REMSA member Vossloh North America hosts Congressman Scott Tipton

Congressman Scott Tipton with Vossloh North America Associate Vice President Zach Hansen

Congressman Scott Tipton visits Vossloh’s Rocla Concrete Tie facility in Pueblo, Colorado

On Tuesday, October 8, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Colorado) joined the Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and its member Vossloh North America at their Rocla Concrete Tie facility in Pueblo, CO. Congressman Tipton learned about Vossloh’s operations in North America and spoke with rail industry representatives about the importance of extending the Section 45G short line tax credit. REMSA coordinated the event.

“Railroads have historically been a crucial part of the American economy and in order for them to continue in that role, Congress must pass common-sense legislation that promotes future investment into railroads like, H.R. 510,” said Congressman Scott Tipton. “I appreciated the opportunity to visit the Vossloh facility in Pueblo today and see firsthand how these companies improve railway infrastructure to expand economic opportunities across the country.”

Vossloh is a rail technology company that serves the core North American railroad markets including Class I’s, transits, and freight lines. In 2017, Vossloh acquired Rocla Concrete Tie, a leading North American manufacturer of pre-stressed concrete ties. Concrete crossties provide numerous advantages which makes it the ideal material for freight, industrial and transit railroads. Rocla manufactures a comprehensive line of pre-stressed concrete crossties ranging from 575 pounds for light rail applications to 900 pounds for conventional and heavy-haul rail applications.

“Vossloh and Rocla Concrete Tie were honored to host Congressman Tipton at our Pueblo Colorado facility,” said Vossloh

Congressman Scott Tipton examines concrete ties

North America’s Associate Vice President Zach Hansen. “We have invested heavily in economic growth locally and look forward to continue to support investment across North America by modernizing all types of railway infrastructure.”

First elected to Congress in 2010, Congressman Scott Tipton serves on the influential House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the entire financial services industry, including the securities, insurance, banking, and housing industries. He is a co-chairman of the Congressional Small Business Caucus, bipartisan caucus committed to open dialogue on the issues that most impact small businesses.  Before being elected to Congress, Tipton spent three decades as a small business owner and served in the Colorado House of Representatives.

Congressman Scott Tipton learns about Vossloh’s process for making concrete ties

Attendees thanked Congressman Tipton for being a cosponsor of H.R.510, the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. The BRACE Act would make the short line tax credit permanent and allow the nation’s small, local freight railroads to increase investment into their rail infrastructure and better serve their customers throughout rural and small-town America. The tax credit has helped small railroads invest more than $4 billion in capital infrastructure improvements since it was enacted in 2005.

“The short line railroad tax credit allows short lines to invest more of their own capital in rail improvements and maintenance to provide ever-safer and more robust service capabilities for their customers,” said Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). “ASLRRA thanks Congressman Tipton for his support on this important issue.

Congressman Scott Tipton with Vossloh North America Associate Vice President Zach Hansen

In Colorado, rail suppliers employ more than 2,300 people, while 13 freight railroads operate and maintain over 2,800 miles of track that employ nearly 2,350 people.

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