May 2019
Railway Interchange 2019: Register Now, Reserve Your Hotel Room, Become a Sponsor










 
Upcoming 
Industry Events

Wheel Rail Interaction Conference 
June 18-21, 2019 
New Orleans, LA
www.wheel-rail-seminars.com

Railway Interchange 2019
September 22-25, 2019
Minneapolis, MN 

RailTrends 2019 
November 21-22, 2019
New York, NY
www.railtrends.com


REMSA 
Welcomes New Members:










 










In This Issue:

Washington Update:
President Trump and Congressional Leaders Meet on Infrastructure as Railroad Day on Capitol Hill Adds Support for the Short Line Tax Credit

Railroad Day on Capitol Hill: Recap

LRW Seeks Women Railroaders to Serve on its Board

REMSA Introduces Member Facebook Group

 
 
Industry News


CREATE Partners Hold Ceremony and Assign Project Designers  

 
USDOT: $900 million available for FY19 BUILD grants

Amtrak Names Newman EVP of Planning Strategy

Kansas City Southern Reports Record 1Q2019 Revenues and Strong Growth 

Union Pacific Railroad Reports 6 Percent Increase in net Income in First Quarter

Norfolk Southern Sets Multiple Records in Q1

Michigan State University Center for Railway Research and Education Announces Upcoming Rail Industry Programs


Member News
 





RailwayInterchange2019
Railway Interchange 2019 
September 22-25 in Minneapolis, MN
Housing & Registration Open & Exhibit Space Filling up 





Railway Interchange 2019 , North America's largest railway exhibition and technical conference, will be back in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA September 22-25.

Here's why you should register NOW:
  • Experience invaluable opportunities for networking and collaboration with nearly 9,000 rail industry professionals from around the globe
  • Technical sessions at the AREMA 2019 Annual Conference focus on increasing your knowledge, technical expertise and networking and provide a forum for exchanging ideas. You can earn up to 12.5 professional development hours.
  • Learn about the latest technology, products, services and research from 600+ exhibitors at both indoor and outdoor exhibits.
  • Save $75 if you register before August 15, 2019.
  • Class I and short line railroad employees and government employees are eligible for complimentary Expo passes.
With vital educational workshops and seminars, state of the art products, services and technology on view in the indoor and outdoor exhibition, as well as networking opportunities throughout  Railway Interchange  is THE place to meet railway industry representatives from around the world.

 
 



Any questions related to the exhibition can be directed to Urszula Soucie at (202) 715-2921 or soucie@remsa.org
.  

Scholarship3Apply for REMSA 2019 Undergraduate Scholarships by May 31 Deadline


This year REMSA is awarding one President's Scholarship in the amount of $7,500 as well as one $5,000 runner-up scholarship, and one individual scholarship a t $ 2,500.

The deadline for submitting applications is 
Friday, May 31, 2019.

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant must:
  • be a full- or part-time employee of a REMSA member company; or the spouse, son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter of a current full-time employee of a REMSA member company.  An employee who is the scholarship applicant does not have to be a full-time employee.  Interns are not eligible;
  • be enrolled and in attendance at the time of application as a full-time college student at an accredited two-year college offering an associate's degree or an accredited college or university offering a bachelor's degree; and
  • demonstrate successful completion of the previous year of study and a willingness to continue.  
Please visit  www.remsa.org/scholarship  for information on the scholarship program, or click to download the  REMSA 2019 Undergraduate Scholarship Application

WashingtonUpdateWashington Update
President Trump and Congressional Leaders Meet on Infrastructure as
Railroad Day on Capitol Hill Adds Support for the Short Line Tax Credit
  
In late April, President Trump invited House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) to the White House for renewed talks on moving a comprehensive infrastructure package through Congress. The group agreed to pursue a $2 trillion infrastructure bill and are meeting again next week where Trump is expected to release a funding proposal that could include raising the federal gas tax and implementing a vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) tax, which is supported by leaders on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. However, Senator Schumer preemptively came out against any gas tax increases unless President Trump agrees to rescind parts of his signature tax cut legislation, an issue that will continue to complicate negotiations.
 
With time running out in a year that is already limited by the upcoming 2020 presidential elections, many in Congress are turning their focus towards a more realistic goal: reauthorizing the FAST (Fixing America's Surface Transportation) Act. Senate committees have already begun working on a five-year reauthorization of the FAST Act that would cover 2021-2025 with funding levels above $300 billion. Draft legislation affecting rail should be ready for markup in the Senate sometime this fall.

Following a successful Railroad Day on Capitol Hill that brought over 400 representatives from the railroad industry to meet with nearly 350 congressional offices, legislation to make the short line tax credit permanent (BRACE Act) is rapidly gaining more support in the 116th Congress with 195 cosponsors in the House and 40 in the Senate. Those numbers are expected to grow in the coming weeks as support for the short line tax credit nears a majority in both chambers of Congress (218 in the House and 51 in the Senate), a crucial threshold that will provide significant leverage for attaching an extension to any upcoming legislative vehicles
 
In May, Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) introduced a bill that would exempt logging trucks from truck size and weight limits, allowing covered log trucks weighing up to 98,000 pounds on interstate highways. While the bill has limited support, the railroad industry is engaging the issue to prevent attempts by the trucking industry to circumvent reasonable weight limits.
 
