Railway Tie Association

What Railway Tie Association does

The Railway Tie Association (RTA) is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1919 and headquartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi, that serves as the sole industry body exclusively dedicated to the wood crosstie segment of the North American freight rail supply chain. The organization provides advocacy, market intelligence, education, and membership services to more than 3,000 members spanning wood tie producers, treaters, preservative suppliers, contractors, recyclers, and Class I railroads.

RTA's core offerings center on a market intelligence platform built around member-submitted production and inventory data covering an estimated 99.9% of all wood crossties produced in North America. This data feeds the monthly Purchases Report, the RTAStats.org Procurement Trends Dashboard (with sentiment history from July 2016), an Interactive Scenario Modeling Tool, and a Historical Green Tie Pricing Report that is inflation-adjusted from raw Hardwood Market Report data. Educational and community products include three signature annual events (Tie Grading Seminar, Member Field Trip, RTA Annual Conference), the bimonthly Crossties Magazine, an iOS/Android Tie Grading mobile app, and a SelecTie III modeling tool co-developed with Oregon State University. The association also maintains an extensive publications library spanning decades of research on tie economics, preservation, performance, and life-cycle analysis, and partners with AWPA, AAR, AREMA, and the Creosote Council on regulatory advocacy.

RTA operates a multi-tier membership subscription model with eight categories priced from $75 (Associate) to $12,500 annually (Preservative Supplier Tier III), supplemented by event registration fees ($500–$800 per attendee), Crossties Magazine advertising, and publications. The association is supported by Diamond-level sponsors including Koppers Inc., Stella-Jones Corp., and Nisus Corporation. RTA is led by a small professional staff — Executive Director Nathan E. Irby, Ph.D., Deputy Director/COO Deborah Corallo, and Director of Communications Kristen McIntosh — operating out of a single Vicksburg, MS office.

Name

Railway Tie Association

Legal name

Railway Tie Association

Website

https://rta.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Railway Tie Association is a 100+ year-old nonprofit trade association serving 3,000+ members across the North American wood crosstie supply chain, providing market intelligence, advocacy, education, and networking through monthly data reports, three annual events, and Crossties Magazine.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Vicksburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from multiple categories including Producer Members ($425/year), Associate Members ($75/year), Contractor Members ($195/year), Non-Preservative Supplier Members ($595/year), Preservative Supplier Members (Tier I $2,500, Tier II $4,500, Tier III $12,500 annually), Global Associate, and Honorary members. Monthly Producer Dues also available for certain producer members where billing varies by month.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue from registration fees for three annual events: the Tie Grading Seminar ($800/person including instruction, networking events, lunches, and certificate of completion), the Member Field Trip ($500/attendee), and the Annual Conference (variable pricing).
3. Crossties Magazine Advertising: RTA publishes the bimonthly Crossties Magazine covering all aspects of the wood crosstie industry. Membership entitles members to receive the magazine at no additional charge. Non-members and external advertisers can purchase advertising space, generating ad revenue for the association.
4. Publications and Research Reports: RTA publishes an extensive library of online publications including technical papers, industry studies, tie economics reports, preservation research, performance studies, life cycle analyses, and safety publications. Some reports may become subscription-based and not available to the general public.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

RTA delivers membership-based advocacy, market intelligence, and educational services for the wood crosstie industry. Its core deliverables are tiered membership subscriptions, monthly econometric data reports and the Procurement Trends Dashboard (covering 99.9% of North American wood tie production), the bimonthly Crossties Magazine, an extensive research publications library, and three annual signature events (Tie Grading Seminar, Member Field Trip, Annual Conference).

Product overview

Railway Tie Association offers a unified portfolio of industry advocacy, market intelligence, and educational products and services for the wood crosstie industry. The core offerings include the RTA Market Intelligence platform (delivering monthly data reports, purchases data, and econometric forecasting), the RTA Procurement Trends Dashboard for market sentiment analysis, Crossties Magazine (bimonthly publication), and various publications including TieGuide and technical research papers. Educational products include the annual Tie Grading Seminar, RTA Annual Conference, and Member Field Trip program. Digital offerings comprise the Tie Grading mobile app, Interactive Scenario Tool, and monthly trends reports. The association also administers scholarships for forestry students and maintains an extensive research library supporting wood tie innovation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• RTA Market Intelligence
• RTA Procurement Trends Dashboard
• RTA Publications Library
• Crossties Magazine
• Tie Grading Seminar
• RTA Annual Conference
• Member Field Trip
• Tie Grading Mobile App
• SelecTie III Modeling Tool
• Monthly Trends Reports

