Railway Age is now accepting entries for its annual Short Line/Regional Railroad of the Year competition. Short lines and regionals—and there are more than 500 of them—are invited to submit entries describing outstanding achievement in one or a combination of areas.
Small roads in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada are eligible for an award (and railroads can even nominate themselves). Our 2015 winners will be awarded specially designed plaques at the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASSLRA) Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., March 28-31, 2015. Articles describing their achievements will appear in Railway Age's March 2015 issue, which will be distributed at the show. We'll work with the winners to publicize the awards in online and national media, as well as any in-house websites available.
"One could use the phrase 'grass roots' to define the service provided by short line and regional railroads, which meet truly local needs and drive economic activity at the local level," says Railway Age Managing Editor Douglas John Bowen. "Big and powerful economic forces are perhaps easily identified, but small railroads have done their part and then some to shape and even shift North America's economic picture. That's because short lines and regional railroads are innovators when it comes to turnaround situations, consistent excellence, streamlined operations, efficient maintenance, marketing, customer service, enhanced productivity, community relations, and safety improvement.
"And, more than ever, we firmly believe a railroad's 'green' advantage gives short lines and regional railroads alike an additional marketing edge that continues to grow in importance — and, perhaps just as critically, in acceptance — as we move deeper into the 21st century," Bowen adds.
"Award winners in years past have ranged from large regionals spanning several states to small short lines with single-digit mileage," says Bowen. "In most years, separate awards have been given for regional and short line carriers."
Submit your entries to: Douglas John Bowen, Managing Editor, Railway Age, 55 Broad Street, 26th floor, New York, NY 10004. E-mail: dbowen@sbpub.com. Fax: (212) 633-1863. Entries should contain the name, position, and contact information of the nominator and an approximately 500-word description of the achievement(s) of the nominated railroad. (Longer and short descriptions are admissible; 500 words is only a guideline.) Entry forms are not essential, but may be obtained from Bowen upon request by fax or e-mail. The entry deadline is Tuesday, February 17, 2015, so please don't delay.