R. J. Corman, Industry-Railway Suppliers, host visits with Illinois congressmen

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) last week toured Industry-Railway Suppliers Inc.'s new headquarters in Elmhurst, Ill.

During the event, Quigley learned about the company's rail equipment and tools, and discussed public policy priorities for businesses and rail communities in greater Chicagoland.

The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association (REMSA) coordinated the tour.

Industry-Railway Suppliers is part of the Railway Supply Group, a family of rail equipment supply companies. The group also includes Unity Railway Supply Co. and IRECO LLC, which both provide freight-car components.

Industry-Railway Suppliers President and REMSA Board Director Scott Commo led the Quigley's tour. Other attendees included Bill O'Connor, chairman and chief executive officer of the Railway Supply group; Steve Morley, mayor of Elmhurst, Ill.; Lisa Stark, assistant vice president of public affairs for Union Pacific Railroad; and Jim Kvedaras, director of U.S. government affairs for CN.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on Wednesday toured R. J. Corman Railroad Services LLC's emergency services plant in Caseyville, Ill.

R. J. Corman Railroad Services LLC President Nathan Henderson (center) and U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (right)

Photo – REMSA

Nathan Henderson, president of the company, led the tour. R. J. Corman's Caseyville division provides a range of services, including emergency response re-rail services, maintenance-of-way work and small-scale rail construction jobs.

REMSA and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) coordinated the event.

Attendees discussed the Surface Transportation Board's reciprocal switching proposal and commodity regulation — topics frequently addressed during many of the associations' congressional tours. The board's proposal would create "major inefficiencies in the national freight network," REMSA and NRC officials said in a joint press release.

Others in attendance included Mike McCarthy, president of the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis; Lindsey Collins, vice president of grassroots advocacy at NRC; and Sean Winkler, director of advocacy for REMSA.