What is RTA?

The Railway Tie Association was organized in 1919. Predecessor groups, dating back to the late 1800s, including The National Association of Railroad Tie Producers, supported the railroad tie industry and worked to preserve forests through conservation. See the Wikipedia article here.

Mission

To provide the forum and direction for continual improvement in the life-cycle of the engineered wood crosstie system.

Purpose

The purpose of the RTA  is to promote the economical and environmentally sound use of wood crossties.

To do this, RTA advocates for and conducts activities including:

• Research in all aspects of the crosstie industry
• Sound forest management
• Timber resource conservation
• Timber processing
• Wood preservation
• Industry safety

The RTA is governed by a strict Antitrust Policy and members are reminded not to discuss pricing other than as historical information.

Our activities include:

Research and Development

Industry Statistics

• Multiple Tie Demand Forecast/Market Outlook Articles 
• Class 1 and Short Line Railroad Industry Annual Tie Surveys
• Monthly Tie Purchase Report
  
• Field Tie Trends Information from Volunteer Procurement Staff Reporters
• U.S. Housing Starts and Building Permits

Specifications

Develop, update, and publish specifications covering the quality of wood crossties, bridge ties, and switch ties.

Operations

Promote and maintain high standards of quality for wood crossties.

• Reflect the latest proven developments in design and treatment
• Provide information about good forestry practices
• Provide information about improved logging methods
• Provide information about best practices for manufacturing, handling, and processing 

Government Affairs

• Support and attend Railroad Day on the Hill in partnership with the AAR, ASLRRA and NRC.
• Inform RTA members and others regarding policies and legislative activity affecting the crosstie industry
• Support all efforts to insure the health of the railroad, wood preserving, and sawmill communities

Annual Meetings

Annual Conference

Tie Grading Seminar

Field Trip 

Scholarships for deserving students wanting to enter the industry.

Publications

Publish a bi-monthly magazine, CROSSTIES, covering all aspects of the wood crosstie industry.

(Our thanks to the late Doris Day - www.dorisdayphotography.com - for the use of the photo above.)

Why RTA?