RAILTOWNS.ORG
Join Today!
What we're doing
Finding Funds
The most effective way to make our railtowns safe and accessible is to fund the critical infrastructure and technology solutions needed to address the challenges. We're identifying sources of major and matching funds already set aside to address the issues our communities are struggling to resolve, and building a program to guide members through the process.
Connecting Communities
If you've got a rail-related challenge, chances are good that one of the estimated 14,000+ other railtowns in America has experienced a similar issue, and may be able to help you find a solution. We're developing interest groups that allow your community's first responders, city planners, elected leaders, and transportation departments to learn from and support each other.
Sharing Best Practices
We're working with experts and organizations across the country and around the world to give railtowns access to the best available strategies for addressing critical issues like crossing safety, emergency response, city planning, and maintaining productive relationships with concerned citizens, railroads, government representatives, and the broader community.
Rebuilding Railtown Pride
There was a time when being a railtown was a source of community pride. It meant growth, possibility, access, and a never-ending supply of goods. While our railroads are still serving our communities, they're often seen as rails that divide rather than connect us. We're working to make them an integral part of our communities, and part of our future growth, safety and success.
Who can join
Railtowns.org membership is open to every American community with current or planned rail access.
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Full Members enjoy direct support, connection to the resources and services needed for their specific needs, early and discounted entry to our regional and topical events, and the ability to influence the direction of the organization and the resources, best practices, and guides we create. The annual fee to join as a Full Member is based on population and can be found here. Many of our Full Members have corporate sponsors who cover their cost of Membership- we can help you find a sponsor if you'd like direct services but are constrained by your budget!
Associate Members get access to the resources and guides that we create for our Full Members, receive news and updates, and can transition to Full Membership at any time.
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We represent the interests of every railtown community, whether a paid member or not. We rely on paid memberships to cover a significant portion of the costs associated with providing services to railtown communities. The more Full Members we have, the more and better benefits we can deliver for all.
Click here to determine the cost of your railtown's Full Membership.
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Have a question? Email membership@railtowns.org and we'll be happy to talk with you.
Join the movement and benefit from our progress as an Associate Member!
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The Associate Membership includes access to the guides and resources we gather and create, newsletter updates, the option to participate in the community, and general advocacy for your rail-related interests, all at no cost.
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All you need to do to become an Associate Member is complete the form below. We'll reach out about next steps once we get your registration.
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You can advance to Full Membership at any time down the road.