Booth reservations are filling up quickly for the 2024 NRC-REMSA Exhibition in Scottsdale!

The exhibition will take place January 3-4, 2024 at in conjunction with the 2024 NRC Conference, which will run January 3-6, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ. Please follow this link for the 2024 NRC-REMSA Exhibitor Terms & Conditions which includes show schedule, display guidelines, etc. For more information on exhibits, booth pricing, etc., or to reserve a booth, please visit the NRC-REMSA 2024 Exhibition Welcome Page.

For questions regarding hotel, sponsorships, or the NRC Conference, contact Mike McGonagle.

REMSA is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Innovation Award. Thank you to all who participated; we are proud to support and recognize the innovative achievements of our member companies!

Information about the 2024 award will be available in fall 2023.

Washington Update

On June 27, the US Department of Transportation announced that they are accepting applications for up to $5.575 billion in funding for projects of regional or national significance. This funding supports three major discretionary grant programs (INFRA, Mega, and Rural) that involve surface transportation projects designed to strengthen supply chains, spur economic development, and improve safety and daily life. Applications for funding through the Rural, INFRA, and Mega grants are being solicited together under a single opportunity titled the Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant program. The deadline for applications is August 21, 2023. 

On July 25, UPS and the Teamsters union agreed on a tentative collective bargaining agreement (the largest private collective bargaining agreement in North America), after three months of negotiations. The agreement comes days before the deadline for a strike the Teamsters authorized that could have been a large headache for the Nation’s supply chain. The five-year tentative agreement would create 7,500 new full-time jobs and raise pay scales for certain workers. The contract agreement must still be ratified by its membership, which will vote between Aug. 3 and Aug. 22

On July 17, the House Appropriations Committee voted to approve the FY 2024 THUD bill by a vote of 34 to 27. The bill remains in limbo, as Congress is out for the August Recess, with a potential government shutdown on the horizon if Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill by September 30, 2023. Below is a helpful table summarizing the current state of Appropriations on the Hill, see below:

Zach Hansen, AVP Sales, Lewis Bolt and Nut Company

What do you enjoy most about being on the REMSA Board?

I have really enjoyed getting to work alongside some of the great industry leaders and supporting initiatives of advancing our great industry. REMSA has a rich history and being able to play a small role in the continued success of REMSA has been fulfilling.

What has your experience on REMSA Board taught you and what is your vision for the future of REMSA?

Being on the board has taught me the importance of advocating for our industry on all fronts. It has also immediately emphasized the value of collaborating with other industry associations to bring people/companies together to create opportunity and growth. The future of REMSA looks great. Along with the current existing membership benefits, the board continues to develop new innovative ideas that bring added value to the membership and industry as whole.

How did you get started in the rail industry?

I like to joke that I got my start in the industry at a very early age, when I would accompany my dad, Jim Hansen, to industry events such as the annual NRC Conference or the old MRL Golf Invitational in Montana. During those trips, I had the good fortune to meet a lot of industry leaders that were always proud to share with me the career opportunities within the rail industry. Shortly after college, I reached out to Steve Bolte (then Publisher of the Progressive Railroading Magazine) who was looking for a Sales Representative to help sell advertising for the publication. Ten years later, I couldn’t imagine working in a different industry.

What do you love most about your job?

At Lewis Bolt & Nut, I have the opportunity work with every railroad, short line, transit agency and contractor out there. Through my time at Lewis and job’s prior in the industry, I love the lifelong friendships I have made in our industry.

What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work?

Most of my downtime is spent chasing my two young boys around with my wife Maddie. When I can sneak away, I enjoy a round of golf or an evening pontoon cruise on the lake back home in Minnesota. 

How do you define the “future” of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed?

Our industry is the backbone of the US economy and I think we all take great pride in contributing to the success of that. With the global focus demanding more sustainable life and business practices – rail continues to be the safest, most environmentally efficient mode of transporting freight and people across North America. I firmly believe the future of rail is bright. I believe our industry is positioned well for the long run and will play an even more critical role transporting goods and people moving forward.  



Interested in being featured in an upcoming Mainline and on REMSA's social media? REMSA is looking for members to feature as the member of the month! Whether you are a seasoned railroader or new to the industry, REMSA will share your story and recognize your company across our digital channels. Email Trade Shows & Marketing Manager Heidi Baker at baker@remsa.org to apply today.

REMSA's Grassroots Program connects our association's membership with members of Congress to host tours and site visits of company facilities and ongoing projects. It's a terrific way to showcase the positive impact that your company has in the local community, while also building strong personal relationships with your elected representatives. This program highlights REMSA members' products and services throughout the industry and to members of Congress, which helps to advance REMSA's legislative agenda in Washington.

If you are interested in hosting a grassroots event at your facility please reach out to Mike McGonagle at mcgonagle@remsa.org. Download and share the the new REMSA Grassroots Events flyer to learn more.

American Track is a one-stop shop for all things railroad design, inspections, maintenance, and construction.

Athena Industrial is a developer and manufacturer of non-destructive testing equipment, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

LithTec™ is a High-Performance combination of proprietary premium components with traditional cementitious elements that when mixed in road base materials create unprecedented load bearing capacity and water resistance in road foundations. 

Net Consulting Group offers products and services to help railroads solve their big data issues. We develop and integrate railway solutions using commercial railway software as well as custom software solutions.

ONE | Rail Group is North America's premier Electric Flash Butt Welding and Track Maintenance Services Provider

RockStars Slope Stabilization handles all aspects of geo-hazard stabilization services. Our Team has 50 plus years of experience combined in the industry. We specialize in extreme Geo-hazard mitigations in setting such as rail lines, roadways, and mines. 

Tracked Lifts partners with Platform Basket, a renowned brand in railway aerial platforms. Our railway lifts offer safe, agile, and high-performance solutions for maintenance, meeting strict railway standards. With certified products and road transport convenience, we ensure efficient railway maintenance nationwide.

Vulcan Materials Company is the nation’s largest producer of construction aggregates—primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel—and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. Our coast-to-coast footprint and strategic distribution network align with and serve the nation’s growth centers.