August 2025 NRC Bulletin

September 5, 2025

NRC Chairman’s Column:  Don’t Miss Out! It’s Time to Act on These NRC Member Benefits

In the August issue of Progressive Railroading Magazine, Chairman Joe Daloisio recommends you consider taking action to tap into some key NRC member benefits. Among his suggestions are checking out the NRC’s new Learning Center featuring all of our safety training videos, registering for the annual conference, and nominating your associates for NRC awards.



“While the NRC may not be top of mind during this busy season, I hope you know it’s always there for you. Your NRC is hard at work to provide more for our member companies and the industry as a whole. We don’t want you to miss out on key NRC member benefits,” notes Joe.

Check out Joe’s entire column here: Rail Insider-NRC chairman's column: Don't miss out! It's time to act on these NRC member benefits. Information For Rail Career Professionals From Progressive Railroading Magazine

Check out the video below from the NRC 2025 Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition to see what awaits!

Register Now: Start the new year full steam ahead at the railway construction's premier networking event. It is time to make your plans to attend the Annual NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition on January 7-10, 2026 in Hollywood, Florida at the Diplomat Resort and Spa located at 3555 S Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL 33019. The annual NRC Conference features a unique program agenda with chief engineers from the major freight railroads and other key speakers covering up-to-date topics of importance to the rail industry, including capital spending plans, rail projects of national significance, and railroad construction safety.

Registration: Click here to register. Take advantage of your member discount. NRC members receive a significant registration rate discount. Were you an NRC member in previous years and are unsure of your current status, or are you currently not a member? Then please visit https://www.nrcma.org/join-nrc for more information. If you have any questions about registration or your membership status please contact Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org or call 202-975-0365. A registration fee table and schedule is below:

NRC 2026 Conference Registration Fees

Lodging: The NRC will offer a discounted room-block rate starting at $335/night at the Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Florida. All rooms must be guaranteed with a non-refundable deposit for the first night’s room and tax. In order to reserve a hotel room, you must be registered for the NRC conference. Information on how to book your room in our room block will be sent to you in your registration confirmation e-mail.

Exhibit Hall: Booth sales will open to all exhibitors today. For questions regarding exhibiting at the NRC-REMSA Exhibition and reserving your booth, please Click Here to learn more or email Heidi Baker at baker@remsa.org. An exhibit booth fee table and schedule is below: 

NRC-REMSA 2026 Exhibit Booth Fees

Sponsorship Opportunities: Sponsorships for the NRC 2026 Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition are now open! This is a great chance to showcase your company, connect with key industry leaders, and support the success of our conference. Spots are limited, so we encourage you to secure your sponsorship early. We’d love to have your support this year! To learn more about Sponsorship Opportunities Click Here or please contact Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org or call 202-975-0365.

Golf Tournament: The NRC's 2026 Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, January 9 with a shotgun start at 12 pm at the Jacaranda Golf Club courses, about a 30-minute drive from The Diplomat. Due to capacity constraints, we encourage early registration. The tournament registration fee includes carts, green fees, lunch, refreshments, as well as driving range, and putting green access prior to the shotgun start. Rental clubs must be reserved prior to December 12, 2025.Golf options and pricing will be detailed when you register.

Everglades Tour Event: NRC’s Everglades Experience at Everglades Holiday Park will be held on Friday, January 9th with transportation departing from the hotel at 12 PM. The Everglades Experience event includes round-trip transportation, boxed lunch, a thrilling airboat ride through the Florida Everglades, up-close wildlife encounters, and a live alligator show starring the Gator Boys from Animal Planet. This tour is perfect for all experience levels and promises an unforgettable day in one of Florida’s most iconic natural wonders, the Everglades! Spots are limited—RSVP is required

Questions? Please contact Marian Barreto at mbarreto@nrcma.org or click here to visit our website.

‍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.

Tell Us How We're Doing. Complete the NRC Member Survey.

