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Thank you for joining Rail Champions
Together, we can make a real difference in telling the story of how rail connects America.
Active on social?
Social media platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn are a modern tool for engaging with policymakers. If you’re in the social space and want to weigh in on an issue, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Identify yourself as a constituent.
Add your location (city and state) to your profile. Follow your legislators.
On Facebook? Badge it!
Facebook features constituent badges that show up when you post about or comment on the posts of your government representatives. To get your “badge,” follow a few simple steps: 1) search “Town Hall” in Facebook, 2) Select “Town Hall: Look up your government representatives,” 3) Enter your home address, 4) Select the “On” option in the Constituent Badge drop down menu. Voila!
Personalize your message.
Identify the issue. Explain why it matters to your community.
Be constructive.
Avoid negativity in policymaker interactions. Give thanks where thanks is due.
Part of a group or coalition? Say So.
Multiple messages from constituents affiliated with a specific group or cause are more likely to influence legislators.
Now that you're an expert on social media advocacy, it's time to take action! We've made it pretty easy by pre-populating a message about rail that you can customize for your community. Follow the directions to tag your members of Congress directly.
We launched Rail Champions earlier this year to give voice to everyday Americans who love rail and believe in the importance of reliable, affordable, and efficient rail transportation. To celebrate this mission—and kick off our 2025 work of educating a new Congress—we’re launching an essay contest to hear from you!
Here’s the assignment: tell us how freight railroads make a difference in your community and why you advocate for their importance. Share personal experiences, local insights, and your unique perspective on how freight rail drives economic growth, supports jobs, relieves congestion, or promotes sustainability where you live.
Guidelines
Essays should be between 300 and 600 words and must focus on the role of freight railroads in your community, highlighting their specific impact and importance to local economic growth, sustainability, or quality of life.
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Community Connection
How well you tie your essay to the impact of freight railroads in your area.
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Clarity and Creativity
Clear, compelling, and creative expression of your thoughts.
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Personal Perspective
Inclusion of personal stories or examples that highlight your passion for freight rail.
Winning Prize
Submit your essay by Friday, January 31 (extended deadline) for a chance to win the grand prize: the framed, original piece of train art by railroad artist Adam Hansen featured on GoRail’s 2024 Holiday Card. We will also select 20 additional essays to receive a Rail Champions hat.
Winning submissions will be shared with policymakers and all submissions may be used across GoRail channels to demonstrate the Rail Champions story.
Take Action in Your State – Georgia
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Write Your Legislators
Why Are You a Rail Champion?
Why Are You a Rail Champion?
Tell Your Legislators
Federal policymakers face a number of challenges on the infrastructure front—from how to address highway funding shortfalls to mitigating transportation-related emissions to meeting freight demand expected to grow 30% by 2040.
The good news is that rail is helping to tackle every one of these challenges.
Traversing some 140,000 track-miles, America's freight railroads safely deliver economic growth, support job creation, and offer unparalleled environmental advantages while reducing highway gridlock.
A lot of people don't realize that the U.S. freight rail network is the most productive, cost-effective, and safe in the world. Or that railroads invest billions every year in the people, operations, and infrastructure that make these achievements possible. Private rail spending not only powers local growth by enhancing service for businesses, it also benefits consumers and taxpayers through lower costs and less highway wear. Plus, trains are pretty neat.
Learn More: The Public Benefits of Freight Railroads
We want legislators to hear about the advantages of rail from everyday Rail Champions like you. In what ways do you and your community benefit from rail?
Would you take a moment to tell your legislators why you're a Rail Champion?
Instructions
- Complete the short form below so we can confirm you as a constituent and click Submit.
- You'll then be able to review the text of the template letter to your policymakers and make any additions you'd like before clicking submit to send your letter.
Join Us
Join the Movement. Together, we can make a real difference.
Rail Champions want to see the nation’s rail connections preserved and strengthened. Join the movement to declare that rail is essential—and that our public officials should prioritize a robust U.S. rail network.
When you join Rail Champions, you’ll get access to:
— Webinars on timely issues
— Our Rail 101 learning series
— Advocacy education and guidebooks
— and more!
“I’m a Rail Champion because tried and true steel wheels on steel rail is still the most efficient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly way to move cargo and people like me. Besides, trains are just plain fun.”
—John C. Stashik
Who You Know
Who You Know
Know a policymaker?
Rail Champions want to see the nation’s rail connections preserved and strengthened. Join the movement to declare that rail is essential—and that our public officials should prioritize a robust U.S. rail network.
Research shows that direct constituent interactions have more influence on lawmaker decisions than other advocacy strategies. Your policymaker relationships can be a powerful tool for supporting the Rail Champions campaign to preserve and strengthen America's rail connections.
Post to your Policymakers
Active on social?
Social media platforms like X, Facebook, and LinkedIn are a modern tool for engaging with policymakers. If you’re in the social space and want to weigh in on an issue, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Identify yourself as a constituent.
Add your location (city and state) to your profile. Follow your legislators.
On Facebook? Badge it!
