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Press Release Archive

2024

ASLRRA Statement On President-elect Trump's Selection of David Fink as FRA Administrator

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 21, 2024 — Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) issues the following statement in response to the announcement that David Fink will be nominated by President-elect Trump to lead the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).


Short Line Freight Railroads Awarded Industry-Changing Infrastructure Investment in FY 23-24 CRISI Grant Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 2024 — Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) celebrates the announcement of the Fiscal Year 2023 and 2024 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant awards. The Association offers its congratulations and appreciation to the Congressional leaders that created and funded the CRISI program, the FRA personnel that administer the program and select the awards, and the short line railroaders and their partners that applied for and will receive grant awards.


Short Lines Share Growth Strategies with Surface Transportation Board

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 16, 2024 — ASLRRA participated in the hearing before the Surface Transportation Board entitled “Growth in the Freight Rail Industry", September 16 and 17, 2024. The hearing’s purpose was to gather information about recent trends and strategies for growth in the freight rail industry. In addition to ASLRRA, five member railroads testified to growth strategies being used on short lines. Click here for oral testimony, including those from five short line railroads.


ASLRRA Calls on Congress to Modernize 45G Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 11, 2024 — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), representing in the nation’s 600 short line freight railroads, commends Senators Ron Wyden and Mike Crapo and Representatives Mike Kelly and Earl Blumenauer on the introduction of S. 5008 and H.R. 9522 respectively to modify the Railroad Track Maintenance Credit, updating the credit for inflation and allowing expenditures on short line track that has been acquired since 2015 to be included.


Nicole Brewin to Lead ASLRRA Congressional Affairs Team

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 13, 2024 — Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) welcomes Nicole Brewin as the Association’s Vice President of Congressional Affairs. Ms. Brewin brings extensive Capitol Hill, rail and transportation government affairs experience and substantial expertise in influencing policy and legislative initiatives in both the public and private sectors to the position. She will be leading the congressional affairs team at ASLRRA, working with association staff and member short line railroads to pursue legislative support for critical issues facing the industry including investment in infrastructure, and surface transportation and tax policy.


New Virtual Reality Training Modules Added To Short Line Training Center

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 22, 2024 — Today, three new virtual reality (VR) training modules have been added to the Short Line Training Center’s online Learning Management System (LMS) - Freight Car Familiarization, Locomotive Daily Inspection, and Class I Airbrake Test & Inspection. These training modules are the first use of VR for the LMS, offering enhanced engagement and motivation for trainees, improved safety and efficiency versus live training, and increased accessibility and scalability for railroads.

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Short Line CEO Testifies in ASLRRA's Behalf at House T&I Subcommittee Hearing on CARB In-Use Locomotive Regulation

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 9, 2024 — Dillon Olvera, President and CEO of the Modesto and Empire Traction Company (the MET), testified today on behalf of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), before the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials in a hearing, “An Examination of the California Air Resource Board’s (CARB) In-Use Locomotive Regulation.” Olvera shared the potential catastrophic impact that the CARB rule will have on short lines in California due to the cost of compliance. CARB’s new rule would force railroads to set aside significant revenue in a ‘savings account’ to acquire low and zero-emission locomotives that are not commercially available and not viable at-scale for the industry. This ignores and upends the fundamental business model of short line railroads. Furthermore, the rule is illegal, pre-empted by federal law including the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act (ICCTA) and the Clean Air Act and the Locomotive Inspection Act, and evades any effort to recognize how it will uniquely impact small businesses.

View Olvera's written testimony here.


ASLRRA Testifies to Dire Consequences to Small Railroads of New California Rule

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2024 – Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), testified today before the U.S. House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight in a hearing titled “Environmentalism Off the Rails: How CARB Will Cripple the National Rail Network.”


ASLRRA Announces Record Number of Jake Safety Award Winners

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2024 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today announced a record number of member railroads (385) qualifying for a Jake Safety Award. Eighty-eight percent (340) of the awardees are noted “with Distinction” for zero reportable injuries in 2023. Nineteen member railroads will be further recognized by ASLRRA as President’s Safety Award winners for the lowest injury frequency rate in a variety of per personhour categories.


ASLRRA Honors Career-Spanning Dedication to Railroad Safety

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2024 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association recognized career-spanning dedication to safety today at its Annual Conference & Exhibition.  Sam Pederson, Railcar Repairman, Mission Mountain Railroad (MMR) was named Safety Person of the Year, and Albert Manning, Training Program Manager, Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) was named Safety Professional of the Year.


