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.
Small railroads are not technology averse. ASLRRA members understand that advancements in technology can help in countless ways, especially when it comes to enabling them to do more with less. For instance, technology can improve equipment efficiency, which lowers fuel costs. Or it can help workers with their daily tasks, easing burdens on small teams.
Often the biggest barrier keeping short lines from adopting new technology is the availability of funding and resources. But, as with so many other things, short lines know a work-around. Take ASLRRA member Adrian & Blissfield Railroad Company (A&B), for example. The team at A&B has partnered with Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education (CRRE) and MxV Rail to conduct real-world testing of a hybrid rail inspection system that can help shape the future of rail safety.
The hybrid rail inspection system project began as part of the Association of American Railroads’ Grand Challenges in Railroad Technology Program. While traditional rail inspection methods rely primarily on visual checks and contact-based sensors, this hybrid system uses electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT), magnetic flux leakage (MFL) and motion-induced eddy current (MIEC) to detect surface and subsurface rail defects in motion and in real time, without needing to touch the rail.
Although researchers and developers at MSU were able to produce this technology in the lab, they needed to test it in the field. And that is when A&B stepped in.
“We recognized an opportunity to contribute to a project aimed at transforming rail inspection technology,” said A&B President Chris Bagwell. “Through this collaboration we are not only advancing innovation but also reaffirming our role as a forward-thinking industry partner dedicated to continuous improvement.”
A&B provided access to decommissioned rail lines on which the inspection equipment could be tested. A&B team members also worked with their counterparts at MSU to explain the regulations under 49 CFR Part 213. They discussed what defects inspectors would be trying to find, introduced them to different track components and helped them understand operational constraints.
Being able to assess the system in the real world was a critical step, as elements that worked well in the laboratory often failed outside of it. Achieving a field-deployable system has meant many phases of design and testing and a great deal of fine-tuning.
A&B and MSU will continue to collaborate on testing and refining the inspection system through 2025. The goal is to develop an economical, field-deployable tool, something as simple as a detachable mount on an existing hyrail configuration, that could be a standard part of the rail industry’s toolkit. It would be a single-unit track geometry and track defect tester in one, enabling the everyday track inspector to identify metallurgical weaknesses and common rail defects and send real-time data to a railroad’s maintenance-of-way and engineering departments.
For short lines, being able to implement a system like this would mean fewer service disruptions and less downtime; the opportunity to raise safety standards without requiring the purchase of expensive inspection vehicles; and the ability to manage assets more effectively and efficiently. It is potential that could have been missed if railroads like A&B were unwilling to pursue this kind of collaborative work with institutions like MSU.
“Very few times in a railroad person’s life do you get to help change the industry for the better,” said Bagwell. “Participating in this project represents a rare and meaningful chance to shape the future of rail safety.”
Adrian & Blissfield Railroad (A&B) has been working with Michigan State University’s (MSU) Center for Railway Research and Education (CRRE) and MxV Rail on a hybrid rail inspection system.
A&B provided access to decommissioned rail lines for the MSU team to conduct real-world testing of their rail inspection system, which enables detection of surface and subsurface rail defects in motion and in real time.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy has submitted a response to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) proposed rule repealing special approval requirements for freight cars over 50 years old and replacing it with mandatory comprehensive shop inspections conducted by a designated inspector.
While the FRA says the proposed rule’s procedures requiring certification of an over-50-year-old freight car would reduce burdens on railroads, the Office of Advocacy disagrees. The Office says that the proposed rule is mandatory instead of voluntary, and recommends the FRA revaluate the rule and offer regulatory alternatives to reduce the impact on small entities.
One alternative the office recommends is to remove the 50-year restriction on freight cars and rely on existing regulations and industry safety standards. The Office argues that the current age limit does not factor in modern technology and maintenance practices or regulatory provisions already in place concerning rail car inspection and repair.
ASLRRA and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) submitted joint comments in response to this rule earlier this month, with both associations calling the proposed new requirements overly burdensome. ASLRRA also submitted its own supplemental comments saying the FRA failed to follow procedures in the Regulatory Flexibility Act to minimize the impact of the proposed rule on small businesses.
ASLRRA has joined the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and four shipper organizations in a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to request clear and definitive guidance on the scope and application of preemption under the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA).
The letter points out that ICCTA establishes the STB’s exclusive jurisdiction over rail transportation and the construction, acquisition, operation, abandonment, or discontinuance of rail infrastructure. However, misunderstanding or misapplication of ICCTA by local authorities erodes the law’s national uniformity.
