U.S. Rep. Marshall tours Dymax Rail plant in Kansas

U.S. Rep. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) on Wednesday met with Dymax Rail and Watco Cos. LLC representatives for a tour and policy discussion at Dymax's plant in Wamego, Kan.

The tour was led by Dymax Rail President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Balderson. Also in attendance were Clark Balderson, owner of Dymax Inc.; Lindsey Collins, vice president of grassroots advocacy at the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC); Tim Enayati, assistant vice president, network strategy, at Watco; Kevin Klenklen, rail division sales manager at Dymax Rail; and Sean Winkler, director of advocacy at the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA).

Dymax Rail is a family-owned and operated manufacturer of maintenance-of-way machines and attachments. The congressman's visit and tour was coordinated by NRC and REMSA.

"I was glad to join Dymax ... and learn about their longstanding commitment to Wamego," said Marshall in a press release. "I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our producers continue to have the ability to transport our state's products to enable them to compete worldwide."

The group discussed the the private-sector nature of the U.S. freight-rail network, as well as support for the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy Act (BRACE). If passed by Congress, the act would provide a tax break for short lines to increase spending on upgrades and expansion of freight-rail infrastructure.

"Smart federal policies that encourage investments in our rail network and infrastructure support jobs here in Wamego and across our state. We were pleased to the share the importance of rail to our state and community with the Congressman," said Balderson.