CSLRA Newsletter for Q3-Q4 2017

Current CSLRA News

The Association has just completed its annual fall train trip, which followed a highly successful annual meeting and federal regulations seminar held in July. Dates for all Association events in 2018 are now available. Read on for details!

2017 Fall Train Trip

This year’s fall train trip trip was held November 9 – 10, 2017, with 67 Association members and guests in attendance. We traveled in four private cars behind Amtrak, originating at Emeryville CA and disembarking at Reno NV. After an overnight at the Silver Legacy Hotel in Reno we returned to Emeryville via Amtrak. Guests had the option of embarking or disembarking at Sacramento instead of Emeryville. The fall train trip is CSLRA’s premier networking opportunity of the year, and this event did not disappoint! Make your plans now to attend the 2018 fall train trip, which will be a round trip Los Angeles – San Diego in BNSF Railway business cars, and will be held November 8 – 9, 2018. Watch the Activities page on the CSLRA web site for details including the event schedule and registration, sponsor opportunities, and hotel room block availability.

2017 Annual Meeting

CSLRA’s annual meeting at the Westin Hotel in San Diego was attended by 56 Association members. Attendees heard timely agenda topics for California railroaders and in addition participated in the annual business of the Association and great networking opportunities. The event concluded with an optional game of golf on the beautiful Coronado Municipal Golf Course, or new this year, an afternoon of sailing and friendly race competition on San Diego Bay.

2017 Federal Regulations Seminar

Prior to the 2017 annual meeting, CSLRA held a two-day federal regulations seminar at the Westin San Diego which featured presentations by FRA officials and other experts on a variety of hot topics such as drug & alcohol programs, hours of service and workplace noise exposure. The seminar drew 69 participants, including railroaders from as far away as Florida. The seminar was a rare opportunity to hear FRA officials and other subject matter experts address new or confusing points in regulations affecting railroads and many railroad vendors.

CSLRA Legislative and Regulatory Activity

CSLRA continues to track legislative and regulatory proposals and take positions on bills when appropriate. For an update, visit the legislative and regulatory agenda page of the CSLRA web site. Currently of note, CSLRA is engaged with its Class 1 partners concerning several emissions inventory and facility classification issues, as well as with the Department of Fish and Wildlife/OSPR concerning financial responsibility requirements for railroads which carry cargo classified as “oil” under CA regulations. CSLRA is also reviewing the CA 2018 State Rail Plan, and we encourage our readers to review and comment on this important document, which may be found here.

2018 Save the Date

Mark your calendar for the following CSLRA events in 2018:

CSLRA visit to Sacramento: Tuesday April 17, 2018. We will meet at the Sheraton Sacramento in the morning to discuss current legislative and regulatory issues and head to the Capitol after lunch to meet with legislators and their staffs. Our annual “Lobby Day” event is an important part of our legislative and regulatory activity, and while attending meetings with government officials may sound like “work,” attendees from our past meetings will tell you that it is interesting and worthwhile. Hotel reservations are now open. Event registration will open next week.

CSLRA annual meeting: Monday July 23 – Tuesday July 24, 2018. We will convene at the Westin San Diego for presentations, Association business and networking. Hotel rooms may be booked here. Event registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon.

CSLRA fall train trip: Thursday November 8 – Friday November 9, 2018.