Short Line Education Fund

Support for Industry Education, Training and Certification Programs

Running a railroad requires understanding of and compliance with a laundry list of federal and state regulations, all of which are necessary for safe, efficient operations. Still, for many small railroads with limited resources and staff, keeping ahead of these requirements can be difficult.

Recognizing the need within the short line industry for relevant education, training and certification programs, resources and funding opportunities, ASLRRA established the Short Line Education Fund to pursue projects that provide critical support for high-priority industry education and training initiatives; and award scholarships that enable employees of small railroads to attend industry training and access educational resources.

History of the Short Line Education Fund

The Short Line Education Fund got its start in 2017. In its early years, the Short Line Education Fund generated donations largely through an annual silent auction fundraiser held in conjunction with ASLRRA’s annual convention. More recently, the Association has transitioned away from the silent auction and now relies primarily on charitable donations from private foundations and individual donors to help fund its important work.

Scholarships Help Railroaders Attend Training

Helping employees of small railroads access essential industry training is a key component of the Short Line Education Fund’s mission and has been since the fund was established. Scholarships were initially granted to enable employees of small railroads to attend ASLRRA’s annual conference and benefit from its many educational offerings. More recently, thanks to generous annual donations from the Doug Golden – Mary Cullen Charitable Fund and other individuals and organizations, scholarships are now available to small-railroad employees for industry-specific training on track and locomotive inspection and maintenance, regulatory compliance, and more.

ASLRRA began awarding Golden Scholarships in 2021 with a goal of distributing up to ten annual scholarships of $1,200 each to employees of small railroads. The family of the late Lowell “Jake” Jacobson also recently donated to the Short Line Education Fund, making additional scholarship funds available to small-railroad employees for important industry training.

Supporting the Short Line Education Fund

A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Short Line Education Fund accepts donations from individuals and corporations, and any donations made to the fund are fully tax-deductible. ASLRRA is grateful for the generosity of the short line railroad community and is excited to expand efforts to enable industry professionals to access top-notch training and resources.

For additional information on the fund, or to discuss making a tax-deductible contribution, please contact Sabrina Waiss at swaiss@aslrra.org or 202-585-3434.