Sierra Northern Railway Named ASLRRA's 2024 Environmental Award Winner

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2024 – Sierra Northern Railroad was honored today for its contributions to environmental sustainability and air quality improvements in central California, an area served by the short line’s intermodal port and transload facility.  In 2024, Sierra Northern intends to be the first California short line to put a zero-emission hydrogen locomotive into full testing in revenue service, in a demonstration project funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC). 


Watco Recognized by ASLRRA for Exceptional Veterans Engagement Initiatives

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 – ASLRRA today announced Watco as the recipient of the 2024 Veterans Engagement Award for their efforts to hire and retain employees that are veterans of any U.S. branch of military service, including spouses and family members. The company will be honored at the ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Kansas City, Missouri on March 25.


ASLRRA 2024 Business Development Awardees Announced

WASHINGTON, March 22, 2024 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has selected three short line railroads to honor for business development excellence, showcasing the heart of  short line rail operations – commitment to solving customer problems, creating unique opportunities for growth, and ensuring the well-being of the communities that they serve.  Indiana Rail Road, Indiana and Ohio Railway, and Mission Mountain Railroad each demonstrated innovative and successful business-building initiatives crafted to meet the needs of their customers, using the unique capabilities of their railroads. The awards will be presented at the ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition on March 25, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.


ASLRRA Selects MaxAccel as Member Discount Program Provider

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2024 – Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announces its newest Member Discount Program provider, MaxAccel. MaxAccel offers a suite of software products available in web and mobile-based solutions to assist small railroads in driving safety, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency and return on investment. Over 220 freight railroads, passenger operations and railroad contractors rely on MaxAccel’s suite of AssetPro™ and SafeTrack™ electronic recordkeeping applications every day making them some of the most widely used in the rail transportation industry. ASLRRA members can choose one application, or several to utilize MaxAccel as their single solution for electronic recordkeeping.


ASLRRA's Chuck Baker Calls on Congress to Continue Robust Federal Grant Programs for Short Line Freight Rail Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2024 – Chuck Baker, President of The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), provided testimony in today's hearing, "Department of Transportation Discretionary Grants: Stakeholder Perspectives," convened by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"With the help of federal grants, short lines have revitalized significant sections of the rail network, allowing for greater service volume, elimination of bottlenecks, and reduction of congestion as well as harnessing the measurable environmental benefits of moving freight by rail. Perhaps most important, every dollar invested in improving rail infrastructure is a dollar invested in rail safety," said Chuck Baker.

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Watch video of the testimony here:


ASLRRA Honors James A. Bowers for Decades of Service to the Industry

Bowers Named the 2024 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award Winner

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 31, 2024 — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has selected James A. “Jim” Bowers, founder of Bowers CPAs & Advisors, as the 2024 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award winner. Jim Bowers has spent decades serving the short line railroad industry through his work as a certified public accountant (CPA) in the accounting firm he founded – Bowers and Company CPAs, now called Bowers CPAs & Advisors, and in service to the ASLRRA, including chairing the Finance & Administration Committee, and many years of presenting at and supporting ASLRRA events. In addition, Bowers has encouraged employees of the firm to participate in the ASLRRA, with several chairing committees such as the Finance Committee and the Young Professional’s Committee, guiding the work of the association.

“Jim has followed the path of many a small railroader, persistently applying his talent, building a one-man shop into a sustainable enterprise that creates value for many,” said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. “Alongside growing Bowers & Company, Jim has been a willing partner and friend to many in the industry, and most especially to our Association, where his measured counsel has been instrumental in many successful initiatives such as the 45G Tax Credit, to helping our members understand the tax impacts of their actions, particularly during COVID, and to the Finance & Administration Committee. Jim has also had an eye on knowledge transfer in our industry, actively supporting others in his firm in taking committee leadership positions at ASLRRA, ensuring the next generation of railroaders will be similarly well-counseled.”

James A. Bowers – Distinguished Service Award Winner

Before starting Bowers CPAs, Bowers earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from St. John Fisher University and started working as an accountant at Deloitte, where he eventually was named manager in charge. While at Deloitte Bowers also spent several years as an adjunct professor of accounting at St. John Fisher.

Bowers decided to forge a new path in 1980 as one of the founding partners of the accounting firm Bowers CPAs and Advisors. In the 44 years since its inception, Bowers CPAs and Advisors has now expanded to three office locations in New York and features a staff of over 130. The company’s railroad arm offers short lines assistance in financial reporting, mergers and acquisitions, grant administration, tax planning and compliance, and payroll.

Bowers has also been active with other railroad organizations, such as the Railroads of New York (RONY) where he serves on the Board of Directors as an associate member. He is a member of several professional organizations as well including the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA).

