RailTrends '24 preview — by Tony Hatch

Every January we worry: How can we top last year’s RailTrends? We’ve been lucky, sometimes controversial (in a good way), but by intensively focusing on both the current rail industry issues and the long-term demands, we’ve presented an eclectic (an original RailTrends principle) event that allows a gathering of leaders, investors, suppliers, customers, unions and railroaders from all disciplines in operations, strategy and commercial.

You’ll note we left out one key area: finance. As someone who pays a lot of attention to capex, and to return on investment, that might seem an odd choice. But the railroad CFOs control the message, one we all hear at every analyst conference, press interview and D.C. appearance. With RailTrends, from Day One we knew we had to strive to get beyond that.

This year, we pull out all the stops for our first two-time Railroad Innovator Award winner: Canadian Pacific Kansas City President and CEO Keith Creel, deserving for driving the growth story really for the entire industry (in support or in reaction to the new system he built). And for us, after some recent regrets, however justifiable (for the “Great Experiment” lives, just under new hands), a “safe” choice. No one can debate Creel is deserving of the accolade.

Keith isn’t the only CEO who’ll be with us. We are honored to have the leaders of the CN (Tracy Robinson), Union Pacific (Jim Vena) and CSX (the dynamic Joe Hinrichs). The latter two will be fresh off revealing their long-term strategic thinking at their first investor days, so that’s a lucky break. This will be Jim’s first headline appearance as CEO, after a starring role from the audience last year. Also represented in the dynamic C-suite leadership realm are change agents John Orr (EVP and COO, Norfolk Southern) and Tom Williams (EVP and CMO, BNSF).

Original thinking and voices that need to be heard

While some of the presenters and panels represent a familiar RT pattern — the association presidents (AAR’s Ian Jefferies, ASLRRA’s Chuck Baker, RAC’s Marc Brazeau), the trade associations (RSI’s Patty Long, NRC’s Ashley Weiland, REMSA’s Nate Bachman and IANA’s Rob Cannizzaro) — we’ll format it in a refreshing way. These voices do need to be heard. I’ll leave it to you to decide if the analysts panel merits that same consideration (Larry Gross, Rick Paterson and some bozo named Hatch). And Dick Kloster will join us, as per usual, to talk rail cars.

Instead of the STB chairman, as we’ve had at every RT, we’re excited to have the other three commissioners (Michelle Schultz, Patrick Fuchs, Karen Hedlund) on a panel — which also will be a fresh approach. Ask me at the cocktail hour how that came about, but frankly, I think for the best! Adriene Bailey, fresh from leading off the STB’s mid-September freight-rail growth hearings, will add Oliver Wyman’s thoughts, always a must listen that sets the tone for the proceedings.

“We know that growth is tied to technology and short-line partnerships, and this year, we’ve added some new voices.” — Tony Hatch

We know that growth is tied to technology and short-line partnerships, and this year, we’ve added some new voices. On the short-line front — in addition to featuring Genesee & Wyoming CEO Mike Miller, who has his own speaking slot — we offer a panel comprising R. J. Corman (Justin Broyles), OmniTRAX (Dean Piacente), Pinsly, formerly Gulf & Atlantic (Ryan Ratledge) and two newcomers: the Livonia, Avon & Lakeville (Bob Babcock) and Regional Rail (Al Sauer).

In tech, we have some of the usual suspects (Nexxiot/Kenneth Manke, RailPulse/David Shannon) and a few newcomers (Parallel Systems/Mary John, Duos Technlogies/Jeff Necciai, Commtrex/Martin Lew). There’s no common theme there, just original thinking and technological applications to freight issues.

As ever, there will be some surprise guests, a phenomenal audience to network with and as much fun as you can have on a couple of workdays!