American Railway Car Institute Committee
Chair: Martin Graham, Advisor to the Group President, Trinity Rail Group
The American Railway Car Institute (ARCI) has represented the North American freight car building industry for over 75 years. Membership is comprised of major North American freight car manufacturers. The role of the ARCI is to work in coordination with the Association of American Railroads on freight car design standards, to tabulate and report North American freight car orders, deliveries, and backlogs, and to represent the specific interests of railcar builders in federal legislative and regulatory matters.
Affiliate Membership
Though membership on the ARCI committee is restricted to North American freight car builders, anyone can become an affiliate member. Typical affiliate members are component suppliers for the freight car industry, leasing companies, and financial institutions. Affiliate members receive quarterly freight car statistics and have an opportunity to be on the Engineering & Design Subcommittee.
Freight Car Statistics
Each quarter, the RSI ARCI prepares and distributes statistics on freight car orders, deliveries, and backlogs to its affiliate members. The RSI ARCI is the only organization that tabulates and publishes freight car statistics. These statistics include information on:
- Covered Hoppers (over 5500 c/f , 3500-5500 c/f, under 3500 c/f)
- Open Top Hoppers (steel, aluminum)
- Gondolas (GB steel, GT steel, GT aluminum)
- Flat Cars (non-intermodal, intermodal)
- Non Articulated / Articulated (5 unit platforms, other platforms)
- Tank Cars
ARCI Engineering & Design Subcommittee
Affiliate members also have the opportunity to participate in the ARCI Engineering & Design Subcommittee. This subcommittee meets several times a year to address design and safety issues of freight cars in coordination with the Association of American Railroads and Class 1 Railroads. At these meetings, affiliate ARCI members get to network with fellow suppliers and class 1 railroad representatives. There is usually a meal function associated with these meetings, all affiliate members are asked to attend free of charge.
Cost of ARCI Affiliate Membership
The cost of being an Affiliate Member of the ARCI is $2,000 a year plus the cost of membership with the Railway Supply Institute. The cost of the ARCI is well worth the value as the RSI ARCI is the only organization that tabulates and publishes freight car statistics and works with the Class 1 railroads in the development of freight cars. The ARCI does not charge members to attend meetings or for meal functions, it is an all inclusive amount.
Become an ARCI Affiliate Member
Please contact Robyn Leach by email or phone, (202) 347-4664 for more information regarding ARCI membership.