Facebook features constituent badges that show up when you post about or comment on the posts of your government representatives. To get your “badge,” follow a few simple steps: 1) search “Town Hall” in Facebook, 2) Select “Town Hall: Look up your government representatives,” 3) Enter your home address, 4) Select the “On” option in the Constituent Badge drop down menu. Voila!
Personalize your message.
Identify the issue. Explain why it matters to your community.
Be constructive.
Avoid negativity in policymaker interactions. Give thanks where thanks is due.
Part of a group or coalition? Say So.
Multiple messages from constituents affiliated with a specific group or cause are more likely to influence legislators.
Now that you're an expert on social media advocacy, it's time to take action! We've made it pretty easy by pre-populating a message about rail that you can customize for your community. Follow the directions to tag your members of Congress directly.
Join the nationwide movement
Become a Rail Champion to declare that rail is essential—and that our public officials should prioritize a robust U.S. rail network.
30k+
Rail Champions
Across America
5.3k
Cities
Represented
5.8k
Counties
Represented
Why are you a Rail Champion?
Rail Champions appreciate rail for reasons as diverse as engineering and efficiency to economic development and to the role of trains in the American story. Many Rail Champions value how rail relieves congestion and taxpayer burden while also lowering prices for consumers. Or they may just like to watch a train roll by, seeing the economy steadily in motion.
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Hands of steel, hearts of dedication.
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Always moving forward.
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Driving growth, creating employment.
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Trackside passion, passenger connections.
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Greener journeys, cleaner future.
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Rich heritage, lasting impact.
Workforce
Hands of steel, hearts of dedication.
George Bollinger Secretary, North Florida Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, Jacksonville, FL
"I am a Rail Champion because the Iron Road is the most efficient mode of transportation to move freight. As a CSX retiree after 34 years—having been hired by the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, the route of the "Orange Blossom Special"—I was blessed to have employment in an industry that is innovative and is dedicated to both the employees and the customers. It continues to espouse the belief in the private enterprise foundation of America. If I could do it all over again, I would be a railroader.”
Resources:
Innovation & Safety
Always moving forward.
Kari Gonzales President & CEO, MxV Rail, Pueblo, CO
At MxV Rail, we are Rail Champions because of our shared commitment and purpose to improving safety, reliability, efficiency, and resiliency in our industry. While I’ve been traveling to international conferences this fall, I’ve been struck by the passion and collaboration MxV Rail supports across our global rail research community. As hosts for the first ever combined conference of the World Congress on Railway Research (WCRR) and the International Heavy Haul Association (IHHA) next year, we will connect great minds and professionals to develop an even stronger network of Rail Champions.
Resources:
Economy & Jobs
Driving growth, creating employment.
L. Michael Ross President, Franklin County Area Development Corporation, Chambersburg, PA
“I am a Rail Champion because rail has been a cornerstone to the economic growth of Franklin County, PA. Rail service is essential to the effectiveness of a fully integrated economic development and transportation strategy. Having service by CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the PA Southern short line has contributed significantly to more than $3.4 billion of capital investments and the creation and retention of approximately 62,000 jobs across our county.”
Resources:
Romance of the Rails
Trackside passion, passenger connections.
John C. Stashik Railfan, El Cerrito, CA
“I’m a Rail Champion because tried and true steel wheels on steel rail is still the most efficient, affordable, and environmentally-friendly way to move cargo and people like me. I live in Northern California, but love riding Amtrak all across the country. Besides, trains are just plain fun.”
Resources:
Sustainability
Greener journeys, cleaner future.
Jo E. Strang SVP, Safety, Regulatory, and Environmental Policy, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, Washington, DC
"I'm a Rail Champion because moving goods by rail dramatically reduces environmental impact, lowering CO2 emissions and highway congestion. Railroads are continually advancing their environmental edge with innovations like fuel-efficient locomotives and smart technologies that further shrink their carbon footprint."
Resources:
- Report: Freight Railroads and Climate Change [Association of American Railroads]
- Five Things to Know: What Railroads Are Doing About Climate Change [GoRail]
- Environmental Impact [American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association]
- Event: Annual Railroad Environmental Conference [RAILTEC, University of Illinois]
Legacy and History
Rich heritage, lasting impact.
Dr. Margaret Staggers Daughter of Staggers Rail Act author U.S. Rep. Harley Staggers of West Virginia, and former West Virginia state delegate
“I'm a Rail Champion because my father's legacy, the Staggers Rail Act, transformed American railroads into the backbone of our economy. His vision of a strong, interconnected rail system continues to drive progress and prosperity for communities across the nation.”
Resources:
Why are you a Rail Champion?
Join us in declaring that trains are essential.
Together, we can make a real difference.
Together, we can make a real difference.
LEARN
Rail 101
Here are some reasons to champion rail.
Explore how U.S. railroads drive the economy, support jobs, and move goods efficiently and sustainably, all while partnering with passenger services to keep America moving.
Visual Toolkit
Download & ShareThis download provides helpful assets to amplify your support for freight rail. Use these graphics and logos to engage your network, raise awareness, and show why rail matters for America.
