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Amtrak Certified Car Owner: For those who own a car or cars that are certified to operate on the Amtrak system. This category 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. Annual dues are $500.
Non-Amtrak Certified Car Owner: For those who own a car or cars that are not certified to operate on the Amtrak system. 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 for eventual certification by Amtrak. This category 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. Annual dues are $150.
Associate: For those who do not own a car, but who wish to be associated with private railroad cars and our organization. This category 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. Annual dues are $90.
Trade: For those who do not own a car, but provide supplies and/or services to car owners. This category 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. Annual dues are $150.
Representation: AAPRCO represents the interests of car owners in dealings with numerous private and public organizations that affect private car ownership/operation.
Communications: The timely sharing of information empowers all who participate in the exchange. We attempt to cover all aspects of private car operations.
Marketing: Car owners who make their car available for charter are eligible to list their car in our annual Private Car Charter Guide. Publication of the annual Private Car Charter Guide in print form has been suspended until our financial situation improves, but the on-line digital version is available through the AAPRCO website. Car owners receive automatic e-mail notification of potential charter inquiries received through the AAPRCO website and those sent directly to our Executive Director.
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. Plenty of fun along with professional seminars and the annual meeting. Until 2017, it usually included a special train of private cars, to and from the convention, which operated over railroad mileage that does not see regularly scheduled Amtrak passenger service. However, in 2018, Amtrak suspended operation of these special trains and will not reconsider their policy on this issue until 2020 at the earliest. 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:Julie King
Executive Director
AAPRCO, Inc.
64 South Prairie Street, Suit 216
Galesburg, Illinois 61401
Telephone: (706)-326-6262
Fax: New Number Pending
Email: execdirector@aaprco.com