About American short line and regional railroad association
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is a non-profit organization that represents the interests of entrepreneurial owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America. With over 500 members, ASLRRA is dedicated to promoting the growth and success of these vital transportation networks.
Short line railroads are defined as those that operate less than 350 miles of track, while regional railroads operate between 350 and 1,500 miles. Together, these types of railroads account for nearly 40 percent of the national railroad network in the United States. They provide essential connections between larger freight carriers such as Class I railroads, ports, and other modes of transportation.
ASLRRA was founded in 1913 as the American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRA), with a mission to promote cooperation among short line railroad companies. Over time, its focus has expanded to include advocacy on behalf of its members at both state and federal levels.
One key area where ASLRRA has been active is in promoting safety on short line and regional railroads. The association provides training programs for employees on topics such as hazardous materials handling, emergency response procedures, and track inspection techniques. It also works closely with regulatory agencies such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to ensure that safety standards are met across its member companies.
Another important role played by ASLRRA is in providing networking opportunities for its members. The association hosts an annual convention where industry leaders can come together to share ideas about best practices in areas such as marketing, operations management, finance, and technology adoption.
In addition to these core activities, ASLRRA also offers a range of other services designed to support its members' success. These include access to legal resources through partnerships with law firms specializing in transportation law; discounts on insurance products; assistance with regulatory compliance issues; research reports on industry trends; and more.
Overall, ASLRRA plays a critical role in supporting the continued growth and success of short line and regional railroad companies across North America. Its advocacy efforts help ensure that these vital transportation networks remain competitive against larger carriers while maintaining high standards for safety performance. By providing valuable resources like training programs and networking opportunities for its members' benefit - it helps them stay ahead amidst competition from other modes like trucking or air transportations which have their own advantages but cannot match up when it comes down efficiency or cost-effectiveness offered by railways!