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Upcoming
Industry Events
Brazil Infrastructure Trade Mission
November 5-8, 2019
Brasilia & Sao Paulo, Brazil
export.gov/Trade-Missions
RailTrends 2019
November 21-22, 2019
New York, NY
2020 NRC Conference & NRC-REMSA Exhibition
January 5-8, 2020
San Diego, CA
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 Railway Interchange 2019 Recap
The Railway Interchange 2019 indoor and outdoor exhibits showcased the latest technology, services, and research by members of the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA), and Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI). Railway Interchange also included the 2019 Annual Conference of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and the RSI Education & Technical Training Conference.
"The increased registration numbers and our attendee survey results show that Railway Interchange 2019 was a success," said AREMA Executive Director and CEO Beth Caruso. "The AREMA 2019 Annual Conference technical sessions and speakers were also popular this year, as was Railway Interchange general session keynote speaker Vernice "FlyGirl" Armour," Caruso noted.
RSI President Mike O'Malley said, "We are pleased that attendees and exhibitors found so much value in attending Railway Interchange. This year's RSI Education & Training Conference featured new sessions, along with dedicated tracks in air brakes, railway operations, railcar technical services, locomotive maintenance, and women in rail. We are thrilled that attendance continues to grow and there is a demand for this education in our industry."
REMSA Executive Director David Tennent noted, "Demand for exhibit space has grown with each Railway Interchange, solidifying the event's reputation as the largest railway industry exhibition and technical conference in North America. This year's themed Oktoberfest reception in the exhibit hall was well-attended, too."
"Railway Interchange 2019 is getting positive feedback from our members," added RSSI Executive Director Michael A. Drudy. "Although booth sales for Railway Interchange 2021 won't begin until next year, exhibitors are already asking about reserving space for the next show."
Railway Interchange 2019 Fast Facts:
- Total number of exhibits: 746
- Total registered attendees: 8,450
- International attendees: 1,023
- International exhibits: 71
- Countries represented: 47
- News media registered: 26
Note: International and news media attendance figures are included in the overall number of registered attendees. All numbers are based on pre-show and onsite registration and are subject to an ongoing audit.
This year marked the fifth time that Railway Interchange has been held; the biennial event started in Minneapolis in 2011. The previous Railway Interchange, held in 2017 in Indianapolis, drew 8,150 attendees and featured 738 indoor exhibitors, with participants from 46 countries, organizers said. Previously, Railway Interchange 2015 in Minneapolis drew more than 9,000 attendees and featured 687 indoor and outdoor exhibitors, with participants from 42 countries around the world.
The next Railway Interchange will take place September 26-29, 2021 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis; future dates for the event are scheduled for 2023. For updates, bookmark www.railwayinterchange.org.
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REMSA Announces Leadership Changes
On September, 24 2019,
Bryan Boehm, President Rail, Custom Truck One Source, and Troy Elbert, President, Herzog Services, Inc., were elected to the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) Board of Directors at the REMSA Annual Membership Meeting, which was held in conjunction with Railway Interchange 2019. Boehm and Elbert will begin their two-year terms on the Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2020.
Boehm was the Director of the Rail Division with Custom Truck & Equipment prior to his role as President at Custom One Truck Source. He holds his degree from The University of Kansas.
Elbert first began his career with Herzog as an ultrasonic, non-destructive rail technician in 1997. In 2013, he was named as coinventor on patents covering ultrasonic phased array inspection for railroads. Troy served as Assistant Vice President of Operations from 2010 to 2016, until he was promoted to President of Herzog Services, Inc. and Herzog Services of Canada, Ltd. Mr. Elbert earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Missouri Western State University and is also American Society of Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) NDT Level III certified.
REMSA would also like to acknowledge
George Pugh, President & COO, Knox Kershaw, Inc.
who has served on the Board of Directors since 2014 and whose term will expire at the end of 2019.
"We are proud to announce the new leadership joining the REMSA Board of Directors. Both Mr. Boehm and Mr. Elbert are monumental forces in their companies and we look forward to seeing this leadership translate into their roles on the REMSA Board," stated REMSA CEO/Executive Director David Tennent. "Additionally, we want to thank Mr. Pugh for his time and commitment to REMSA and trust Bryan and Troy will continue to build on the association's positive momentum and growth."
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Bryan Boehm
President , Rail
Custom Truck One Source
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Troy Elbert
President
Herzog Services, Inc.
