Railway Interchange 2023

Railway Interchange booth reservations are open now, and booth selection has begun. Railway Interchange will take place in Indianapolis, October 1-4, 2023. Submit the REMSA Railway Interchange 2023 Indoor Exhibit Space Application and Contract to reserve your space. 

Registration and the hotel room block will open in mid-April. Stay tuned for more event updates soon.

REMSA, along with the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) and Railway Tie Association (RTA), released the latest economic and workforce impact of the products and services produced by the railway supply industry earlier this month.

This report, Rail Supply Industry: Manufacturing and Services Keeping the American Economy on Track highlights the importance of the industry to the U.S. economy in terms of jobs, tax revenue, and gross domestic product (GDP) on both the state and national level.

Thank you to our members who participated in the survey for contributing to this important project for our industry!

On February 21, the USDOT said it plans to issue new rules on train brakes and other items in the wake of the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and is also calling for action from Congress. USDOT is asking the railroads to do the following:

• Let state emergency response teams know when they are transporting tank cars with hazardous gases through their states
• Join FRA’s whistleblower protection program
• Deploy automated track inspection technology without asking to get rid of human inspectors
• Provide workers paid sick leave (the contentious talking point from the 2022 rail strike negotiations)

DOT also highlighted the long-discussed two person train crew rule. Additionally, DOT says it will pursue rulemaking on high-hazard flammable trains and electronically controlled pneumatic brakes. It did not specify what the rule would do, but it will likely be similar to a 2015 rule that was withdrawn under the Trump administration that would have required some trains carrying hazardous materials to install this type of brake. This is a long-list of requests from the DOT, and some of the requests are politically-charged topics in the rail industry. This will continue to change and evolve as time goes on.

The week of February 6, two rail unions reached a paid sick leave agreement with CSX, according to a press release. The agreement, between CSX and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way and the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, provides four paid sick days per year for approximately 5,000 railroad workers. CSX added that it would “continue to pursue similar agreements with its remaining unions.”

On January 31, President Biden and U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Buttigieg announced that the Biden-Harris Administration has awarded nearly $1.2 billion from the new National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) discretionary grant program for nine projects across the country. The Mega Program is authorized to support large, complex projects that are difficult to fund by other means and for projects that are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. The IIJA made up to $5 billion available for the Mega program for the period of FY 2022 through 2026. For this application cycle, the US DOT received applications requesting approximately $30 billion in funding, more than the $1 billion in funding made available for FY 2022. See MEGA FY 2023 Combined Fact Sheet here and additional Mega program details here. To view the list of awardees, please click here. The Mega program will invest a total of $5 billion through 2026 to help rebuild the United States’ infrastructure.

Also on January 31, REMSA co-signed a Coalition Against Bigger Trucks (CABT) letter to the Chairs and Ranking members of the House Transportation & Infrastructure, Senate Environment and Public Works, Senate Commerce, and House and Senate Appropriations Committees, urging them to oppose any legislation that would increase maximum truck weight or length limits (TSW) on federal highways, including those that would raise truck weight limits as part of a “pilot program” or any state or commodity exemptions or waivers of current federal limits. To read the letter, please click here. As note, REMSA (along with our industry partners) opposes any new TSW legislation or proposed legislation. 

Oliver Dolder, Managing Director edilon)(sedra

edilon)(sedra designs, engineers, and constructs innovative and durable rail track systems all over the world for high speed and conventional trains, heavy and light rail, trams, metros, transits, crane, and industrial tracks.

How did you get started in the rail industry?

I gained an appreciation for railroading through my father, a 35-year industry veteran who worked primarily in maintenance-of-way. Growing up, exposure to Switzerland’s robust passenger-rail systems strengthened that interest during my younger years.

I started my career in the rail industry in 2002 as a Technical Field Sales Representative for Railtech Boutet based in Ohio (which later became part of Pandrol).

What do you love most about your job and the rail industry?

What I love about the rail industry is the ability to connect people, goods, and places. This has been the narrative for this industry since its inception. 

Being able to design and deliver engineering solutions that improve mobility, efficiency, and environmental sustainability is what I love most about my job. None of this would be possible without the outstanding team of experts at edilon)(sedra!

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

I love to travel to faraway places with my wonderful wife and children. When I am able to be home, I love running, kickboxing, and cooking on the weekends.

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

I define the future of rail as the development of new technologies and innovations that will improve rail transportation's efficiency, safety, and sustainability.

With that definition in mind, I see the industry headed towards autonomous trains, improved track infrastructure, and the use of renewable energy sources to power rail systems. Also, the development of new digital technologies such as 5G networks and the Internet of Things will enable rail systems to become more connected and efficient.

What do you enjoy most about being part of REMSA?

REMSA allows me to connect with like-minded people and organizations in the rail industry. It opens opportunities to work together towards a common goal. I appreciate the sense of camaraderie and support that comes with being part of this wonderful group.

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 [email protected].

J Pettiecord Inc: Railroad Heavy Equipment Services

LeJeune Bolt Company: Structural tool and bolting company

Musco Sports Lighting: Musco has been pioneering lighting solutions for more than 45 years, specializing in the design and manufacture of systems for transportation and infrastructure facilities around the world.