R.J. Corman hosts Rep. Barr

Rep. Andy Barr joined R.J. Corman, the NRC and REMSA Oct. 19 for a policy discussion and tour at the company’s headquarters. | Photo: NRC

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY-6), chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Monetary Policy and Trade, joined R.J. Corman, the National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association (NRC) and Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) Oct. 19 for a policy discussion and tour at the company’s Nicholasville, Ky., headquarters.  

R.J. Corman CEO Ed Quinn said it was a privilege to host Barr, who he noted is a leader in infrastructure advocacy.

“About half of our 1,300 employees are Kentuckians, and Congressman Barr’s dedication to improve infrastructure and economic growth in our state is commendable,” Quinn said. “R. J. Corman Railroad Group and our employees are proud to provide safe and efficient rail services to the industry, such as emergency response, track material distribution, track construction, and signal design, throughout the country. We are pleased with Congressman Barr’s leadership supporting increased infrastructure investments and share this mission with him and the representatives from NRC.”

R. J. Corman Railroad Group, LLC serves all seven North American Class 1 railroads, as well as serving many regional and shortline railroads, the company said. R. J. Corman also provides services such as owning and operating 11 shortlines, providing emergency rail services associated with derailments and natural disasters, switching, track construction, track material distribution, signal design and construction, building switching locomotives and operating a dinner train.

In addition to the tour, Barr took part in a discussion of policy, which highlighted the need for a federal infrastructure bill.

Those in attendance at the event discussed government regulations in the rail industry, such as the proposed FRA Part 243 rule, which industry officials said they believed would hurt the railroad contractor business.

Attendees also noted the importance of not increasing truck size or truck weight limits at the federal level.

Those in attendance thanked the Congressman for his support as a co-sponsor on the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act, which, if passed by Congress, officials say will allow the nation’s small, local freight railroads to boost reinvestments for upgrades and expand the “first and last mile” of transportation infrastructure.

The NRC and REMSA coordinated the event.