June 2016




       

 
Industry Events

USA Pavilion at
InnoTrans 2016
September 20-23, 2016
Berlin, Germany
 
REMSA Welcomes New Member:

Elphinstone



 
In This Issue:

Last Chance to Exhibit in REMSA-Hosted USA Pavilion at InnoTrans 2016
 


REMSA Grassroots Program: RCE and TLC Host Congressional Tours

Industry News





InnoTran16 Last Chance to Exhibit in REMSA-Hosted 
USA Pavilion at InnoTrans 2016

REMSA will once again be hosting the USA Pavilion at InnoTrans 2016, to be held September 20-23, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. The USA Pavilion offers a turnkey service to exhibitors, which drastically simplifies exhibiting at an international trade fair.

The pavilion layout will hold a common exhibit area that includes internet, refreshments, seating, and meeting space along with booth space for each exhibition company; translators will also be present.  Additional benefits to exhibitors include support and guidance on translation and shipping materials; transportation advice including airport, hotel, and expo center transfers,; and access to the USA Pavilion room block.

Space within the USA Pavilion is limited - only 3 spots remain!  Space will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.  Please contact Urszula Soucie at soucie@remsa.org or (202) 715-2921 with any questions.

   
SupplierSurvey
AAR Supplier Survey
Your Response is Critical to our Success

Last year, we surveyed the collective membership of the six rail sister associations to develop a blueprint to tell the incredible story of the impact of the supply and service industry on our nation's economy. Unfortunately, the survey design and accompanying database contained several flaws that greatly compromised the data.

Collectively, our associations have come together again to re-launch this historic outreach project to survey our memberships that will ultimately result in telling the rail suppliers' story with context and accuracy. The survey has been shortened. It should only take a few minutes to complete, depending on how many locations your need to input.

Here is how you can help add your company's information to the database:

Step 1 - Set up an account with AAR.org
(You may skip this step if you have an AAR.org account)
  • Click here to visit the AAR.org account creation page
  • Enter your corporate email address and create a password
    • You must use an e-mail with a corporate domain (e.g. an "@rsiweb.org" account for RSI)
    • The system will display your member company's name at the bottom of the page
  • Click the "Submit" button
  • Click the account confirmation link in an e-mail arriving from orders@aar.org
    • Be sure to check your spam folder for the confirmation e-mail
Step 2 - Fill out the survey and add your company's locations to the database
  • Click here to visit the survey page
  • Log in with the account generated in Step 1
  • Click on the "Outreach Survey" button
  • Click the "New Survey" button and fill out the new shortened survey for your company
  • Click the "New Location" button to add each of your company's locations to the database. Our database will automatically place your company in the proper congressional district based off  your entries.
  • If your company has more than 30 locations, you may upload a directory at the end of the location form or send a directory to billp@aar.org for processing.
  • You may log in again at any time using your AAR.org credentials and edit your company's survey responses and locations by clicking in the "Edit Links" columns on the survey dashboard.
If you run into any technical difficulties or if you have any questions about this survey, please contact Bill Pzedpelski, Associate Program Coordinator at AAR, at  billp@aar.org or 202-639-2138.


  graduate_students_diplomas.jpg
Scholarship
2016 Scholarship Program
Less Than a Month Left to Apply!

REMSA is excited to announce the 2016 Scholarship Program.  For Undergraduates, REMSA is giving away one President's Scholarship in the amount of $7,500.  In addition to this scholarship, REMSA is offering one (1) $5,000 runner-up scholarship, and five (5) individual scholarships at $2,500 each. 

REMSA will also offer one Graduate Scholarship of $5,000.

Previous winners of REMSA scholarships are eligible to be considered for renewal of their scholarship assistance each year. A new application with all required accompanying documentation must be submitted. 

A completed application and all accompanying materials must be sent to the REMSA Scholarship Committee and postmarked no later than  Friday, July 1  for consideration. 
 
To view all program requirements and to apply, please visit us at   www.remsa.org/scholarship

If you need assistance applying or having any questions, please reach out  to Urszula Soucie at soucie@remsa.org .

 
Grass REMSA Grassroots Program
Rail Construction Equipment and TRAC Lubricants & Coatings host Congresswoman Bustos and Congressman Fitzpatrick

On May 31, 2016, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, joined representatives from  Rail Construction Equipment (RCE) to tour their manufacturing facility, learn about their various rail construction products, and discuss public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in northwest Illinois. Twenty-five REMSA members maintain operations in Illinois.
 
