The 30th Annual AAR Research Review, hosted by MxV Rail from April 29 to May 1, 2025, brought together more than 300 attendees from around the world, including Class I and short line railroads, university students, and suppliers inspired by three days of learning, dialogue, and knowledge sharing in service of moving the industry forward.
“Events like the Annual Review remind us why we do what we do. The can-do attitude and camaraderie that you’ll find in the rail community is unlike other industries,” said Scott Cummings, MxV Rail AVP of Research & Innovation. “Every discussion, every presentation, and every action taken by the industry based on our work strengthens our commitment to advancing safety, reliability, and efficiency. It takes all of us to solve and implement these complex and technical challenges. We appreciate everyone who attended this year.”
Five Highlights from the AAR Research Review
1. Erik Gotlund, AVP Engineering and Research at TTX – kicked off the day of technical sessions by delivering a thought-provoking keynote on the evolving landscape of rail engineering. Gotlund spoke to MxV Rail’s role in researching technologies that ensure safety and reliability for all rail transportation.
2. Exclusive SRI Program Insights – attendees saw firsthand the benefits of collective investments in research with AAR’s Strategic Research Initiatives (SRI) program, including the digitization of FAST® data and the cutting-edge potential it unlocks for digital twins.
3. MxV Rail Led Track Walks – the tradition continues, and turnout was strong for MxV Rail’s track walk at the FAST® loop. The weather worked in our favor, and the event concluded just before the rain.
4. Early Career Railroaders Networking – this proved to be an energizing day about the fundamentals of railroading and rail science. Guest speakers, including Elizabeth Allran from Norfolk Southern and Selva Karunakaran of Union Pacific, shared practical insights from their career experiences.
5. Community Building – attendees had multiple opportunities to network with peers, guests, and sponsors. When the railroaders are in town in Pueblo, you know it, and passion for our profession was on display, whether it was in scheduled Q&A sessions or more casual settings at local restaurants.
All the 2025 attendees left with energized spirits, and many took home the highly prized MxV Rail-branded socks or wore them at the conference.
Keep the conversation going by attending Rail Research Week this fall. MxV Rail is honored to host this historic event, which will unite the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) Conference and the World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR). Register now to attend in Colorado Springs, CO, from November 17 to 21, 2025.