The Schlosser Distinguished Service Award, named for former ASLRRA Chairman Thomas L. Schlosser, is the highest individual honor bestowed by the ASLRRA, recognizing long-term, significant service to the ASLRRA and the short line industry. Bowers will be honored on March 25, 2024 at the ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Kansas City, Missouri.

For a video on the background of the Schlosser Distinguished Service Award and past Award recipients, click here.


ASLRRA Announces 2024 Short Line Hall of Fame Inductees

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 9, 2024 — The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association has selected Robert Grossman, Jake Jacobson (posthumously), and Rick Webb as 2024 inductees into the Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame. Each of the honorees has made an indelible mark on the short line industry, from creating the industry role of advocate in government and regulatory affairs, to launching an industry-wide emphasis and recognition of safe operating performance, to growing a car repair shop with a single railroad into a multi-service entity operating in four countries by building a team focused on exceptional customer service. The 2024 class will be inducted at the ASLRRA Annual Conference & Exhibition on March 25, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


ASLRRA President Chuck 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


ASLRRA Announces 2023 Short Line Hall of Fame Inductees

NEW ORLEANS, April 3, 2023 – Four new members have been selected by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association to join the Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame. Pete Claussen, Bruce Flohr, Edward Lewis and Richard Robey will be inducted at the 2023 ASLRRA Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans on April 3, 2023. Lewis, who passed away in 2015, will be honored posthumously.


Three Railroads Honored with ASLRRA 2023 Business Development Awards

NEW ORLEANS, April 3, 2023 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Business Development Awards. Kiamichi Railroad, Reading, Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad and the Strasburg Rail Road Company each demonstrated innovative and successful business-building initiatives that will lead to significant increases in shipping volume and additional benefits for the customer and the community. The awards were presented this morning at ASLRRA’s Annual Convention and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.


Pacific Harbor Line Wins ASLRRA's 2023 Environmental and Veterans Engagement Awards

NEW ORLEANS, April 3, 2023 – Pacific Harbor Line (PHL), an Anacostia Company, is the recipient of two of ASLRRA’s annual awards, the inaugural Environmental Award and the Veterans Engagement Award. The Association recognized PHL for these achievements this morning at its Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, Louisiana.


ASLRRA to Transition Leadership at 2023 Annual Conference

WASHINGTON, March 23, 2023 – The American and Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today announced the progression of Matt Walsh, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Development, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. to fill the ASLRRA Board Chairman position vacated by Watco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Stefan Loeb, who has accepted a position at Norfolk Southern Railway. Walsh currently holds the position of Vice Chairman for the ASLRRA.


2022

Short Line Railroad Relief Act Responds to Need for Assistance in Disaster Recovery

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2022 – ASLRRA strongly supports H.R. 9581, the Short Line Railroad Relief Act, a bill that would authorize emergency disaster relief funding resources for short line railroads through the USDOT. Current federal programs fail to provide small business short line railroads with immediate relief after natural disasters, but do offer disaster relief benefits to other transportation modes, such as highways and transit.


ASLRRA Backs Congressional Action to Avoid Freight Rail Shutdown

WASHINGTON, November 29, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) supports Congressional action to avert a shutdown of the nation’s freight rail system.


ASLRRA Congratulates Negotiating Parties on Positive Results

WASHINGTON, September 15, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) congratulates the Class I carriers and rail labor unions in reaching a tentative agreement early this morning, ending the uncertainty of the past several weeks.


ASLRRA Statement on Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act

WASHINGTON – August 2, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) released the following statement in response to today’s introduction of the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act by Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture David Scott (D-GA), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture Jim Costa (D-CA). The legislation will reauthorize the Surface Transportation Board (Board). 


ASLRRA Disappointed with FRA's Train Crew Size Safety Requirements NPRM

WASHINGTON – July 27, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) is disappointed with the Train Crew Size Safety Requirements Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today, calling the proposal ill-conceived, ill-timed and unnecessary.


ASLRRA Honors Record Number of Member Railroads for Safety Performance

WASHINGTON – June 29, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today awarded a record number of Jake Safety Awards, including twenty member railroads being recognized as President’s Safety Award winners.  The Jake Award program recognizes member railroads for above-industry average safety performance during 2021.  Of the 364 Jake Award recipients, 332 member railroads will be honored “with Distinction” recognizing their FRA reportable injury-free performance in 2021. 