The group calls on the STB to provide clear and authoritative guidance on ICCTA preemption. STB guidance could help clarify issues that often arise at the state and local level such as transloading land-use disputes, eminent domain, per-car hazmat fees, defect detector requirements, and more. Without consistent guidance, state and local governments are likely to continue encroaching upon this federal jurisdiction.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has released a draft of the 2025 Pennsylvania State Rail Plan for public review and comment. Comments are due Oct. 24.
The plan guides advancement of freight and passenger rail in the state and is updated every four years. Included is a current assessment of state rail needs and recommendations to improve rail safety and service.
PennDOT will hold a virtual public meeting on Oct. 16 to discuss key information, answer questions and collect feedback. Click here to view a copy of the plan and submit comments.
A press release published Monday by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) provides an update from STB Chair Patrick Fuchs concerning several pending proceedings. The news is part of the board’s continued efforts to promote transparency and accountability.
Fuchs lists eight proceedings including several petitions for declaratory orders and requests for exemption as well as a petition from the Association of American Railroads concerning certain positive train control (PTC) railroad expenditure reporting requirements.
Fuchs expects the board to issue a decision on four of the proceedings this month, one no later than October and one no later than November. On the remaining two, Fuchs will offer a course of action for consideration by the full board in October.
Over 2,200 local government leaders signed a letter to members of Congress urging them to reject any legislation that would allow longer, heavier trucks on the nation’s roads. The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks, an advocacy group, organized the letter.
The letter notes the destruction big trucks would cause, pointing out that any longer, heavier trucks allowed on interstates would at some point have to drive on local roads and bridges that are ill-equipped to handle such loads. Local taxpayers and governments would bear the burden of repairing infrastructure damage, even as they struggle to keep up with current maintenance schedules and replacement costs.
ASLRRA supports CABT and joins in efforts to keep bigger trucks off America’s roads. The Association’s Modal Equity with Trucks webpage outlines the benefits of shipping by rail instead of truck and discusses other important subjects such as implementation of a true user-pays system to replenish the Highway Trust Fund.
ASLRRA has joined several rail industry associations, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) in a letter to the chair and ranking member of the House Transportation Committee’s Railroad Subcommittee urging them to issue an exemption from Section 106 review for railroad rights-of-way.
The letter asks Representative Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and Representative Dina Titus (D-Nev.) to include language in surface transportation reauthorization legislation directing the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) to comply with Section 11504 of the FAST Act by issuing the exemption.
Section 106 requires federal agencies to consider the impact of projects on historic properties, which can delay important infrastructure projects. A law passed by Congress established an exception-based framework to prevent Section 106 from having a blanket impact on interstate projects. According to the FAST Act that same approach was supposed to be applied to railroads but still has not.
Freight rail advocacy group GoRail has spearheaded a letter sent to members of Congress urging robust freight rail investment in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill.
Hundreds of government officials, representatives from economic development groups, business leaders and others from 48 states and the District of Columbia signed the letter, their signatures accounting for 85 of the letter’s 87 pages.
In addition to describing the benefits of freight rail and freight rail investment to the U.S. economy, the letter identifies specific policies Congress should include when considering infrastructure legislation. These policies include prioritizing safety and performance through innovation, improving safety partnership opportunities, supporting competitive grant programs and more.
ASLRRA is also working to advocate for freight rail and short line priorities as Congress is developing the next surface transportation reauthorization bill. The Association recently submitted comments in response to a U.S. Department of Transportation Request for Information (RFI) concerning surface transportation. ASLRRA has also developed an information sheet that outlines surface transportation reauthorization priority items for the short line freight railroad industry.
Know a company that would benefit from joining and participating in ASLRRA? Let us know by emailing us at ASLRRA@aslrra.org.
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Early bird registration ends today for ASLRRA’s Central and Pacific Region Meeting. Starting tomorrow, prices will increase not only for registration but for the golf tournament and golf club rentals.
The meeting will take place Nov. 3 to 5 in New Orleans, Louisiana and will feature expert-led education focused on regional issues. These experts include individuals from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Acting Administrator Drew Feeley and CRISI grant specialists.
Click here to register today. Attendees can also click here to reserve a room in the ASLRRA hotel block at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Room block pricing will expire October 13.
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 collaboration with Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR) on development of the Short Line Training Center was featured in an article in RailPrime, the online publication of Progressive Railroading magazine.
The article discusses the development of the training center, which is funded by a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant. IANR and ASLRRA applied for the grant looking to develop a program that offered small railroads the same type of technical employee training larger railroads could provide that they could not. The ultimate goal was to improve railroad safety.
