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Rail Equipment

Thursday, September 12th

2024 CONFERENCE ATTENDEES CAN EXPECT:

  • Economic and freight outlooks that focus on factors that will affect rail demand

  • An update on regulations, focusing on the upcoming tank rule implementation

  • Executive Keynote discussion to get insights directly from a major industry executive

  • A full suite of panels and presentations that look at each of the railcar segments: Tanks, Covered Hoppers, Flats, Box, Gondola & Open Top Hopper

  • An industry thought leader gives you their perspective on how the market is shaping up

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From sessions to networking, we impact your decision-making

A prime opportunity exists for the rail industry to capture share from the trucking market, but the continual rise of commodity costs and financing present headwinds for the market. Join us for an excellent agenda featuring a who's who of the rail equipment industry as well as exclusive FTR forecasts built on our exclusive Freight•cast™ forecasting methodology, you'll leave with a clear understanding of the true state of demand for new car builds.

ATTENDEES CAN EXPECT:

  • Economic and freight outlooks that focus on factors that will affect rail demand

  • An update on regulations, focusing on the upcoming tank rule implementation

  • Executive Keynote discussion to get insights directly from a major industry executive

  • A full suite of panels and presentations that look at each of the railcar segments: Tanks, Covered Hoppers, Flats, Box, Gondola & Open Top Hopper

  • An industry thought leader gives you their perspective on how the market is shaping up

 

Agenda

Click on the agenda titles below to view 2023's session descriptions.

Thursday, September 14th

6:30 AM - Indy Canal Run/Walk

Meet in the Crowne Plaza lobby. Start your day off right with a 3 or 5-mile run, or a 2-mile walk down the Indy canal. A great time to enjoy the beauty of Indianapolis and engage with your colleagues. Participants also receive a complimentary running shirt.

8:45 AM - Welcome
9:00 AM - Railcar Equipment: View From the Top

A leader in the rail equipment space chats about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the year ahead.

Presenters: 
TBA
Eric Starks, FTR

9:45 AM - The FTR Perspective on Rail Equipment

The FTR perspective on the economic and freight factors that will have the biggest effect on rail equipment. Will service or freight be the primary driver of utilization?

Presenter: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

10:15 AM - Networking Break
10:30 AM - Boxcars: Finding The Right Number for Demand

The boxcar fleet experienced significant order activity in the last two years. This panel will examine what that means for the future and what the right size of this fleet could be moving forward.

Panelists: 
Ross Corthell, Packaging Corp. of America
Jerry Vest, III, TTX

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausy, FTR

11:00 AM - Tank Cars: Adjusting to Replacement Level Demand

This panel will examine the next phase of the tank car market and what it means for railcar owners and lessors. We will also examine the issue of shop capacity and what it means for the repair and upkeep of tank cars over the next year. 

Panelists: 
Dan Anderson, TrinityRail
TBA

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

11:30 AM - That Other Tank Car: A Deep Dive into the Acid Tank Car Fleet

An expert on the acid tank car fleet tells us more about this fleet that typically flies under the radar.

Presenter: 
Chris Kerr, TrinityRail

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM NEW Session - Rail Equipment In Focus: FTR’s New Rail Equipment Offerings

Rail equipment needs are ever evolving and FTR’s Rail Equipment offerings are changing to meet those needs. Come hear about our latest innovations around hazardous materials tank car lease rates, and more real-time insight on cars coming into and out of the North American railcar fleet. 

Presenter: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

12:00 PM - Lunch Sponsored by TrinityRail
1:00 PM - The Leasing Perspective: A Conversation About the Market

Join us as a top executive in the leasing space talks about their views on the industry. We will discuss present trends and what they mean for where the industry is headed over the next few years. 

Presenters:  
Jeffrey Lytle, CIT Rail
Eric Starks, FTR

1:45 PM - Flat Car: Freight Demand Creates Limbo

Flat car freight has faced a few difficult years, but recent orders show faith in a freight rebound remains vibrant in the flat car marketplace.

Panelists: 
Jay Carter, The Greenbrier Companies
TBA

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

2:15 PM - The Regulatory World: Key Info for Equipment Owners

This session will look at the regulatory regime that most affects railcar lessors, owners, and repair shops. We'll provide suggestions for how each of these groups can prepare for any additional regulations on the horizon. 

Panelists: 
TBA

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

2:45 PM - Networking Break
3:00 PM - Jumbo Covered Hoppers: What Inning Are We In?

