Penn Machine Engineer Named Chairman of APTA's International Rail Rodeo Committee

Todd Williams, chief engineer and quality manager at Penn Machine Co., was recently appointed to head the American Public Transportation Association’s International Rail Rodeo (IRR) Committee. Williams has served on the IRR Committee for the past 15 years, and served as the Vice Chair of the Maintenance Competition for the past 3 years. The IRR is an annual competition that tests the skills of rail operators and maintenance teams from across the globe. This year’s event was held in early June at Denver RTD’s Elati Light Rail Maintenance Facility. Events test the competitors on train inspection, operation and safety procedures, as well as on the use of equipment such as electric couplers, dexterity plates, wheel gauges, LED headlights, pneumatic systems, doors and gearboxes.

“The competition is a great way for operators and maintenance teams to improve their skills,” said Williams. “It also helps Committee members to keep current with the latest technological innovations and maintenance techniques. By serving on the Committee, members develop relationships with customers, industry colleagues and APTA staff, and exchange insights and non-competitive information with each other throughout the year.”

As IRR Committee chair for the next three years, Mr. Williams plans to document program elements in greater detail to make it easier than ever for APTA staff, the IRR Committee and the host properties to streamline the process for development and implementation of Rail Rodeos.  

Next year’s IRR will take place June 20-23 in Toronto.

Williams has held a variety of engineering and management positions with Penn Machine over the past 24 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and resides in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, with his wife, Angela.