AREMA NEWS Professional Development Upcoming Seminars See page 45 for a new online seminar Seminars being held in conjunction with the AREMA 2012 Annual Conference & Exposition in Chicago, IL, September 16-19, 2012:
Message from the President
A final farewell By Robert J. Verhelle
introduction to practical railway engineering September 14-16
FRA 214: Roadway Worker on TraCk Safety
Robert J. Verhelle AREMA President 2011-2012
September 15
Rail Bulk terminal design September 15
Environmental Permitting Issues in Railroad construction projects September 16
intermodal design planning September 19-20
Track alignment design September 19-21
FRA 213: Track safety standards September 19-21
Intermodal Design Engineering September 20-21 For more information on upcoming seminars please visit www.arema.org or contact Desiree Knight at dknight@arema.org or +1(301) 459-3200, ext. 703.
44 Railway Track & Structures
September 2012
What a wonderful time of the year summer presents to us, vacations and back yard barbeques, getting together with family and friends to enjoy each others’ company, while possibly laying out plans for the future. However, the numerous volunteers on our committees are busy reviewing papers submitted for the technical conference and making contact with individuals who have promised their final papers will be in on time to ensure a full slate for September. In addition, the AREMA staff at headquarters is making sure all “T’s” are crossed and “I’s” are dotted so we all can enjoy a great exposition of vendor materials and the best technical presentations. Through the year, I have attempted to provide some background of the subject matter covered by each of our functional groups. I have used the column to bring to light the various committees and volunteers in them and all the excellent work they do, because honestly, AREMA could not survive as an organization without their dedication to the industry and desire to share their knowledge and experiences with all of us. One group of individuals that I have forgotten are those that serve on the Conference Operating Committee (COC). These individuals are AREMA members who help out at the registration desk, make sure equipment is where it needs to be, as well as monitor the technical conference attendees for their correct badges. These folks are valuable, not only in their dedication, but monetarily, as it would cost the organization to hire individuals to handle this function. Thanks and gratitude to all these individuals who mentor all of us. My railroad career began more than 36 years ago, when my wife and I moved from the Detroit area to Philadelphia as I began a one-year management training program with Conrail. I think of Orville Snyder, catenary foreman, on the Old Reading electrification. He never grew tired of me asking question after question and was a mentor I will never forget. That is exactly what all of us have to do with the many new college grads and current students that will be attending our fall conference this year. We are their mentors and we need to be as willing as Orville was with me, answering their questions and providing guidance for their careers in the rail industry. I appreciated the many mentors who took an interest in me and it has been my pleasure to work with so many young engineers coming into the rail industry and see them flourish and become our next leaders. I was able to share with a couple of Drexel Engineering students at the recent UIC High Speed Rail Conference in Philadelphia, Pa., about AREMA and our position as the rail industry leader in developing and maintaining the recommended practices for the rail industry maintenance and construction. Their enthusiasm and interest in high-speed rail in the United States brought back memories of my first days on the railroad back in July of 1976. I trust they will follow through with reaching out to the AREMA headquarters and seeing how they can get involved as students as they anticipate where they will be moving in their careers. We are in exciting times in the rail industry, whether you are in the freight or passenger side of the business, these young engineers www.rtands.com