SAFE FROM MOTHER NATURE

Relief For Short Line Railroads As Hurricane Season 2023 Begins

entities in Southwest Florida was the Seminole Gulf Railway – which incurred catastrophic damage. When a storm of this magnitude hits any area of our nation, it is the federal government's responsibility to make available the necessary resources to rebuild and restore vital components of a community. As Hurricane Season 2023 begins, it is imperative that we estab- lish a means in which America's short line railroads can receive critical relief in the event of natural disasters."

“Short line railroads are responsible for transporting a variety of goods across the country, and without support from Congress, many are forced to close shop after a natural disaster because of inadequate federal relief,” said Railroads,4 www.freight-tracks.com

Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls. "These small businesses must receive the support they need to stay afloat and keep our country moving after a natural disaster. I am proud to join my colleague, Congressman Byron Donalds, to provide much-needed relief for our nation’s short line railroads.”

“Americans have come to realise just how fragile our supply chains are. Short line railroads help save small businesses money and keep our supply chain moving,” said Congressman Mike Bost.

“The past couple years have demonstrated how devastating supply chain interruptions can be,” said Congressman Don Bacon.

“In the event of a natural disaster, short line railroads can play a critical recovery role, moving relief goods in and debris of all kinds out, yet no significant federal disaster relief options are available to them beyond small loans,” stated Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

“The Short Line Railroad Relief Act would provide parity across transportation modes, allowing for immediate deployment of grant funding to short line railroads, enabling them to turn their attention to rebuilding the local economy, particularly crucial in the small town and rural communities that we serve."

Background

The United States is home to more than 600 small business, short line freight railroads, that play a vital role in transporting materials from various economic sectors including: industrial manufacturing, agriculture, energy, chemicals, minerals, metals, timber, etc. Only a handful of short line railroads are government-owned, none are publicly traded and most short line railroads are private, small businesses.

Without short line railroads, freight would generally be diverted to highways—which could cost shippers up to four to six times more per shipment, or production would shift to other areas/industries. Any short line railroad closure would, over the course of one year, add thousands of additional semi-trucks on our nation’s roads & highways.

Currently, federal programs fail to provide short line railroads with immediate financial relief after natural disasters. Commercial insurance for short lines is also often unavailable, doesn’t provide adequate coverage following a natural disaster, or is unaffordable at a viable rate for small businesses. Short line railroads are generally one natural disaster away from being forced to close shop, which would ultimately result in gaping holes and negative impacts throughout our country’s volatile supply chain.

The Short Line Railroad Relief Act is the thirty-third bill introduced by Rep. Donalds during the 118th Congress and addresses this urgent concern by authorising the establishment of a disaster relief program for American short line railroads. The program will be headed by the Secretary of Transportation in consultation with the Federal Railroad Administrator.

BRITISH Steel’s Rail business is celebrating another successful contract win with Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel.

The 4-year agreement will see British Steel supply 40,000 tonnes of high-quality rail in various profiles for the maintenance and renewal of track across the Belgian rail network.

Deliveries are scheduled to start this month.

Highly competitive market

Jérôme Bonef, British Steel’s Export Sales Manager, Rail, said: “We’re delighted to have been awarded this contract and look forward to working in partnership with Infrabel over the next four years.

“We operate in a highly competitive market so it’s extremely pleasing that Infrabel has selected us to supply rail for the Belgian network once more. It’s a great endorsement of our proven technical record, ability to develop products to meet demand, superb logistics solution and excellent delivery performance – securing another contract with a national network operator is a source of enormous pride.”

The 100-metre-long rails will be manufactured at British Steel’s Rail and Section Mill in Scunthorpe, before making their way by rail to Infrabel’s welding facility in Belgium.

The announcement comes a short time after British Steel announced it had secured a major export deal for West Africa. The agreement will see the company supply the Guinea Bauxite Company with 244,000 steel sleepers – its largest ever order for rail sleepers.

Jérôme said: “By working in partnership with our customers we can offer superb value for money by reducing the need for costly and time-consuming maintenance and replacement works. The less disruption to a network, the greater the flow of traffic – major benefits felt by passengers and freight operators.

“We look forward to continuing to work together collaboratively with Infrabel as we deliver high-quality products into this partnership.”