RSI President Patty Long released the following statement in support of the legislation: 

“The Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025 will encourage investment in a more sustainable freight railcar fleet and bolster an industry vital to the U.S. economy. The RSI appreciates Representatives LaHood and Schneider for their leadership and urges Congress to pass this important legislation.” 

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The finalized rule implements key provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, safeguarding the industry from the influx of state-subsidized rail components from countries of concern and bolstering the integrity of rail freight equipment manufacturing in North America. 

“RSI applauds the FRA for finalizing this vital regulation, which not only enhances safety and sustainability across the rail industry but also strengthens the domestic railcar manufacturing sector,” RSI President Patty Long said. “This rule underscores the commitment of Congress and the FRA to protect the U.S. rail supply chain, foster innovation, and prioritize national security.” 

The FRA’s approach reflects a balanced commitment to advancing safety and economic priorities while addressing the practical needs of railcar manufacturers. RSI remains a steadfast partner to the FRA in advancing these goals. 

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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. Since then, Long and the Smithbucklin team have supported RSI in expanding its staff resources, enhancing its focus on advocacy, and more effectively supporting a wide range of technical committees to deliver on its mission to proactively advance safety, innovation, technology and sustainability within the rail industry.

Under Long’s leadership, the association initiated a new passenger rail working group creating a much-need forum to address the unique challenges for rail suppliers in the transit and passenger space. As a testament to that leadership, Long was appointed in 2023 as a member of the Surface Transportation Board’s newly formed Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC).

“By all measures, RSI has thrived during Patty’s tenure as president,” said RSI Board of Directors Chair Jeff Lytle, President of CIT Rail. “RSI is positioned for great potential as a result of Patty’s leadership. While we are sorry to see her leave, we are enormously happy for her. We appreciate Patty’s dedication, leadership and commitment to RSI and look forward to working with her throughout the remainder of her time with us. ”

The RSI Board of Directors and Smithbucklin are launching a search for a permanent replacement upon Long’s retirement. During the upcoming transition, RSI is committed to sustaining RSI’s current momentum.

Long’s career of service in association management spans more than 25 years. Before joining RSI, Long served as interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS). Earlier in her career, Long worked as the Director of Communications with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and spent 18 years at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), rising to Vice President, Policy Research and Member Communications. Patty also taught ethics for over a decade as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies. 

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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 than ever.

From the moment you step into the massive exhibition halls, it’s clear that InnoTrans is not your average trade show. There are 27 mega interconnected halls, organized by type of product or technology. Using the phrase “booth” doesn’t do this show justice, either. Exhibitors have massive, two-story spaces that are thoughtfully designed and planned out for meetings, hands-on technology demonstrations and entertainment. Plus, there’s outdoor space for hundreds of power units, trams and railcars. Over 170,000 attendees from 133 countries were present this year — the scale, scope, and sheer energy of InnoTrans is truly remarkable.

Beyond the stage, I was able to have productive meetings with several of our member companies, including Siemens, Alstom, and our newest member, Hitachi. These conversations helped deepen our understanding of the international rail market and identify ways we can better support our members’ global growth ambitions.

One of the most striking things about InnoTrans is the sheer volume of new technologies and innovations on display. From green energy solutions to cutting-edge signaling systems, the pace of change in the rail industry is astounding. One example that stood out to me was green technology on display from Wabtec. They’re developing what’s essentially “bridge technology” — helping connect our current infrastructure and practices to where we want to take the future of rail when it comes to environmentally conscious practices. These solutions will allow our industry to gradually transition to more sustainable, efficient systems without having to scrap existing investments. This type of forward-thinking, collaborative approach is exactly what the industry needs to drive meaningful progress.

The fact that everyone is at InnoTrans, whether exhibiting or attending, creates an incredibly energizing atmosphere. As you walk the halls, it’s not uncommon to run into people you’ve been hoping to connect with — whether it’s from partner organizations, industry coalitions, or CEOs of our member companies. It’s a whirlwind of activity, with meetings and receptions happening from early morning to late at night. The opportunity for interaction is unparalleled, allowing you to make new connections and reconnect with those you’ve worked with in the past.

As we look ahead, RSI is committed to building on this momentum here in the states. We recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Railway Engineering Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI) to host Railway Interchange every year, rather than a combined show followed by a standalone show. This will allow us to bring the same spirit of global collaboration and innovation to our home market, providing even more value to this community and our industry at large.

There’s no doubt that events like InnoTrans are invaluable for keeping a pulse on the industry and making connections that drive our business forward. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to represent RSI on the global stage, and I look forward to sharing more insights and opportunities with our members in the months ahead. The rail supply industry is truly a global enterprise, and RSI is committed to ensuring our members are positioned for success, no matter where their business takes them.

The post Greetings From Berlin: An Optimistic Outlook on Rail at InnoTrans 2024 appeared first on RSI.

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 current AAR rule governing the car hire default rate is not changed, the result will be a severe box-car shortage and/or a TTX-dominated box-car market. That is why the Railway Supply Institute has petitioned the STB to consider requiring changes to the default rate rule. Our petition specifically invites AAR to negotiate with RSI on changes to the rule that would level the playing field for companies desiring to support adequate car supply by investing in rail cars, including box cars. To date, AAR has not accepted that invitation.

However, we believe that Dick is misguided in calling in the elimination of per-diem leasing. The reality is that elimination of per-diem leasing would upend the market for leasing a variety of pooled assets including intermodal well cars and multilevel auto carriers, to say nothing of box cars. Moreover, if done on a level playing field, per diem leasing is an incredibly useful structure to align the interests of shippers, railroads and car owners with respect to payment made for value received.

We look forward to the STB’s pending decision on our petition and hope it will grant our request to consider changes to the default rate rule. Such a decision is in the best interest of shippers, short lines, and car owners and would allow the industry to take a big step forward in alleviate concerns about future rail-car supply.

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WASHINGTON, DC, November 18, 2021 ­— The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) is pleased to announce the appointment of Patty Long, an experienced and skilled association leader, as its president. RSI is the only broadly representative trade association for railway suppliers, comprised of over 160 companies of all sizes which support North American freight and passenger railroads and employ more than 125,000 people.

Long brings over 25 years of executive experience in trade associations, most recently serving the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) as interim CEO and Chief Operating Officer with oversight of industry relations, member engagement, HR, government and regulatory affairs, and sustainability. Earlier in her career, Long spent 18 years at the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), rising to Vice President, Policy Research and Member Communications, and she previously served as the Director of Communications for the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA).

“This is an exciting time for RSI and our member companies,” said Jack Isselmann, RSI Board Chair and SVP of External Affairs & Communications for The Greenbrier Companies. “Patty’s expertise, energy, and experience, combined with the recent enactment of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act, brings renewed vitality to RSI’s mission to serve the rail supply industry. In the months to come, expect RSI to develop new programs, enhance member value, and organize a successful in-person RSI Expo and Education Conference next fall, as it capitalizes on the many other opportunities before us in 2022.”

Long’s appointment was the result of a rigorous external search process. After fully vetting over a dozen highly-qualified candidates through a four-month external search process, the RSI Board of Directors unanimously selected Patty to lead the organization.

“I am excited to be joining an industry so vital to the U.S. economy and this nation’s infrastructure,” said Long. “I look forward to working with the members of RSI to grow our industry and continue to sustainably drive America forward.”

Long assumes her role effective November 29th. She and her family reside in the greater D.C. area and she will operate out of RSI’s Washington, D.C. headquarters.

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