November 2023 NRC Bulletin

November 30, 2023

Interested in seeing what the NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition is all about? Take a look at the Conference highlights video below:

The NRC Conference has CONFIRMED the following speakers for the general sessions, with more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks:

• Andrea Oswald, General Director, UP
• Arielle Giordano, Managing Director US Gov't Affairs, CPKC
• Barton Chevreaux, Director of Engineering, Vulcan Materials Company
• Brent Laing, VP of Engineering, CN
• Carl Walker, VP of Engineering, CSX
• Cory Johnson, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
• Craig Rasmussen, AVP of Engineering Services & Structures, BNSF
• Daniel Stout, VP, STX Railroad Construction Services
• David Smat, General Director, BNSF
• David Woodruff, AVP, Head U.S. Public & Government Affairs, CN
• Ean Johnson, Vice President, Economic Development, OmniTRAX
• Ed Boyle, VP of Engineering, NS
• Ed Sparks, Chief Engineer - Bridges, Design & Construction, CSX
• Francois Belanger, Senior Director Sustainability, CN
• Janice R. Thomas, Deputy Executive Director, External Affairs, Metra
• Jay McAndrew, General Director Signal, UP
• Jennifer Mitchell, Deputy Administrator, FRA
• Jerad Fritz, AVP Signals, BNSF
• Kari Gonzales, President & CEO, MxV
• Kristine Storm, VP of Purchasing, G&W
• Lance Hawks, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
• Laura McNichol, SVP, Chief Sustainability Officer, Watco
• Matt Foot, AVP Strategic Procurement & Supply, CPKC
• Melissa Connolly, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, AAR
• Paul Leonards, VP of Project Management, Watco
• Rob Castiglione, Staff Director, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
• Russell Rohlfs, VP of Engineering, UP
• Shelly Huckfeldt, Regional Manager Economic and Industrial Development, UP
• Steven Vant, Assistant Chief Engineer – Signal Maintenance and Construction, Conrail
• Tim Rich, Regional VP of Engineering – West Region, Patriot Rail
• Tom Hilliard, Chief S&C, CN
• Tom Holmes, Vice President – Purchasing & Materials, Watco
• Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst, ABH Consulting
• Zac Vallos, VP Engineering, OmniTRAX

Schedule-At-A-Glance

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Registration: 8:00 am - 7:30 pm

Exhibitor Set-up: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Reception in Exhibit Hall: 4:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday, January 4, 2024

General Session: 7:00 am - 8:45 am; 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

Exhibits: 8:45 am - 10:15 am, 12:15 pm - 1:45 pm; 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Seminars: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Friday, January 5, 2024

General Session: 7:00 am - 11:00 am

Exhibits Tear Down: 7:30 am - 12:00 pm

Golf and Trap Shooting (additional registration required): 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Saturday, January 6, 2024

General Session: 7:30 am - 12:15 pm

Finale Reception: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

L.B Foster Football Party: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

To view a conference program for the NRC 2024 Conference, please click here.

Lodging: The NRC 2024 Room Block at Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale, AZ. is SOLD OUT, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org to be placed on a waiting list should cancellations occur.

Golf Tournament is SOLD OUT: The NRC 2024 Golf Tournament will be held on Friday, January 5th at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium (home to the PGA Tour's famous Waste Management Open) and Champion courses. At this time, we are SOLD OUT at the Stadium Course. To sign up for the 2024 NRC Golf Tournament waiting list, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org.

Trap Shooting Event is SOLD OUT: The NRC’s 2024 Trap Shooting Event will be held on Friday, January 5th at the world-renowned Ben Avery Shooting Facility from 1pm to 3pm. The Trap Shooting Event registration fee includes roundtrip bus transportation, water/snacks, firearm rentals, ammo, eye and ear protection, and a licensed professional at each stand. This event is open to all experience levels. To sign up for the 2024 NRC Trap Shooting Event waiting list, please contact NRC staff at mbarreto@nrcma.org.

Questions? Please contact mmcgonagle@nrcma.org or visit https://www.nrcma.org/events/nrc-remsa-annual-conference

2024 NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibit Sponsorship Opportunities Still Available!

Exhibit Hall: Exhibit space for the 2024 NRC-REMSA Exhibition is on sale now. There are still booths available, but they are going fast! Click the below links for more details:

• Registration - Click here to sign up for your booth online
• Floor Plan - Click here for a floorplan

For questions regarding the NRC-REMSA Exhibition and reserving your booth, please contact Heidi Baker at (202) 844-6126 or by email at baker@remsa.org. 

