Railway Interchange Returns in 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. 

REMSA is pleased to announce a new partnership with the North American Maintenance Railway Club. Join us for our first event, in Omaha, Nebraska in conjunction with NAMRC UP Night on February 16, 2023. 

The REMSA Supplier Showcase at NAMRC Union Pacific Night will allow you to show off your company and products. Located blocks away from UP's headquarters, employees will be invited to stop by at lunch, or before and during the NAMRC reception.

This opportunity is currently open only for NAMRC Platinum Sponsors. 

Space is limited - learn more and apply today.

REMSA 2023 dues invoices were sent out in early December and can be accessed in your account now. If you would like to save 10% and renew your dues for two years, please fill out this form and an updated invoice will be sent to you.

Invoices can be accessed in the account of your company's primary contact. Please contact Heidi Baker at baker@remsa.org if you have any questions.

Thank you for your support of REMSA!

Late in the evening on January 5, 2023, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) eked out victory on the 15^th ballot, claiming the House of Representative Speakership. McCarthy, after a four-day battle to win, was able to claim the House’s top gavel after Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Bob Good (R-Va.) and Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.) flipped from no to “present” over the course of two late-night ballots. With the Speaker of the House race completed, the 118^th Congress can now finalize Committee assignments and get to work on legislative matters.

On December 29, 2022, USDOT notified Congress of its selected projects for the FY 2022 MEGA grants. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the MEGA projects competitive grant program (the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program), funded at $5 billion total over FY22-26, or $1 billion annually. The U.S. Department of Transportation is obligated to give Congress 30 days advanced notice before making award announcements and in that period of time Congress can pass a joint resolution to deny any individual project funding (highly unlikely). The list of successful projects is below:

Fiscal Year 2022 Mega Grant Awards (in order of award size)

1.      CA – Watsonville-Cruz Corridor, Santa Cruz County ($30 million)

2.      MS – I-10 Widening, Harrison/Hancock Counties ($60 million)

3.      PA – Roosevelt Boulevard, Philadelphia ($78 million)

4.      OK – Tulsa I-44/ US-75 Interchange ($85 million)

5.      NC – U.S. 64 Alligator River Bridge, Dare/Tyrrell Counties ($110 million)

6.      IL – Chicago Metra UP North Rebuild, Fullerton to Addison ($117 million)

7.      LA – I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge ($150 million)

8.      OH/ KY – Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project ($250 million)

9.      NY – Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, Section 3 ($292 million)

On December 21, 2022, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced that the Biden-Harris Administration had awarded $273.9 million from the new Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (Rural) to help communities around the US complete transportation projects that will increase connectivity, improve safety and reliability, support regional economic growth, and improve the quality of life for people living in rural areas. Due to decades of disinvestment, around 13% of rural roads and 10% of off-system bridges, most of which are in rural areas, are in poor condition. One of the recipients is the Downtown Moorhead (MN) Grade Separation Project. The project will construct two underpasses that will eliminate two at-grade railroad crossings on 11th street in Downtown Moorhead, as part of a comprehensive project to improve US Highway 10 and US Highway 75 through downtown Moorhead. To view a full list of the awardees, please click here.

I’m interested in setting up a grassroots event for my company. How do I start the process?

To learn more about the grassroots advocacy program and what an event looks like please contact Mike McGonagle at mcgonagle@remsa.org. You can also watch this short video which provides a good overview of the process and benefits. Mike can help answer any logistics questions and help coordinate an event for your organization. REMSA has teamed up with the NRC to provide grassroots events coordination as a benefit to all member companies.

Once I’ve decided to host an event, what does the typical event day entail?

All grassroots events are different and unique in their own way, varying on facility type, attendees, discussion items, and more. More often than not, the Member of Congress will be on a tight schedule and typically events last one hour, sometimes longer depending on the tour and facility. But in general, the member company will introduce the Member of Congress or Senator to their senior executive team, discuss policy issues of importance to the company and to REMSA, and then provide a brief tour of the facility.

How much time is required?

Events can sometimes be put together in weeks, and sometimes take as long as many months to coordinate based on the Member of Congress’ availability and depending on what time of year is best to visit the member facility. REMSA staff organizes and coordinates outreach to Congressional offices once REMSA staff and the member organization have discussed the facility location, particulars on the facility (output, employee numbers, economic footprint, etc.) that can help paint a picture of the importance of the member organization to that specific region/state/country.

What have previous participants said about recent completed events?

Rob Loomis, vice president of performance products, of Willamette Valley and REMSA Board Member, led an employee meeting with Rep. Julie Letlow (R-LA) and a tour through the manufacturing facility back in May of 2022. “It was an honor hosting Representative Letlow and her staff at our facility today. Getting the opportunity to tour our facility, discuss the state of the rail and supply chain in Louisiana, and having our employees get the chance to interface with a Member of Congress was a terrific experience,” said Loomis. “Also, getting the chance to hear directly from the Congresswoman about the happenings in D.C. and her new exciting committee assignment was very interesting,” continued Loomis.

Anything else to add:

If you have any questions at all, please contact REMSA staff at mcgonagle@remsa.org to learn more about the grassroots advocacy program and to get an event scheduled for your organization! 

LUZNOR is a company specialized in the design and manufacturing of electronic security devices focused on the railway industry like professional rechargeable handlamps with different signalling functions and light power modes.

Railhead Corporation: Blue flag protection, safety equipment, Locomotive Digital Video Recorders (LDVR), Remote Monitoring, air tools, flashlights, headlamps, gloves

Rail-Pod: Computer Visualization, Inspection Services, Sales Representatives for M-o-W Equipment, Supplies, & Service, Software: Project Management, Track Inspection