Please invest 10 minutes to share your opinions with us about a range of NRC events and services.  Your response matters and will make a difference in the ways the NRC serves our members.



The NRC hasn’t sent out a survey about broader membership issues in several years. We’re counting on your participation and candid responses to help direct our future programming. Thank you for your time.

Click Here to Take The Survey

We’re excited to welcome Axis Stabilization to the NRC community! Based in Pennsylvania, Axis Stabilization is a design-build shoring contractor providing innovative solutions for vertical cuts, slopes, rock stabilization, and ground improvements. With expertise in soil nailing, rock anchoring, shotcrete, high-rail systems, and forensic inspections, their team combines technology, craftsmanship, and safety to deliver dependable results on complex projects. We look forward to their contributions to our growing network and the railway industry.

We’re excited to welcome Burns & McDonnell to the NRC community! Based in Missouri, Burns & McDonnell delivers fully integrated AEC services including architectural design, engineering, construction, program and project management, environmental solutions, commissioning, and operations & maintenance tailored for critical infrastructure across diverse industries. Backed by over 75 offices worldwide and 100% employee ownership, their collaborative teams design and build resilient, sustainable solutions that power communities and drive client success. We look forward to their contributions to our growing network and the railway industry.

We’re excited to welcome Forta Corporation to the NRC community! Based in Pennsylvania, Forta has pioneered synthetic fiber reinforcement technology since 1978, delivering high-performance solutions that enhance the strength, durability, and longevity of concrete and asphalt through innovative products like FORTA-FERRO® and FORTA-FI®. With a steadfast commitment to research, sustainability, and customer-focused engineering support, their advanced fiber systems help minimize cracking, lower labor and material costs, and improve job-site safety across critical infrastructure projects. We look forward to their contributions to our growing network and the railway industry.

We’re excited to welcome SYSTRA to the NRC community! Based in Paris, SYSTRA is a global engineering and consulting leader in sustainable mobility, offering end-to-end services from transport planning and urban development to engineering design, project management, systems integration, operations, and maintenance for metros, trams, high-speed rail, and other rail transit systems worldwide. With over 10,000 employees operating in more than 80 countries and backing from SNCF, RATP, and major French financial institutions, SYSTRA leverages decades of innovation and global expertise to shape the future of urban infrastructure. We look forward to their contributions to our growing network and the railway industry.

We’re excited to welcome Telemetry & Process Controls, Inc. to the NRC community! Based in Minnesota, Telemetry & Process Controls, Inc brings over a century of combined experience in designing, manufacturing, and servicing custom, UL-listed control panels and systems for industries such as aviation fueling, environmental remediation, water and wastewater management, robotics and material handling, and OEM solutions. With a team of 60+ specialists and a full-service facility offering everything from design and engineering to field commissioning, emergency repairs, PLC/HMI programming, and UL-certified panel production, Telemetry & Process Controls, Inc combines technical depth, quality craftsmanship, and unmatched customer service. We look forward to their contributions to our growing network and the railway industry.

Deadline extended: The Deadline to Submit NRC 2025 Scholarship Application is Today!

It's time to apply for an NRC Scholarship. If you work for an NRC member company and are a student or a parent or grandparent of a college-age student, take advantage of this opportunity to win a scholarship. The NRC has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Last week, the application deadline was extended to September 5, 2025.

To find out all the details and how to apply visit our website here: Scholarship Program

New Learning Center to Access NRC Safety Videos has Launched!

We’re pleased to share that the new NRC Learning Center on TopClass is now live and available to all NRC member companies. This online platform offers easy access to our full library of safety training videos, along with tools for companies to assign specific videos to employees and track their progress through certificates of completion. Developed to help foster a strong culture of safety, this resource was made possible through the work of the NRC Safety Committee and serves as a valuable member benefit. If your company would like to get started, please fill in the following form: Click Here for Form. We encourage you to share this update with your safety managers and training teams so they can take full advantage of the platform.

