Rail Experience for Customers
During the 18 years Ed Mckechnie spent at Watco, he was unrivaled in the short line industry for being a revenue growth leader. He grew Watco’s business for short line railroads, ports, terminals, as well as car and locomotive repair shops. McKechnie had extensive relationships with each of the North American Class I Railroads.
McKechnie is the national leader in short line rail policy. In 2002 he conceived the 45G tax credit, had it drafted in bill form and spent the next 18 years guiding and leading ASLRRA to its multiple reauthorizations and finally permanency in 2000. Since its inception, the 45G tax credit has secured more than $3 billion in direct investment in the short line railroad industry. This investment transformed the industry that sorely needed capital investment to a stronger and secure rail infrastructure and has led to expansion opportunities across America.
As a Chairman of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, McKechnie conceived of the Short Line Safety Institute, secured funding for it from Congress, and guided its formation to be the leader in short line railroad safety. His operational and business development experience has made ASLRRA members some of the safest rail operators in the world today.
McKechnie also led a massive start-up for Watco to operate a railroad in Western Australia. His work with CBH allowed grain to shift from moving by truck to moving by rail. Watco Australia moved more than 10 million tons annually of grain to port in WA.
Domestically, McKechnie led more than 40 start-up acquisitions for Watco which moved several commodities like autos, grain, bulk, chemicals, intermodal, and box car traffic. Under his leadership, Watco continued its expansion in connecting to ports and terminals across North America.
McKechnie was appointed to the United States Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC) in 2007. In that capacity, he has advised the STB on rail-related issues in addition to giving him working access to each of the Members of the STB during that time.
He is seen as an advocate for accurate rail information and an advocate for fair and reasonable conflict resolution before the board. He has become the voice of reason and accuracy as one of the rail members of RETAC.
ASLRRA Leadership
Ed McKechnie has been a leader in the short-line railroad industry. Seen here in May of 2022, McKechnie has worked in the short line industry since 2000. As Chairman of the Legislative Policy Committee, Vice Chairman of the Association, and Chairman of the Association, McKechnie was the leader in transforming the public policy of short-line railroads in the United States.
Seen here with Chuck Baker, current ASLRRA President; Richard F. Timmons, former President of the ASLRRA; Mike Ogborn, former ASLRRA Vice Chairman, and Chairman; and Jeff VanSchaick, a long-time ASLRRA government affairs executive.