ASLRRA Member Railroads Successfully Compete for FY21 CRISI Grants

WASHINGTON – June 2, 2022 – Today the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced the selection of grant recipients for the Fiscal Year 2021 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. Many short line projects were among the recipients, and an ASLRRA-member short line – the Lake State Railway Company in Saginaw, Michigan – was the location chosen by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg today to officially announce the awards.


ASLRRA Announces 2022 Safety Person and Safety Professional of the Year

ST. LOUIS – May 2, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has announced its selection of two individuals for their decades-long dedication to railroad safety. ASLRRA is pleased to honor Nathaniel Mazo, General Manager, Ohio Division, OmniTRAX as the Safety Person of the Year, and Ross Grantham, Chief Operating Officer, Pioneer Lines as the Safety Professional of the Year. The awards were presented today at ASLRRA’s Annual Conference & Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri.


ASLRRA Honors Three Railroads for Business Excellence

ST. LOUIS – May 2, 2022 – As the supply chain continued to experience pandemic-related disruptions through 2021, short line railroads sought ways to capitalize on opportunities presented in the wake of truck driver shortages, changing customer buying patterns, and manufacturers challenged to keep plants running in the face of uncertain supply. From a strong field of submissions, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has selected three 2022 Business Development Award winners: the Allegheny Valley Railroad, CRANDIC Rail, and the Union County Industrial Railroad. These member railroads were honored for creative use of their unique operations to deliver value to shippers; utilizing partnerships with development authorities, Class 1s, and shippers to capture business opportunities; and driving economic success for shippers and the communities they serve. The awards were presented at ASLRRA’s Conference & Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri.


ASLRRA Inducts 2022 Class into Short Line Hall of Fame

ST. LOUIS – May 2, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has selected George Betke, Chairman, Farmrail Systems and Walter Rich, former Chairman, Delaware Otsego Corp (posthumously) as the 2022 Short Line Hall of Fame inductees. The inductees were honored at ASLRRA’s Conference & Exhibition this morning in St. Louis, Missouri. The Short Line Hall of Fame recognizes exceptional leaders and entrepreneurs who paved the way for the growth and impact of the modern short line industry.


LTG (Ret) Richard F. Timmons is ASLRRA's 2022 Schlosser Distinguished Award Service Winner

ST. LOUIS – May 2, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has presented LTG (Ret) Richard F. Timmons with the 2022 Schlosser Distinguished Service Award. 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. Timmons was presented with the award this morning at the ASLRRA Conference and Exhibition in St. Louis, Missouri.


Spark Training Solutions Joins ASLRRA's Member Discount Program

WASHINGTON – April 26, 2022 – The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announces its newest Member Discount Program provider, Spark Training Solutions, a railroad software technology provider. Spark Training Solutions serves Class 1 and short line railroads with custom safety, regulatory, and compliance training solutions. Their solutions help railroads and contractors to find the most effective strategies to manage their company, Part 219, and other DOT-regulated drug and alcohol testing programs.


ASLRRA to STB: Critical Short Line Service Would Suffer if Reciprocal Switching is Applied

WASHINGTON – March 16, 2022 – Today, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) submitted comments and written testimony to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) for a hearing concerning Docket No. EP 711 (Sub-No. 1), which is a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on reciprocal switching first introduced in 2016. Chuck Baker, President of ASLRRA testified at the meeting on behalf of short line railroads. He was joined by David Clarke, retired director of the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and Doc Claussen, chairman of ASLRRA's Board of Directors and vice president of ASLRRA member Gulf and Ohio Railways.


Freight Railroad Industry Zooms in for Railroad Day 2022

WASHINGTON – March 9, 2022 – Today and tomorrow, more than 350 railroad industry employees will meet virtually with 220+ Congressional Offices, exercising their first Amendment right to petition their government and tell their story. The annual gathering of freight rail professionals, known as Railroad Day on Capitol Hill, has been held for nearly twenty years. Railroad Day is the one time each year that the entire freight rail industry, including Class I railroads, short line railroads, railroad labor, railroad suppliers and contractors, and railroad customers meet with their elected officials together as one unified force.


ASLRRA Welcomes Confirmation of Amit Bose as Administrator, FRA

WASHINGTON, January 12, 2022 - "His confirmation comes at a critical time for our industry, right on the heels of passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – a game-changing measure that provides vast new opportunities to help rebuild and bolster our short line freight rail network through such programs as CRISI, INFRA, RAISE, RRIF, PIDP, and the new grade crossing separation program."


