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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Charles Hamilton
All Aboard Northwest
206-222-3735 x2
[email protected]
Portland, OR — Rail advocates from All Aboard Northwest, AORTA, and All Aboard Washington are encouraging members, allies, and community leaders to participate in the Pacific Northwest Rail Summit, October 15–16 at the EcoTrust Building in Portland.
Returning for its fourth year, the Rail Summit will convene passenger and freight rail leaders, state legislators, Amtrak officials, planners, and industry voices from across the U.S. and Canada. Please also join us on October 14 for the Build Northwest Economic Forum.
Why Attendance Matters
The Rail Summit isn’t just a conference — it’s where critical decisions and alliances will take shape. Having advocates in the room ensures that community needs and public benefits are heard alongside government and industry priorities.
By participating, advocates can:
- Shape state and federal priorities as Oregon and Washington unveil new five-year rail plans.
- Press for restoration of long-distance services like the Big Sky North Coast and Pioneer.
- Strengthen grassroots–legislative ties during a regional coordination roundtable.
- Highlight equity, climate, and community outcomes in sessions on short lines, ports, and multimodal tourism.
- Elevate the role of passenger rail within PNWER’s broader agenda on permitting reform, trade corridors, and multimodal freight
Key Sessions for Advocates
- Statewide Rail Planning in Oregon & Washington — ODOT and WSDOT present updates on Amtrak Cascades and Cascadia High-Speed Rail.
- Legislative Roundtable on Regional Coordination — Lawmakers from Oregon and Montana join All Aboard Northwest to discuss cross-border strategies.
- Big Sky North Coast Updates — Dan Bucks (Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority), Rep. Denise Baum, and Abe Zumwalt (DEA) on long-distance restoration.
- Grassroots Efforts to Restore the Pioneer — AORTA’s Matt Krabacher and Amtrak Board Member Elaine Clegg on reviving Portland–Salt Lake City service.
- Short Line Railroads’ Needs and Investments — Leaders from Genesee & Wyoming, Columbia Rail, Watco, Albany & Eastern, and Mt. Hood Railroad.
- Portland as a Passenger Rail Hub — Mayor Keith Wilson and Metro Councilor Ashton Simpson envision Union Station’s future role.
- Permitting Reform & Federal Reauthorization — Addressing national policy shifts that affect regional rail
Registration Details
- Dates: October 15–16 (rail-focused program)
- Location: EcoTrust Building, Portland, OR
- Cost: $250 for rail sessions; virtual option available
- Register here: Rail Summit Registration
- Full agenda: PNWER 2025 Forum
AANW advocates for the needs of rail passengers in the Greater Northwest (GNW) region of the United States. We build relationships with infrastructure and transportation interests across state lines to promote rail investments that improve economic, environmental, and equity outcomes for our region’s inhabitants.
The Association of Oregon Rail & Transit Advocates (AORTA) advocates for an effective, forward looking transportation system in Oregon & beyond. From the local bus on up to intercity rail, Oregonians in communities big and small deserve a transportation system that is the envy of the world!
For over forty years, All Aboard Washington (AAWA) has promoted better passenger and freight rail service in the Pacific Northwest. We champion safe, reliable, frequent, competitive, and convenient passenger rail services that meet the needs of all Washingtonians. We are especially active supporters of intercity passenger rail service and intermodal connections to local transit.
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