NRC Chairman's Column: Let's celebrate and carry on the revolution

This Fourth of July hits a little different for me. Not because the traditions change. They won’t. There will still be parades, fireworks and more food than anyone needs. The years continue to move fast, and the Fourth of July is a good excuse to take a breath in the middle of it all. This year, though, I hope you will slow down and realize how good we have it.

We’re marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence — when, on July 4, 1776, the 13 colonies formally decided they were done with British rule and ready to build something of their own. The Revolution was already in motion, but the Declaration put a stake in the ground. It said, clearly, what we stood for and what we were willing to fight for.

That mindset — of taking risk, challenging the status quo and building something bigger than what existed — is exactly what fueled the growth of this country. And not long after, it showed up in a big way with the rise of the U.S. railroad industry.

By the time the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was chartered in 1827, the stage was set. What followed wasn’t cautious. It was explosive. By 1850, the United States had more than 9,000 miles of track. And in 1869, when the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory Summit, the country had effectively stitched itself together.

It was more than infrastructure growth. It was ambition, speed and a willingness to figure things out as they went. Now here’s the part we don’t always talk about: As fast as railroads grew, the need for structure followed right behind. Standards had to be set. Safety had to be addressed. Eventually, regulation became part of the equation. It’s something all of us manage every day, not as a hurdle, but as what makes this industry safe and sustainable.

That balance hasn’t always been easy, but it’s what’s allowed the industry to keep moving forward.

For nearly 200 years, freight rail has fueled U.S. growth, evolving from steam to one of the most advanced freight networks in the world. Innovations like continuous-welded rail, intermodal, diesel power, containerization, computer systems, the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 and PTC didn’t happen by accident. They came from an environment that allowed progress to keep pushing forward.

There’s no question the U.S. freight-rail network is the most technologically advanced in the world. The industry is moving faster than it ever has toward data-driven, proactive operations.

For contractors and suppliers, that shift is defining the future of our work. Expectations are higher. Railroads aren’t just looking for someone to execute. They’re looking for partners who can operate in a smarter, more integrated environment. That means bringing solutions, adapting to new technologies and delivering work with a higher level of certainty than ever before. The opportunity is real, but so is the pressure to evolve.

Railway contractors and suppliers have been part of every major evolution in this industry. That hasn’t changed, but the expectations have. Railroad leaders are clear: Collaborate more, move faster and help drive meaningful change. There’s never been a better time for contractors and suppliers to step forward and lead. The NRC plays a role in making that happen — not just as an association, but as a catalyst.

I’m grateful to those who came before us — for their vision, their sacrifices, and their belief in what this country could be. That foundation is what allowed industries like ours to grow and thrive.

“Change is constant. Leadership is a choice.”

Curtis Bilow, NRC Chairman
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association Inc.
80 M Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-715-2920
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