Justin Broyles Appointed as CEO of NRC Member Company R. J. Corman

R. J. Corman Railroad Group announced the appointment of Justin Broyles as President and CEO, effective immediately, following his service as interim leader since June 2025. The Board praised his leadership, industry expertise, and commitment to the company’s legacy, noting his nearly 25 years of railroad experience, including senior roles at R. J. Corman and Patriot Rail.

Broyles has overseen key areas such as commercial affairs, storm response, and national account management, and he currently holds leadership positions in several major rail industry organizations. In his new role, Broyles emphasized his commitment to safety, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency as the company continues to grow its services across 23 states with 1,400 employees. Click here to read the full press release.

Maryland Launches Freight Rail Grant Program with $1.2M in Awards

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has awarded $1.2 million through its new Freight Rail Grant Program, funded in the FY 2026 Consolidated Transportation Plan. Grants went to state agencies, local jurisdictions, railroads, and shippers to support rail infrastructure, safety, and environmental improvements. Key recipients included the following:

• Maryland and Delaware Railroad: $500,000 for the Massey-to-Millington rail rehabilitation, upgrading 3.5 miles of track and supporting a larger federally funded project to reduce congestion and emissions.

• S.W. Barrick & Sons Inc: $500,000 to improve rail unloading, storage, and terminal capacity at the Finksburg Rail Terminal while reducing diesel emissions.

• Maryland Department of Natural Resources: $160,000 for a feasibility study on converting the Denton Spur Choptank Bridge for rail-trail use.

• Walkersville Southern Railroad Inc: $56,800 for a floodplain study around the Walkersville yard to guide future rail development.

• Western Maryland Scenic Railroad Development Corp: $28,800 to extend a main track siding by 450 feet and complete related repairs.

The program aims to enhance freight rail infrastructure, safety, and environmental outcomes across Maryland. To read more about the Freight Rail Grant Program, please click here.

CSX Releases Latest Environmental, Social, and Governance Report

CSX released its 2024 Environmental, Social, and Governance report, highlighting achievements in safety, service, sustainability, and stewardship. In safety, the railroad logged over 54,000 training hours through its SAFE CSX program, shipped nearly 6.3 million freight units, recorded its lowest lost workdays in history, and trained more than 8,200 first responders. In service, CSX distributed $664,000 in disaster relief to employees, advanced 550 industrial development projects, added 16 new rail-served properties, increased total volume 2%, and contributed $17.8 million and 24,000 volunteer hours to communities. Sustainability efforts included training for hydrogen locomotives, reducing CO₂ emissions by over 10 million tons, leading Class I railroads in fuel efficiency, and restoring the Blue Bridge subdivision. In stewardship, the company completed 100% of management ethics training, achieved its highest customer net promoter score since 2021, and donated $1.04 million through matching and board service grants.

Amtrak Unveiled High-Speed NextGen Acela Trains Across the Northeast Corridor

Amtrak launched its NextGen Acela high-speed trains on the Northeast Corridor between Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C., marking a new era in East Coast travel. The debut introduced five new trainsets initially, with 28 expected by 2027, offering 27% more seats per departure and expanded weekday and weekend service. Built in the U.S. at Alstom’s Hornell, NY facility using components from 29 states, the fleet supports around 15,000 American jobs. NextGen Acela features premium amenities including high-speed 5G Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, and reading lights. The rollout is part of Amtrak’s broader fleet modernization plan, which includes new Airo trains, more efficient long-distance locomotives, and upgraded interiors across coaches, dining cars, sleepers, and lounges, aiming to enhance speed, comfort, and travel options throughout the Northeast Corridor.

The NRC is a trade association representing businesses from across the nation in the rail construction and maintenance field. NRC members range in size from small family businesses to the largest companies in the industry. NRC members perform work for transit, commuter, intercity passenger, industrial, and freight rail customers, with services including track construction and maintenance, grade crossings, signal and communications installation, bridge construction and repair, rail yard work, and many more. The NRC strives to put an emphasis on rail safety and quality while proudly serving the rail industry