At last, at last!!!!! The current administration has just nominated Mr. Ron Batory to be the next FRA Administrator. What is VERY significant about this is, once confirmed, Mr. Batory will be the first FRA Administrator with actual RAILROAD EXPERIENCE, in more than 4 or 5 different presidential administrations!
What a TOTALLY novel idea, i.e. an FRA Administrator with lots of Railroad Experience!!!!
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I know nothing about Ron Batory and hope that the appointment of a person with Railroad experience is a good thing. Unfortunately, Conrail was a government creation and quite a while ago was mostly divided between Norfolk-Southern and CSX. I don't know what Mr. Batory has done at Conrail. Truth be told, I think my initial reaction would be more positive if he were from a "for profit" RR. Hopefully, I am wrong.
Gerry
gmorlitz posted:I know nothing about Ron Batory and hope that the appointment of a person with Railroad experience is a good thing. Unfortunately, Conrail was a government creation and quite a while ago was mostly divided between Norfolk-Southern and CSX. I don't know what Mr. Batory has done at Conrail. Truth be told, I think my initial reaction would be more positive if he were from a "for profit" RR. Hopefully, I am wrong.
Gerry
My I suggest you look a bit deeper into the present Conrail, as it still exists, as a terminal switching carrier in New Jersey and Detroit, MI.. Conrail also still owns 51% of the IHB RR. Prior to going to Conrail, Mr. Batory was President of the Belt Railway of Chicago. Mr. Batory recently retired as President & Chief Operating Officer of Conrail.
gmorlitz posted:I know nothing about Ron Batory and hope that the ...
Gerry
I think THIS TRAINS NEWSLETTER is what Hot Water is quoting from.
Jim
EBT Jim posted:gmorlitz posted:I know nothing about Ron Batory and hope that the ...
Gerry
I think THIS TRAINS NEWSLETTER is what Hot Water is quoting from.
Jim
No, but thanks for the added FACTS. I met Mr. Batory during the 4449 excursion, on the weekend of this past June 24 & 25, plus I have a good friend who knows him and has worked with him. Also, Mr. Batory was President of the Belt Railway of Chicago, which I had to call on frequently, prior to my retirement from EMD at the end of 1998. He is a VERY nice guy, too.
Jack:
I agree 100%! I don't think the President could have nominated a better candidate than Ron Batory.
In fact; I've never spoken with anyone who either knew Ron or has worked with or for him who hasn't respected him.
Curt
Glad to read these responses. I said I didn't know anything about him and I didn't know whether he was a "real" train guy or a government "clerk" type person. You cannot depend upon reading a bio. A lot of people are significantly different from what their bio says.
Gerry
Also, has a big O gauge collection, I seen him down at Madison Hardware in Detroit on more than one occasion..
Marty
Well now, that changes everything! 
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