NRC—uniting a fractured industry

Railway Track and Structures, June, 2004 by Rick Ebersold

On the scale of the global economy, the American economy, or even the national transportation economy, the railroad industry is actually quite small. To get the broader public's attention, we need to speak with one voice. Today, though, we are fractured. In Washington, great transportation decisions are now being made that will impact the modal balance for at least the next six years and possibly the next decade or two. At this critical time of great risk and great opportunity, the rail industry has still failed to present any kind of effective unified front.

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Here at the NRC, we believe we are sitting in a unique position to help unite the rail industry. Our members are rail contractors, suppliers to contractors and associate firms, such as appraisers, consultants, financiers, estimators, industry directory providers, insurance companies, public relations specialists and safety training providers. Beyond that, we do business every single day with Class 1s, shortline and regional railroads, transit systems and passenger railroads. We even have members of the NRC who run passenger operations for commuter authorities and freight operations over industrial track.

One of my major goals as chairman of the NRC is to find increasing common ground between the various groups within the rail industry and to help us begin to speak in harmony. Here at the NRC, we have already taken some significant steps in this direction:

* Through Association conferences, meetings and exhibits, the NRC will be stepping up its presence at industry events throughout the year. We will be out in force at the upcoming Railway Tie Association, Railway Supply Institute, American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association and American Public Transportation Association annual meetings and conventions, all taking place this Fall in Beaver Creek, Colo., Chicago, Nashville and Atlanta, respectively.

* Several NRC members were in attendance at the recent Railway Systems Suppliers C & S Exhibition/AREMA C & S Technical Conference in Nashville. In addition, we recently participated in the APTA Rail Transit Conference in Miami. Miami will also be the site of the NRC's next conference, January 5-9, 2005. We will be based in the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort, directly north on the beach from South Beach, Miami. Our normal "spectacular" NRC conference program will be enhanced through our new collaboration with REMSA in producing a quality exhibition that will be of interest to all segments of the industry.

* Back in April, we held an NRC Board meeting at the ASLRRA annual convention in St. Louis and we exhibited at their show. As a result, our relationship with the shortlines is stronger than ever. The shortlines remain some of our strongest customers and we remain their most dependable contractors. We are coordinating our Roadway Worker Protection safety training programs with the ASLRRA. On a policy level, the NRC works closely with the ASLRRA's Legislative Policy Committee to send a coordinated message to Washington.

Overall, this strong effort to unite our fractured industry is relevant on two fronts. First and foremost, our members use these events and industry-wide relationships to form closer business relationships of their own. At the end of the day, this means more business for everybody and a better working environment. Secondly, our goal is to unite the industry so that we speak to Capitol Hill, the White House, the DOT and the FRA with one voice. A highlight of our Miami conference in January will be a program where we will ask each leader in our industry to present to a panel of senior members of Congress a vision for the future. Out of this, we hope to build a consensus for a bold legislative program that can create a new paradigm to shift the modal balance to rail. Will we succeed where there has been so much failure in the past? Who knows? I do know that when we present a united front on these issues, we stand a much better chance of succeeding.

If you are already an NRC member stay tuned for more information coming your way soon on the 2005 NRC Conference/REMSA Exhibition and other NRC activities designed to unite the rail industry and drive more business your way. If you're not already a member, now is the time. Call our office at 202-715-2920 or send e-mail to info@nrcma.org and sign up.

Rick Ebersold

Chairman

The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association, Inc.

122 C Street, N. W. Suite 850 Washington D. C. 20001

Tel: 202-715-2920

Fax: 202-318-0867

www.nrcma.org