February 2024 NRC Bulletin

February 29, 2024

NRC Chairman's Column: The NRC Conference Is Bigger, Better, and More Relevant Than Ever

Chairman Daloisio’s column in the February issue of Progressive Railroading recaps highlights from the 2024 NRC Annual Conference held in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early January. The conference drew record attendance for a jam-packed schedule and valuable networking opportunities. Read about the Fireside Chat featuring Michael McClellan, chief strategy officer with Norfolk Southern Railway, and other conference highlights.

Click to read the column in Progressive Railroading: Rail Insider-The NRC conference is bigger, better and more relevant than ever. Information For Rail Career Professionals From Progressive Railroading Magazine

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.

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

Who Should Attend?

Attendance is open to all Class I, II, and III railroad personnel, shippers, members from the supplier community and members of associations that represent the industry with an interest in furthering the policy priorities of the railroad industry.

Meetings will be scheduled on May 8, 2024 during the day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a reception open to all participants (requires a ticketed registration) and Congressional members and staff in the evening.

Registrants will be invited to attend a Zoom training session, available on the following dates/times:

• April 30 at 2:00 p.m. EDT
• May 2 at 12:00 p.m. EDT
• May 6 at 4:00 p.m. EDT

Click Here to Register

Schedule of Events

7:00 to 9:00 a.m. — Breakfast and Materials Pickup at the Monocle Restaurant, Capitol Hill, Senate Side, 107 D Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. Railroad Day on Capitol Hill will kick off with a Grab and Go event within walking distance of the Hill offices. Here you can meet up with your first appointment team members and pick up materials.

9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Congressional Office Visits. Each attendee will be scheduled according to individual information supplied when registering.

Lunch — Attendees are on their own for lunch; there are cafeterias on the House and Senate sides of the Capitol building. Details will be provided on the training calls.

5:00 to 7:00 p.m. — A Capitol Hill reception will be held at the Rayburn Building, 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, D.C. 20515.

There is not an event hotel for Railroad Day on Capitol Hill 2024. Please make arrangements to stay at the hotel of your choice in Washington, D.C. Locations of hotels close to the Capitol can be found here.

Interested in supporting the event with a sponsorship? Click here for more information. 

GoRail: Letter to Congress

As 2024 begins, we are seeing renewed efforts to move forward on legislation including crew size mandates, train length requirements, and other restrictions that could undermine rail investments into safe and modern operations.

Railroad suppliers and contractors support more than 240,000 direct jobs in the U.S. and are a critical part of the larger freight rail industry that moves America. Legislation that threatens rail viability impacts our supply community equally.

Please consider signing the group letter to Congress urging a data-driven approach to rail safety legislation that encourages ongoing capital investment and technological advancements: Click Here to Read Group Letter to Congress

To join the letter being organized by GoRail, either email Michael Gaynor (mgaynor@gorail.org) with direct permission including name, title, and company, or fill out the form here.

NRC Veteran's Committee Works on Project That Will Facilitate Veteran Employment at Member Companies

One of our NRC Veteran's Committee initiatives is to promote opportunities that may allow veterans to have a rewarding career in the rail industry post military service.

Look out for a project that will be released in the fall of 2024 that will facilitate the hiring of United States Armed Service members for NRC member companies. If your organization is interested in having your career opportunities showcased with veterans and people looking for new opportunities to contact NRC staff at info@nrcma.org.

NRC Membership Renewals Are Here

The 2024 NRC Membership enrollment period began February 15, 2024. 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.

Progressive Railroading From the Editor: Rail Safety and the Pursuit of Constructive Dialogue

On May 8, rail industry stakeholders will be prepared to talk with lawmakers and regulators about rail safety at Railroad Day on Capitol Hill. Rail industry stakeholders rightly say they'd be willing to work with Congress and the Biden administration on safety proposals rooted in science and data.

Matt Ginsberg, Principal of TGA AMS, LLC (Managing firm for NRC), shares "Collectively, the railroads and the rail supply industry need to continue educating key stakeholders and decision-makers". Pat Foran, Editor-in Chief of Progressive Railroading, emphasizes rail stakeholders must use any opportunities to pursue constructive dialogue and avoid using their own rhetoric in order to repair the industry perception. To read the full article, please click here.

USDOT Releases Updated Grant Calendar from FRA

Last week the U.S. Department of Transportation released an updated grant calendar from the Federal Railroad Administration.

CRISI and Railroad Crossing Elimination Grants will each have their FY23 and FY24 funding combined into single Notice of Funding Opportunities.

Please click here to see the FRA Upcoming Grant Calendar.

FAMES Safety Alert: Roadway Worker Good Faith Challenge

FAMES committee releases Good Faith Challenge in efforts to provide roadway workers with a non-punitive mechanism for raising and resolving on-track safety concerns. A challenge can be made at any time and is an opportunity for a prompt and equitable resolution of challenges. To read more regarding the Roadway Worker Good Faith Challenge Safety Alert, please click here.

FAMES Safety Alert: On-track Safety Briefings Should Emphasize Risks Associated with RMM Movements

FAMES committee released FAMES Alert to remind all roadway workers that on-track safety briefings should emphasize the risks associated with RMM Movements and address items such as noise, machine spacing, obstructed visibility, and proper communications whenever roadway workers are working near RMM(s). To read more regarding this FAMES Alert, please click here.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $631 Million in Grants to Help Transit Agencies Buy New Railcars and Support American Manufacturing

February 21, the FTA announced $631 million in grants to improve rail transit safety and reliability for passengers through the purchase of new American made rail cars. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the investment goals is to improve transportation systems across the nation while creating jobs and boosting economic competitiveness. The grants are announced through FTA's Rail Vehicle Replacement Program.

Rail Safety Remains the No. 1 Topic in Congress

Since a NS railway train carrying hazardous materials derailed a year ago in the small Ohio community near the Pennsylvania border, several members of Congress have jumped on the rail safety bandwagon. In efforts to prevent another rail disaster, from occurring again congressional members have declared the need for more regulations. Ashley Wieland, President of NRC, shares that "Rail safety bills continue to be at the top of mind for a number of members in Congress, and I think the industry will need a concerted effort to drive home the message that railroads are safe and are getting safer every year - despite the accident that happened".

Save the Date: 2024 FRA Rail Program Delivery Workshop

This July in DC, join the FRA at the 2024 FRA Rail Program Delivery Workshop. This two day workshop is an opportunity to meet FRA staff and join over 200 external FRA partners. The purpose of this workshop is to foster workforce development and collaboration, continue to build a learning culture within the rail industry, and support RRD's mission to partner to advance effective rail investments.

STB Proceeds with Decision to Hear Status of Amtrak Gulf Coast Case

Despite a request from Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Alabama port officials to cancel STB hearing regarding passenger service along the Gulf Coast rail line; The board called the hearing to receive an update on the status of the agreement and additional information.