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At its annual luncheon Sept. 23 in Chicago, League of Railway Industry Women (LRIW) recognized two women for their contributions to the league and railroad industry.

Kim Smith Flowers received the LRIW Woman of the Year award, which is sponsored by Progressive Railroading. Flowers is general manager of the 123-year-old Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which travels through two states and two national forests. The railroad’s line crosses a 10,000-foot pass — the highest in North America — and provides the "economic lifeblood to northern New Mexico and southern Colorado," according to the nomination letter.

Relying on a team-building management style, Flowers was recognized for her flair in handling various regulators, employee groups, traveling public, and local business and community organizations. Flowers deals with Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Forest Service and the Economic Development Agency.

LRIW also named Tracy DeLeon Member of the Year. DeLeon is vice president-sales for the Chicago-area office of Trans-Tech L.L.C., which manufactures and distributes decals for the rail industry. She previously managed CIT Rail Resources’ operations group.