This session will look at the regulatory regime that most effects railcar lessors, owners, and repair shops. We'll provide suggestions for how each of these groups can prepare for any additional regulations on the horizon. 

Panelists: 
TBA

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

3:30 PM - Large Covered Hoppers: The Ag Industry Perspective

Two shippers from the agricultural sector talk about their fleet strategies and needs as the industry moves from large covered hoppers to larger-size equipment.

Panelists: 
Glenn Smith, Fieldale Farms Corp. 

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

Rail Equipment Speakers

Rail Equipment Agenda

Click on the agenda titles below to view 2023's session descriptions.

6:30 AM - Indy Canal Run/Walk
Start your day off right with a 3 or 5-mile run, or a 2-mile walk down the Indy canal. A great time to enjoy the beauty of Indianapolis and engage with your colleagues. Participants also receive a complimentary running shirt.
8:45 AM - Welcome
9:00 AM - Railcar Equipment: View From the Top

A leader in the rail equipment space chats about the challenges and opportunities facing the industry in the year ahead.

Presenters: 
Vince De Luca, National Steel Car
Todd Tranausky, FTR

 

 

9:45 AM - The FTR Perspective on Rail Equipment

The FTR perspective on the economic and freight factors that will have the biggest effect on rail equipment. Will service or freight be the primary driver of utilization?

Presenter: 
Todd Tranausky

       

10:15 AM - Networking Break
10:30 AM - Boxcars: Finding The Right Number for Demand

The boxcar fleet experienced significant order activity in the last two years. This panel will examine what that means for the future and what the right size of this fleet could be moving forward.

Panelists:
Ross Corthell, Packaging Corporation of America
Jerry Vest, III, TTX

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky , FTR

11:00 AM - Tank Cars: Adjusting to Replacement Level Demand

This panel will examine the next phase of the tank car market and what it means for railcar owners and lessors. We will also examine the issue of shop capacity and what it means for the repair and upkeep of tank cars over the next year. 

Panelist:
Dan Anderson, TrinityRail
Kristin Dixon, Eco-Energy

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky , FTR

11:30 AM - That Other Tank Car: A Deep Dive into the Acid Tank Car Fleet

An expert on the acid tank car fleet tells us more about this fleet that typically flies under the radar.

Presenter: 
Chris Kerr, TrinityRail

 

12:00 PM - Lunch
1:00 PM - The Leasing Perspective: A Conversation About the Market

Join us as a top executive in the leasing space talks about their views on the industry. We will discuss present trends and what they mean for where the industry is headed over the next few years. 

Presenters: 
Jeffrey Lytle, CIT Rail
Todd Tranausky, FTR

1:45 PM - Flat Car: Freight Demand Creates Limbo

Flat car freight has faced a few difficult years, but recent orders show faith in a freight rebound remains vibrant in the flat car marketplace.

Presenter: 
Jay Carter, The Greenbrier Companies
David Nahass, Rail Financial Corp. 

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky , FTR

2:15 PM - The Regulatory World: Key Info for Equipment Owners

This session will look at the regulatory regime that most affects railcar lessors, owners, and repair shops. We'll provide suggestions for how each of these groups can prepare for any additional regulations on the horizon.

Presenters: 
Donald Gill, Curry Rail Services
Raymond Atkins, Sidley Austin LLP

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky , FTR

 

2:45 PM - Networking Break
3:00 PM - Jumbo Covered Hoppers: What Inning Are We In?

The Jumbo Covered Hopper fleet has benefitted over the last decade from the conversion of grain traffic from large covered hoppers to jumbo cars. This panel will try to provide a sense of what inning that segment is in and other growth drivers for the sector.

Presenter: 
Robert Pickel, National Steel Car
David Humphrey, Railinc

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky , FTR

3:30 PM - Large Covered Hoppers: The Ag Industry Perspective

Two shippers from the agricultural sector talk about their fleet strategies and needs as the industry moves from large covered hoppers to larger-size equipment. 

Presenter: 
Monica Freeman, CHS, Inc.
Glenn Smith, Fieldale Farms Corporation

Moderator: 
Todd Tranausky, FTR

View 2023 Session Details Below

Rail Equipment agenda

Download the Rail Equipment agenda in PDF.
Download Agenda

Previous companies by industry

View companies in your industry that have previously attended.
Download List

Rail Equipment Speakers

Click the dots below to scroll through 2024's fantastic list of speakers.

Eric Starks Chairman of the Board, FTR
Jonathan Starks CEO & Chief Intelligence Officer, FTR

Rail Equipment Platinum Sponsor

TrinityRail logo CMYK

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