February 2025 NRC Bulletin

February 28, 2025

Save the Date: 21st Annual NRC Equipment Auction and Happy Hour

This springtime event brings together buyers and sellers of used railroad construction and maintenance equipment. All contractors, suppliers, and railroads are invited to sell, consign, or donate their equipment.  

In recent years, this events has featured in-person and online auctions. Proceeds from donated equipment supports the NRC’s safety training programs, including the ongoing safety training video series and FRA Part 243 templates.

Take a look at the video below for a look at what’s in store for this year’s NRC Auction.

Thank you to our Night-Before-Auction Happy Hour Sponsors!

NRC Chairman's Column: People, Leadership Themes Resonated at NRC Annual Conference

Chairman Daloisio’s column in the February issue of Progressive Railroading Magazine examines highlights from the NRC Annual Conference in early January is Marco Island, Florida. The column focuses on the Fireside Chat, featuring CSX President & CEO Joe Hinrichs.

“Mr. Hinrichs was one of several speakers who inspired me to think about the possibilities in our industry and what I personally can do to make our industry win. And he reinforced my pride in railway contractors and suppliers, my strong belief in our indispensable role … ,” noted Chairman Daloisio. Check out the entire column at this link: Rail Insider-NRC chairman's column: People, leadership themes resonated at NRC annual conference. Information For Rail Career Professionals From Progressive Railroading Magazine

NRC Members: NRC Membership Renewals are here!

It is time to renew your company's NRC 2024-2025 membership. Your dues invoice are posted to your organization’s primary account-holder's account. To view your organization’s invoice when it’s processed, please visit www.nrcma.org and login with your username and password. Once you are logged in, you will see the invoice in the ‘my invoices’ section. The invoice will present your organization with a few options on how to renew your NRC membership.

We greatly appreciate your NRC Membership, and look forward to having you all re-join this year! If you have any questions at all or would like any other additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to marian@nrcma.org.

NRC Ad Campaign to Direct Rail Shippers to Our Member Directory.

Is Your Company Listing Current?

It’s 2025. Have you reviewed your company’s listing in the NRC Member Directory lately?

Are your contacts current? Do you list all of your services? Search for your company listing here to see if it is correct: https://members.nrcma.org/AF_MemberDirectory.asp

There’s a good reason to make sure your company listing in the NRC Directory is updated. The NRC will soon begin running ads targeting rail shippers. These ads will lead directly to our Member Directory. An outdated listing may cause you to miss potential business leads.

Chances are the responsibility for your listing lies with one person at your company. Please forward this information to that person so they can take steps to update the entire listing. A current company listing will allow potential customers to reach current employees. It also will make sure you are getting all the NRC news, including important conference registration instructions and other event updates.

NRC Members: NRC Veteran's Committee is Looking for Volunteers at Veteran Hiring Event

The NRC Veterans Committee will attend the RecruitMilitary Job Fair at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to promote the rail industry to veterans and recruit potential candidates for member companies. If your organization is interested in participating or promoting job opportunities, please contact marian@nrcma.org by Tuesday, March 5th.

Remarks from NRC Leaders Are Featured in Progressive Railroading’s “Washington Watch” Column

NRC leaders were among top industry professionals featured in Senior Editor Julie Sneider’s ‘Washington Watch” article in the February issue of Progressive Railroading. Julie surveys top industry leaders for their insights on “What’s in store for rail under Trump 2.0? The article provides candid insights from rail industry leaders, including NRC President Ashley Wieland, and Matt Ginsberg, a principal with the NRC’s government relations firm Tai Ginsberg & Associates. The article also references remarks by NRC Chairman Joe Daloisio during his testimony on January 23 before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. Find “Washington Watch” here:  What's in in store for rail under Trump 2.0

House Transportation Committee Announces New Vice Chairs for Key Subcommittees



House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) has appointed new vice chairs for the committee's six subcommittees in the 119th Congress. For rail-related subcommittees, U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Ark.) will serve as vice chair of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, while U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) will be vice chair of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee. Graves emphasized their expertise and commitment to improving transportation infrastructure and reforming programs. The subcommittees are chaired by U.S. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) and U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), respectively. To read more about House T&I appointments, please click here.

FRA to Review California High-Speed Rail Project



The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is under review by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to determine whether nearly $4 billion in federal funding should remain committed to the project, following concerns over cost overruns and delays. Originally slated for completion in 2020 at a cost of $33 billion, the San Francisco–Los Angeles line is now projected to cost $106 billion, with the Merced-Bakersfield segment alone facing a $6.5 billion funding gap. Despite 119 miles of active construction and progress on environmental clearances, concerns over feasibility and compliance with grant agreements have prompted the review. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and former President Trump have criticized the project’s financial management, while supporters, including California State Sen. Scott Wiener, defend its necessity for sustainable transportation. Polls indicate continued public support, with 54% of California voters viewing it as a good use of state funds, despite ongoing scrutiny and political opposition. To read more about this high-speed rail project, please click here.

Amtrak Issues Request for Qualifications for High Speed Rail Project in Texas

Amtrak has issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) seeking a delivery partner for a proposed high-speed rail line between Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston. Released on February 25, the RFQ invites companies, joint ventures, and contractors to submit qualifications, allowing Amtrak to shortlist potential partners for the next phase. This marks a significant step in advancing the project, which aims to establish a dedicated high-speed rail route. In September 2024, Amtrak received a $64 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to support planning efforts. Previously, Amtrak explored a partnership with Texas Central Partners, envisioning trains traveling over 200 mph for a 90-minute trip. Amtrak officially took charge of the project in 2024 under Senior Vice President Andy Byford’s leadership. To read more about the this project please Click Here.