2021

ASLRRA Deems Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act a Historic Victory for the Short Line Industry

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2021 - “Today marks a historic victory for the short line industry, the economies we support in large and small towns across America, and the thousands of industrial, manufacturing, energy, and agricultural customers we proudly serve daily. The passage of the IIJA brings an end to the Groundhog Day announcements by several administrations that the time to do an infrastructure bill is now, and instead ushers in an era of building that infrastructure."


Vancer Honored with ASLRRA's 2021 Veterans Engagement Award

WASHINGTON, September 14, 2021 - The American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) congratulates Vancer, who has been selected as the 2021 Veterans Engagement Award winner for focused and sustained efforts to recruit and retain veterans for employment, and for the company’s efforts beyond their workplace in supporting skill development for military veterans and their families.


ASLRRA Selects 2021 Business Development Award Winners

WASHINGTON, September 1, 2021 - Despite the challenges of operating during a worldwide pandemic, short line railroads continue to create value for customers, the communities they serve and the U.S. economy.


ASLRRA Urges Swift U.S. House Action Following Senate Passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

WASHINGTON, August 10, 2021 - In response to today’s Senate passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by a vote of 69-30, The American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRRA) provided a statement to the media.


ASLRRA Commends Senate Action to Move Infrastructure Bill Forward

WASHINGTON, July 29, 2021 - Today, the Senate took action to advance the bi-partisan infrastructure proposal that includes the Surface Transportation Investment Act (STIA). The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), representing the nation’s 600 small business freight railroads and hundreds of railroad suppliers, strongly supported the Act following its introduction on June 10, 2021.


ASLRRA Comments on House Passage of the INVEST in America Act

WASHINGTON, July 1, 2021 - Opportunity Remains Going Forward to Produce a Rail Title of Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill that Benefits Short Line Freight Railroads and Supports the Key Role Short Lines Can Play in Growing the Economy, Protecting the Environment, Improving Transportation Safety, and Reducing the Congestion and Maintenance Burden of Heavy Freight on Highways.


ASLRRA Commends Bi-Partisan Committee Approval of Senate's Surface Transportation Investment Act

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2021 - Legislation will support the U.S. freight transportation network and the growth of small business railroads.


ASLRRA Strongly Supports Senate's Surface Transportation Investment Act

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2021 - Bill Rises to the Moment for the Country, Supporting the Key Role Short Lines Can Play in Growing the Economy, Protecting the Environment, Improving Transportation Safety, and Reducing the Burden of Heavy Freight on Highways.


ASLRRA Comments on Introduction of INVEST in America Act

WASHINGTON, June 7, 2021 - “We recognize the need for a large and transformational infrastructure investment to support the American economy and protect our environment long into the future, and believe there is an opportunity right now to accomplish this long-held bipartisan goal.


ASLRRA Honors 346 Railroads for Safety Performance

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2021 - The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) today announced the recipients of the Jake Safety Awards, including nineteen member railroads being recognized as President’s Safety Award winners.


Zachary M. Radford Joins ASLRRA's Congressional Affairs Team

WASHINGTON, June 2, 2021 - The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) welcomes Zachary M. Radford as the Association’s Assistant Vice President of Congressional Affairs. He will report to ASLRRA’s Vice President of Congressional Affairs Tom Lynch.


Short Lines Will Find a Lot to Like in Senate EPW Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2021

WASHINGTON, May 26, 2021 - "ASLRRA welcomes the bipartisan, unanimous U.S Senate Environmental and Public Works (EPW) Committee report out of their portion of the surface transportation reauthorization bill.”


ORR Safety Joins ASLRRA's Member Discount Program

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2021 - The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announces its newest Member Discount Program provider, ORR Safety. ORR Safety is an ISO 9001-registered distributor of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and related services to the industrial market.


Short Lines Outline Key Economic Impacts, Environmental Benefits, and Growth Strategies During Congressional Hearing

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2021 - ASLRRA member Caren Kraska, President and Chairman of A&M Railroad, provides testimony during a hearing entitled, “Full Steam Ahead for Rail: Why Rail is More Relevant Than Ever for Economic and Environmental Progress.”


Railroad Subcommittee Chair Donald Payne, Jr. Meets with Short Line Railroads

WASHINGTON, February 18, 2021 - Leaders of three railroad members of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) met with Representative Donald J. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ, 10th), the new Chairman of the powerful U. S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials via Zoom.


Short Lines Share Industry Priorities with NTSB Member Jennifer Homendy

WASHINGTON, January 21, 2021 - The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) had the opportunity to share short line freight industry challenges and opportunities, safety initiatives undertaken, and the many ways that short line freight railroads are responding as part of the nation’s critical workforce during the pandemic with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Member Jennifer Homendy and members of NTSB staff via Zoom call recently.