Quantifiable outcome

• Wood maintains a 90-93% market share of ties installed in North America, demonstrating the industry's dominant position against concrete (~6.5%) and steel/plastic (~0.5%) alternatives.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stella-Jones Corp.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Stella-Jones Corp. is a Diamond Sponsor of RTA and serves as the host of the annual Tie Grading Seminar. The 2026 Tie Grading Seminar features on-site instruction at the Stella-Jones plant in Fulton, Kentucky, with classroom instruction at the Hampton Inn in Union City, Tennessee. Stella-Jones is a major wood tie producer and treater and a significant supporter of RTA's educational programming.
• Railtec (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026RTA partners with Railtec at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for the International Crosstie and Fastening System Symposium held June 9-10 at the Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory. The symposium is held in conjunction with AREMA Committee 30 (Ties) spring meeting. RTA is represented by Noah Babik of Koppers Inc. who moderates the wood tie session. The partnership advances technology transfer and knowledge sharing on crosstie design, performance, and durability.
• Koppers Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKoppers Inc. is a Diamond Sponsor of RTA and a leading supplier of creosote wood preservatives for railroad ties. Koppers hosts facility tours during RTA Member Field Trips (e.g., the Guthrie, KY treating plant tour during the 2026 Field Trip). RTA is represented at industry events by Koppers scientists, including Noah Babik who moderates the Timber Crossties Technical Session at the Railtec Crosstie Symposium.
• Nisus CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNisus Corporation is a Diamond Sponsor of RTA and a manufacturer of wood preservation products including Copper Naphthenate (CuN) and borate compounds used in dual-treatment wood tie processes. Nisus is an employee-owned company (ESOP) with a manufacturing facility in Rockford, Tennessee. The company sponsors RTA events including receptions at the Member Field Trip and posts job openings through RTA's news platform.
• Progress Rail Services (A Caterpillar Company)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgress Rail Services is included in RTA Member Field Trip itineraries, with tours of their locomotive repair shop in Mayfield, Kentucky. The 2026 Field Trip included a visit to the facility where attendees observed locomotives in various stages of repair and refurbishment, showcasing rail infrastructure component integration.
• Wheeler Lumber LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWheeler Lumber LLC sponsors RTA events including bowling activities at the closing reception of the 2026 Member Field Trip. Wheeler operates a wood treating facility in Whitewood, South Dakota, serving multiple markets including railroad ties. The company has expanded capacity with additional pressure-treatment equipment.
• AmeriTies South LLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmeriTies South LLC, with a plant in Hope, Arkansas (4359 Highway 278 West, Hope, AR 71801), is an RTA member. The company is planned as a stop for the 2027 RTA Member Field Trip, which will take attendees to the Hope, Arkansas area.
• North American Tie & TimberminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNorth American Tie & Timber sponsors RTA events including the pinewood derby-style car-racing activity at the 2026 Member Field Trip. A representative (Jess Suttles) participated in the closing jam session at the field trip reception.
• Creosote CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA partners with the Creosote Council, an industry coalition, on regulatory advocacy for creosote-preserved wood products. The Creosote Council works with the EPA on re-registration processes and represents the industry in regulatory matters related to wood preservatives used in railroad ties.
• American Wood Protection Association (AWPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA collaborates with AWPA on wood preservation standards and specifications. AWPA publishes decay zone maps that inform treatment requirements for wood ties in different geographic regions. AWPA approved ACZA as an accepted wood preservative for railroad ties in January 2010 and maintains standards that govern wood species, preservatives, and treatment processes for crossties.
• Association of American Railroads (AAR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA works with AAR on research initiatives including the Alternative Wood Protection Research Project (AWPRP) at Mississippi State University. AAR represents Class I railroads and sets technical standards that affect wood tie specifications, procurement, and performance requirements.
• Mississippi State University - Wood Products ProcessingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSU's Wood Products Processing department conducts research on wood tie preservation through the Alternative Wood Protection Research Project (AWPRP) in partnership with RTA and AAR. The research evaluates the biological durability of crossties treated with various preservatives in AWPA Hazard zones 4 and 5, including Formosan termite resistance and corrosivity testing.
• American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA links to ASLRRA resources on its website. Short line and regional railroads are important customers for wood tie producers, having installed 2,366,845 ties in 2018 (of which 2,101,418 were new wood ties).
• Tennessee Forestry AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennessee Forestry Association presented at the 2026 RTA Member Field Trip during a lunch program at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park. The TFA represents forest landowners and wood products companies in Tennessee, a key state for hardwood resource sourcing for the wood tie industry.
• Natural Wood SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNatural Wood Solutions, led by Shane Kitchens, Ph.D., is an RTA member and a 'Friend of RTA' sponsor of the 2026 Member Field Trip. The company provides expertise in wood science and technology relevant to the wood tie industry.
• American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA maintains a close relationship with AREMA, particularly Committee 30 (Ties). AREMA Committee 30 holds its spring meeting in conjunction with the Railtec Crosstie Symposium. AREMA specifications govern tie dimensions, with bridge tie standards requiring no smaller than 10-foot long by 8-inch wide members.
• Hardwood Manufacturers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a helpful link on RTA's website. The HMA represents hardwood lumber manufacturers, many of whom supply wood species (oak, hickory, poplar) used in crosstie production.
• National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a helpful link on RTA's website. NHLA sets grading rules for hardwood lumber that indirectly influence tie grading standards and species classification for the industry.
• Western Wood Products Association (WWPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a helpful link on RTA's website. WWPA represents Western U.S. lumber manufacturers and provides lumber grading standards relevant to wood species sourced west of the Great Lakes.
• Western Wood Preservers InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTA links to the Western Wood Preservers Institute for information on treated wood waste disposal, particularly relevant for California and Western U.S. states with additional regulations for treated wood product disposal.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hardwood Manufacturers Association: Trade association representing hardwood lumber manufacturers, many of whom supply oak, hickory, and poplar used in crosstie production. Comparable as a hardwood-focused industry association with overlapping membership and supply-chain focus.
• American Wood Protection Association (AWPA): Trade association setting wood preservation standards and specifications used by RTA members. Highly comparable as a membership organization serving the wood treating industry; RTA already collaborates formally with AWPA on standards (e.g., ACZA approval for ties).
• American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA): Trade association representing short line and regional railroads, an important customer segment for RTA's producer/treater members. RTA already partners formally with ASLRRA and links to its resources on rta.org.
• National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA): Trade association that sets grading rules for hardwood lumber, indirectly influencing tie grading standards and species classification used by RTA members. Comparable as a hardwood-focused standards body with overlapping supply-chain membership.

