon, ASLRRA knows many of its members are gearing up for fall foliage excursions, pumpkin patch rides and even trips with Santa.
The Association would like to share news of its members’ seasonal events in upcoming editions of Views & News and on social media. Pictures, links, press releases and other information are all welcome. Please send details to Mariel Takamura, or contact her with any questions.
Industry experts in ASLRRA's Member Discount Program can assist member railroads in the preparation and submission of a number of different grant applications at the federal, state and local levels.
As a preferred provider of grant writing services, Colliers Engineering and Design offers discounted rates, industry expertise, and exceptional service to ASLRRA members. Visit ASLRRA’s Member Discount Program page and select Grant Writing Services to learn more about Colliers and other exceptional preferred providers.
ASLRRA is wrapping up a busy year of in-person educational offerings with its ninth and final training seminar being held Oct. 7 to 9 in Freeport, Maine. Fewer than 10 seats remain for the newest module of ASLRRA’s Leadership Program, a two-and-one-half day Professional Trainer Development workshop designed for trainers of all levels and subject matter experts who want to expand and enhance their training skills.
Attendees will learn how to design training using adult learning principles, manage participant engagement and the learning environment, enhance personal presentation skills, and develop course materials using Bloom’s Taxonomy for Instructional Design and ADDIE methods. Throughout the workshop, participants will delve into understanding and applying proven development and facilitation techniques through engaging activities and peer-reviewed small group presentations intended to simulate authentic training experiences.
Whether just beginning a career in training, or decades into it, attendees will leave this workshop with new skills and insights to help them design and deliver exceptional training and improved outcomes on their railroad.
Help Offset Training Costs with an ASLRRA Scholarship
Just as only a few seats remain in ASLRRA’s upcoming training seminars, only a very limited number of scholarships are still available this year to employees of eligible small railroads who will attend or have attended certain industry training classes. Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis and can be applied retroactively to an eligible event that has already taken place in 2025. Click here to learn more about ASLRRA’s scholarship opportunities.
Crystal Gitchell spoke at an event hosted by the New Jersey Railroad Association on Aug. 20. Gitchell provided an update on legislative work going on in the ASLRRA Washington, D.C. office. The event was held at ASLRRA member Raritan Central Railway's facility.
Each of ASLRRA’s three most recent live webinars can now be viewed as recordings. The first two are available to those who log in to ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar Library, while the webinar from yesterday will only be available to the Association’s railroad members who must request access via email.
Currently available recorded webinars include:
“Strategies to Protect Short Line Interests in a Shifting Federal Landscape,” originally presented July 30
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.
Speakers: Tyler Evans, Partner in Steptoe’s Government Contract Practice; Judy Wang, Partner in Steptoe’s International Trade Practice; Jennifer Quinn-Barabanov, Partner in Steptoe’s Commercial Litigation Practice; Sarah Yurasko, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, ASLRRA
Sponsored by Steptoe
“Railroads in a Turbulent Environment,” originally presented Aug. 12
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. Audience Q&A moderated by ASLRRA President Chuck Baker.
Speaker: Tony Hatch, ABH Consulting
“Addressing Unionizing Efforts on Your Railroad,” originally presented Aug. 19
Only ASLRRA railroad members may access this on-demand webinar. Please email Sabrina Waiss for assistance.
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?
Speakers: Audrey Lane, Attorney, Fletcher & Sippel LLC and Sarah Yurasko, SVP and General Counsel, ASLRRA
Sponsored by Fletcher & Sippel LLC
Justin Broyles has been named president and CEO of ASLRRA member parent company R. J. Corman Railroad Group. Broyles has been serving as R. J. Corman’s interim president and CEO since June.
Broyles has worked in the railroad industry for nearly 25 years, holding positions of leadership at R. J. Corman and Patriot Rail, another ASLRRA member parent company. In his work at R. J. Corman he has overseen emergency services, storm response, construction, national account management and all commercial activities, including marketing and sales teams for R. J. Corman’s 19 short line railroads.
Broyles is also active in the short line industry. He serves as vice chairman of ASLRRA’s Board of Directors and is chairman of the Short Line Safety Institute’s Board of Directors. He is also chair of the Surface Transportation Board's Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council and a member of the Executive Committee Board of Directors of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
