John Hankey published an interesting article in the Spring 2012 issue or RMQ/TRAINLINE about ARM/TRAIN members and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (known casually as the "Short Line"). I won't try to retype that entire article but here is one paragraph that bears repeating:

"But I'll suggest it is time to sit with Short Line and seriously talk about what they can do for us, and we for them. The railroad environment is only going to get more complex, restrictive, and risky. A word here, a rule there, or an unremarkable mandated operating practice intended for the Big Boys could have unintended--and seriously negative--consequences for us".

The entire article is thought provoking. I wonder how many have read it, and what the thoughts are?

Les

In light of the later discussion on crossing-labeling requirements: bump.

I didn't read the article yet, but there was mention of this at last Fall's ARM-TRAIN conference. I think the intent is as soon as the dust settles from the ARM-TRAIN merge they'll start exploring what common ground there is with ASLRRA to see where it makes sense to join forces.

Having attended ASLRRA conventions a number of times and as a past member (I let my membership go for the following reasons), I simply can not agree that ASLRRA and ARM/TRAIN have converging ideas. Here is why;

(please know these are my personal views.....others are more than welcome to disagree, but, please know that as these are feelings, chances are, a debate on the issue will most likely not ensue.)

ASLRRA is primarily a very large Lobbying effort for short lines in two distinct areas. A.) it is a lobbying group that ensures that short line issues are heard on the "Hill" and B.) it is a very large organization that has SOME (I use the word very liberally) pull with the Class I's on some issues related to shortlines.

ASLRRA invites the class I's to attend and if you look at the key note speakers for the past five years.....all you see if the CEO's of any one of the nations Class I's.

What ASLRRA does very well; They have a great web page. They have a very large conference, they have a better method of getting their word out.

However, I was turned off by what I saw at ASLRRA as I didn't really feel that attendees really wanted to meet with vendors. There were a TON of lobby conversations.....but, most conversations were kept OFF The floor for everybody. There were a TON of evening meetings however, not to discuss the INDUSTRY but to discuss mergers, lobbying efforts and stiff negotiations with Class I's.

Reality check:

ASLRRA is an organization for companies that earn between $5M and $100M annually. Our tourist industry MIGHT have a small hand full who could even touch the lower limit of this spectrum. The ASLRRA crowd is money driven, profit driven, empire driven and driven by wanting to be class I "wanna be's". ASLRRA and ARM/TRAIN have nothing in common and simply.....never will. Here if my final reality check on the matter......

How many of you are ASLRRA and ARM/TRAIN Members? Right......maybe three as per my count. If we really had like views, more of us would naturally be there.....which we are not and those of us who have been there......simply can not find middle ground......myself namely.

Kindly,

Excellent posting, John. I looked at this topic and was thinking about the points that needed to be discussed, when I took a look again today I found that you pretty much hit them all.

PC

The present American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association is a merger of the old American Short Line Railroad Association and the newer Regional Railroad Association of America. In my opinion, the RRA was formed by the newer medium sized railroads as a higher priced fund raiser for lobbying and political donation efforts, and the merged Association is more in tune with its views. I thought that the old Short Line Association conventions were attended more by hands on owners who knew a good deal about how to run a small railroad because they were sometimes forced to get their hands dirty doing it. Conventions included a "Sand House" session for the exchange of ideas. Current conventions have replaced this with dinner with the politicians.
My railroad (TYBR) had to drop out of the merged Association because the dues to finance the current activities were too expensive.
The past may not have been as good as I think, Jimmy McHugh of NHIR thought that the old Short Line Association was controlled by the United States Steel railroads, and not much use for individual small railroads. My experience was different. The present Association is still useful if you need help dealing with, understanding, or anticipating government regulations.

I seem to recall hearing that the proposed relationship between ARM/TRAIN and the Short Line Association has to do with dealing with governmental agencies and legislation. And also I think I heard that the initial approach may have been made by the Short Line Association.

Interesting to see where this all goes.

The ASL&RRA has also sought Associate Memberships from consultants and the supply companies. The extra dues income is also a benefit.