ASLRRA represents the interests of the nation’s 603 short line railroads, speaking on issues of importance to us in the media and in Congressional Hearings. ASLRRA also represents industry interests in the regulatory arena, providing comments to issuing entities such as the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the Department of Transportation (DOT) on the impact to our small business members.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
