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A message from REMSA regarding COVID-19:
The safety and well-being of the REMSA staff and our members is of the upmost importance to our association, and we want to urge all REMSA members, staff, and their families to take the proper precautions necessary to maintain their health, safety and well-being during this uncertain and unprecedented time. Railroads continue to operate and are critical in transporting essential supplies throughout the country to those in need. Thank you to our railroad operators, the crews maintaining the rails, and all of our member company employees who are taking the measures they need to ensure the well-being of the country and world during this crisis.
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ARPA Signed into Law, Surface Reauthorization Process Underway
The American Rescue Plan Act, the latest federal effort on COVID stimulus and economic recovery, passed Congress and was signed into law on March 11th. Among the funding in the $1.9 trillion bill is $43 billion for the Department of Transportation, including $1.7 billion for Amtrak and $30.5 billion for transit agencies.
Work on this year's new surface transportation reauthorization has begun in earnest in both chambers of Congress, with the committees of jurisdiction scheduling and holding hearings on the legislation and planning to take further steps to advance the bills during the spring. The current surface transportation bill, 2015's FAST Act, was extended by one year last September and expires on September 30th.
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If you are interested in learning more about REMSA's government affairs efforts, please reach out to Cooper Ehrendreich at ehrendreich@remsa.org.
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REMSA Webinar Series
REMSA's webinar series continued in 2021 with a new International Mini Series.
Coming up on April 27th at 2:00pmET, REMSA and Stahl Recruiting will host "Reimagining Rail", a live panel discussing the future of rail, including challenges, innovations, ideas, movements and methodologies in the industry.
Is there a topic you would like covered in future webinars? Contact stern@remsa.org to share your ideas.
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Railroad Day on Capitol Hill 2021
REMSA is proud to support the rail industry's annual visit to Congress again in 2021. Registration for this year's Railroad Day on Capitol Hill is officially open! Meetings will occur via Zoom on April 13th and 14th, and ASLRRA will be hosting informational Zoom calls on April 6th and 8th which will also be recorded for later viewing. Go to ASLRRA's website for more information and to register.
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Rob Loomis
Business Manager, Performance Products Division Willamette Valley Company
What do you enjoy most about being on the REMSA Board?
The best part of being part of the board is being able to help our membership. Whether it is advocating for our industry for tax savings, funding, or promoting our value to Class 1 railroads, I enjoy delivering value to our membership.
What has your experience on REMSA Board taught you and what is your vision for the future of REMSA?
The greatest lesson I have learn, or rather reinforced what I know, is that we as a whole can accomplish more than we can as individuals. Our success is a team effort and even if we compete in the industry, we all win if we work together.
Do you participate in any committees as a REMSA Director?
Currently, I am the Chairman with the Government Affairs committee and support the efforts of the Exhibit and Long Range Planning committees.
How did you get started in the rail industry?
My first exposure to the rail industry was in developing hopper car lining and tie-plugging and concrete tie repair products to extend the life of these assets.
What do you love most about your job/the rail industry?
Mostly the people. Their focus on safety and delivering value in everything they do. This focus allows companies like Willamette Valley Company to invest in developing innovative solutions for customers who care about reducing overall costs and improving safety.
What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work?
Family time, backpacking, dirt/mountain biking, or simply throwing a tennis ball for my Chesapeake Bay retriever.
How do you define the "future" of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed?
The future of rail is like the future of the internet. It is our future and always will be. The more people recognize the value of rail transportation, the cleaner the environment will be, the lower the cost will be to tax payers, and the healthier our economy will be.
The rail industry is headed in the right direction and they will add more technology to help reduce costs and improve our overall supply chain for the country. It is our responsibility as members, to educate the leaders in this industry how we deliver value and lower their costs by reducing repeat maintenance, or extending the life cycle of their assets, with our products and solutions.
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Interested in being highlighted in the REMSA spotlight? Apply to become Member-of-Month.
Contact Madeleine Stern, Director of Marketing, Membership & Trade Shows to apply today at: stern@remsa.org or (202) 715-2919.
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Advertise with REMSA: Spring Sale!
Highlight your company on the REMSA website and broaden your audience. Ads will appear at www.remsa.org
All advertisers who reserve space before April 30 will receive a 15% discount. REMSA members enjoy the member-rate to advertise.
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REMSA Grassroots Program: Bring a Member of Congress to Your Company
The 117th Congress has more than 50 new members in the House of Representatives and 7 new Senators, making 2021 a terrific opportunity to host a REMSA grassroots event at your company.
REMSA has hosted nearly 50 grassroots events with member companies since the program was launched in 2015. Press releases detailing past events can be found here.
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. We will also take the initiative to engage with local and regional media outlets to highlight your company and maximize the visibility of the great work that you are doing.
Are you interested in growing your network and highlighting your products and services to the rail industry?
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Industry News
WMATA issues RFP for Yellow Line tunnel, bridge projectThe Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a major capital project that involves rehabilitating the Yellow Line Bridge over the Potomac River, and repairing the steel-lined tunnels between the Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations.
Deep engineering divesThe railroad industry is using data science to better understand and maintain right-of-way performance. Here's how. As noted in the February 2021 Railway Age article[1], the University of Delaware's annual "Big Data in Railroad Maintenance Planning" conference provides a forum for railroad and data analytics professionals to come together with academia and discuss the latest applications and research in railway-related data science. (Railway Age)
Civil engineers: rail infrastructure still top of classThe American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) awarded the nation's freight and passenger railroads their highest grade - a B - in the "2021 Infrastructure Report Card" released today. Overall, ASCE gave the nation's infrastructure a C- in the quadrennial report. (RT&S)
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Member News
Focused Technology Solutions announces battery-operated EclipEase nearing launch
Focused Technology Solutions -a Marmon/Berkshire Hathaway Company- has announced that the first ever battery-operated e-clip inserter/remover, the EclipEase, is coming soon. The newest battery-operated tool in the Focused Technology arsenal will use a Milwaukee d-handle impact to insert and remove e-clips in as quick as 1-3 seconds. Its built-in trolley will allow for easy movement and positioning on rail plates. (RT&S)
L.B. Foster Company is pleased to announce the promotions of
Gregory (Greg) W. Lippard, the Company's Vice President of Rail Technologies & Services, to Senior Vice President, Rail Technologies & Services, and
William (Bill) F. Treacy, the Company's Vice President of Infrastructure Solutions, to Senior Vice President, Infrastructure Solutions, each effective immediately. (Press Release)
RailWorks to perform track upgrades in Baltimore for MTA
RailWorks is set to kick off a significant track maintenance and upgrade project for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) in Baltimore. Via its Track Services group, RailWorks will reconstruct 3 interlockings and install new restraining rail, replace concrete ties, and perform special trackwork along segments of curved track on the Central Light Rail Line and Penn Station Extension at several locations in and around downtown Baltimore. (Press Release)
Five New Shareholders Selected to Further Wilson & Company Growth
Wilson & Company, Inc., Engineers & Architects, a national engineering and architecture firm with award-winning multi-disciplinary projects and culture defined by Higher Relationships, originated as a partnership in 1932. In 2003, the company expanded the ownership structure and transitioned to employee-shareholders. Wilson & Company selected an additional five shareholders effective on March 5 to lead the firm to further growth opportunities: Brian Ambrogi, PE; Conrad Ley, PE; Amy Moran; Todd Kelley, PE, SE; and Tyler Ashton, PE, PMP, CFM. (Press Release)
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