COMMONWEALTH RAIL SUMMIT

Our 17th Annual Conference was held Friday, May 17, 2019, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the offices of Virginians for High Speed Rail, 5101 Monument Ave, Richmond, Virginia.  Sponsored by the Rail Users’ Network & Virginians for High Speed Rail, it  examined what’s happening in the Commonwealth regarding passenger rail issues, as well as recent success stories, which projects are moving forward, and which are standing still and could use more help. Time was also set aside to hear from grassroots rail advocates who are working at the state and local level to expand passenger rail in Virginia.

The day began with opening remarks given by Danny Plaugher, Executive Director, Virginians for High Speed Rail, and Richard Rudolph, RUN Chair.

Schedule

8:45-9:00 am Registration/Cont. Bkfst.
9:00-9:20 am Introductory Remarks – Danny Plaugher, Exec. Director, VHSR, Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. Chairman, Rail Users’ Network
9:20-9:50 am Present State of Freight/Passenger Rail in Virginia – Meredith Richards, President, Virginia Rail Policy Institute
9:50-10:20 am Freight Rail challenges regarding rail service in Virginia – Steve Powell, President,  Buckingham Branch Railroad
10:20-10:30 am Break
10:30-11:00 am The Future of Amtrak’s State Corridor Service – Joe McHugh, Vice President, State-Supported Services Business Development, Amtrak
11:00-12:00 pm Best Practice Panel – Andrew Albert, Vice-Chair, RUN and Chair, NYC Transit Riders Council, Moderator. Panelists include: Dany Plaugher, Exec. Director,  VHSR; Meredith Richards, Cville Rail & Piedmont Rail Coalition; and David Foster, Chair, Rail Solution.
12:00-1:00 pm Lunch
12:30-12:50 Luncheon Speaker: The National Legislative Scene: President Trump & President Anderson’s policies at Amtrak-
Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President of Policy, RPA
1:00-1:30 pm Virginia’s Rail Plan and Priorities – Emily Stock, Manager of Rail Planning, Virginia Dept. of Rail & Public Transportation
1:30-2:45 pm Expanding Passenger Rail in Virginia and beyond – Richard Rudolph, Ph.D, Moderator. Panelists include: Trip Pollard, Esq., Southern Environmental Law Center; Ellen Tolton, CDBG Coordinator/EZ Administrator; Ed Lawhorn, President, NRV Market Executive, Union Bank & Trust; New River Valley Rail Coalition 2020; Ken Anderson, President, Virginians for High Speed Rail
2:45-3:45 pm Amtrak’s National Network – David Peter Alan, Esq. Chairman, Lackawanna Coalition., RUN Board Member. Panelists include Don Phillips, Passenger Train Journal columnist; Phil Streby, RUN Board Member who also serves on Rail Passengers Association Board & Treasurer, Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance; Donald M. Boyd, President, Unite Here, representing dining car workers on Amtrak.
3:45-3:55 pm Break
3:55-4:50 pm Audience Forum
4:50-5:00 pm Closing Remarks – Danny Plaugher, Exec. Director, VHSR; Andrew Albert, Vice-Chair, RUN

There will also be an optional tour of the historic Main Street Station in Richmond on Saturday, May 18, 2019

Registration (closed)

$35 until April 15th
$40 from April 16th-May 12th
$45 for last-minute or at-the-door registration.

You can also view details about Past Annual Conferences, here.