June 2013: Leadership from the engineering and research departments within the French National Railway Company (SNCF) (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer français) recently visited the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) to discuss research topics relating to railway infrastructure and the potential for further collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Specifically, topics relating to railway ballast flight and track substructure research were covered. The meetings also included an exchange of research between SNCF and RailTEC relating to concrete sleepers and elastic fastening systems. In addition to SNCF and UIUC participation, these meetings were also attended by industry experts from Amtrak, the University of Kentucky, and the John A. Volpe National Transportation Center.