6 | American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association We look out for their interests at the federal level. We additionally help them with meeting federal requirements related to regulation, related to providing information. We do a lot of information relaying and communications, so that they can keep on top of matters, and of course, we’re also here to answer any questions that they may have concerning the particulars of running a railroad. BW: How many people do you have working for you? MEARS: We have 12 people and I always pride myself on that. If you look at it in terms of total mileage, the short lines, the regional railroads, the small and mediumsize railroads of the United States, make up a third of the national rail network. The other two-thirds is the seven big companies. But I think it’s interesting, and I’m not trying in any way to be self-congratulating, but here we have 12 people that look out for the interests of about 450, 500 railroads, another 450, about 500 companies that supply and serve railroads and there’s just 12 of us here in the office. So, as I like to say, there’s 12 of us here sustaining a third of the industry. BW: Associations will generally they’ll have one flag that they plant in the ground and say we are this to our members, and that’s what they value in us. What do you consider your primary strength? MEARS: We look out for their legislative needs, for their regulatory requirements, and for the networking possibility, we have a number of events that we stage throughout the year that allow them to get together and talk. We have a number of committees in which we advance certain issues, such as technology, legislative policy, mechanical, passenger – we have a committee that looks at that actually, because 40 or 50 short lines cross inter-city passenger traffic or commuter traffic. So that’s the flag we plant in the ground – is to try and be multi-faceted. BW: Talk about your convention later this month.
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