May 2024 NRC Bulletin

May 31, 2024

NRC Chairman’s Column:  Mentors Can Make All the Difference in Building a Successful Career

Chairman Daloisio’s highly personal column in the May issue of RT&S magazine highlights the value mentors bring in building a career. Check out Joe’s insights about the impact of mentors and read about a few of the most influential mentors in his professional life. You also can learn about many ways to develop mentor-mentee relationships through involvement in the NRC and its activities.

Click here to read Joe's column: Mentors Can Make All the Difference in Building a Successful Career Find the column on pg. 10 or look for it in the May print edition of RT&S magazine.

NRC Equipment Auction Produces Substantial Returns

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association’s (NRC) 2024 Annual Railroad Equipment Auction generated nearly $1.2 million in sales and more than $70,000 to fund new safety training resources for member companies.

NRC President Ashley Wieland said the successful auction marks a tremendous milestone for the NRC. “Twenty years of successful auctions has translated into an investment of more than $1 million toward making railway construction safer. This milestone reflects a steadfast commitment by the NRC, its leadership, and its members to invest in working injury free.”

NRC Auction Committee Chairman Daniel Daugherty of RELAM expressed thanks to the many people and companies across the industry who contributed to the auction’s success. “On behalf of the committee, I want to extend our sincerest appreciation to all the sellers and buyers and for the continued support and sponsorship from Progressive Railroading. Your commitment to our cause means a great deal to us. We’re grateful for your ongoing partnership as the auction sponsor.” For more information on regarding the 2024 NRC Auction, click here.

NRC Members: NRC Membership Renewal Period Now Open!

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.

Railroad Day on the Hill

NRC Members were proud to join with more than 300 railroad industry professionals to advocate for the industry with Members of Congress and their staff members as part of Railroad Day on Capitol Hill on May 8.

Participants visited 270 Congressional offices sharing freight rail priorities and explaining how Congress can assist in ensuring freigth rail remains responsive, safe and environmentally friendly. For more information on this visit in DC, click here.

CY 2024 FRA Discretionary Grand Calendar

The USDOT published most up to date Calendar on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Click here to download full size PDF of Discretionary Grant Calendar.

President Biden Designates Robert E. Primus as Surface Transportation Board Chairman

Effective May 11, 2024 President Joseph R. Biden has designated Robert E. Primus as Chairman of teh Surface Transportation Board. Chairman Primus is serving his second term, following his nomination by President Biden on June 22, 2022 and confirmation by the U.S. Senate on December 20, 2022. Chairman Primus's current term expires on December 31, 2027. To read the press release from the STB, please click here.

FRA Issues $2B NOFO for Northeast Corridor Rail Projects

On May 14, The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes over $2 billion available in Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program funding for projects located on the Northeast Corridor. The statement released in the latest round expresses that the funding will help support projects that are rebuilding tunnels and bridges that are over 100 years old including upgrading tracks, power systems, signals, stations, and other infrastructure.

NS Shareholders elect 10 of Company's 13 Director Nominees

Norfolk Southern Corp. announced that the preliminary vote count of its proxy solicitor indicates that its shareholders have elected 10 of NS's 13 proposed director nominees at the 2024 annual meeting. Three of Ancora Holdings Group LLC's nominees were also elected. NS shared in a statement that the support of "shareholders and the valuable perspectives they have shared in the months leading up to the annual meeting" was appreciated.

NS President and CEO Alan Shaw Addresses Shareholder Election

NS President and CEO Alan Shaw released a video message addressing the annual shareholers election. The shareholder election resulted in five new board members and maintaining the railroad's current management team. Shaw shared that the vote "indicated their confidence in our strategy, our approach, and our management team. Shaw also shared that the shareholders are looking for delivery of groundbreaking strategy and productivity with safety at its core.