REMSA congratulates the recipients of this year's undergraduate scholarship program!

More details on the scholarship can be found on the REMSA website. 

It was announced early in the morning on September 15 that the freight railroads and labor unions reached a tentative agreement to avert a strike that would have gone into effect on 12:01 a.m. Friday, September 16. Unionized workers still need to vote to ratify the compromise. The tentative deal pushes off the deadline for several more weeks as union membership works toward a vote. The new contracts provide rail employees a 24 percent wage increase during the five-year period from 2020 through 2024, including an immediate payout on average of $11,000 upon ratification, following the recommendations of Presidential Emergency Board (PEB) No. 250. All tentative agreements are subject to ratification by the union membership. As a reminder, REMSA co-signed a letter on September 12 to congressional leadership in regards to the importance of staving off a potential strike and adopting the PEB recommendations. This letter also follows up on a previous letter that REMSA co-signed along with other rail supplier groups back in June encouraging the White House to follow precedent in establishing a PEB and issuing recommendations to avoid a potential strike.

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Rail Subcommittee has postponed a hearing on rail service challenges and the impact on agriculture that was originally scheduled for September 15. The markup of the STB reauthorization bill has also been postponed indefinitely by the committee. REMSA staff will keep you informed if new dates are scheduled for either or both events.

On September 16, USDOT published the list of FY22 INFRA grant award recipients. This year’s round of INFRA awarded 26 grants totaling $1.5 billion for nationally or regionally significant highway and multimodal freight projects. A list of all selected projects can be found attached and here, USDOT’s press release is linked here.

The Senate Commerce Committee held a nomination hearing Sept. 7 on President Biden’s nomination of Democrat Robert E. Primus to a second term on the STB. This is a preliminary step, requiring a subsequent vote among committee members whether to send the nomination forward to the entire Senate for consideration. Lately, the rail merger talks have dominated STB activity and focus recently and likely will for the near future.

On September 1, The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing the availability of over $1.4 billion in Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant funding. The CRISI Program, which is administered by the FRA, advances projects that modernize America’s freight and passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move more safely and efficiently and helping make goods more affordable for American families. Applications are due on December 1, 2022. 

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

The people and their passion for the industry. Everyone’s belief in our industry and wanting to give something back by participating on the REMSA Board. 

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

I have seen REMSA evolve in my time on the board. We continue to bring the industry together through putting on Railway Interchange with our industry partners to adding membership value with programs like, Grassroots; facilitating interaction between Congress and our membership. Since COVID the world is changing and I feel REMSA is well positioned to adapt quickly to the needs of the industry and our membership, as the industry evolves. 

How did you get started in the rail industry?

I began right out of college in 1980 with Woodings-Verona Tool Works as Service Representative calling on rail gangs to support the sales of the Woodings rail anchors. 

What do you love most about your job?

The people in this industry.

What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime?

I like to grill out at home with my family. 

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

I strongly believe the industry is very well positioned for growth over the next 4-5 years. The railroad is still the most economical way to move freight. There is also many projects planned for passenger rail which should be good for the MOW side of the industry. 

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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.

Rail Safety Week starts Monday, Sept. 19!

Since 2017, Rail Safety Week (RSW) has saved lives by educating and empowering the public to make safe decisions around trains and tracks and raising awareness of the need for rail safety education. Learn more about how you can help save lives in your community and #STOPTrackTragedies! 

IMR Inc.: Here at IMR, we are deeply rooted in innovation, machining, fabrication, and product development. With this, we have developed various railway MOW attachments. We hope to earn the position of “valued and trusted supplier” to serve our customers’ ongoing needs.

Tartaglia Railroad Services is an established railroad contractor with more than 115 years experience as a construction unit. We are a nationally known hi-rail and equipment repair/Install and sales company.