RSI Previously Held Events
Looking for more information on a RSI event you attended? Or, did you miss an event and want to view speaker presentations? Here you can find information and resources about previously held events.
Railroad Day on Capitol Hill 2011
July 14, 2011 in Washington, DC
Over forty RSI member companies joined the railroad industry on Capitol Hill on July 14, 2011 to promote the rail industry agenda to members of Congress. The meeting topics included: truck size and weights, rail re-regulation, short line tax credits, grade crossing safety and adequate funding for passenger rail.
View the Railroad Day 2011 Capitol Hill handout.
Sponsored By: AAR, ASLRRA, RSI, NRC, REMSA
2011 RSI / Amtrak Executive Staff Meeting & Luncheon
March 24, 2011 in Washington, DC
Railway Supply Institute staff and forty representatives from RSI member companies met with members of Amtrak's executive committee for a round table meeting to discuss the current state of the nation's passenger railroad, it's near and long term funding situation and its future procurement plans. Amtrak representatives included Joseph Boardman, President; Joe McHugh, Vice President, Government Affairs & Corporate Communications; and DJ Stadtler, Chief Financial Officer.
McHugh reported that Amtrak continues to enjoy record ridership and revenue levels and that Amtrak competes favorably with airlines in each of its 11 corridors. McHugh pointed out that in the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak has a 22% share of ridership trailing only the automobile in that heavily traveled corridor. In addition, McHugh pointed out that while Amtrak covers nearly 80% of its operating costs and debt service, it still needs federal appropriations to continue to operate.
President Boardman reviewed the planned Fiscal Year 2012-2013 procurements covering engineering materials and engineering services. Since Amtrak owns most of the Northeast Corridor, the projects are primarily for projects to maintain and upgrade that line - which is currently operating at capacity. Because of that, Boardman outlined a series of needed equipment purchase which includes additional Acela coaches.
Mr. Stadtler, Amtrak CFO, outlined key delivery and funding points for the next 30 years which would include the purchase of several thousand cars and several hundred locomotives. Total acquisition costs of this equipment would total almost $25 billion over the 30 year period.
Following questions and discussion, RSI President Tom Simpson made a plea to the supply industry to encourage lawmakers in Washington, DC to continue to fund Amtrak at its requested funding level. Its efforts to grow and purchase equipment would provide many American jobs.
"It was a great opportunity to hear from Amtrak management on their future plans and helps RSI and its members focus on how we can help the railroad on Capitol Hill," Simpson remarked.
RSI hosts this event annually each spring. Attendance is limited to those companies who belong to the Railway Supply Institute.
2010 RSI Annual Meeting and Market Outlook Event
September 16, 2010 - Chicago, Illinios
This RSI Members Only Event included speakers from around the rail industry. Speakers included John Hamilton, former Presdient of Electro-Motive Diesel, Anthony Kruglinksi, President of Railroad Financial, and Steve Menzies, Group President of Trinity Rail. (View list of speakers and biographies)
Topics of discussion included, the domestic locomotives & freight car markets, the general market outlook for the railroads, and the future of high speed rail in the US and how suppliers can prepare.
Speaker Presentations:
John Hamilton, What is the State of Health of the Rail Supply Industry?
Michael Franke, Amtrak & The Future of Passenger Rail
Anthony D. Kruglinski, David I. Scott and David G. Nahass, Rail Industry Outlook
Forum: Meeting the Current & Future Challenges in HSR
May 11, 2010 - Washington, DC.
Sponsored By: RSI, Quebec Government, OneRail, WGR
View Agenda
The topic of this highly informative forum was "Meeting the Current and Future Challenges in High Speed Rail". In addition to presentations by leading Department of Transportation, Members of Congress and staff, Amtrak, state officials and freight railroads, representatives from U.S. railway suppliers such as Bombardier, Alstom, Talgo and US Railcar discussed many supply side concerns.
Discussion topics included funding and implementation in specific corridors, regional and border implications, Congress's Role in developing and sustaining High Speed Rail in America, and updates regarding the National Rail Plan and the Amtrak Section 305 Next Generation Equipment Committee.
Speaker Presentations:
Anne Canby, The OneRail Coaliton
Anne Reinke, CSX & HSR
Anne Stubbs, HSR Northeast Developments
Aaron Hegeman, BNSF Partnering for the Future
Bruno Maestri, HSR on Norfolk Southern
Karen Rae, FRA on HSR
Paul Worley, ARRA SEHSR Corridor Projects
Rod Diridon, HSR International, USA, California
Stephen Gardner, Amtrak Fleet Strategy & Sec. 305
Tim Gillespie, Alstom Transportation & HSR