Railway Tie Association

RTA is proud to once again participate in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, scheduled for May 7, 2025. RTA Executive Director Nathan Irby, Ph.D. will be there, and we encourage all RTA members to join us in this important effort to meet with elected officials and advocate for the freight rail industry. Last year, 308 participants, including railroaders, suppliers, shippers, and association representatives, visited 270 Congressional offices to discuss freight rail priorities. Take a look at a few photos from #RailDay2024, and let's build on that momentum to ensure freight rail remains a safe, responsive, and environmentally friendly transportation option for industries nationwide. ?? Watch https://buff.ly/3C20JII for more. #RailDay2025 American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Association of American Railroads

?? RTA Executive Director Nathan Irby, Ph.D. (left) caught up with Jeffrey Thompson of AmeriTies Holdings LLC (center) and Greg Traczek of Rain Carbon Inc at the TREATED WOOD COUNCIL INC Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., this week. TWC panel sessions tackled key topics like upcoming regulatory changes, new developments at the EPA, and facility operations challenges.

RTA Executive Director Nathan Irby, Ph.D., right, is in Washington, D.C., today for the annual TREATED WOOD COUNCIL INC meeting. While there, he caught up with Eric Gee from the Southern Forest Products Association for a quick photo.

In our continued efforts to support the next generation of leaders in the forest products industry, RTA will again be offering two $5,000 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year to deserving college students enrolled in an accredited Forestry or Wood Science program. Check the eligibility requirements and apply on the website: https://buff.ly/3uxHZ4F.

?? Did You Know? RTA's Tie Grading Guide app contains photos of defects in wood ties to help you identify problems quickly and accurately! Tap "Defect Examples" in the app, then select the defect you want to see. You’ll find photo examples for grade, industrial grade, and cull ties for each defect. Can you identify the defect in this tie? ?? Download the "Tie Grading Guide" app from the App Store or Google Play Store to find out!

Did you know RTA has been supporting the wood crosstie industry since 1919, with the mission to ensure engineered wood crosstie systems continue to evolve and meet the ever-changing requirements of modern railways? ?? Watch for the latest R&D developments to be shared in the next issue of Crossties Magazine, featuring insights from presenters at the 2024 RTA Conference! More: www.rta.org

Exciting news for the forestry sector, shared by our friends at the Hardwood Manufacturers Association! The U.S. Forest Service announced $34 million in funding to boost innovation, create jobs, and support healthy forest landscapes. ?? This funding is available through three key grant programs: Wood Innovations Grants (mass timber, renewable energy) – Apply by Dec 11 Community Wood Grants (community energy & manufacturing) – Apply by Dec 18 Wood Products Infrastructure Grants (process wood byproducts) – Apply by Dec 18 Learn more and apply here: https://buff.ly/3EcTQUL

Collaboration is key! By working with and supporting other like-minded organizations, RTA strengthens the voice of the forest products industry, sharing knowledge and tackling challenges together. Together, we’re not just supporting each other—we’re driving progress for the benefit of the entire industry. Colin McCown, AWPA - American Wood Protection Association Kevin Ragon, SOUTHERN PRESSURE TREATERS ASSOCIATION Dallin L. Brooks, National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Nathan Irby, Ph.D., Railway Tie Association Ellery Jones, Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association Will Cox, NRECA, NRECA WOOD QUALITY CONTROL INC

RTA is gearing up for the upcoming Tie Grading Seminar this March in College Station, Texas! This seminar will offer a unique blend of in-depth classroom sessions at The George Hotel and hands-on instruction at the Koppers Inc. tie treating plant in Somerville, Texas. Registration will open in the coming weeks, so keep an eye out for updates. For more information, visit https://buff.ly/3CstYJ3. Meanwhile, enjoy these scenes from 2024.

?? RTA Executive Director Dr. Nate Irby recently presided over the Mississippi State University Department of Sustainable Bioproducts Annual Advisory Board Meeting, where, as longtime chair, he led discussions on the department’s progress in academics, outreach, and extension initiatives over the past year. ?? Nathan Irby, Ph.D. also met with Dr. C. Elizabeth Stokes, associate professor in the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts, to discuss ongoing wood crosstie research needs. ?? Executives from allied associations joined the day's meetings as well. In the second photo, Dr. Irby is pictured with National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) Chief Marketing Officer Sam Leow, NHLA Executive Director Dallin L. Brooks, and Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers Association Executive Director Ellery Jones.