In June and July, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Railroads will hold hearings and round table discussion on rail issues. They have not decided on what the focus will be yet, but they expected to cover issues such as rail safety, rail security, and passenger rail.

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If you are interested in learning more about REMSA's government affairs efforts, please reach out to Jacob Carter at  carter@remsa.org .

RRDAY2019
Railroad Day on the Hill attendees meet with 
Congressman Tim Burchett (R-Tennessee) in the Longworth House Office Building
 
On May 8, more than 400 railroad industry professionals from across the nation came to Washington, DC for Railroad Day on Capitol Hill 2019. Representatives from the rail supply industry, Class I and short line railroads, public transit, shippers and manufacturers met with nearly 350 congressional offices to advocate for the the short line tax credit, reasonable limits on truck size and weights, and balanced regulations.  

It was a successful day on Capitol Hill, where our industry unified to place a  spotlight on railroads to educate lawmakers as Congress and the White House considers comprehensive infrastructure legislation. The short line tax credit has already seen a significant spike in cosponsors in both the House and Senate, including many freshmen who are new to the issue.

Afterwards, Congressional leaders, White House officials, and entire Surface  Transportation Board gathered with representatives from the railroad industry for a reception that signified our industry's impact on the American economy.

Thank you to all participants, supports and sponsors who made the event a success. 


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Please contact Jacob Carter, Government Affairs Manager, at  carter@remsa.org  or (202) 715-2917 if you have any questions.

Membergroup
REMSA Introduces Member Facebook Group


The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association, Inc.
(REMSA) has created a community for members to share ideas, collaborate and connect with fellow industry associates. 

To join the group, please visit and "like" the REMSA Facebook page.

We want to create a space for members to ask questions, exchange marketing ideas and be a part of a rail industry community. 

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Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager, with questions at: stern@remsa.org or (202) 715-2919.

 
LRWLRW Seeks Women Railroaders to Serve on its Board 
 

   
The  League of Railway Women  (LRW) is calling for nominations of rail industry women to serve on its board for a term that extends from October 2019 to September 2021.
 
Board positions open for nominations include parliamentarian, director at large, membership chair, scholarship chair, public relations and outreach chair, awards chair, events chair and education chair, according to an LRW press release.

Anyone interested in serving on the board must be an LRW member in good standing. Nominees should submit a statement of interest, a resume and photo to  LRW Parliamentarian Sarah Yurasko  by June 14.

Source credited to: Progressive Railroading

Grassroots

REMSA Grassroots Program
Geismar North America, Stella-Jones, 
and Whiting Corporation 
   
In April, REMSA was proud to host several grassroots events with members of Congress. Congressman Joe Cunningham (D-South Carolina) was hosted by Geismar North America at their headquarters and manufacturing facility in Beaufort, SC, Congressman James Comer (R-Kentucky) visited Stella-Jones' rail tie facility in Fulton, KY, and Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Illinois) joined Whiting Corporation at their headquarters and manufacturing facility in Monee, IL.
 
"It was a pleasure to tour Geismar North America's headquarters and manufacturing facility in Beaufort," said Rep. Joe Cunningham. "Geismar North America plays an important role in Beaufort's economy and I look forward to continuing to work with all the stakeholders involved to maintain strong relationships with our business and transportation industries."


 
"I'm proud to support rail and its related industries and am encouraged by the work being done by Stella-Jones here in Fulton County and throughout western Kentucky," said Congressman James Comer. "Businesses in this industry provide stable, high-quality manufacturing jobs that support the regional economy. For these reasons I am proud to be a co-sponsor of the BRACE Act (H.R. 510), legislation that will aid the rail industry in reinvesting in maintenance of their railways and spur further economic development across the 1st District of Kentucky and the country."
 
"I appreciate the warm welcome from Whiting Corporation and REMSA and the chance to learn more about the opportunities and challenges facing short line railroads," said Congresswoman Robin Kelly. "Our discussion has renewed my commitment to passing the BRACE Act (H.R. 510), which permanently extends the rail maintenance tax credit, given its importance to this critical industry that keeps our country moving by rail."
 

Are you interested in growing your network and highlighting your products and services to the rail industry?   Please contact Jacob Carter at  carter@remsa.org  or (202) 715-2917 to get started.

