Founded in 2004 on the principle that “all politics is local,” we believe that direct input from constituents is the best way to communicate with elected officials. GoRail works with thousands of community leaders across the country to tell the local story of freight rail — stronger economies, more jobs and cleaner skies.
Many Americans don’t realize that freight railroads pay their own way with little help from taxpayers — to the tune of $25 billion annually, on average. These investments make American industry more competitive by maintaining and enhancing the rail network that connects companies and communities to markets all over the world.
Working with the support of U.S. freight railroads and rail supply companies, our coalition of community leaders reminds Congress how freight rail investments and rail policy decisions have real impacts back home, from local jobs and economic development to air quality and road congestion.
See GoRail overview.
Download the PDF
Rail Advocates
FEATURED GORAIL SUPPORTERSGoRail’s rail advocates are community leaders from every region of the country who recognize that rail policy decisions made in Washington, D.C. have real impacts back home. Meet them and learn more about the ways freight rail has benefited their communities.
Snapshot
Gurbax Sahota
President & CEO, California Association for Local Economic Development; Executive Director, California Academy for Economic DevelopmentSacramento, California
"Infrastructure is the keystone of economic development and freight rail delivers for California."
Railroads
North America’s six Class I railroads operate in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Accounting for 68 percent of the industry’s mileage and 88 percent of its employees, these railroads focus on long-haul, high-density intercity traffic.
Betsy Cantwell is President at GoRail. Since joining GoRail in 2015, Betsy has lead the organization’s advocacy and communications strategy to build public and political support for freight rail.
Brett Sebastian joined GoRail in August 2019 and oversees its operations in the Central United States and Pennsylvania. Brett has worked in public policy in Washington D.C., Austin, and Oklahoma City where he has acted as an advocate for the infrastructure, healthcare, and construction industries.
Bonnie Carter leads finance, administration, and development at GoRail, ensuring organizational efficiency and strategic growth.
