ASLRRA Members Honored for 2024 Safety Performance

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor

At ASLRRA’s recent Central and Pacific Region Meeting, which included more than 300 attendees, ASLRRA Executive Board Members Otis L. Cliatt II (pictured, left; VP, Pacific Region) and Matthew O. Walsh (second from right; Chair) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker (right) presented the Belt Railway Company of Chicago with the President’s Award in the “More than 500,000 Person-Hours Worked” category. Accepting the safety award were Junior Software Developer Mason Myre, Assistant Chief Mechanical Officer Robert Perham, Superintendent Jason Charbonneau and Manager of Signals Jorge Guerrero (second through fifth from left, respectively). (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) presented President’s Safety Awards to members at its Central and Pacific Region Meeting, held Nov. 3-5 in New Orleans, La., and at its Eastern and Southern Region Meeting, held Sept. 9-11 in Charlotte, N.C.

The awards recognize “the outstanding safety records of railroads that have achieved either a 0.0 accident frequency rate, or the best safety rate as measured by the lowest accident frequency rate per person-hour of operation below the industry average,” according the ASLRRA. Award winners in each region, it noted, are selected based on the previous year’s performance, according to Federal Railroad Association accident/incident reporting data; this year’s winners were determined based on 2024 FRA data.

Each region can earn awards in up to five categories: More than 500,000 Person Hours Worked; 250,000-500,000 Person Hours Worked; 150,000 to 250,000 Person Hours Worked; 50,000 to 150,000 Person Hours Worked; and Less than 50,000 Person Hours Worked.

“For short line railroads, there is nothing more important than operating safely,” ASLRRA President Chuck Baker said in May when the winners were announced, along with members earning the Jake Award.

Following are the Central, Pacific, Eastern, and Southern region winners.

Central Region Winners

250,000 to 500,000 Person-Hours Worked:
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis
Accepting the award were Superintendent of Transportation Shaun Kohlenberger (second from left), Director of Operating Practices Mike Prince (center) and Mechanical Superintendent Joe Bentrup (second from right). Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Member Kristin L. Bevil (VP, Central Region) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

150,000 to 250,000 Person-Hours Worked:
South Kansas & Oklahoma Railroad
Accepting the award was General Manager Jerry Waun (center). Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Member Kristin L. Bevil (VP, Central Region) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

***50,000 to 150,000 Person-Hours Worked:***
Burlington Junction Railway
Accepting the award was Director of Safety and Transload Jeffrey Dean (center). Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Member Kristin L. Bevil (VP, Central Region) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

*Less than 50,000 Person-Hours Worked:*
*Arkansas-Oklahoma Railroad*
*Accepting the award is Special Projects Coordinator Brandon Crouch (center).* *Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Member Kristin L. Bevil (VP, Central Region) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)*

Pacific Region Winners

*250,000 to 500,000 Person-Hours Worked:*
*Portland & Western Railroad*
*Accepting the award is General Manager Scott Boyter (second from left).* *Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Members Otis L. Cliatt II (****pictured, left; VP, Pacific Region) and Matthew O. Walsh (second from right; Chair) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)***

50,000 to 150,000 Person-Hours Worked:
Great Northwest Railroad
Accepting the award was General Manager Jerick Staker (second from left). Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Members Otis L. Cliatt II (pictured, left; VP, Pacific Region) and Matthew O. Walsh (second from right; Chair) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

*Less than 50,000 Person-Hours Worked:*
*Southwestern Railroad*
*Accepting the award were President Dusty Young, Locomotive Foreman John Alexander and Roadmaster Jorge Barraza (second through fourth from left, respectively).* Presenting the award were ASLRRA Executive Board Members Otis L. Cliatt II (pictured, left; VP, Pacific Region) and Matthew O. Walsh (second from right; Chair) and ASLRRA President Chuck Baker. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

Not pictured: 150,000 to 250,000 Person-Hours Worked winner Clarkdale Arizona Central Railroad. Also, there was not a winner this year in the “More than 500,000 Person Hours Worked” category.