Rail groups deliver 'balanced regs' message to Capitol Hill

Dozens of members of the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) attended Railroad Day on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

More than 55 individuals representing more than 30 REMSA member companies participated in the event, which is hosted by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).

Railroad Day is held annually to give rail industry representatives a chance to meet with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss legislative issues of interest to their companies and associations.

REMSA members attended the event to deliver a "simple message" to Congress, said Sean Winkler, REMSA's director of advocacy, in a press release.

"A balanced regulatory environment that promotes private railroad investments creates high-paying, manufacturing jobs in communities across America," Winkler said. "Our over 330 members and their employees rely on federal policies that enable a healthy and safe railroad network."

Meanwhile, more than 50 executives from RSI and its member companies attended Railroad Day.

"The significant presence of railway supply companies and RSI members at Railroad Day underscores the major impact that our industry has on the North American economy and the approximately 100,000 jobs that rail suppliers provide across the U.S.," said RSI President Mike O'Malley in a press release.

REMSA and RSI are sponsors of Railroad Day.

To learn more about legislative issues of concern to the railroad industry, read this article in Progressive Railroading's February issue.