Railroad Day on Capitol Hill rescheduled

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Monday announced the rescheduling of the 2011 Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, an annual industry effort involving railroads, the supplier community, and others.

“Due to an unexpected change in Congressional scheduling, Railroad Day Organizers must reschedule the 2011 Railroad Day on Capitol Hill. We apologize for this necessity, especially to anybody who had already begun making travel plans. The event will now take place Thursday, July 14, 2011,” ASLRRA said. The move has the concurrence of the Association of American Railroads (AAR), ASLRRA said.

ASLRRA noted, “Each year we work to select a Railroad Day date that meets three criteria: (1) a day when Congress is in session and Representatives and Senators are in DC; (2) a day when a ‘reasonable’ DC hotel rate and ballroom availability can be secured; and (3) a date that does not conflict with other industry events.

“Our previously selected date of March 24 met all three criteria. However, with the election of a new Republican House, the incoming House leadership has taken an unusual approach to scheduling. A week in which Congress is ordinarily in session has now been scheduled as a week out of session. This was unexpected and dozens of other conventions are in the process of rescheduling as well.

“While the new July 14 date is later than originally planned, it is the first date that the hotel had a sufficient room block to accommodate our numbers. We focused on rescheduling rather than cancelling because this event is absolutely crucial to our ongoing success in working with the Congress and Administration here in Washington, D.C.,” ASLRRA said.

The association said it also likely will stage an ASLRRA Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) fly-in in early spring, 2011. ASLRRA’s LPC leadership believes that a fly-in is necessary to secure the early support of Members of Congress, especially newly elected representatives who may know little about the short line industry. “The July meeting will allow for the big show that we all believe is so critical in demonstrating the national reach and importance of the rail industry. AAR may also conduct an earlier fly-in as well,” ASLRRA said.