Through the partnership with ASLRRA, short line railroaders can access a variety of in-person and online training covering topics such as locomotive inspections. To date, over 1,200 railroad employees from 24 railroads are currently receiving online training through the Learning Management System platform developed by ASLRRA and IANR. The grant has also funded purchase of four locomotive simulators, two of which are in the Mobile Technical Training Center that can be driven to short lines to provide on-site training.
The article goes on to describe soon-to-be-released training courses and the record-keeping functions of the LMS. More information about the Short Line Training Center can be found on ASLRRA’s website.
RailPrime features premium industry insights, data and analysis for subscribers, and robust coverage of the short line industry. Paying for an annual membership includes, among other benefits, complimentary access to virtual events and a subscription to the print edition of Progressive Railroading magazine.
ASLRRA extends its condolences to the family and friends of Betty Croft, who passed away on Sept. 17. Betty was the wife of former American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRA) President Howard Croft. She was 97.
Howard Croft was the longest-serving president of ASLRA, the precursor to the modern ASLRRA. He was in the role from 1968 until 1989.
A celebration of life service will be held for Betty on Oct. 3 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation and viewing at 10:30 a.m. at the Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas. Memorial donations may be made to the Christian Care Centers Foundation at 948 Wiggins Parkway, Mesquite, Texas 75150 or Christ’s Haven for Children in Keller, Texas.
A comprehensive tie inspection using Loram’s Aurora Track Inspection Technology provides a detailed report that enables a railroad to streamline capital maintenance programs and helps ensure they are in line with industry regulations with compliance reports, while also helping them to plan repairs in the most efficient way possible. As an ASLRRA Preferred Provider, Loram offers discount pricing on its Aurora technology.
All ASLRRA Member Discount Program Preferred Providers are carefully vetted companies committed to providing discounted pricing, special offers and guaranteed exceptional services on a range of industry-specific products and services. Visit the Association’s Member Discount Program page to view all Preferred Providers and learn how Loram’s Aurora Track Inspection Technology can make railroad operations safer and more efficient.
ASLRRA is finalizing the 2026 schedule for training seminars and plans to release next year’s lineup this fall. Those who are interested in attending training in 2026 are encouraged to plan ahead. They may also want to consider applying for a scholarship to help fund their attendance.
Employees of small railroads who attend eligible industry training classes could receive a $1,200 Doug Golden Scholarship or a $500 Jake Jacobson Scholarship. A small railroad is one that makes less than $10 million in annual revenue.
Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Individuals can plan ahead and apply for a scholarship to attend a future training event, or they can apply retroactively for an event that has already taken place in 2025. Click here to learn more about ASLRRA’s scholarship opportunities and submit an online application.
Nominations are open for ASLRRA’s annual Safety Person of the Year and Safety Professional of the Year Awards. Any employee of an ASLRRA member railroad is eligible, and winners will be honored in person at ASLRRA’s 2026 Annual Conference, which will be held April 12 to 14 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Click here to submit a Safety Person of the Year Award nomination.
Click here to submit a Safety Professional of the Year Award nomination.
The Safety Person of the Year Award recognizes an employee of an ASLRRA Class II or Class III member railroad who works with management on effective safety programs, exhibits a high degree of safety awareness and contributes off-duty time to activities promoting safety awareness in the community.
The Safety Professional of the Year is open to any professional safety management employee of an ASLRRA Class II or Class III member railroad who is responsible for safety programs, training and the overall management of safe behavior and actions on their railroad(s).
Nominations for both awards are due Oct. 17. Please email Mariel Takamura with any questions about the award, especially if unsure about whether a candidate falls under the Safety Person or Safety Professional category. If submitted under the wrong category, the nominator will be asked to re-submit the nomination using the correct form.
ASLRRA member Pend Oreille Valley Railroad (POVA) and the Port of Pend Oreille will reconstruct a highway-rail crossing with funding from Washington’s Grade Crossing Protective Fund (GCPF).
State regulators approved $25,000 for safety improvements at the crossing, allowing POVA and the Port to address safety concerns such as poor drainage. The Port will pay the balance of the project’s total $150,000 cost.
The project is expected to begin in summer 2026 and take approximately six to eight weeks to complete.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Grant Program. Over $5 billion will be available for eligible projects.
Though this funding is geared toward capital projects related to passenger rail service, eligible projects do include improvements to infrastructure used for providing intercity passenger rail service. Railroads are not able to apply for these grants directly but can partner with states, public agencies or other eligible recipients on a project. Grant applications are due Jan. 7.
In this new section, ASLRRA will highlight its members that have received Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants, showcasing the importance of this funding and how benefits reach beyond the railroad itself.
If your railroad has received a CRISI grant and would like to submit information for this section please complete our online form.
