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The industry converges for start of biennial event

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, Editor, Railway Track & Structures; and Engineering Editor, Railway Age
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The largest gathering of the North American rail industry kicks off Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 and will focus on the technology and trends that keep railroads going.

Railway Interchange 2015, which runs through Oct. 7, combines the technical conferences of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) and Coordinated Mechanical Associations (CMA) and the exhibits of Railway Supply Institute (RSI), Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) and Railway Systems Suppliers, Inc. (RSSI).

Organizers say 7,500 attendees have already registered for Railway Interchange 2015 and that number is expected to increase. Railway Interchange 2013 in Indianapolis had 7,800 attendees, while the inaugural Railway Interchange held in Minneapolis in 2011 had close to 9,000 people in attendance.

Attendees will be able to peruse more than 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and visit more than 685 displays to see the latest products and services. Organizers say 26 Minnesota companies, including 20 from the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, are among the exhibitors. The booths are spread between an indoor exhibit at the Minneapolis Convention Center and an outdoor exhibit a short 15-minute bus ride away at BNSF Northtown Rail Yard. Buses leave every 20 minutes to and from the yard during show hours.

Technical sessions will explore the latest research in railroad engineering, signals, operations and technology. Tank car safety and Positive Train Control are among the topics to be covered.

The Oct. 4 opening ceremonies at BNSF Northtown Rail Yard outdoor exhibits will be at 11 a.m. and the indoor exhibit ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 1 p.m.

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