RCE's President & Owner Steve Benck led the tour. Also in attendance were Diane Benck, Owner, RCE; Rick Harnish, Executive Director, Midwest High Speed Rail Association; Nathan Johns, Vice President - Marketing & Government Affairs, Pioneer Railcorp; Larry Lloyd, Illinois State Director, GoRail; Liisa Stark, Assistant Vice President - Public Affairs, Union Pacific; and Sean Winkler, Grassroots Coordinator, REMSA.
 
"A strong railroad industry, which continues to invest billions into its rail system, is critical to our business and supporting manufacturing jobs in Rockford" said Steve Benck. "We are honored to be joined by Congresswoman Bustos and appreciate her willingness to learn about our commitment to the community and the critical role rail plays in supporting Illinois jobs."
 
RCE is a leading designer and builder of rail construction equipment. They adapt conventional John Deere construction equipment like excavators, wheel loaders and motor graders to specific railroad maintenance tasks, such as tie-tamping or right-of-way clearing. They maintain a 90,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility that is shared with RCE's sister company, West Side Tractor. RCE provides sustainable manufacturing jobs for the greater Rockford area and employs approximately 20 individuals. 

 
Steve Benck, RCE; Congresswoman Bustos; Diane Benck, RCE
 
Congresswoman Bustos is a leading voice on transportation & infrastructure issues in the House, where she has strongly advocated for increased rail safety funding and passenger rail service across Illinois.

 
"It was a pleasure to participate in the tour and to learn more about the work Rail Construction Equipment is doing here in Rockford," said Rep. Bustos. "I look forward to continuing to engage with all stakeholders so we can create jobs, grow our local economy and ensure our communities are safely and efficiently served by freight and passenger rail service alike."
 
To read more please visit www.remsa.org
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On June 6, 2016, Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA-8) joined representatives from TRAC Lubricants & Coatings (TLC) and the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad for a product demonstration featuring a New Hope & Ivyland locomotive and a discussion on public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in southeast Pennsylvania. Twenty REMSA members maintain operations in Pennsylvania.

The group was led by TLC President Michael Jumper. Also in attendance were Mike Donovan, General Manager, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad and Sean Winkler, Grassroots Coordinator, REMSA.
 
"We are honored to jointly host Congressman Fitzpatrick" said Mike Jumper. "TRAC has a proud history of serving customers in the rail industry and especially here in southeast Pennsylvania. It is crucial that our Congressional leaders see the positive economic impacts strong railroads and rail suppliers have on their communities."


Jumper and Rep. Fitzpatrck

TRAC Lubricants & Coatings, based in Yeadon, specializes in the distribution and manufacturing of high performance thin film coatings, dry film lubricants, paints, lubricants, greases, anti-seize and adhesives. They primarily serve the aerospace, rail/transit, medical, industrial and automotive industries. TLC is a proud Pennsylvanian small business and prides itself on its customer service. They proudly count the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad as a reliable customer.
 
To read more please visit www.remsa.org

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If you are interested in this exciting program, Congress's summer recess is the best time to host events and is coming up quick!  . Please reach out to Sean Winkler at winkler@remsa.org to schedule a visit or learn more.

IndustryHeader Industry News 

TigerAcross the US Communities Seek $9.3 Billion in TIGER funding
The   Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program has received 585 applications from across the country totaling $9.3 billion in requested funding - over 18 times more than the $500 million that will be awarded. (RT&S).

CNCN CEO Mongeau Stepping Down; Jobin to Take Helm
CN  President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau will step down at the end of June, the Class I announced [on June 7]. Chief Financial Officer Luc Jobin has been named Mongeau's successor effective July 1. Mongeau said he would leave the post due to health reasons. (Progressive Railroading).

EuroEuropean Parliament Backs Fairer Rail Supply Market
The European Parliament (EP) has adopted a resolution aimed at improving the competitiveness of the European railway supply industry in the face of what it regards as aggressive competition from Asia. (IRJ).
 
FastFASTLANE Grant Applications Totaling Nearly $9.8 Billion
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced [on May 20] that the U.S. Department of Transportation has received 212 applications totaling nearly $9.8 billion for grants through the newly-created Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) grant program. (USDOT).
 
