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11/30/2022
The American Short Line Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) announced the death of Howard Croft Jr., who served as president of the American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRA) — the precursor to the modern ASLRRA — from 1968 to 1989. He was 95.
Croft was the association's longest serving president, ASLRRA officials said in an obituary posted on the organization's website. As ASLRA president, he represented 400 small railroads whose operations covered the 50 states.
During Croft's tenure as president, the large railroads went through an unprecedented period of bankruptcy and contraction, followed by deregulation and restructuring. The short line industry under Croft's leadership adapted to that change and thrived in unforeseen ways, ASLRRA officials said.
Born in Illinois in 1927, Croft served in the South Pacific during World War II. After graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in railroad civil engineering, he worked at the Illinois Central Railroad and later the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.
Croft was instrumental in working with ASLRA members and the Federal Railroad Administration to set up template programs that members could adopt to comply with FRA requirements, such as blue flag, radio operations and procedures. These programs set the stage for ASLRRA’s current work developing safety and operation templates for members, association officials said.
In addition, Croft worked with FRA attorneys on behalf of ASLRA railroad members. He helped start the CTITF program to bring affordable health-care insurance pricing to small railroad companies.
"Howard’s drive to create an association with lasting impact is notable as we enter our 110th year," said ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. “Many of the initiatives begun by Howard are still in place today."
Croft is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty; three children, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A service to celebrate his life will be held Dec. 3 at Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills, Texas.