Broad incumbents

• American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA): Larger U.S. trade association representing the full forest products industry (pulp, paper, packaging, lumber, wood products). Directly comparable to RTA as a forest-products industry association, but with a much broader scope that includes but is not limited to wood crosstie producers.
• Association of American Railroads (AAR): Trade association representing Class I freight railroads and setting technical standards that affect wood tie specifications. Comparable as a major railroad-sector membership organization; RTA collaborates with AAR on research including the AWPRP project at Mississippi State University.
• American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA): Professional association for railway engineering, including Committee 30 (Ties). Comparable as a railroad-sector membership body that publishes standards governing wood tie dimensions and treatment; RTA maintains a close working relationship with AREMA.
• Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association (REMSA): Trade association representing suppliers of maintenance-of-way equipment, products, and services to railroads. Comparable as a railway supplier membership body; while focused on MOW equipment rather than wood ties, its member base overlaps with RTA's contractor and supplier segments.
• National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC): Trade association for companies that build, maintain, and supply the North American rail industry. Comparable as a railroad-sector membership organization with overlapping constituents (contractors, recyclers, equipment suppliers) also represented in RTA.

Regional players

• Western Wood Products Association (WWPA): Trade association representing Western U.S. lumber manufacturers and providing lumber grading standards relevant to wood species sourced west of the Great Lakes. Comparable as a wood-products industry association, but with a regional scope that complements rather than competes with RTA's national focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rtahq
• Facebookfacebook.com/RTAHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/railway-tie-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/rtahq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Railway Tie Association