'Railroad Day' on Capitol Hill breaks attendance record

A record number of railroaders, suppliers and customers met with congressional leaders last week for the annual Railroad Day on Capitol Hill to discuss legislative strategies that would help grow the rail business, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced today.

Congressional offices hosted meetings for 456 visitors — a record number of participants in the March 2 event, ASLRRA said in a press release.
Railroad Day on the Hill has been held annually since 1999.

"Hundreds of citizen-lobbyists advocated on issues from balanced regulation, to sensible tax reform including permanence of the 45G tax credit that spurs rail investment, to the holding of truck size and weight at current levels," said ASLRRA President Linda Darr. "Short line railroads extend the national rail network by connecting rail service to local economies and building jobs in America's industrial and agricultural heartland."

A key point of discussion for short-line railroaders was the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which was reintroduced in both houses of the 115th Congress. The legislation calls for making permanent the 45G tax credit, which expired Dec. 31, 2016. The credit has helped short-line and regional railroads invest nearly $4 billion of private dollars into their rail infrastructure, according to ASLRRA.

Legislation supporting 45G has a 14-year track record of strong bipartisan support, according to ASLRRA. As of Monday, the BRACE Act had 82 cosponsors in the House and 15 in the Senate.

The bill removes the need to pass legislation every year in support of the credit, which would help short lines and regionals with their infrastructure investment planning, association officials said.