Locomotive Manufacturers' Association of Great Britain (LMA) was founded in 1875 when a number of independent steam locomotive manufacturers grouped together to petition Parliament in response to declining orders from railway companies which began to establish their own works.

LMA promoted British locomotive and railway industry abroad sending its overseas representatives to various continents and countries including Africa, Near East, the Americas and China.

LMA changed names first to Locomotive and Allied Manufacturers' Association (LAMA) in 1957 when the association was widened to include manufacturers of all forms of rolling stock and then Railway Industry Association (RIA) in 1971 to include all parts of the railway supply industry.