October 9, 2026-(12:45-5 PM ET)

“View Down the Tracks: More Service or Massive Service Cuts”

Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. Chairman, Rail Users’ Network

The Rail Users Network held its Fall 2026 Virtual Conference on Friday, October 9, 2026 from 12:45 pm – 5 pm. ET. The conference “View Down the Tracks: More Service or Massive Service Cuts” took place virtually on zoom – Friday, October 9 from 12:45-5:00 pm ET.

The program:

Arthur S. Guzzetti who serves as the Vice President of Mobility Initiatives & Policy for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) He will provide a critique of the House Republican BUILD America 250 Act
Michael DeMarco, a Colorado Rail Passenger Association board member, will talk about The Mountain Rail Project, which will establish year-round passenger service connecting Denver with mountain towns and rural northwestern Colorado, ultimately reaching Craig.
FRA I.D. Corridor I.D Phase Two Projects Panel Presentation. Andrew Albert, Vice Chair, RUN will moderate. Each speaker will have 20 minutes to provide an update regarding their projects:
Marian Moskowitz, the chairwoman of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority will talk about the project and the memorandum of understanding with Amtrak as operator of the future service from Reading, Pa to Philadelphia.
Larry Malski, Esq, President of the Penn Northeast Regional Rail Authority will talk about the Scranton to New York City Rail Project.
Andy Koziol, Deputy Rail Administrator, MassDOT will talk about the proposed rail service from Albany, New York to Springfield and Boston, Ma.

We will also hold two other panel presentations:The Legislative Rail Caucus Panel will be moderated by Kim Whittemore, of the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, and Board Member of the Rail Passengers Association.

Panelists will include Rep. Denise Baum-Montana House District 45 in Billings, MT. Rep. Mari Leavitt of Washington State’s 28th District, and Rep. Nancy Nathanson, representing Oregon House District 13 in Eugene.

Our Rail Advocacy Panel moderated by RUN’s Chair will focus on effective strategies at the local, state and regional level. The panelists include Ben Hood and Anne Miller who have been involved in the Palmer Stop Project, Danny Plaugher who is the Executive Director, Virginians for High Speed Rail; Peter LeCody, President, Texas Rail Advocates, will briefly talk about the successful effort to continue the Heartland Flyer through 2027.
Martin Wheeler, President of the Carolina Association for Passenger Trains (CAPT), will discuss advocacy for new routes in North Carolina.

Ian Mao, Senior Track Engineer at Sound Transit will talk about the exciting new Sound Transit Project called the Crosslake Connection which enables passengers in light rail vehicles to cross over Lake Washington on a floating rail bridge. This new service completes the Link 2 Line, uniting the Eastside with Seattle the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Federal Way, Lynnwood and communities in between.

Closing remarks will be given by David Peter Alan who is a Contributing Editor at Railway Age and is a RUN Board Member.

Who should attend? The conference is designed not only for passenger rail / rail transit advocates, but also for civic and business leaders, environmentalists, planners, real estate developers and members of the general public who are interested in knowing more about passenger rail and rail transit in America. Please note this is a free event for RUN members, but registration is required. A registration fee for nonmembers is $25, which includes RUN membership through 2027.

Thank you for your participation. In the meantime, be well and enjoy the Fall season and many thanks for all you do to support and improve passenger rail/rail transit.