January 6, 2025 – The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) congratulates David Fink on his nomination to serve as the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Fink, a respected leader in the rail industry, brings extensive experience in advancing rail safety, innovation, and economic development. “David Fink’s deep expertise and dedication to rail transportation will […]
Railway Supply Institute Applauds Finalization of Federal Railroad Administration’s Freight Car Safety Standards Rule
December 19, 2024 – The Railway Supply Institute (RSI), the leading trade association for the North American rail supply industry, commends the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for finalizing the rule “Freight Car Safety Standards Implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” Docket No. FRA-2023-0021. This rule is a landmark step in ensuring the safety, security, […]
RSI Congratulates Chairman Graves, Looks Forward to Continued Partnership
December 13, 2024 — The Railway Supply Institute (RSI), the leading advocate for the railway supplier industry, congratulates Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) on his continued service as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Chairman Graves’ leadership has been instrumental in fostering policies that advance safety, innovation, and sustainability within the freight and passenger […]
The Evolution of U.S. Passenger Rail: Why Progress Matters
Passenger rail in the United States has entered an important phase of development. Over the past few years, significant groundwork has been laid, driven by new federal initiatives and promising ridership numbers. But this momentum can’t be taken for granted. Continued investment and development are key to realizing the full potential of passenger rail in […]
RSI Hires Government and Public Affairs Manager to Focus on Passenger Rail
Washington, D.C. —The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is pleased to announce Matthew Delaney has been hired as Government and Public Affairs Manager to focus on the RSI’s passenger rail initiative. In this pivotal role, Delaney will support RSI’s advocacy efforts, liaise with key stakeholders, and contribute to advancing priorities related to passenger rail on Capitol […]
Railway Supply Institute Announces Leadership Update
Washington, D.C. — After a long career in the association management profession, the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) Board of Directors announces the retirement of RSI President Patty Long, effective March 31, 2025. Long joined RSI as the president in 2021 shortly after the association entered into a new management model as a client of Smithbucklin, based in Washington, DC. […]
The Future of High-Speed Rail in America—and How Freight Can Benefit
By RSI Staff As demand for high-speed rail (HSR) continues to grow, the U.S. rail industry stands at the precipice of a transformative era. While many are familiar with HSR’s potential to revolutionize travel, fewer may appreciate the far-reaching benefits it can bring to the freight rail industry and broader rail ecosystem. According to Andy […]
Greetings From Berlin: An Optimistic Outlook on Rail at InnoTrans 2024
By RSI President Patty Long I recently had the privilege of attending InnoTrans in Berlin, the world’s largest trade fair for transport technology, for a second time. As a leading voice of the North American rail supply industry with a growing presence in the passenger space, RSI’s participation at this global event was more important […]
Assessing the Health of U.S. Passenger Rail Supply: 3 Takeaways
By RSI Staff In 1982, the Buy America Act was passed as a provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, requiring mass-transit projects—be it rail, highway, or rapid transit—to purchase certain materials for infrastructure in the U.S. But domestic preference assumes a healthy domestic supplier base. So what does the health of rail supply in […]
Don’t Eliminate Per-Diem Leasing, Level the Playing Field
This Letter to the Editor was in the August 2024 edition of Progressive Railroading, p. 5. By RSI President Patty Long Dick Kloster’s recent article in Progressive Railroading magazine (“If I Were King of the Rail-car Fleet,” July 2024, p.14) raised a number of key issues confronting the industry. Dick is correct that if the […]