ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY
A Short Line Railroad Association was first organized in 1910, and 22
railroads formed the Short Line Railroad Association of the Southeast in 1913.
The group became a national association, serving 177 members by 1918. In 1920,
the Western Association of Short Line Railroads affiliated with this
Association. This is a non-profit, unincorporated association, whose actions
are advisory only and nonbinding upon its members. Members are Class I and II
line-haul, switching and terminal companies in 43 states.
The American Short Line Railroad Association, with stated objectives
to "...provide cooperative action in the consideration and solutions of
problems of management and policy affecting...short line railroads..." and
"...to promote Federal legislation of benefit and resist the enactment of
legislation that would be detrimental to the railroad industry," has deposited
in the Cornell University Department of Manuscripts and University Archives
records documenting the history of the association and its member roads,
1912-1967.
Formally organized in 1913, although a predecessor was formed in 1910,
the first section of this listing is a record of the association itself, its
internal operation and general reference and technical records. With the
membership fluctuating as roads felt the need for cooperative action in the
face of Federal legislation and for a statuatory agent to represent them in
Washington, as required by the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act,
service was provided to the varied interests of short linehaul roads, switching
and terminal companies and these records are divided into two sections, active
and inactive and non-member roads.
