Rail Users’ Network Spring 2026 Conference

“Rail News and Rumors: The Latest Buzz Passenger Rail/Rail Transit”

At the Rail Users’ Network Spring 2026 Conference, RUN Chairperson Richard Rudolph gave the opening remarks and introduction. He highlighted the 13.5% reduction in Amtrak funding. The Fall conference’s agenda will include how to be more effective rail advocates.

First up was a panel discussion, FRA Corridor I.D. – Phase Two (Andrew Albert as moderator). We see what “The pipeline towards implementation” looks like in four locations.

John Esterly (All-Aboard Ohio) presented on two projects: Midwest Connect (Pittsburgh to Chicago stopping in Columbus and Fort Wayne) and 3C&D (Rail service to four Ohio cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton).  Regarding current Ohio passenger rail service: (1) Lake Shore Limited arrives during very early mornings at Cleveland, (2) Floridian also arrives at early morning hours at Cleveland, (3) Cardinal Service is 3 days a week at Cinncinati, (4)Columbus is largest city in U.S. without rail service of any kind.

“Authorization + Appropriation = How rail gets funded”, from Todd Liebman’s presentation; he spoke directly on his state’s situation. All Aboard Arizona requests: (1) Run trains on the Sun Corridor (Tucson to Phoenix), (2) Implement Daily service on the Sunset Limited, add Phoenix, and (3) Make station improvements at Benson and Wilcox.

What’s blocking Arizona:

I. Sun Corridor – Administrative Hold

Corridor ID Step 1 is complete. FRA has not issued the Phase II NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity).

II. Daily Sunset Limited  – Still Tri-Weekly, no Phoenix

Strongest demand of any tri-weekly Amtrak route. Tucson-Los Angeles is one of Amtrak’s top city pairs. Union Pacific dispatches on time when it wants to.

III. Federal-State Partnership Proposed for Elimination

This is the primary funding mechanism for corridor route like the Sun Corridor. Trump budget proposes eliminating it entirely, a direct threat to Phase II.

What is to be done: (1) Release Phase II NOFO, (2) Preserve the Federal-State Partnership, and (3) Strong Amtrak Reauthorization, and (4) Support the Daily Sunset

The stakes for federal funding are: (1) 13.%5 Proposed Amtrak cut; $2.43B -> $2.10B, (2) Authorization expires on 30 September, (3) Federal-State Partnership ends, (4) Proposal means Zero Dollars.

Paul Spoelhof (Planning Director Fort Wayne, IN) spoke on the Midwest Connect project. This project is at CID Program Step 1. (Develop the scope, schedule, and cost estimate for a Service Development Plan.)

“I bring you some hope.” began Knox Ross of Southern Rail Commission (Mississippi), referring to the restored New Orleans-Mobile service. He then spoke on two New Starts Projects, Baton Rouge-New Orleans and I-20 Corridor, Marshall TX-Meridian MS. CP-KC owns most of the Baton Rouge-New Orleans route; Canadian National the rest. A 3-state compact was formed for the I-20 corridor; one key issue is working with Union Pacific and getting equipment to run the trains.

Three Amtrak employees did its Long Distance Update. Azita Kaovasia was first.  Amtrak had a record ridership at 34.5M trips and a record operating revenue at $3.9B in FY2025. Michael Kraft spoke on the accessibility on new rail cars, showing the path, spaces, and bedrooms.

Peter Roberts gave Long-Distance Updates: (1) Modified schedules (Long Bridge work) on Cardinal, Palmetto, Silver Meteor; (2) Silver Meteor northbound picks up at Washington; (3) New southbound Crescent stop at BWI; and (4) Planning underway for return of Capitol Limited and Silver Star in Fall 2027.

Jason Myers is the Rail Programs Manager at NCDOT Rail Division. The charts which show Trains 71-80, the five Charlotte-Raleigh roundtrips, are impressive. The trains criss-cross at various times and places on the data-rich charts. A sixth roundtrip is in the works. The S-Line would be a new corridor going north from Raleigh to Richmond, with trains continuing onto DC. It would provide 5 more Raleigh-Richmond round trips.

Michael Weinman (Founder and Director of PTSI Transportation) spoke on the history of British Railways’ privatization.

Alice Rodriguez (Deputy Director of external affairs, California High Speed Rail Authority) spoke on the progress of the HSR project. The first operating segment will be Merced-Bakersfield (119 miles). Track-laying is this year. Poles and wires are being purchased. The current strategy is to streamline and save costs, but it requires the Legislature’s backing. The Authority should leverage assets and find a way to make Public-Private Partnerships.

RUN Legislative Chair/Retired Amtrak conductor Phil Streby briefly spoke on the UP-NS merger; RUN is opposed to it. RUN board member/reporter at Railway Age David Peter Alan gave the closing remarks; it is hard to break through the politics of the moment, the public wants more train service, and Amtrak needs money.

Editor’s Note: RUN’s Fall Conference,  is October 9th.  Register at railusers.net.