IndustryNEWSIndustry News

Devon Barnhart joined the OneRail team on May 13 as Deputy Director for the coalition. Barnhart, a lawyer and civil engineer focused on transportation policy, most recently served as the subcommittee staff director for the Transportation and Safety Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee. "Devon's considerable knowledge of rail and transportation issues, as well as her policy expertise, make her a great fit for the OneRail Coalition...She will bring new ideas on promoting the benefits and value that make rail the logical transportation mode for the 21st century," said Anne Canby, Executive Director, OneRail Coalition. (OneRail Coalition) 

On April 26 a ceremony was help for the Argo Connections portion of the project.  The Argo Connections (CREATE Project B9) involves constructing a new double-track connection and crossovers between a Belt Railway Co. of Chicago (BRC) line and Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Co. (IHB)-CSX line at Archer and 63rd streets in Summit, Illinois. The project also calls for upgrading mainline crossovers to accommodate higher train speeds - from 10 mph to 25 mph - and adding crossovers to the control point at 71st Street to allow access into and out of a signal-controlled siding. (Progressive Railroading)

The  Association of American Railroads  (AAR) has named Gary Van Tassel II of  CSX  as the winner of the 2019 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award. (Progressive Railroading) 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is soliciting applications for $900 million in fiscal-year 2019 funding through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants program. "These BUILD transportation grants will provide needed infrastructure investment to better connect rural and urban communities around our nation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.

Amtrak1 Amtrak Names Newman EVP of Planning Strategy
Newman will be responsible for corporate planning and strategy, schedule and consist planning, services and host groups, and the railroad's participation in the Gateway program, Amtrak officials said in a press release."This expansion of Dennis's responsibilities will help us further grow our business and strengthen our network. He and his team will lead the company's planning efforts to modernize our fleet, rebuild and expand our infrastructure, and evolve our network to meet growing demand across the United States," said President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson. 
KCS
Reported net income in the first quarter of 2019 was $103 million, or $1.02 per diluted share, compared with $145 million, or $1.40 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2018. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.54, 18% higher than a year ago. (Railway Age) 

UPUnion Pacific Railroad Reports 6 Percent Increase in net Income in First Quarter
The Class I posted Q1 2019 net income of $1.4 billion, or $1.93 per diluted share, compared with $1.3 billion, or $1.68 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago, according to a UP press release.  (Progressive Railroading) 

NS Norfolk Southern Sets Multiple Records in Q1
Norfolk Southern Corporation reported first-quarter 2019 net income rose 23 percent year over year to $677 million, as a result of a 16 percent increase in income from railway operations and a boost in other income. (Progressive Railroading) 

MIProgramMichigan State University Center for Railway Research and Education Announces Upcoming Rail Industry Programs
See all upcoming rail industry programs for students on the center's website by following this link:  execed.broad.msu.edu/open-programs



MemberNewsBottomMember News

AECOM is  up 5% from the second quarter of last year, with positive contributions from all of the company's construction-related segments. AECOM ended its Q2 with a whopping backlog of $61 billion, which included new contract awards of more than $8 billion. (Construction Dive) 
HDR4
Jeff Fahs, PLA, LEED AP, is the new director of HDR's site design group, where he will be tasked with providing strategic direction and overall leadership for the practice, focusing on growing and diversifying the practice. "The ability to make a positive impact on people's lives through building and landscape projects is incredibly fulfilling. Doing so from within an A/E environment means we get to see the tangible results of our creative work. We can observe it, participate in it and show it to our friends and family" said Fahs. (RT & S) 

Gross joined Koppers  in 2007 and served as Vice President of Coomerical Sales since 2019. In his new role, Gross will oversee sales, operations, procurement and profit and loss management. (Progressive Railroading)

Loram Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. Acquires Roadscanners Oy
Loram Maintenance of Way Inc.  has acquired the rail division business of  Roadscanners Oy , a Finland-based company. The purchase included Roadscanners' Rail Doctor software and related intellectual property rights. Roadscanners Oy will continue its asset management business in other sectors. (Progressive Railroading)

Earthwall News from Earth Wall Products: Tallest Forix Gravity Wall To Date
The Forix gravity retaining wall system was the best fit a tight project in which a wall was needed in Hogansville, Georgia and even allowed the contractor to perform less excavation of the rock onsite. This project was the first experience the contractor had with the Forix system; although, the wall's construction was quick and very efficient. (Earth Wall Products) 

Pandrol1Pandrol Announces Debuts as Platinum Sponsor for IHHA STS Conference
Pandrol recently announced that it is the Platinum Sponsor of the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) STS Conference (June 10-14 in Narvik, Norway). "Our company takes its name from the inventor of our revolutionary PR clip, the Norwegian railways engineer Per Pande-Rolfsen, so it's quite fitting that we're the Platinum Sponsor when the IHHA Conference takes place in Norway.  Scandinavia has always been an important market for us and it will be a great opportunity to demonstrate our global heavy haul expertise, " said  Pandrol CEO Eran Gartner.  (Railway Age) 

RailWorks RailWorks Constructs 14.5 Double Track from Southwest to Target Field Station 
As part of a joint venture,  RailWorks Corp.  will construct a 14.5-mile double track from Southwest Station in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, to Target Field Station in Minneapolis. The portion of Metro Transit's Southwest light-rail project includes more than 110,500 track feet of ballasted track, direct fixation work on the structure and in a tunnel, and embedded and special trackwork. (Progressive Railroading) 

Vossloh has agreed multi-year framework deals for the supply of turnout components to Sweden and Italy. "We are pleased that the renewed trust Trafikverket placed in Vossloh will allow us to continue our successful co-operation with them...The renewed contract is a sign of the reliability of our products,'' said Vossloh CEO Andreas Busemann. (Railway Gazette)