Fall Virtual Conference

November 14, 2025-(12:45-5 PM EST)

An Update – keeping you informed in the world of Passenger Rail & Rail Transit

Register

Join us at the Rail Users’ Network Virtual Fall Conference.

The Rail Users Network is holding its FALL 2025 Virtual Conference on Friday, November 14, 2025 from 12:45-5 pm est.   The conference will focus on new passenger rail and transit rail starts that are already happening or will take place within the next decade. The program also includes a panel presentation on the proposed merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern.

The list of speakers include:

  • 12:45-12:55-Richard Rudolph, Chairman, Rail Users’ Network .will briefly talk about  RUN’s history, accomplishments and what needs to be done going forward to help assist rail advocacy efforts to restore or expand new passenger rail / rail transit projects.
  • 12:55-1:25-Chris Nevitt, Board Chair, Front Range Passenger Rail District.  He will talk about the new effort to establish passenger rail service from Denver to Fort Collins, Colorado by 2029 as the first step in linking communities on the Front Range from Pueblo to Fort Collins.
  • 1:25-1:55-Luis Mota, Project Manager, Phoenix Light Rail Extension Project. He will talk about the new light rail line which was recently completed – the South Central Extension / Downtown Hub, a 5.5-mile expansion that connects South Phoenix to downtown creating a new two-line Valley Metro system.
  • 1:55-2:55-UP/NS Proposed Merger Panel-Andrew Albert, moderator. Panelists include Steve Roberts, President of RailPac(California and Nevada), Jim Blaze, Contributing Editor at Railway Age, and Ron Kaminkow, Trustee, Rail Workers United.
  • 2:55-3:00-Break
  • 3:00-3:25-Jordan Smith, Project Director-IBX, MTA Construction & Development, will talk about the Interborough Express(IBX)-the proposed 14-mile light rail project that will connect Brooklyn & Queens without entering Manhattan.
  • 3:25-3:55-Michelle Tortolani, Vice President, Project Delivery-Fleet & Facilities, Amtrak, will talk about the new rail car equipment which is being put into service and the procurement process for ordering new long distance railcar equipment.
  • 3:55-4:25-Lori Kahikina, PE, Executive Director & CEO, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).  She will talk about the Honolulu Rail Project known as Skyline, the rapid transit system that completed  Phase 2 last month, providing service to Daniel K Inouye International Airport, and is working on the final phase to reach Downtown Honolulu in 2031.
  • 4:25-4:50-Steve Unger, who is Co-Chair of Eastern Carolina Rail, and Vice-Chair of the new association-North Carolinians for Passenger Rail, will talk about the current effort to restore regional rail service between Raleigh and Wilmington, NC.
  • 4:50-5:00-David Peter Alan, Contributing Editor, Railway Age, RUN Board Member, will give closing remarks.
Each speaker will have up to 30 minutes to talk about their state’s or city projects, which includes five minutes for Q/A.Who should attend?
The conference is designed not only for passenger 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 2026.

Be sure to register by November 8 so that we can send along the info needed to attend RUN’s Virtual Fall Conference. To register, please go to our web site to register at conference / or use the QR code below.

All people registering on-line will receive an acknowledgement from the system, but may be directed to your junk or spam folder, which we cannot control. Please check there for your registration acknowledgement.
We look forward to your participation. In the meantime, be well and enjoy the coming of Fall weather and many thanks for all you do to support and improve passenger rail / rail transit.
– Richard Rudolph, Chairman, Rail Users’ Network.