An exhibit booth fee table can be found by clicking here

Event Sponsorships: Sponsorships are filling up fast, and you do not want to miss the opportunity to reserve your organization's sponsorship. Sponsor benefits include:

• Sponsor ribbon on conference badges
• Sponsor recognition on the NRC website in lead-up to the Conference
• Sponsor recognition in NRC Conference emails to attendees, and NRC monthly bulletin
• Signage with your company logo throughout the venue 
• Recognition at the event
• Your company logo featured in the Digital NRC Conference Program Guide.

For questions regarding the 2024 NRC event sponsorship opportunities, please contact Michael McGonagle at (202) 975-0365 or by email at mmcgonagle@nrcma.org. 

Thank you to our NRC 2024 Conference Sponsors!

George W Caric

Policy on Entertainment - The NRC Board of Directors has adopted a Policy on Entertainment to provide all NRC Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition ("Conference") attendees an equal opportunity to participate in the entertainment of our railroad, transit, commuter, passenger and other customers, speakers, and guests.

The Policy applies to events in connection with the Conference. During this timeframe, private hospitality events on or off the Conference premises are not permitted and no organized private entertainment is permitted while conference proceedings or events are occurring. Attendees are encouraged to participate in the common hospitality events and may not organize events that compete with the conference program.

All Attendees are expected to comply with this Policy. By registering for the Conference, you are certifying that all representatives and associates who are attending the Conference on behalf of your organization have been notified of this Policy and will observe and abide by it.

‍Scam Alert -We ask conference attendees to be vigilant of scams, including any solicitations via email that offer hotel deals or registration lists on behalf of the NRC. These groups are not affiliated with the NRC. Please check the NRC website or email NRC staff directly for the most up-to-date conference information.

NRC 2024 Conference Updates: Seminars, and Breakout Sessions also announced!

The following seminars and breakout sessions on have been confirmed for the NRC 2023 Conference:

• FRA Part 243 Training Rule Updates with Cory Johnson, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
• FRA Update: Deep Dive into Periodic Oversight with Rob Castiglione, Staff Director, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA; Cory Johnson, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA; Lance Hawkins, Specialist, Railroad Safety Partnerships, FRA
• Genesee & Wyoming "Speed Networking." This event is first come, first serve. This event is now FULL. Please email mbarreto@nrcma.org to be placed on a waiting list for this event.
• Norfolk Southern "Speed Networking." This event is first come, first serve. This event is now FULL. Please email mbarreto@nrcma.org to be placed on a waiting list for this event.
• Union Pacific "Speed Networking." This event is first come, first serve. To register, please click here.

NRC Chairman's Column: Leslie’s Rules of the Road for the 2024 NRC Conference

Chairman Bolte’s column in the November issue of RT&S magazine acknowledges some of the lessons he’s learned from his accomplished wife Leslie Bolte. Steve details Leslie’s disciplined approach to maximizing opportunities. If you plan on attending the NRC’s 2024 Conference, Steve suggests you get the most out of the opportunity by following Leslie’s Rules of the Road. To read the Chairman’s Column, please click here: NRC Chairman's Column: Leslie’s Rules of the Road To Make the Most of the NRC Conference - Railway Track and Structures

2023 Undergraduate Scholarship Award Winners Announced

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) is thrilled to announce the three recipients of its 2023 Scholarship Awards for undergraduate and trade school students:

• First-Place Winner: Jared Kish, Pennsylvania State University - Altoona, $12,000, sponsored by Fritz-Rumer-Cooke.
• Second-Place Winner: Margaret Konczak, St. Ambrose University, $6,000, sponsored by Progress Rail.
• Third-Place Winner: Zoee Robinson, University of Southern Mississippi, $3,000, sponsored by R.J. Corman Railroad Services, LLC.

Since the awards program began in 2013, the NRC has awarded more than $250,000 in tuition assistance for undergraduates. "The NRC Scholarship Committee appreciated the applications from dozens of outstanding students who applied this year representing a broad cross-section of member companies,” says TraConcepts President, Maggie Vuono. To read more about this event, please click here.

NRC President Ashley Wieland Represents Contractors and Suppliers at RailTrends



On November 16, NRC President Ashley Wieland spoke to rail industry leaders at Progressive Railroading's 2024 RailTrends Conference in New York. Ashley represented the NRC on the industry association viewpoints panel. Other representatives include Railway Supply Institute (RSI) President Patty Long, REMSA President Urszula Soucie, and the Intermodal Association of North American (IANA) Chief Operating Officer Rob Cannizzaro.