DOWNLOAD (905)Rail Champion Visual ToolkitFILE SIZE: 32.69 MB
Network
More than 620 Class I and short line railroads operate across 135,000 track- miles in the U.S. The six Class I railroads are the largest carriers, traversing 49 states and the District of Columbia.
Spending
Freight railroads have spent more than $830 billion on locomotives, freight cars, tracks, bridges, tunnels and other equipment and technology since 1980. This equates to 39 cents of every dollar earned.
Workforce
The approx. 140,000 freight rail employees are among America’s most highly compensated. In 2023, the average Class I employee earned total compensation of $149,000—more than 92% of U.S. employees.
Sustainability
One train can move a ton of freight 500 miles on a single gallon of fuel, on average. Rail moves about 40% of U.S. long-distance freight but accounts for just 1.8% of transportation-related emissions, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Economic Impact
Class I railroad investments support hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in U.S. economic output. Railroads average more than 18% or six times higher capital spending than the average U.S. manufacturer.
Cost Efficiency
The average rail shipper can move much more freight today for about the same price they paid over 40 years ago. Average U.S. freight rail rates, measured by inflation-adjusted revenue per ton-mile, are 40% lower today than in 1980.
Partner to Passenger
Outside of the Northeast Corridor, Class I-owned tracks host most intercity passenger rail operations and some commuter rail operations. About 70% of Amtrak’s miles-traveled occur on tracks owned by freight railroads.
Supply Chain Workhorse
Together with trucks and barges, freight rail ships 59 tons of goods per American every year. Redesigned railcars have helped increase average tonnage. In 2023, the average freight train carried 3,948 tons, up from 2,923 tons in 2000.
Our Mission
Rail Champions is a platform for those who value the contributions of rail to the United States.
Trains help move the goods and people of our nation, increasing competitiveness, lowering costs, and enhancing our communities through emissions and congestion mitigation. Rail Champions gives voice to everyday Americans who believe in the importance of reliable, affordable, and efficient rail transportation. We are a movement of people, like you, across the country championing rail as a net positive to sustainable growth, prosperity, and quality of life.
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), which oversees the economic regulation of freight railroads, is considering a rule that would mandate reciprocal switching among freight railroads. They will hold a hearing in March to examine this policy of forced access.
Why It Matters
Forced access would compromise the efficiency of the rail network and undermine service for rail customers and communities coast-to-coast when the supply chain is already facing severe challenges. Slowing train operations across a 140,000-mile network moving 1.5 million railcars at any given time would hurt the factories, farms, ports and local economies that rely on speedy and consistent rail service.
Over time, the rule would make railroads less competitive with other modes, lead to network disinvestment and shift freight from railways to publicly funded highways. Less freight rail means more local highway congestion and more greenhouse gases, as railroads today move 40% of intercity freight but account for just 1.9% of transportation-related emissions.
Want more background? Read our Issue Brief.
Sign the Letter
Please consider joining our grassroots letter to the STB, urging them to reject the proposed rule on forced access. Before the Board's March hearing, we want to ensure they've heard from a variety of the voices who benefit from robust railroads and who would be negatively impacted by diminished rail service.
To sign, fill out the fields below and click "Sign the Letter" to add your name.
[Download not found]
Dear Chairman Oberman and Members of the Surface Transportation Board,
Freight demand is expected to grow 30% over the next two decades. We are concerned that the proposed rule on reciprocal switching (EP 711-1), if implemented, would lead to less rail usage in the future — an outcome that would negatively impact communities, businesses and local economies across the country, undermine intercity passenger rail, and increase transportation-related emissions.
U.S. freight railroads account for 40% of long-distance freight in the United States (but just 1.9% of transportation-related emissions) and host nearly three-quarters of Amtrak’s passenger network. They also self-fund the maintenance of their networks and operations, a huge economic benefit to the communities and businesses connected to the world’s most productive and cost-effective freight rail system.
Continued investments are critical to safety and efficiency on this network. Because EP 711-1 stands to undercut rail revenues, it also stands to undercut the massive investments that enable efficient service. Less efficient service disadvantages rail customers and pushes them to other modes.
For our communities and businesses, forced access presents both short-term disruption to an already strained supply chain and long-term harm if it leads to fewer transportation options for businesses and more congestion on public infrastructure — not to mention diminished passenger rail service.
Another consideration is the potential impact of the rule on the carbon footprint of U.S. goods movement. Researchers at the think tank Third Way have urged Congress to enact policies that shift freight “away from more carbon-intensive modes like trucking and aircraft and towards rail.” Just a 10% shift would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 17 million tons annually. It makes little sense, in this context, to pass a rule that could result in just the opposite.
Freight transportation is changing as e-commerce reshapes supply chains. Railroads face steep competition, not only from each other, but also from other modes like trucks. Forced access would not only disrupt the most reliable piece of the supply chain, but also jeopardize the long-term viability of railroads across the nation.
Especially in this moment, when our supply chain, economic recovery and environmental future are top of mind, rail is a tool that could address multiple national goals. For these reasons, we urge the Board to oppose the proposed rule on reciprocal switching (EP 711-1).
Sincerely,
