Section: 2012 NRC Grassroots Events
NRC Member L.B. Foster Hosts Congressman Lou Barletta
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - On Monday, October 15th, U.S. Representative Lou Barletta (R-PA-11), member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, joined National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association member L.B. Foster for a transportation public policy discussion at L.B. Foster's headquarters in Pittsburgh.
U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn Visits Rail Supplier
Waverly, TN - On 10/9/12, the NRC joined GoRail, a grassroots organization that unites rail stakeholders with community leaders and the public in support of rail transportation, for an event with U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN-7) at Central Sales and Service (CSS) in Waverly, Tennessee.
U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas Visits FarmRail
Sayre, OK - On 8/31/12, U.S. Congressman Frank Lucas (R-OK-3) joined representatives from RailWorks Corporation, the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), and FarmRail System, along with Sayre, OK City Manager Guy Hylton and other local officials to discuss an upcoming rail project on the rail line between Sayre and Clinton and the positive impact the project will have on the region.
U.S. Congressman Tipton Visits L.B. Foster, Discusses How Rail Contributes to Colorado's Economy
Pueblo, CO - On 8/22/12, U.S. Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO-3) joined representatives from L.B. Foster and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) for a tour of the L.B. Foster facility in Pueblo, CO.

The Pueblo facility, which opened in 2006, is 56,000 sq. feet and employs 23 workers. The plant has reduced manufacturing costs by over 60% since 2007. The plant produces insulated rail joints that are used to create track circuits, which trigger railway signals. This product keeps our nation's complex rail network running smoothly. Rail transport is important to the industrial, energy, and agriculture markets in Colorado and the products produced at the Pueblo facility allow railroads to serve those markets efficiently. The Pueblo plant was named one of Industry Week's 100 Best Plants in 2011. It was noted particularly for its continuous improvement programs and streamlined production process.
U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga Tours Marquette Rail and Witnesses Harsco Rail Tamper in Action
Ludington, MI - On 5/24/12, U.S. Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI-02), a member of the Financial Services Committee and strong rail advocate, joined Marquette Rail for a tour of their rail yard in Ludington, Michigan to show his support of the rail industry and the Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation Tax Credit (Section 45G).

During the visit, rail officials discussed the importance of small freight railroads in Michigan with the Congressman and provided an overview of why the short line railroad rehabilitation tax credit is so important to the rail industry. Marquette Rail showcased how they have utilized the tax credit for tie installation work at their rail yard. Representative Huizenga has been a co-sponsor of the bill to extend the tax credit, H.R. 721 The Short Line Railroad Rehabilitation and Investment Act, since May of 2011.
U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler Tours RailWorks Corporation Offices
New York, NY - On 6/14/12, U.S. Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-8), a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and a leading advocate for the freight rail, intercity passenger rail, and rail transit industries, toured the corporate headquarters offices of RailWorks Corporation in Manhattan. Jeff Levy, President & CEO of RailWorks, and John August, Executive Vice President, welcomed the Congressman and his New York-based District Director Robert Gottheim to the offices.The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) assisted with organizing the event.
U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce attends Texas-New Mexico Railroad Ribbon Cutting
Eunice, NM - On 6/13/12, U.S. Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM-02), a member of the Financial Services Committee and Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, joined the Texas-New Mexico Railroad (TNMRR) for a ribbon cutting. The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) assisted with organizing the event, which took the Congressman on a short tour of the TNMRR line in eastern New Mexico and then celebrated the opening of TNMRR's new locomotive repair shop.

Ed Ellis, President of Iowa Pacific Holdings LLC. which owns the Texas-New Mexico Railroad, welcomed the Congressman, Eunice Mayor Matt White along with his grandson, and a number of railroad employees and citizens from the region onto a passenger train for an inspection tour. The tour ended at the locomotive repair shop where Congressman Pearce, Ellis, and Mayor White cut the ribbon to officially open the newly constructed repair shop.
U.S. Congressman Tom Reed Joins Several Rail Industry Representatives for an Inspection Tour of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad
Olean, NY - On 5/22/12, U.S. Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY-29) joined several rail industry representatives for an inspection tour of the Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad (WNYP).

The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Inc. (NRC) and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) helped organize the event, which included a train tour from Hornell to Olean, NY. NRC members participating in the trip included representatives from Delta Railroad Construction and Balfour Beatty Rail. ASLRRA members included representatives from the Owego & Hartford Railway, New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway, Finger Lakes Railway, Genesee & Wyoming, and Arkansas & Missouri Railroad.
U.S. Senator Susan Collins Visits Maine Eastern Railroad, Dragon Cement
Thomaston, ME - On 9/4/12, U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Transportation Appropriations, joined representatives from the Maine Eastern Railroad, Dragon Cement Products, and local officials for a tour of the Dragon Cement Products facility in Thomaston, ME. The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) assisted with organizing the event, which took the Senator on a tour of the cement plant, an elevator ride to the top of the pre-heat tower, and a step-on visit to the locomotive at the Dragon railroad loading facility: Silo 13.

The Maine Eastern Railroad, owned by the Morristown & Erie holding company, works with Dragon Cement to haul their products from their plant in Thomaston to Atlantic Point in Rockland Harbor, where they are loaded onto a barge and transported to Boston, MA. Additionally, Maine Eastern Railroad hauls cement to interchange with a second railroad for eventual delivery to Canada.