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Washington Update
Congress Embroiled by Impeachment Proceedings,
Short Line Tax Credit Achieves 290 House Cosponsors,
and
Democrats Float a Nomination to Fill the Surface Transportation Board
A congressional recess in October was upended with drama as Washington became embroiled by impeachment proceedings initiated by House Democrats. Meanwhile, Congress staved off another government shutdown with a continuing resolution just as support for the short line tax credit nears a critical tipping point into uncharted territory. And Senate Democrats have formally recommended a candidate to fill their last slot on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
On September 24, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced that the House was launching a formal impeachment inquiry against President Trump. This marks a fever pitch for House Democrats, who only need a simple majority (218 votes) to impeach the President before initiating a trial in the Senate that would require 67 votes to remove him from office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has warned his Republican colleagues in the Senate that a formal trial could begin before Thanksgiving.
Be
hind these chaotic scenes, Congress managed to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through November 21 while it continues to negotiate a series of appropriations bills for the 2020 fiscal year. And the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a transportation spending bill that roughly matches its 2019 funding levels. The full Senate is expected to advance this bill over the next few weeks before going to conference with House appropriators, who already cleared their transportation spending bill in June.
The short line tax credit (H.R.510/S.203 - BRACE Act of 2019) just achieved a significant milestone as it reached 290 House cosponsors this morning and 62 in the Senate. When Democrats took over the House after the 2018 elections, House leadership instituted a rule that any bill with 290 cosponsors will automatically be up for consideration in committee and have a path to the House floor.
Now with 290 House cosponsors, the short line tax credit must be considered by House leaders just in time for a
must-pass government spending bill that has a deadline of November 21. And to augment our efforts o
n the other side of Capitol Hill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) dedicated an October 1 press conference to the permanent extension of the short line railroad tax credit.
Also in September, Senator Chuck Schumer recommended to the White House the nomination of Robert Primus as the final Democratic commissioner on the Surface Transportation Board (STB).
The Senate has a tradition to confirm STB commissioners only if Republican and Democratic nominees are paired together. Currently, there is only one STB nomination awaiting Senate floor action: Michelle Schultz, a Republican and the deputy general counsel at SEPTA in Pennsylvania. The nomination of Primus, a Democrat, could tee up a Senate vote to confirm the final two slots of the five-member STB by early 2020.
Primus was the former chief of staff to Congressman Mike Capuano (D-MA), who was the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee's Ranking Member on the Rail Subcommittee, and is currently chief of staff to Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA).
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If you are interested in learning more about REMSA's government affairs efforts, please reach out to Jacob Carter at
[email protected]
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REMSA Member Job Board
Arcadis NV
"Symphony"
Gustav Mahlerplein 97-103
1082 MS Amsterdam
The Netherlands
P.O. Box 7895
1008 AB Amsterdam
The Netherlands
+31 (0)20 2011 011
Contact: Sean Markey
- Program & Construction Management
- Design Services (Track & Intermodal)
- Public Projects
- Structures
- Facility Engineering
- Real Estate
- Asset Management
- Environmental Planning & Permitting
- Compliance & "Green" Initiatives
_____________________
Holland LP
1000 Holland Drive
Crete, IL 60417
Holland Manufacturing
750 Central
University Park, IL 60484
United States
708-672-2300
- Strategic Accounts Manager
- Regional Sales Manager
- Mechanical Design Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
_____________________
Mott Macdonald Birmingham, United States
1800 International Park Drive
Suite 210
Birmingham
AL 35243
Alabama
United States
205-939-1119
Contact: Adrienne Branch
Telephone: 973-912-2603
- NASA program management leader
- Vehicles (rolling stock) engineer
- Senior signals engineer
- Senior project manager - railroads & rail transit
- Project engineer - rail and transit
- Deputy design manager - rail
- Construction manager
- Project coordinating engineer - rail
- Principal project manager - rail/transit
- Rail & transit lead - Southern California
- Signaling engineer
- Senior site construction manager/ Senior project manager
- Resident engineer
- Senior project manager - railroads & rail transit
- Rail systems integration manager
- Change/commerical manager - rail/transit
- Communications engineer
- Rolling stock/vehicle engineer
- Senior construction engineer
- Rolling stock/vehicle inspector
- Senior rail/transit operational planner
- Project engineer - rail/transit
- Senior project engineer/project manager - rail
- Principal project manager - transportation
- Project manager - transportation
- Senior project enginer - electrical
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If interested in having your openings featured in the Mainline, contact Membership & Marketing Manager, Madeleine Stern at [email protected]
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Booth Sales for the 2020 NRC-REMSA Exhibition now Open!
As a reminder, the exhibit will take place January 5-6, 2020 at the Hotel Del Coronado Resort & Spa in San Diego, CA in conjunction with the 2020 NRC Conference, which will run January 5-8, 2020. Please be aware that the exhibits will be located in a tent adjacent to the hotel property. Please follow this link for the
2020 NRC-REMSA Exhibitor Terms & Conditions which includes show schedule, display guidelines, etc. For more information on exhibits, booth pricing, etc., please visit the
NRC-REMSA 2020 Exhibition Welcome Page.
