NRC Bulletin - Jan 2, 2024

December 2023 NRC Bulletin

January 2, 2024

NRC Updates and Announcements

Update: Fireside Chat Keynote Speaker is Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Norfolk Southern Mike McClellan

Join NRC Chair Steve Bolte and Vice Chair Joe Daloisio for a fireside chat with Mike McClellan, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Norfolk Southern at the NRC Conference on Thursday, January 4, 2024.

Mike McClellan has been Chief Strategy Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation since April 2021. Mr. McClellan previously served as Norfolk Southern’s Vice President of Strategic Planning, Vice President of Industrial Products, and has been with Norfolk Southern in various positions since 1998.

Interested in seeing what the NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition is all about? Take a look at the Conference highlights video below:

The NRC Conference has CONFIRMED the following speakers for the general sessions, with more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks:

Alanna Strohecker, SVP,Global Market, AECOM
Andrea Oswald, General Director, UP
Arielle Giordano, Managing Director US Gov't Affairs, CPKC
Barton Chevreaux, Director of Engineering, Vulcan Materials Company
Brent Laing, VP of Engineering, CN
Carl Walker, VP of Engineering, CSX
Cory Johnson, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
Craig Rasmussen, AVP of Engineering Services & Structures, BNSF
Daniel Stout, VP, STX Railroad Construction Services
David Smat, General Director, BNSF
David Woodruff, AVP, Head U.S. Public & Government Affairs, CN
Ean Johnson, Vice President, Economic Development, OmniTRAX
Ed Boyle, VP of Engineering, NS
Ed Sparks, Chief Engineer - Bridges, Design & Construction, CSX
Francois Belanger, Senior Director Sustainability, CN
Janice R. Thomas, Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, Metra
Jay McAndrew, General Director Signal, UP
Jennifer Mitchell, Deputy Administrator, FRA
Jerad Fritz, AVP Signals, BNSF
Joshua Raglin, Chief Sustainability Officer, NS
Kari Gonzales, President & CEO, MxV
Kristine Storm, VP of Purchasing, G&W
Lance Hawks, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
Laura McNichol, SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Watco
Matt Foot, Chief Engineer Planning & Production, CPKC
Melissa Connolly, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, AAR
Paul Leonards, VP of Project Management, Watco
Rob Castiglione, Staff Director, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
Russell Rohlfs, VP of Engineering, UP
Shelly Zemeckis, Regional Manager Economic and Industrial Development, UP
Steven Vant, Chief Engineer – Signal Maintenance and Construction, Conrail
Tim Rich, Regional VP of Engineering – West Region, Patriot Rail
Tom Hilliard, Chief S&C, CN
Tom Holmes, Vice President – Purchasing & Materials, Watco
Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst, ABH Consulting
Zac Vallos, VP Engineering, OmniTRAX

Schedule-At-A-Glance

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Registration: 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

Exhibitor Set-up: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Reception in Exhibit Hall: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday, January 4, 2024

General Session: 7:00 am - 8:45 am; 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Exhibits: 8:45 am - 10:15 am, 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm; 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seminars: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Friday, January 5, 2024

General Session: 7:00 am - 11:00 am

Exhibits Tear Down: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Golf and Trap Shooting (additional registration required): 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday, January 6, 2024

General Session: 7:30 am - 12:15 pm

Finale Reception: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

L.B Foster Football Party: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

To view a conference program for the NRC 2024 Conference, please click here.

Lodging: The NRC 2024 Room Block at Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale, AZ. is SOLD OUT, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org to be placed on a waiting list should cancellations occur.

Golf Tournament is SOLD OUT: The NRC 2024 Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, January 5th at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium (home to the PGA Tour's famous Waste Management Open) and Champion courses. At this time, we are SOLD OUT at the Stadium Course. To sign up for the 2024 NRC Golf Tournament waiting list, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org.

Trap Shooting Event is SOLD OUT: The NRC’s 2024 Trap Shooting Event will be held on Friday, January 5th at the world-renowned Ben Avery Shooting Facility from 1pm to 3pm. The Trap Shooting Event registration fee includes roundtrip bus transportation, water/snacks, firearm rentals, ammo, eye and ear protection, and a licensed professional at each stand. This event is open to all experience levels. To sign up for the 2024 NRC Trap Shooting Event waiting list, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org.

Questions? Please contact mmcgonagle@nrcma.org or visit https://www.nrcma.org/events/nrc-remsa-annual-conference

Thank you to our NRC 2024 Conference Sponsors!

Policy on Entertainment - The NRC Board of Directors has adopted a Policy on Entertainment to provide all NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition ("Conference") attendees an equal opportunity to participate in the entertainment of our railroad, transit, commuter, passenger and other customers, speakers, and guests.

The Policy applies to events in connection with the Conference. During this timeframe, private hospitality events on or off the Conference premises are not permitted and no organized private entertainment is permitted while conference proceedings or events are occurring. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the common hospitality events and may not organize events that compete with the conference program.

All Attendees are expected to comply with this Policy. By registering for the Conference, you are certifying that all representatives and associates who are attending the Conference on behalf of your organization have been notified of this Policy and will observe and abide by it.

‍Scam Alert -We ask conference attendees to be vigilant of scams, including any solicitations via email that offer hotel deals or registration lists on behalf of the NRC. These groups are not affiliated with the NRC. Please check the NRC website or email NRC staff directly for the most up-to-date conference information.

