news

2023

September 25, 2023
Short Line Freight Railroads Receive Record-Breaking Investment in Major U.S. Department of Transportation Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2023 — Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) congratulates all recipients of the Fiscal Year 2022 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant awards and celebrates the unprecedented number of short line railroad proposals selected for funding. Forty-seven of the seventy projects selected by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) were put forward by short line railroads or their partners and are designed to invest in short line infrastructure to help these railroads better serve their customers and communities. This round of grant funding is the most successful ever for the short line industry.

September 11, 2023
1,500 Local Officials Deliver Letter to Congress Opposing Bigger Tractor-Trailers

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 11, 2023 — As Congress focuses on critical, must-pass legislation as it returns from Congressional recess, over 1,500 local government leaders from across the country sent a letter to Capitol Hill asking policymakers to oppose any increases in truck size or weight, including heavier single-trailer trucks.

July 10, 2023
ASLRRA Announces Record Number of Jake Safety Award Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 10, 2023 — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today announced a record number of member railroads (383) qualifying for a Jake Safety Award, and also a record number (350) noted “with Distinction” for zero reportable injuries in 2022. ASLRRA member railroads posting zero reportable injuries has increased by 130% to 350 from 152 railroads in 1999 when the “Jake with Distinction” award was first bestowed.

June 20, 2023
ASLRRA Welcomes ISB Global Services to its Member Discount Program

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 20, 2023 — Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announces its newest Member Discount Program provider, ISB Global Services (ISB). ISB will provide ASLRRA members with a suite of employment background screening products that will allow railroad and supplier members to be confident that they are obtaining appropriate and accurate information, while being compliant with privacy legislation.

May 16, 2023
Short Line Advocacy Day Brings Railroads to Washington During Infrastructure Week

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 16, 2023 — On May 17, 2023, short line railroad industry representatives will visit 176 Congressional offices to personally voice their concerns and share their views with their elected officials. More than 150 individuals from Class II and III railroads, suppliers, and supporting association staff members will be in Washington, DC to tell their story. This year’s Infrastructure Week is May 16-May 20 — dozens of organizations will be hosting and organizing scores of events to celebrate.

May 10, 2023
ASLRRA Comments On Senate Commerce Committee Action on S. 576

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2023 – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance the Railway Safety Act (S. 576), which will now be considered on the Senate floor. In response to this action, ASLRRA President Chuck Baker made a statement acknowledging forward progress on issues that are concerning to short lines, but cautioned that any policies affecting the railroad industry will have repercussions throughout the supply chain and ensnare short lines.

May 11, 2023
Baker Testifies to Critical Nature of Short Line Operations to U.S. Supply Chain

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 11, 2023 – Today Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), representing the nation’s short line freight railroads, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, in a hearing titled, “Getting Back on Track: Exploring Rail Supply Chain Resilience and Challenges.” In his testimony, Chuck Baker explained the critical role that short lines play in the supply chain, and the many ways that Congress can assist in addressing the challenges of freight rail network fluidity and safety.

May 1, 2023
ASLRRA Disappointed with CARB's Decision to Risk Short Line Viability in California

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 1, 2023 – On Thursday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to implement its In Use Locomotive Regulation. The rule mandates an incredibly abrupt, dramatic, unrealistic, and counter-productive forced shift of all locomotives in California, including all small business short line locomotives, to Tier 4 and Zero Emission Locomotives.

April 3, 2023
ASLRRA Awards 2023 Safety Person and Safety Professional of the Year

NEW ORLEANS, April 3, 2023 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association is pleased to honor Raul Guerrero, a track inspector at the Texas North Western Railway (TXNW), as the Association’s Safety Person of the Year, and Austin Milton, Director, Safety & Training, The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD), as the Safety Professional of the Year. These awards recognize a career-long safety focus and honor leaders who hold their companies and their peers accountable to and for each other. ASLRRA recognized both individuals for their decades-long dedication to railroad safety at its Annual Conference & Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana this morning.

April 3, 2023
ASLRRA Selects Jack Parliament as the 2023 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award Winner

NEW ORLEANS, April 3, 2023 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is pleased to announce the 2023 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award honoree is Jack Dale Parliament, former president of the D&I Railroad who was actively involved with the Association for over two decades. The award, named for former ASLRRA Chairman Thomas L. Schlosser, is the highest individual honor bestowed by the ASLRRA, recognizing an individual for his or her long-term, significant service to the ASLRRA and the short line industry. Parliament, who passed away in October, was honored posthumously this morning at the ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.