REGISTER FOR A BOOTH:
To register for a booth, CLICK HERE and login with your company password (same password as previous years). If you do not remember your password, you can retrieve your password on this page by clicking on "Forgot your password?" Please do not create a new company profile as this password is unique to your company and contains historical information relevant to your company. You may also share this password with anyone within your company to access your exhibitor portal. Your company's password will allow you to view an interactive floor plan and reserve a booth online. Please contact me if you have any issues with logging in or retrieving your company password.
ATTENDEE REGISTRATION & HOTEL
:
Each 8'x10' exhibit space comes with one complimentary conference registration to the 2020 NRC Conference. All attendees of the exhibition must also be registered for the NRC conference. Registration for the conference as well as the hotel block are now open. View the registration link here.
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For questions regarding the NRC/REMSA Exhibition and reserving your booth, please contact Urszula Soucie at [email protected] or (202) 715-2921.
For questions regarding the NRC Conference, registration, hotel, sponsorship, etc. please contact Mike McGonagle at [email protected] or (202) 975-0365.
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REMSA Member Spotlight
Kari Gonzales
(
Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
)
How did you get started in the rail industry?
I s
tarted my career in the rail industry as an intern with TTCI while I was a student at Colorado School of Mines. At the time, I was studying Chemical Engineering, but decided a summer job would help my career development. I fell in love with mechanical engineering and the rail industry during that first summer and I haven't left the industry (or company) since!
What do you love most about your job/the rail industry?
I enjoy teaching people everywhere about the importance of rail in our economy and the great strides our industry has made in both safety and efficiency. Spending my career in technology development has allowed me to work with the industry's brightest to find innovative ways to keep an iconic industry like rail relevant.
What is it like being a woman in a primarily male dominated industry?
Women committed to excellence will find a home in the rail industry. I learned early that it is important to learn the language and culture of the industry and be adaptable to the ongoing changes. I have amazing mentors, both male and female, that continually challenge me to learn more and refine my skills. Overall, women considering careers in rail should be encouraged to know that there a great people ready to take you from novice to expert over the course of a career.
What do you find yourself doing most in your downtime? Hobbies outside of work?
I spend most of my free evenings in a dance studio or at a baseball field. My nine-year-old daughter has taken to competitive dance and my 10-year-old son plays on a competitive baseball team, so they keep my schedule pretty full! I get to workout with an amazing group of athletes at Stay Invincible Colorado who inspire me to show up for Crossfit at 5 am most mornings. During the warmer months, I love to get out and attempt the lovingly frustrating game of golf. I also like to volunteer, so I serve on several community and industry boards and try to find opportunities to use my engineering background to encourage young people to seek careers in science and engineering.
How do you define the "future" of rail? Where do you think the industry is headed?
I'm excited to see the next generation of railroaders take safety and efficiency to a new level. Advancing technology will enhance the overall operational state of our industry, and I believe we are on the precipice of a new era of railroading that will sustain our industry for generations to come.
Anything else you would like to add/share?
Our industry is comprised of amazing people ready to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow. My hope is that we will continue to attract talented people from all backgrounds to successfully lead us into the future. Special thanks to all the passionate people I have encountered over the course of my career who have helped make my experience in this industry positive. Lastly, thank you to REMSA for providing me the opportunity to share a bit about my day to day!
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Interested in being highlighted in the REMSA spotlight? Apply to become Member-of-Month.
Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager to apply today at:
[email protected] or (202) 715-2919.
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REMSA Gets Social! Find us on Instagram at:
remsa_rail
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Contact Madeleine Stern, Membership & Marketing Manager, with questions at:
[email protected] or (202) 715-2919.
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Follow One Rail Coalition on Social!
Twitter:
@OneRailUSA
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REMSA Grassroots Program
Oldcastle Infrastructure, Midwest Mole, GREX,
Encore Rail Systems, and Vossloh
In September and October, REMSA members from all across the country held grassroots events with members of Congress and governors to advocate on behalf of the rail supply industry and bolster support for the short line tax credit.
Rep. Scott Tipton
Vossloh North America
(October 8 in Colorado)
Gov. John Hickenlooper
Encore Rail Systems
(October 7 in Colorado)
Rep. John Carter
Georgetown Rail Equipment
(October 4 in Texas)
Rep. Greg Pence
Midwest Mole
(October 3 in Indiana)
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger
Oldcastle Infrastructure
(September 30 in Maryland)
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Are you interested in growing your network and highlighting your products and services to the rail industry? Please contact Jacob Carter at
[email protected]
or (202) 715-2917 to get started.