Project Facts
Awardee: Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS)
Fiscal Year: 2023/2024
CRISI Grant: $29,883,200
Local Match: $7,286,800 (20%)
Total Project Cost: $37,170,000
IAIS is in the heart of wind energy generation in Iowa, but clearance restrictions on bridges in Iowa prevent the shipment of large wind energy components by rail. Aging bridges in Illinois have speed restrictions that negatively impact freight and future passenger rail safety and operations and one major bridge structure is at risk of failure due to ice jams that can occur during a weather event. The Bridge Replacements in Iowa and Illinois to Develop Green Energy and Safety (BRIIDGES) Project is designed to replace all four structures to ensure optimal performance for generations to come. BRIIDGES will speed trains to their destination, harden infrastructure against natural disasters, and open new rail markets for over-sized freight shipments, while preparing a freight line for future passenger service. BRIIDGES will generate $16,082,000 in net benefits with a benefit-cost ratio of 1.46 to 1.00 at a cost of $34,958,000.
Notable Quotes
“Rail transportation is integral to the success of our farmer-owners and their families who are served by the IAIS and rely on this service to transport their grains and grain products to regional and international markets, as well as shipments to and from our ethanol refinery located on the IAIS. As North America’s leading farmer-owned cooperative, CHS is uniquely positioned to serve growing demand for high-quality grain. CHS is a major buyer and trader of grains and oilseeds, moving more than two billion bushels annually through its network of river, rail, and export terminals. Ongoing infrastructure investments and upgrades help us continually move grain to markets with greater speed and efficiency.”
Jacqueline Bailey, Senior Vice President, Transportation, CHS Inc.
Chuck Baker traveled to a 2025 Presidents Club meeting hosted by GoRail in Ridgedale, Missouri. Baker attended to show support for GoRail’s grassroots efforts.
There will be presentations on communications at ASLRRA’s Central and Pacific Region Meeting in November. Those who cannot attend, however, can hear from subject-matter experts online through ASLRRA’s On-Demand Webinar library. Many of the recordings also have the speakers’ presentations available for viewing or download.
Members can log in to the On-Demand Webinar Library to view the following communications webinars, as well as browse ASLRRA’s entire selection.
Visit ASLRRA’s webinar homepage and log in to view all the on-demand offerings in the Association’s webinar library.
Monday marked the official first day of fall, and many people are celebrating the return of the season with their favorite pumpkin-spiced activity. In honor of autumn and in anticipation of winter, ASLRRA member railroads on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S. are making known their plans for seasonal and holiday excursions.
In Florida, the Sugar Express offers a variety of train rides from October through May, including the adults-only Sugar Express Spritzer and a full-day trip on the Lake Placid Limited. Then in November and December there will be Santa Express trips from either Sebring or Clewiston, Florida. Families can enjoy holiday music, decorations and a visit from Santa Claus himself. And to honor the season’s spirit of giving, the Sugar Express will also host a Toys for Tots Train on Dec. 6.
Across the country in California, the Skunk Train has year-round and seasonal train rides, including a Pumpkin Express that starts in October. Passengers ride to a pumpkin patch where they can pick their own pumpkin to bring home. And from Nov. 22 until New Year’s Eve, the Skunk Train offers its Mr. Skunk and the Giant Christmas Tree Ride, taking passengers through the redwood forest to view a live decorated tree and visit Santa Mr. Skunk’s workshop. Passengers also receive complimentary treats, games and live music.
Skunk Train parent company Sierra Railroad has other California railroads offering seasonal trips. These include the River Fox Train’s Magical Christmas Train and Railbikes to the Pumpkin Patch on Sunburst Train Railbikes. The Sunburst Train will also hold an Operation Toy Train Toys for Tots collection in December.
The Sugar Express and the Skunk Train are not the only ASLRRA members offering seasonal trips this fall and winter. From coast to coast there are fall foliage rides, trips to pumpkin patches, Santa trains, the Polar Express train rides and many others. Many railroads advertise their excursions on social media and their websites, and a quick internet search of “train rides near me” can bring up fun opportunities for the whole family.
The Michigan Tech Transportation Institute’s Rail Transportation Program is seeking participants for its RailStory project, which will develop an interactive career exploration digital platform to attract and inform individuals curious about employment in the rail sector.
Individuals will participate in virtual interviews about their career paths. They may also be asked to host a job site visit to gather more information for the RailStory platform. Click here to sign up to be considered for inclusion in the project.
Story collection is the first part of a three-phase process. The team at the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute will then design and build the web-based RailStory platform and test and validate it before unveiling the final system. These efforts are funded in part by a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant awarded to help a consortium of universities address the stability and growth of the railroad workforce.
Views & News is published by American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
Please contact Mariel Takamura, associate editor, with questions or comments.
