ASLRRA to Testify Before the STB
ASLRRA will participate at the STB’s in-person public hearing on recent trends and strategies for freight rail industry growth, which is set for Sept. 16-17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Five member representatives will speak on behalf of the short line industry, according to the association, which has requested 60 minutes for comments.
The representatives are ASLRRA Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel Sarah Yurasko; Sierra Northern Railway President and CEO Kennan H. Beard, III; R.J. Corman Railroad Company Vice President Commercial and Industrial Development Shannon Drown; Iowa Interstate Railroad Chairman Henry Posner III; New York & Atlantic Railway President Marlon Taylor; and Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services, Inc. Vice President Sales and Marketing Kimberly C. Thompson.
ASLRRA noted in its comments “the interest of the STB in understanding how those in the freight rail industry are working to reverse recent declines in carload volumes and grow business,” and emphasized that the short line railroad approach to growth is rooted in “a deep understanding of customers; investment in infrastructure; close collaboration with local business development groups; and strong relationships with community and Class I partners” (see below; main comments dated Aug. 16, supplement dated Aug. 21).
“Short lines keenly focus on retaining and growing carload volume—and will partner with anyone to better serve a customer or build out a rail option for a new customer,” ASLRRA pointed out. “Whether it is one carload of scrap a year that is hauled for a one-man scrap sorter who contacts the railroad, or several hundred carloads a week—there is NO customer that our industry will not work to serve and grow business with.”
At the STB hearing, the short line representatives will share examples of the ways they have grown their business, according to ASLRRA. Some of these stories come from the association’s recent award winners: Mission Mountain Railroad, Business Development Award Winner 2024; Kiamichi Railroad, Business Development Award Winner 2023; Sierra Northern Railway, Environmental Award Winner 2024; Indiana Rail Road Company, Business Development Award Winner 2024; and Indiana & Ohio Railway, Business Development Award Winner 2024.
“Freight rail is critically important to the nation’s economy, and the Board has an interest in the health and growth of the industry, as well as in rail customers’ need to move their goods efficiently and reliably,” the STB reported in July when it announced the hearing. “While the Board recognizes that some shifts in volume may not be primarily within the control of rail carriers, the Board has observed that over the past ten years carload volumes have not grown, and have in fact decreased. The Board wishes to explore how industry participants are strategizing and innovating to reverse this recent trend and achieve freight rail growth. The Board is also interested in shippers’ plans or desire for future use of rail, factors that may affect shipment decisions, and what rail carriers are doing and can do to increase shippers’ use of rail. This hearing presents a chance to discuss opportunities for growth in the freight rail industry, as well as the challenges and effects associated with a failure to grow.”
The STB requested the attendance of executive-level officials from Class I railroads, and invited testimony from industry analysts, other rail carriers, rail customers, rail suppliers, labor organizations, and other interested parties who, it said, “can contribute to the Board’s understanding of how the industry has grown and intends to grow in the future.” So far, more than 30 stakeholders have submitted a notice of intent to participate, including all six Class I’s and representatives from the Association of American Railroadss, shipper trade groups, suppliers, rail labor, lobby groups, Wall Street analysts, and consultants.
Class II’s, III’s: Submit Train Crew Size Exception Paperwork
Under requirements established by the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) new train crew size rule issued earlier this year, Class II and III railroads seeking an exception for certain one-person train crew operations must file the relevant paperwork with the FRA by Sept. 6, according to the ASLRRA.
To help member railroads meet those requirements, ASLRRA’s staff and Safety and Training Committee members have developed guidance and templates for all necessary forms. The association said the templates are grouped under “Part 218 (Railroad Operating Practices)” and can be found in the Compliance Templates section of ASLRRA’s Safety & Compliance webpage. ASLRRA in July held a webinar on the rule, which members can view through the association’s On-Demand Webinar library. A copy of the webinar presentation is also available with the recording.
“Although the FRA’s rule is currently being challenged in court, the rule has been enacted and railroads are required to comply with its terms,” ASLRRA said. “For Class II and III railroads to file for an exception, they must submit a notification of one-person operation, a copy of operating rules that address safety of certain situations, and operating rules that address the safety of the one-person crew member.”
ASLRRA said that railroads needing to submit this paperwork include legacy, i.e., existing for two years or more, freight operations and non-legacy operations that have existed less than two years and do not move prohibited hazardous materials. It pointed out that “[o]ne-person crew operations for work trains not exceeding 4,000 trailing tons, helper service, and lite locomotives do not need to provide one-person operation notification to the FRA, but they must submit both types of operating rules to the agency by Sept. 6.”
The FRA has published its own compliance guide for the crew size rule. ASLRRA member railroads with questions about the rule or submitting required paperwork can contact the association’s Vice President, Safety and Compliance JR Gelnar or Senior Vice President, Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Policy Jo Strang.
Read the latest edition of ASLRRA’s Views & News email newsletter for more on the ASLRRA’s STB testimony and the necessary paperwork to be filed with FRA for railroads seeking an exception for certain one-person train crew operations.
