CURTIS BILOW Chairman, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) (Photo courtesy NRC)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– I can’t seem to shake a simple question a mentor recently asked me: “When you look at a situation or activity, would you put your mother, wife, or daughter in it?”

At first, it sounded like a question about safety. But when I thought about it further, I realized it is more a question about standards. What standards are we willing to accept? What environments are we creating? Are we building an industry that reflects the expectations we have for the people closest to us?

As we celebrate the contributions of women in rail in this issue, that question takes on even more relevance.

Like so many in our industry, I spend a lot of time away from home. My wife and our two daughters make sacrifices that often go unseen. The long trips, early mornings, late flights, and missed moments are all part of the commitment many of us make in this profession. We do it to build something larger than ourselves and to create opportunities, but we also do it for the people we care about, because family matters.

That perspective has changed the way I think about all types of standards, especially safety.

Safety has never been just about PPE, safety action plans, and compliance. It is not a safety briefing at the beginning of a shift or a box checked on a training form. Safety is deeply personal. It is the reason every one of us wants to return home at the end of the day. It is the reason our families trust us when we leave for work each morning. And in our industry, safety cannot become something we assume we have mastered.

The railroads and their contractors continue to evolve; New technology, equipment, and schedule constraints continue to create evolving challenges that did not exist even a few years ago. What felt sufficient yesterday is not enough for tomorrow. The greatest risk is not necessarily the unknown. It is complacency.

For contractors, the railroad industry has never stood still, and neither can our approach to safety. That is why the NRC is investing in resources that keep our industry moving forward. One example is our 30 safety training videos and recent updates to ensure they reflect today’s realities, challenges, and diverse workforce. This is not simply about refreshing content. It is about recognizing that relevance matters. Training must evolve because our people, our jobsites, and our industry continue to evolve. 

We’ve made NRC safety resources available for all members, at any time, for annual training, for new-hire orientation, and to address skills and practices for specific types of work. These valuable resources are just one part of the NRC’s commitment to strengthening safety across our industry. If you aren’t using these resources, need access, or have other ideas about improving safety, contact the NRC at [email protected].

It is gratifying to see other ways our members are investing in safety together. The NRC’s annual Railroad Equipment Auction is an example of that commitment in action. The proceeds generated through the auction directly support initiatives like our safety training videos, FRA Part 243 Minimum Training templates, and safety publications. 

These matter because safety advancements do not happen by accident. They require investment, participation, and a shared belief that improving our industry is a responsibility we all share. Thank you to the auction committee, sponsors, equipment consigners, and all who bid in-person and online!

Because I live among women, making a positive environment for women in rail and construction takes on particular relevance. I want my daughters to see an industry where opportunity exists, where we value all people, and where safety remains at the center of everything we do. Creating a safer industry means creating environments where everyone is protected and can succeed. Safety is not a separate conversation. It is part of every conversation.

The standard should be simple. If we hesitate to place our wives, daughters, mothers, or those closest to us in a particular situation, then we should ask ourselves why that standard is acceptable for anyone else. That is the broader challenge for all of us—not to become comfortable with where we are today but to continue asking what better looks like tomorrow.

At the end of the day, all of us are building our lives around those waiting for us at home. That responsibility deserves our very best.

“Change is constant. Leadership is a choice.”

Curtis