NRC 2024 Seminars and Breakout Sessions:

The following seminars and breakout sessions on have been confirmed for the NRC 2023 Conference:

Breakout Sessions: Thursday, January 4 beginning at 2:00pm
FRA Update: Deep Dive into Periodic Oversight as required by § 243.205. The discussion will focus around a railroad contractor’s duty to perform periodic oversight and the related Job Aid FRA published earlier this year. The session will also cover training and qualification records (§ 243.203) requirements
League of Railway Women (LRW) Presents: Railroad Workforce Challenges: Perspectives from Operations and How Woman- Focused ERGs Can Help
League of Railway Women (LRW) Presents: Partnering for Sustainability: We All Have a Role to Play
Speed Networking Events (All Seats Filled): Thursday, January 4 beginning at 2:00pm. To sign up for a speed networking wait list, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org.
Union Pacific/Contractor “Speed Networking”
Genesee & Wyoming/Contractor "Speed Networking"
Norfolk Southern/Contractor "Speed Networking"

NRC Chairman's Column: Chairman Bolte Shares His Railroad Story

Chairman Steve Bolte gets up close and person in his chairman's column appearing in the December issue of Progressive Railroading magazin. Entitled “My railroad story is all about family — yours can be, too,” Steve reflects on his career in the railroad industry and the many people who have influenced him along the way. He specifically references the NRC and how it has provided a meaningful way to connect and positively influence the industry for contractors and suppliers. More than that, he explains that connections gained through the NRC have given him an extended family that make his career so fulfilling and enjoyable. You don’t want to miss this one. Click here to read the December column: Rail Insider-NRC chairman's column: My railroad story is all about family — yours can be, too. Information For Rail Career Professionals From Progressive Railroading Magazine

Save the date: Railroad Day on Capitol Hill

Join us for the annual tradition of Railroad Day on Capitol Hill 2024 on May 8. The entire industry including Class I railroads, short line railroads, suppliers, labor organizations, and supporting associations meets with House and Senate leaders and Hill offices representing states and districts across the country to voice rail priorities and advocate for the industry. To read more about Railroad Day, please click here.

2023 Special Award Winners

NRC 2023 Large Project of the Year: Sandpoint Junction Connector Project.

Ames construction has won the NRC's 2023 Large Project of the Year award (greater than $10 million) for its work on the Sandpoint Junction Connector project. Ames successfully addressed significant access and environmental challenges to complete the complex, three-year project in Sandpoint, Idaho, 14 months ahead of the owner's schedule.

NRC 2023 Small Project of the Year: MxV Rail's Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) Loop Project.

R.J. Corman Railroad Services has won the NRC's 2023 Small Project of the Year Award (less than $10 million) for its work to construct a new test loop at MXV Rail's Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) in Pueblo, Colorado. The project team overcame weather challenges and an aggressive construction schedule to successfully complete the unique, five-month project on budget and with zero recordable safety incidents.

NRC 2023 Field Employee of the Year Award Winner: Tom Hunter, Chief Signal Engineer, Modern Railway Systems.

Modern Railway Systems Chief Signal Engineer, Tom Hunter, has won the NRC's 2023 Field Employee of the Year Award. Modern Railway Systems' Vice President, Shon Tulik, highlighted Tom's attributes as an exceptional field employee. "His career, spanning over 40 years, reflects the qualities and values that this award seeks to honor: unwavering commitment to quality, a steadfast dedication to safety, exceptional customer service and community engagement that leaves a lasting legacy."

NRC 2023 Innovation in Technology Award Winners: FTS Tools and Industry-Railways Suppliers.

FTS Tools LLC and Industry-Railways Suppliers, Inc. have won first and second-place awards respectively for the NRC's 2023 Innovation in Technology Award. FTS Tools developed a lightweight, portable, sensor-based device called Laser-Focused that measures rail deflections under full dynamic load. Industry-Railway suppliers, introduced the new CD400SP-IQ, a self propelled intelligent clip piler manufactured by Pandrol.

2023 Safety Award Winners

USDOT Announces $1.5B in Funds Available Via RAISE Grants Program for 2024

On November 30, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a notice of funding opportunity for 2024. The objective of the RAISE grants are to invest in the surface transportation that will have a significant local or regional impact and support projects that are consistent with the Department's strategic goals: improve safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, and climate and sustainability.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.

The deadline to apply for this round of RAISE grants is February 28, 2024. To read more about the 2024 RAISE grants notice of funding, please click here.

Industry News and Updates

Southern California and Florida Rail Projects Among Recipients of Federal Mega Grant

Port of Long Beach, CA and new rail drawbridge at Stuart, FL are among the Federal Mega Grant rail projects recipients. Local senators and congressmen have been given the chance to announce funding awards to their constituents ahead of announcement of all awards. Federal Mega Grant Awards support large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and likely generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits.

Amtrak Logs Ridership, Revenue Gains in FY23

In December, Amtrak reported a 24.6% increase in ridership and 20% increase in total operating revenue in FY23. Amtrak had its largest annual capital investment in its history, investing nearly $3 billion in modern trains; station and facilities upgrades; new tunnels and bridges; and other infrastructure initiatives. CEO Stephen Gardner shared in a press release "We're inspired by the soaring demand for intercity passenger rail and are eager to continue connecting more people and places."

Canada Unveils Train-brake Inspection, Safety Rules

December 1, 2025 will mark the day that Canada's changes to the federal Railway Freight and Passenger Train Brake Inspection and Safety Rules will take effect. The changes required are the second part of a 2022 ministerial order that called for strengthening brake performance during cold weather, particularly on steep descending grades.