About the RTAA
RTAA History
The RTAA originated in 1973 after the First International Rail Sleeper Conference was held in Sydney. This conference was the catalyst for the establishment of the Rail Sleeper Association. In 1979 the name was changed to the Rail Track and Sleeper Association and in 1983, the Association became known as the Rail Track Association Australia.
The RTAA organised thirteen highly successful Rail Conferences between 1973 and 2001 at three yearly intervals. These cost effective conferences were held in major locations in Australia and New Zealand and were well supported by the rail industry. They included guest speakers from Australia and overseas providing a high standard of technical papers and information.
Between conferences, from 1979 to 1995, the Rail Track Journal was published by the RTAA with the objective of maintaining a communication link between members of the Association. In 1996 Track & Signal Magazine began producing four copies of their new magazine each year with endorsement by the RTAA which also provided technical and editorial assistance when necessary. This contribution and support of Track & Signal Magazine by the RTAA still continues today.
The RTAA initiated the Inaugural RTAA Yellow Tie Dinner in 1981 when guests were presented on arrival at the dinner with a selection of coloured ties and scarves representing a rail theme. The yellow ties became the most desired with guests trading for yellow ties. When AusRAIL conference came into being, the RTAA agreed to the ARA adopting this tradition on the second evening of each AusRAIL PLUS Conference. Today numbers at the dinner are strictly limited to 1,000 guests due to its immense popularity.
The RTAA organised thirteen highly successful Rail Conferences between 1973 and 2001 at three yearly intervals. These cost effective conferences were held in major locations in Australia and New Zealand and were well supported by the rail industry. They included guest speakers from Australia and overseas providing a high standard of technical papers and information.
Between conferences, from 1979 to 1995, the Rail Track Journal was published by the RTAA with the objective of maintaining a communication link between members of the Association. In 1996 Track & Signal Magazine began producing four copies of their new magazine each year with endorsement by the RTAA which also provided technical and editorial assistance when necessary. This contribution and support of Track & Signal Magazine by the RTAA still continues today.
TODAY - Our RTAA Stream at AusRAIL Conferences
In 2001, the RTAA took on a new direction in securing an agreement with the ARA to combine with the RTAA for a rail industry Exhibition and Conference called AusRAIL PLUS in November 2003. For the first time, five major industry groups, ARA, RTAA, ARIC, IRSE and RTSA joined forces to present the highly successful AusRAIL PLUS 2003 Conference in Sydney with over 600 attendees. As a part of the AusRAIL partnership, successful AusRAIL PLUS Conferences are held each odd year with the minor AusRAIL Conferences held in the between years. The RTAA presents quality technical conference papers in their stream during the conference.The RTAA initiated the Inaugural RTAA Yellow Tie Dinner in 1981 when guests were presented on arrival at the dinner with a selection of coloured ties and scarves representing a rail theme. The yellow ties became the most desired with guests trading for yellow ties. When AusRAIL conference came into being, the RTAA agreed to the ARA adopting this tradition on the second evening of each AusRAIL PLUS Conference. Today numbers at the dinner are strictly limited to 1,000 guests due to its immense popularity.
