TLC President Michael Jumper (left) and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.
Politicians are often cast as slippery characters, but Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA-8) is building an image as a stand up guy when it comes to pushing for jobs in Pennsylvania.
That’s why it’s no surprise that he joined representatives from TRAC Lubricants & Coatings (TLC) and the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad on Monday for a product demonstration and a discussion on public policy priorities for the business and rail communities in southeast Pennsylvania. The Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA) trade group coordinated the event.
“We are honored to jointly host Congressman Fitzpatrick” said TLC President Mike Jumper. “TRAC has a proud history of serving customers in the rail industry and especially here in southeast Pennsylvania. It is crucial that our Congressional leaders see the positive economic impacts strong railroads and rail suppliers have on their communities.”
Also in attendance were Mike Donovan, New Hope & Ivyland Railroad general manager, and Sean Winkler, grassroots coordinator of REMSA.
In case you were wondering, lubrication is required for correct operation of mechanical systems where the pressure between the surfaces in close proximity would generate enough heat for rapid surface damage, which in a coarsened condition may literally fuse the surfaces and cause seizure, say experts.
The group also discussed “the private nature of America’s freight railroad network, which does not rely on federal support for the expansion or maintenance of its right-of-way unlike other modes of freight transportation,” along with the “recent bipartisan and bicameral introduction of the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act which is cosponsored by Rep. Fitzpatrick.”
In Pennsylvania, approximately 57 freight railroads operate and maintain over 5,000 miles of track and support over 7,000 jobs. The $5 billion maintenance of way industry supports over 35,000 jobs nationwide.
Fitzpatrick has made job creation a central theme of his congressional efforts. Mike and his wife Kathy have been married 24 years and have six children.
TRAC Lubricants & Coatings, based in Yeadon, specializes in the “distribution and manufacturing of high performance thin film coatings, dry film lubricants, paints, lubricants, greases, anti-seize and adhesives.” They primarily serve the aerospace, rail/transit, medical, industrial and automotive industries, and proudly count New Hope & Ivyland Railroad as a customer.
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