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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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Infrastructure Negotiations Continue, Markups Approaching for Surface Transportation Reauthorization
Negotiations in Congress on a potential standalone infrastructure bill continue, with President Biden sending over a new counteroffer to Congressional Republicans last week, reducing the overall price tag for the bill from $2.25 trillion to $1.7 billion. Earmark requests for the bill, made by Representatives to fund specific programs, now exceed 2,000.
In the meantime, the House and Senate committees with jurisdiction are moving towards markups of a surface transportation bill by the middle of June, with the the first markups taking place this week.
Also on the House side, T&I Chairman DeFazio (D-OR) and Rail Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne (D-NJ) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a study on the impacts of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR).
On the potential KCS merger, the STB approved CP's voting trust but KCS has since terminated their agreement. The STB has also stated that the CN proposal will be reviewed under current merger rules. Most recently, CN has sent a letter to the STB requesting control of KCS.
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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
In case you missed it, "Get Onboard How Rail is Leading the Charge on Climate and Infrastructure," hosted by REMSA and the OneRail Coalition, can be viewed here.
Is there a topic you would like covered in future webinars? Contact stern@remsa.org to share your ideas.
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Register now for a virtual career fair for engineering professionals on Thursday, September 23rd, hosted by REMSA and Naylor's engineering partners.
The fair will take place from 11:00am to 2:00pm ET. More information can be found at REMSA's jobseekers page.
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2021 REMSA Undergraduate Scholarship
REMSA is excited to announce its 2021 Undergraduate Scholarship Program. This year REMSA is awarding one President's Scholarship in the amount of $6,000 and one $4,000 runner-up scholarship. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, June 28, 2021. Visit REMSA's website for information on the scholarship program and eligibility, or click to download the REMSA 2021 Undergraduate Scholarship Application.
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REMSA Grassroots Program: Bring a Member of Congress to Your Company
REMSA member RailMark Trucks hosts Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
On May 3rd, REMSA and member company RailMark Trucks hosted Congresswoman Sharice Davids for a tour of RailMark's manufacturing facility located in Kansas City. Davids, who has been in the House since 2018, serves as the Vice Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
"Companies like RailMark are a great example of the innovative manufacturing and transportation sector we have here in Kansas City, and I'm eager to continue supporting this growing industry," said Representative Davids.
RailMark Trucks is a special purpose vehicle manufacturer capable of producing 600 trucks per year. Their custom-built trucks include locomotive refuelers, hirail pickups, and material handlers which can load and unload ties.
Read the full press release at REMSA's website here.
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
Bose: FRA, California in settlement talks over high-speed rail funds
Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Amit Bose said federal and California officials have engaged in "productive settlement negotiations over the past several weeks" involving federal funds for the state's high-speed rail construction project. (Progressive Railroading)
Small Roads, Ports Outline Infrastructure Investment, Policy Priorities
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Chuck Baker and American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) President and CEO Chris Connor offered supply chain investment and policy recommendations during a May 11th hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation, Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight, and Ports. (Railway Age)
TTCI freight rail research hits major milestone
The TTCI has accumulated 5 billion gross tons of freight train loading at its Facility for Accelerated Service Testing (FAST) in Pueblo, Colo. In the rail industry, gross tonnage is the total weight of trains (cars, the loads in them, and the locomotives included) that move through a territory. TTCI's landmark accumulation of 5 billion gross tons over a 2.7-mile loop of track is equivalent to taking the current population of the United States (about 331 million people) on a 450-mile train ride. (RT&S)
Brightline completes first half of Orlando high-speed rail construction
Brightline recently announced a milestone: the privately run, high-speed rail company passed the halfway mark for construction on its extension from Miami to Orlando, Florida. The company marked the milestone during an event held at the future site of a vehicle maintenance facility (VMF) just south of the Orlando International Airport (OIA). Progress on Brightline's VMF and 170-mile extension from West Palm Beach to OIA represent the company's $4.2 billion private investment into the state of Florida, company officials said in a press release. (Progressive Railroading)
AAR: All 10 carload groups post YOY rail traffic increase
For the week ending May 15, total U.S. rail traffic was 533,872 carloads and intermodal units, up 28.3% compared with the same week last year, according to Association of American Railroads data. Total carloads for the week were 242,806, up 31.6%, while U.S. intermodal volume was 291,066 containers and trailers, up 25.6%. (Progressive Railroading)
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Member News
Brennan Opens a New Mid-South Location in Paducah, KYJ.F. Brennan Company recently established a permanent presence in the Mid-South region. The company's new Mid-South location is in Paducah, Kentucky, and will provide all Brennan services including above and below-water construction and environmental remediation services. (Press Release)
REMSA Member Earth Wall Products is hiring civil and geotechnical engineers. See the job openings at their website.
L.B. Foster announced the commercial launch of a Low Temperature (LT) version of their proven ALLEVIATE traction enhancer product for top-of-rail use. Alleviate LT has the same high-performance traction enhancing characteristics as Alleviate but with a lower freezing point of 3°F (-16°C). (RT&S)
Miner Enterprises, Inc., has acquired the Toggle-Lock™ gravity gate product line for covered hoppers from Davanac, Inc., a division of The Railway Supply Group. Miner subsidiary Powerbrace Corp. will manufacture the gates, which are designed for grain and potash service. The gates and their parts will be continue to be sold and supported through its sales, engineering and service teams. (Railway Age)
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