Associations
American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
Founded in 1913, ASLRRA proudly represents the entrepreneurial owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America. These approximately 600 small businesses play a vital role in the hub-and-spoke transportation network, often providing the first-mile/last-mile connection between farmers and manufacturers and the ultimate consumer.
The Railway Association of Canada
The Railway Association of Canada represents some 50 goods, tourist, commuter and intercity rail businesses in Canada, their more than 32,000 employees and has more than 60 associate member suppliers and partners. RAC acts to inform officials, develop programs, policies and resources and respectfully communicate with the public and media to strengthen the role and capacity of rail to deliver leading services that are economically viable, socially cohesive, future focused and environmentally sustainable.
The Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers (C.A.R.S.)
The Canadian Association of Railway Suppliers (C.A.R.S.) has been around for many years but incorporated in its current form in 1991 representing companies selling products and services to railways and transits domestically and internationally. C.A.R.S. represents over 400 companies who are important to the operations of the railways and transit authorities. They serve as a conduit to ensure that up-to-date information on contracts and procurements, timely news items and events are available that would be of benefit to both the members and the industry as a whole.
Le Groupe Traq
Founded in 1987 by some employees of the CN (Canadian National), the Action Committee of Québec CN employees (CAECNQ) and its 500 members at the time, had as its main objective to save the jobs of railroad employees. As such it was the true precursor of CFILINQ, of the ULTRATRAIN and of several new CFILs in Québec.
Le Groupe TRAQ is affiliated to Transport 2000 Canada and to Transport 2000 Québec. The Group brings a major contribution to the Service of Arts and Culture of the city of Lévis. Moreover, the Group organizes an annual symposium and railway exhibition for the province of Québec with the cooperation of the Québec Ministry of Transports and Transports Canada.
AREMA
AREMA (The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association) was formed in 1997 as a result of a merger of three engineering support associations, namely the American Railway Bridge and Building Association, the American Railway Engineering Association and the Roadmaster’s and Maintenance of Way Association, along with functions of the Communications and Signals Division of the Association of American Railroads. The rich history of the predecessor organizations, each having over 100 years of service to the rail industry, is the legacy of AREMA. Each of the four groups that came together to form AREMA have, in their own way, built an excellent foundation upon which to base the new Association, whose mission is the development and advancement of both technical and practical knowledge and recommended practices pertaining to the design, construction and maintenance of railway infrastructure.
Canadian Railway Club
Canadian Railway Club was started in 1902. The objectives of the Club are to promote knowledge of the rail transportation industry, good relationships and networking amongst employees of rail transportation companies, members of the railway supply industry and members of transportation industry in general, through meetings and social events.
The Toronto Railway Club
The Toronto Railway Club is a group of railway and transit personnel and suppliers who meet regularly to connect, expand their networks, and keep in touch. Founded in 1931 to provide a forum for railroad personnel and the railway suppliers to exchange ideas, share common problems and explore solutions. The Club has evolved over time, staying true to the original mandate, and also giving members a social frame work to stay connected.
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (“NRC”)
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association, Inc. (“NRC”) is the only trade association organized specifically to serve the needs of railroad contractors, suppliers, and the entire railroad and rail transit construction industry. NRC’s primary objective is to advance the mutual interests of its members and the railroad and rail transit construction industry.