NS’ Heilig, FRA’s Szabo top RSI Global Railway Tech agenda

Tim Heilig, vice president-mechanical for Norfolk Southern, and Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo will highlight the agenda of the Railway Supply Institute’s Global Railway Tech 2009, occurring Sept. 16-18 in the Northwest Hall of the Chicago Hilton and Towers Hotel.

Heilig will discuss “Managing the Future during Challenging Times,” while Szabo will update attendees on FRA’s oversight of safety and high speed rail matters.

Following the opening session Wednesday, Sept. 16, RSI is hosting an opening reception in the exhibit hall beginning at 4:30 p.m.  Registration is required through RSI or one of the mechanical associations to attend these events. Registration and hotel information are available on the RSI website www.rsiweb.org/.

RSI Executive Director Tom Simpson notes the Coordinated Mechanical Associations (the Air Brake Association, International Association of Railway Operating Officers, Locomotive Maintenance Officers Association, and Mechanical Association of Railcar Technical Services) technical sessions have been finalized.  In addition, the RSI trade show in the Hilton’s Southeast Hall is virtually sold out (with 75-to-80 booths anticipated).  All social events will be held in a food court located in the exhibition hall, Simpson says.