The   Federal Railroad Administration  (FRA) issued two final rules to improve safety measures and expand alcohol and drug testing for maintenance-of-way (MOW) workers. One rule amends the   Roadway Worker Protection  regulation; the other revises FRA's existing   alcohol and drug testing regulations  and expands the requirements to now cover MOW employees, FRA officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading).
 
MetroLawmaker: Let Private Companies Help Fix D.C.'s Broken Metro
Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-Va., said Tuesday that private companies should be allowed to help fix Washington, D.C.'s broken Metro, which will run on a reduced schedule over the next year in order for repairs to be made on the system's infrastructure. (Washington Examiner).
 
TankcarTank Cars Involved in UP Derailment met New Standards
The freight cars of the   Union Pacific Railroad  crude-oil train that derailed late last week in Oregon were jacketed CPC-1232s with full-height head shields, the   Federal Railroad Administration  (FRA) announced [on June 6]. The westbound train was transporting tank cars loaded with Bakken crude oil when 16 cars derailed at 12:20 p.m. June 3 in Mosier, Ore. Crude oil was released from at least one car, and several cars then caught on fire. (Progressive Railroading).
 
Union Pacific ( UP) has reported infrastructure improvements that will take place on the company's rail lines in Arizona, Iowa and Idaho in 2016. (Rail Resource).
 
Union Pacific plans to invest $58 million in 2016 to improve its infrastructure in Louisiana. The multi-million dollar investment will enhance employee, community and customer safety and increase rail operating efficiency. (RT&S).

UP3UP Prepares for Colorado Infrastructure Upgrades worth $70.9 Million
Union Pacific Railroad  will spend $70.9 million this year to improve rail track and bridges in Colorado, the Class I announced. The announcement is one of a series of state-by-state plans that UP has been rolling out as part of its list of $3.7 billion worth of infrastructure projects it has planned for its rail network this year. (Progressive Railroading).



JHU Harsco and John Hopkins University to Introduce Robotic Rail Technology
Harsco Corporation announced June 1, 2016 that its Protran Technology unit, part of the Company's Harsco Rail division, has formed a marketing alliance with the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) to introduce unmanned vehicle technology to traditional railway safety and security operations. (Railway Age).

Herzog Jamaican Government in Rail Revival Talks with Herzog
Jamaica Minister of Transport and Works Michael Henry told the House of Representatives on June 8 that the government is holding discussions with  Herzog  regarding the possibility of establishing a public-private partnership (PPP) to resurrect part of the island's passenger railway network. (Railway Age).

LTK LTK Engineering Services Names New President
LTK Engineering Services has announced that Dominic DiBrito will become president of LTK Engineering Services as of January 1, 2017.  In assuming his new role, DiBrito will replace George Dorshimer, who will be retiring. Dorshimer has served as LTK's president for 22 years, during which time the firm tripled in size. DiBrito will be only the fifth president in LTK's 95 years. (Mass Transit).

Loram Loram Appoints Burton Vice President, Fleet Operations
Loram Maintenance of Way Inc.  has appointed Kevin Burton vice president of fleet operations. In the role, he'll have responsibility for all aspects of operating and maintaining the company's owned fleet of contract service equipment and technical support services for sold equipment. (Progressive Railroading).
 
Protran Technology,  a unit of Harsco Rail, has secured its first order from a U.S. Class I for its   COMPASS™  railway asset location and awareness system. CSX has ordered Protran's COMPASS system for installation on 40 track maintenance machines, with expectations for follow-on orders as the railroad expands its deployment of the COMPASS system to additional units throughout its fleet. (Railway Age).
 
Protran Technology  has hired Clay Bunting as deputy director of field engineering and training. He will help the firm further develop its growing range of safety technology for track workers and inspection technology. (Progressive Railroading).
 
RJco R.J. Corman's Roadway Worker Training Launches CWR Online Training
Roadway Worker Training, LLC (RWT), an R. J. Corman Company, announced the launch of an additional course to its online training catalog. The new course, "Installation, Adjustment, Maintenance and Inspection of Continuous Welded Rail (CWR)," is based on the Federal Railroad Administration's track safety standards (49CFR 213) and generally accepted railroad industry practices. (RJ Corman).