Ashley Wieland shared the perspectives of NRC member contractors and suppliers and addressed a range of topics, including safety, the labor and business outlook, sustainability and advocacy efforts.



"Workforce development and the current labor market are big issues for rail contractors. ... The NRC is looking at ways to attract a strong and skilled workforce to the railroad industry. This year the NRC offered a trade school scholarship to employees of NRC member companies as well as children and grandchildren of employees of NRC member companies. This is in response to the need for more skilled labor such as welders and electricians." To read more about Ashley Wieland's perspective on the RailTrends panel, please click here.

Omaha Track Hosts U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts on Tour of Omaha Headquarters



On November 20, Omaha Track hosted U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and railroad industry leaders on a tour of the company’s headquarters and facility in Omaha, Nebraska.

Other attendees participating in the tour included Omaha Track’s CEO and Owner Terry Peterson, Kevin Hicks, senior vice president and freight market sector leader with TranSystems, Scott Traylor, vice president of Rio Grande Pacific Corporation, Wendy Whalen, vice president of supply chain with Union Pacific Railroad, and Mike McGonagle, NRC vice president government affairs & operations and REMSA vice president of government affairs. 

“It was great to host Sen. Ricketts and his team at our facility today. Getting the chance to showcase our headquarters, talk about the state of the rail industry in Nebraska, and hear from the Senator about the happenings in Washington was terrific" said Jeff Peterson, president of Omaha Track. To read more about this event, please click here.

President Joe Biden Announces New Train Projects



As part of the 2021 Infrastructure Law, more than $66 billion in passenger rail investments were pledged, which includes $3.8 billion to help expand the Hudson River Tunnel between New Jersey and New York, and $4.7 billion to replace the train tunnel passing under parts of Baltimore.

According to the White House, the projects would account for 100,000 union jobs. The President announced the train infrastructure funding in his home state of Delaware where Delaware Governor John Carney, and Delaware Senators Chris Coons and Tom Carper also spoke in support of Joe Biden's infrastructure plan.

The largest construction projects the $16 billion will fund include:

• Gateway Hudson River Tunnel (New York/New Jersey): $3.8 billion
• Frederick Douglas Tunnel (Maryland): $4.7 billion
• Susquehanna River Bridge (Maryland): $2.1 billion
• Penn Station Access (New York): $1.6 billion
• The Connecticut River Bridge (Connecticut): $827 million



To read more regarding Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, please click here.

New Freight Office Announced by Biden-Harris Administration



On November 27, President Biden and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced the launch of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy (Multimodal Freight Office) to oversee the maintenance and improvement of the nation's freight network and supply chains.

The new office will continue the advancement of DOT's Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program that is aimed to help American businesses get goods to shelves faster and cut costs for consumers. The Multimodal Freight Office is part of DOT's implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as directed by Congress and will be led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy Allison Dane Camden. To read more regarding the new freight office, please click here.

FY23 Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program

In November, 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will announce the availability of $573 million in competitive, discretionary funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods. FRA will host a webinar following the NOFO release to provide a program overview for potential grantees.

FY22-23 Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program

In November, 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will also announce the availability of $104 million in competitive, discretionary funding for operating assistance grants for initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity passenger rail transportation. FRA will host a webinar following the NOFO release to provide a program overview for potential grantees.

EPA Finalizes Addressing Preemption of State Regulation of New Locomotives and New Engines Used in Locomotives

Revisions have been issued by the EPA to its regulations that address the preemption of state and local emission regulation of locomotives and engines used in locomotives. The final rule implements a policy change that will no longer categorically preempt certain state regulations of non-new locomotives and engines, while retaining exclusive federal authority for the regulation of new locomotives and new locomotive engines.

STB to Establish Passenger Rail Advisory Committee

On November 13, The Surface Transportation Board announced that it has determined to establish a Federal advisory committee on passenger rail service. The Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC) will provide advice and recommendations on a continuing basis to help the Board "fulfill its statutory responsibilities in overseeing certain aspects of passenger rail service." The PRAC will provide a forum for STB and stakeholders to discuss passenger rail issues.

House Bill Would Slash Amtrak Funding by 64%

The White House issued a veto threat for House Republican's appropriations bill H.R. 4820, which calls for dramatic cuts in funding for Amtrak, rail safety, infrastructure and high-speed rail. The bill sets appropriations for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Department of Housing and Urban Development for fiscal-year 2024, ending September 30. If passed, it would cut Amtrak funding by 64% below the 2023 enacted level leading to reduction or potential elimination of certain Amtrak long-distance and state-supported services, risk operations, and critical capital expenses on the Northeast Corridor.