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Industry News
Amtrak has announced the launch of a new service that will provide riders a direct service between Washington D.C. and New York. The new service, named Acela Nonstop, started on September 23. Amtrak says the ride will last 2 hours and 35 minutes. "The new Acela Nonstop service will have you halfway to your New York City or DC destination in the time it would take you to board a flight," said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. (ABC7 WJLA)
Former CN
President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau has been elected to serve on Norfolk Southern
's board. "Claude's deep knowledge and understanding of precision scheduled railroading will be invaluable as we continue to implement our PSR-based strategic plan to drive efficiencies, service, growth and shareholder value. Claude brings hands-on experience in aligning PSR with a customer focus that promotes end-to-end supply chain performance and growth," said NS Chairman, President and CEO James Squires. (Progressive Railroading)
The FRA issued a notice of funding opportunity for $396 million in grant funding under the State of Good Repair program.The fiscal-year 2019 program will fund projects that repair, replace or rehabilitate qualified railroad assets to reduce the state-of-good-repair backlog and improve intercity passenger-rail performance, FRA officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading)
League of Railway Women (LRW) Names Canadian Pacific's Arpin Woman of the Year
Pam Arpin, assistant vice president of customer and corporate services at CP, has been chosen the Railway Woman of the Year.LRW President Tanis Peterson and Progressive Railroading Publisher Kirk Bastyr presented the award to Arpin at Railway Interchange in Minneapolis."The face of the rail industry is changing in a positive way and it is a privilege to be a steward of this change. As we begin to further appreciate and actively seek out diversity in railroading, we open ourselves up to new ways of looking at things; this is a cornerstone of innovation and I am excited about what the future holds for women in our chosen field," said Arpin. (Progressive Railroading)
Seattle Center Monorail now Accepting ORCA Fare Payment
The Seattle Center Monorail now accepts the ORCA card as a fare payment option. The ORCA card is also valid on the Sound Transit Link light-rail and Sounder commuter-rail services. Enabling use of ORCA on the monorail system will "improve its integration with the region's other transit options and foster greater monorail use to access Seattle Center's many destinations," Sound Transit officials said in a press release.
(Progressive Railroading)
SFRTA announced it was honored with the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) award from the National Procurement Institute Inc. (NPI) for the 13th year. "We continue to prove that our procurement process upholds the highest of standards in public administration," said Steven Abrams, SFRTA executive director. (Progressive Railroading)
The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), announced that it is publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The proposed rule will seek comment on changes to the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to authorize the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail in the DOT-113 specification tank cars. (Railway Age)
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Member News
Focused Technology Solutions Inc. announced that multiple major railway companies and Class Is have placed orders for the company's battery-operated spike puller, the SpikeEase. The SpikeEase is one of the first battery-operated and hydraulic-free spike pullers on the market, Focused Technology Solutions officials said in a press release. The tool pulls spikes in three to seven seconds and weighs under 30 pounds. (Progressive Railroading)
Geopier has introduced its GeoSpike, which is designed to provide a low-cost way to strengthen the subgrade without needing to remove the rails, sleepers or ballast.
"Geopier's new system is unique to the ground improvement market and presents great opportunity and cost savings for railroad companies," said Geopier President & Chief Engineer Dr. Kord Wissmann. (Railway Gazette)
Development of the project began three years ago and the resulting vehicle completely rethinks Harsco's previous models. The cab is repositioned at the front, while the vehicle deploys fully automated tamping, integrated measurement and hybrid index, which transforms the role of the operator to largely an observer. (International Railway Journal)
McLaughlin will manage and maintain the western U.S. sales territory, and represent all Holland divisions and maintenance-of-way products. McLaughlin has been with Holland since 2015. Previously, he served as mobile operations director, Holland officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading)
Late September, Strukton Rail completed its first catenary inspection in the North American market utilizing its state-of-the-art Strukton Wire Scan system. A full overhead wire survey of Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) Transit Express (TRAX), a 103-mile light rail system in Salt Lake City, was completed within 6 days. "The Strukton Wire Scan is based on an innovative technology specifically developed to incorporate the challenges and demands of a modern and dynamic rail market where reliable and readily available information is essential," said Mark Lentini, Reliability Engineer of Strukton Rail North America. "The high accuracy of our system in detecting weak spots is where our customers truly benefit from a maintenance optimization standpoint." (Strukton Rail North America)
R. J. Corman was awarded a contract to be the switching and transloading provider for the 137-acre multi-modal Hempstead Logistics Park owned by McAlister Assets and operated by RCR Rail Co.
"This is an exciting opportunity to get in at the early stages of such a high-potential project. The services and convenient location this park offers is world class, and will be an exponential value add to the shippers that utilize the park," said Paul Lauritzen, Vice President of Transportation for R. J. Corman Railroad Group. "We will continue to be a strategic partner for our customers and the industry at large, and look forward to serving the growing shippers and cars in the park for the years ahead." (Railway Age)
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