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American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and Federal Railroad Administration recently formed Short Line Bridge Advisory Group, which is charged with defining criteria that would enable small roads' bridges to accommodate 286,000-pound cars.


Initially, the group plans to analyze timber bridges supporting various traffic levels and operating speeds, and according to construction type, condition, and type and severity of deficiencies.


Using the data, small roads could plan and budget needed bridgework, engineering consultants could develop bridge-status reports for short lines, and federal and state departments of transportation could better understand bridges' load-carrying capabilities and deficiencies.


The group comprises Rob Buchanan, Paducah & Louisville Railway Inc.; Dave Cook, Montana Rail Link; Chris Dodge, OmniTrax Inc.; Bill McKillip, Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad Corp.; John Porter, RailAmerica Inc.; and Pat Sheldon, Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd.


ASLRRA and FRA tapped Carter & Burgess Inc. to act as the group's consultant.


The group is an outgrowth of ASLRRA's and FRA's 1999/2000 study, part of which determined that regionals and short lines would have to replace about 25 percent and upgrade 25 percent of their bridges to accommodate 286k.