Consolidated Terminals and Logistics Co.

𝗠𝗚 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲

MG Rail has once again earned the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (𝗔𝗦𝗟𝗥𝗥𝗔) 𝗝𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 – 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, recognizing 𝘇𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱. To receive a Jake Award, railroads must outperform the Class II and III industry average injury frequency rate reported by the FRA.

Being among a record‑breaking 371 ASLRRA member railroads to earn this highest distinction reflects the consistency, care, and teamwork of everyone at MG Rail.

As ASLRRA President Chuck Baker shared, “What stands out this year is that the average industry injury frequency rate has declined once again, raising the bar even higher for earning a Jake Award… Zero is remarkable!”

Learn more about MG Rail: https://mgrail.com/

Read the full release from ASLRRA:https://www.aslrra.org/aslrra/document-server/?cfp=/aslrra/assets/File/public/news/2026/aslrra-jakes-safety-award-program-breaks-records-for-second-consecutive-year.pdf

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

The inland waterways may be out of sight for many, but they play a vital role in everyday life and in supporting a strong U.S. economy. Ensuring they remain reliable takes steady leadership and ongoing engagement — which is why being in Washington matters.

Recently, our SVP, Lance Rase, joined the Waterways Council, Inc. in DC to participate in conversations around the future of the inland waterways system, particularly as much of the infrastructure continues to age. Today, the vast majority of locks are beyond their original design life, increasing the need for thoughtful planning and investment.

The discussions focused on a few key themes:
• 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Commercial operators are the only users who contribute directly to the waterways trust fund, even though dams and locks serve many public and private benefits—from flood protection to water supply. Aligning funding responsibilities is an important part of long-term sustainability.
• 𝗣𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Significant dollars are already available for waterways projects. Using those funds efficiently can help address critical repairs and reduce future costs.
• 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Maintaining a balanced funding approach helps prevent unnecessary cost increases and reduces the risk of shifting freight to already crowded roads and rail systems.

Why this matters: 𝟱𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗼 move through the inland waterways each year, including a large share of U.S. grain exports. The system’s reliability supports supply chains, communities, and the broader economy.

Proud of Lance’s leadership and grateful for partners like WCI who continue to engage constructively on the policies that keep America’s infrastructure working.