Rail firms host congressional visits in Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Iowa

Three rail suppliers in three states hosted business tours this month for U.S. Senate and House representatives.

Loram Maintenance of Way Inc. welcomed U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) for a visit to the company's manufacturing plant and warehouse in Medina, Minnesota. The Oct. 16 visit included a town hall session and discussion between Emmer and Loram employees about the need for skilled laborers, Loram officials said in a press release.

Emmer also addressed questions about trade issues with Canada and Mexico. He remains positive that the updated North American trade agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico is "the right move," Loram officials said.

Loram President and Chief Executive Officer Phil Homan led the tour.

Meanwhile, L.B. Foster Co. this week hosted U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.) for a transportation policy discussion at the company's headquarters in Pittsburgh.

Attendees of the Oct. 15 visit included L.B. Foster President and CEO Bob Bauer and National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matt Bell. L.B. Foster is an NRC member.

Tour attendees thanked Barletta for supporting the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. If passed, the bill would make permanent the 45G short-line tax credit, which enables short lines and regionals to claim a 50-cent credit for rail maintenance work.

Meanwhile, HiRAIL hosted U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and U.S. Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa) for an Oct. 12 visit in Lisbon, Iowa. HiRAIL's Lisbon facility produces premium rubber level crossing systems for the rail industry.

Before touring the plant, Grassley and Blum answered questions and discussed the short-line tax credit, according to a press release issued by the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA), of which HiRAIL is a member.

REMSA and NRC coordinated the congressmen's visit.