When we think of railroads in the U.S. the focus is, for the most part, on the operators of the freight and passenger rail; the Class I railroads, Amtrak, commuter, short line and regional railroads. 

What does not get as much attention are the hundreds of private sector companies that manufacture the equipment and all the components that support the rail infrastructure. These companies represent a significant source of hundreds of thousands of well paying, skilled, private sector jobs. 

These jobs encompass a range of skills, from basic manufacturing, analysis of ‘big data’, to application of advanced technologies to maximize the safety and reliability of the nation’s rail networks. The jobs are located throughout the U.S. in rural as well as urban areas and are often the economic engine in individual communities. The fortunes of these companies and communities depend on a strong demand for freight and passenger rail services. 

Senior executives from Siemens Corporation, Alstom, Caterpillar/Progress Rail, and GE Transportation will provide a brief summary of their rail manufacturing profile, the types of jobs/skills required in their companies, manufacturing innovations, customers and current industrial trends. Following the presentations, the panelists will discuss current opportunities and engage in a further discussion on steps to retain and expand these well-paying jobs that will increase employment and economic development for states and localities across the nation.