Mass Transit - 10

[ NRC CHAIRMAN'S COLUMN ]

Safety, the Holidays, NRC
Annual Conference and Beyond
This time of the year offers a chance to reflect
on what was learned in 2019 and how it can be applied in 2020.

A
Mike Choat
Chairman, National
Railroad Construction &
Maintenance Association

S ALWAYS, SAFETY FIRST! HOPE EVeryone had safe travels in November for
Thanksgiving. With the highways and
airports near capacity through December and early January with people traveling
for Christmas and New Year's Eve (and the
NRC Conference), I urge you to stay safe,
aware and vigilant no matter which mode of
transportation moves you this holiday. Don't
drink and drive. If you do drink, then take a
cab, ride-share or have a designated driver.
Or better yet, take a train! Freight and people
move much more safely by rail than they do
on the roads.
We are now just a few weeks away from
our NRC 2020 Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition. This is my last chance to
remind everyone to register and attend.
We are very close to setting another record
in attendance.
The NRC 2020 Conference is January
5-8 in San Diego, Calif., at the Hotel Del
Coronado. The NRC is pleased to welcome
keynote speaker Keith Creel, president and

Freight and people move much more
safely by rail than they do on the roads.

Read more from the NRC at
MassTransitmag.com/21116421

10 |

CEO of Canadian Pacific, during Monday
morning's opening session. Also speaking
will be senior engineering and procurement
executives from several Class 1 and shortline
freight railroads. We will also have updates
from major transit, passenger and commuter
railroads including Austin Capital Metro,
Capitol Corridor, Chicago Metra, SANDAG,
SJRRC/SJJPA (ACE Rail) and Virgin Trains
USA/Brightline. These presenters will come
armed with the latest information on their
capital program plans for 2020 and the op-

Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | DECEMBER 2019/JANUARY 2020

portunities that will be available for NRC
member contractors and suppliers.
REMSA is putting the finishing touches
on the exhibition, which will kick-off Sunday evening and conclude Monday evening.
There will be more than 150 booths showcasing the latest technology and equipment of
the rail supply world. It will be a compelling
exhibition and your participation will allow
you to keep up with the latest information
concerning what's happening in our industry.
We will also welcome back CFR Part 243
expert Rob Castiglione from the FRA to the
general session and a more in-depth seminar
to better help contractor members navigate
the training requirements for all railroad
employees and contractors who perform
safety-related work. Topics include history
of the rule, requirements, timeline with important dates, the role of associations, such
as the NRC, and next steps.
Additionally, the NRC Conference will
be hosting the first ever "speed networking"
breakout session Monday afternoon with
Union Pacific Railroad's directors of Bridge
and Track Construction and Supply Chain
Strategic Sourcing. Please note you must be
registered for the NRC Conference to participate in this event.
For more information on the conference,
registration, lodging, sponsorships, golf,
whale watching and exhibiting, please visit
www.nrcma.org/2020conference or contact
Mike McGonagle on the NRC staff at 202975-0365.
As we wind down 2019 and look to the
start of 2020, I would like to wish everyone
a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
This time of the year is all about family and
friends. It is also a time of reflection on the
past year; what we learned in 2019 and how
it can be applied in 2020. I hope everyone has
a successful December and I will see you at
The Del in January.
http://www.nrcma.org/2020conference http://www.MassTransitmag.com/21116421 http://www.MassTransitmag.com
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