We welcome new members.  You don't have to own your own private railroad car to join us.  Membership in AAPRCO brings a number of significant benefits; these are highlighted below.  All members receive a subscription to Private Varnish , the magazine of private railcars. Select and complete your membership selection.

Membership categories in the association:

Car Owner (Amtrak Certified):  For those who own a car or cars certified to operate on the Amtrak system.  Annual dues are $500.  This category (also referred to as class A membership) elects seven members to the AAPRCO board of directors; members can serve as a director or officer of the association, can participate in the insurance program, can use PPCX reporting marks, and can market their cars in our Charter Referral Guide.

Car Owner (non-Amtrak Certified):  For those who own a car or cars that are not certified to operate on the Amtrak system.  Annual dues are $350.   Some of these members have cars that are fully operational on short lines and dinner/excursion trains, while others are in the process of refurbishing their cars to eventual certification by Amtrak. This category (also referred to as class B membership) elects two members to the AAPRCO board of directors;  members can serve as a director or officer of the association, can participate in the insurance program, can use PPCX reporting marks, and can market their cars in our Charter Referral Guide.

Associate:  For those who do not own a car, but who wish to be associated with private railroad cars and our organization. Annual dues are $90.  This category (also referred to as class C membership) elects one member to the AAPRCO board of directors.  Associate members can serve as certain officers.  If you are seriously contemplating the purchase of a car, then this is the place to begin.

Trade:  For those who do not own a car, but provide supplies and/or services to car owners. Annual dues are $150. This category (also referred to as class T membership) does not entitle the member to a vote, or to serve as a director or officer of the association.  Trade members are regularly listed in our Private Varnish magazine.  Trade members are also listed on the AAPRCO web page, with a link to their web site and/or email address

Representation:  AAPRCO represents the interests of car owners in dealings with numerous private and public organizations that affect private car ownership/operation.  These include:

* Amtrak
* VIA Rail Canada
* Commuter Railroads
* Freight Railroads (from large Class I carriers to small shortlines)
* United States Department of Transportation - Federal Railroad Administration
* National Transportation Safety Board
* Surface Transportation Board
* Elected and appointed officials in the Executive and Legislative branches of government
* Insurance Providers

Communications:  The timely sharing of information empowers all who participate in the exchange.  We attempt to cover all aspects of private car operations.

* Private Varnish  -  The magazine of privately owned railroad cars. Four issues per year.
* PV News Briefs  -  Our newsletter. Four issues per year.
* The "members only" section of our web site  -  Lots of detailed information on operational, mechanical, and other technical issues, as well as periodic advisories from officers and directors.  Access is controlled by a personalized user identification and a password issued only to members.       
* Electronic mail list  -  An informal periodic distribution of news and other items of interest, via electronic mail, to those members who wish to participate in this service.  

Insurance:  Car owners are eligible to participate in our insurance programs.

*  Liability insurance
*  Physical damage insurance

Marketing:

*  Car owners who make their car available for charter are eligible to list their car annually in our Charter Referral Guide.
* We publish both an annual Charter Referral Guide in print form as well as an on-line digital version on the AAPRCO website.
* As a participant in the Charter Referral Guide, car owner's receive automatic e-mail notification of potential charters of inquiries made through the AAPRCO website.

Reporting Marks:

* Car owners are eligible to register their car in the AAR's UMLER file using PPCX reporting marks. We maintain the AAR UMLER file data for cars using PPCX reporting marks.

Annual Convention: 

*  This gathering of the private car family is the highlight of the year for many of our members.  It usually includes a special train of private cars, to and from the convention, which may operate over railroad mileage that does not see regularly scheduled passenger service.  Plenty of fun along with professional seminars and the annual meeting.  Click here for a list of our past convention sites.

Social Activities: 

* Opportunities to make new friends and business contacts in addition to renewing old friendships and acquaintances.  Have fun networking.

For further information on becoming a member of AAPRCO, contact:

 

Ready to join?   Select your Membership here.

 

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