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The National Grain Car Council (NGCC) will hold a public meeting Sept. 13 at the Four Seasons Resort in Irving, Texas, to discuss railroads’ preparedness to transport grain during the upcoming fall harvest.

The meeting will include remarks by Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Daniel Elliott III, Vice Chairman Francis Mulvey — who co-chairs the NGCC with Cargill AgHorizons Assistant Vice President Brad Hildebrand — and Commissioner Ann Begeman. In addition, railroads and shippers will report on grain service-related issues; rail-car manufacturers and lessors will address the current and future availability of various grain cars; the U.S. Department of Agriculture will conduct a presentation on changes in rail market share of grain and oilseed transportation; and the Association of American Railroads will review its “rail time indicators.”

The meeting also will provide an update on railroad agricultural contract filings and an open forum for the discussion of various topics related to the agenda.

Founded in 1994 by STB predecessor agency the Interstate Commerce Commission, the NGCC includes representatives from Class Is, regionals and short lines, grain shippers and receivers, and private rail-car owners and manufacturers. The council serves as a working group to facilitate private-sector solutions and recommendations to the STB on matters affecting grain transportation.