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On Aug. 21, North American Rail Alliance (NARA) members held a meeting in Washington, D.C., according to American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association's (ASLRRA) bi-weekly newsletter released Aug. 26. The alliance comprises representatives from ASLRRA, Association of American Railroads, short lines and suppliers.

Attendees included AAR executives, ASLRRA President Richard Timmons and short-line representatives, including Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Executive Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs Robert Grossman.

Members of ASLRRA's new State Rail Associations Committee plan to work more closely with AAR's State Relations Policy Committee on such issues as remote-control technology, shipper support, rural community benefits and public awareness, and educating state officials on rail transportation's advantages.

Also, NARA members decided to place a short-line industry representative on each AAR operating and technical committee, as well as support ASLRRA's technical committee through AAR's Transportation Technology Center Inc. in Pueblo, Colo.

Finally, NARA officials expect to be involved in the rail industry's next public-image campaign, which is scheduled to start next year. ASLRRA and AAR plan to promote the results of a recent short-line data study, educate children and young adults on the rail industry, and help shippers voice pro-rail messages, ASLRRA said.