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A word from
Ian Jefferies

AAR President and CEO

Thank you for your interest in and support of GoRail as it marks its 20th anniversary.

Much has changed since 2004, but railroads’ service to the economy, as well as GoRail’s work in spreading the message at the local level, have been constants.

This report provides highlights from the past 20 years and a glimpse of why we need GoRail to continue its important work into the future. Thank you for your continued support of GoRail. We are excited for the next 20 years.

Read The Letter

GoRail Board Chair

A word from Ian Jefferies

AAR President and CEO

Thank you for your interest in and support of GoRail as it marks its 20th anniversary.  Much has changed since 2004, but railroads’ service to the economy, as well as GoRail’s work in spreading the message at the local level, have been constants.

The industry has led through record private investments in rail infrastructure, technological innovation across nearly all aspects of railroading, and unprecedented advancements in rail safety and service. Last year alone marked the safest year on record for the transportation of hazardous materials.

At the same time, freight transportation and goods movement become even more central to a U.S. economy tied closely to consumer and manufacturing activity. In 2020, a year GoRail led thousands to celebrate the 40th anniversary of partial economic deregulation, more Americans than ever became aware of supply chain dynamics and the criticality of rail.

These systems, with rail at the center, are today more interconnected and dependent on reliability, efficiency, and just-in-time delivery.

Just as railroads have adapted and evolved to meet these challenges—GoRail has been there to tell the freight rail story: that every ton of freight moving by rail provides tangible public benefits – particularly in terms of the environment, highway quality and consumer cost savings.

Even as politics have become messier and more nationally oriented, the “all politics is local” ethos is still paramount. That phrase marked one of GoRail’s first annual reports and today still resonates, particularly through the work the team does every day.

Thousands of community leaders and everyday citizens have an understanding and appreciation of freight rail thanks to GoRail’s outreach and educational efforts.

And every year, county commissioners, mayors, economic development officials, chambers of commerce, and other local leaders who appreciate how their communities benefit when freight moves by rail, in turn help guide the federal policymaking process by communicating that message to Congress and regulatory agencies.

In this way, GoRail provides a bridge between railroads, the suppliers and contractors who build and maintain the rail network, and the communities that rely on freight rail – and ensures constituents have a voice in the process on Capitol Hill.

This report provides highlights from the past 20 years and a glimpse of why we need GoRail to continue its important work into the future. Thank you for your continued support of GoRail. We are excited for the next 20 years.


Ian Jefferies
AAR President and CEO

Freight Rail Forward
Measuring Our Collective Progress

Before taking a closer look at our work, here’s more context for how the rail industry has changed over the last two decades. Whether investing billions into their networks, improving efficiency, or continuously hitting new safety milestones, railroads are committed to evolving for the customers and communities they serve.

Since GoRail was founded 20 years ago,Class I railroads have…

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A Timeline of GoRail Milestones

Our Journey From Then To Now
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GoRail Celebrates 20 Years!

Thank you for being a part of our success story.
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Impact in Their Words

Local leaders and stakeholders on why their rail advocacy and partnership with GoRail is vital.
Many out of state companies considering relocation to Ohio demand freight rail access. We developed a plan to repurpose an abandoned rail served factory into a transload facility that has facilitated development and job growth. GoRail supported us throughout the process and brought national attention to the project.
Martin Russell County Administrator
Warren County, Ohio
With our location at the intersection of three different states in the middle of the country, transportation is a key economic driver for our region. Consistent, reliable, and safe rail transportation is a crucial part of our community. GoRail is an important partner in helping us advocate for this industry.
Patrick Sherry Research Professor and Director of the National Center for Intermodal Transportation
University of Denver
GoRail’s statewide coalition of elected officials has supported pro-rail policies at the state and federal levels over the last two decades. GoRail has added value to our Statehouse Rail Day events by bringing coalition members to Columbus, where their localized pro-rail stories carry broad credibility, enhancing the messages presented by freight rail representatives. GoRail has repeatedly proved to be an invaluable resource for reaching beyond the immediate freight rail industry, generating the kind of positive stories that can make a difference.
Arthur Arnold Executive Director
Ohio Railroad Association
The California Short Line Railroad Association (CSLRA) congratulates GoRail for twenty years of highly successful advocacy focused on the local level. GoRail has been an important resource for CSLRA as we work together to raise local awareness of the benefits of freight rail and seek state and federal policies that help rather than impede the efficiency of the state and national freight rail network.
Donald Norton Executive Director
California Short Line Railroad Association
Ongoing Initiatives
Our Recurring Campaigns Over the Years

Railroad Days

GoRail has participated in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill for nearly two decades.

Railroad Days

GoRail has participated in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill for nearly two decades.

GoRail has participated in Railroad Day on Capitol Hill for nearly two decades. The annual day of advocacy convenes rail stakeholders across all sectors of the freight rail industry, from Class I and short line railroads to rail suppliers and rail labor. GoRail brings non-industry voices to this tremendous effort to convey how freight rail investments impact local communities and to demonstrate how they see the public benefits of railroads first-hand every day.

Facility Tours

Giving members of Congress a first-hand look at the rail industry through tours of railroad and rail supplier facilities.

Facility Tours

To give members of Congress a first-hand look at the rail industry, GoRail State Directors seek opportunities to invite legislators to tour railroad and rail supplier facilities.

We’ve organized 59 of these tours since the first in 2010. They are an important forum for showing the impact of rail investments locally and a valuable way to build relationships between local leaders and their legislators in Washington, D.C.

Explore some of these facility tours on our blog, Rail at Work.

New Legislator Education

When a new congressional class arrives in Washington, D.C. every two years, GoRail prioritizes education and outreach.

New Legislator Education

When a new congressional class arrives in Washington, D.C. every two years, GoRail prioritizes education and outreach.

Our State Directors work with constituents in the districts and states of new members of key congressional committees to demonstrate how policy and regulatory matters related to rail impact their communities.

Earned Media

We amplify rail advocate voices by facilitating earned media publications.

Earned Media

We amplify rail advocate voices by facilitating earned media publications.

Strategic earned media placements by local rail advocates—like op-eds and letters to the editor—are a powerful tactic for educating policymakers about how legislation and regulations affecting railroads also impact the public. We strive to make these national debates local through such publications, highlighting the importance of rail to communities across America. Since 2004, GoRail has helped facilitate 1,800 of these media submissions.

Rail Grant Education

Helping local leaders access rail-focused grants.

ASCE Report Card Response

Helping local leaders access rail-focused grants.

When the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was passed in 2021, GoRail saw an opportunity to help communities navigate some of the rail-focused grants, specifically new ones like the Rail Crossing Elimination (RCE) grant. We incorporated grant information into our meetings with state, county, and local officials and also launched a Rail Grant Hub to help these leaders track and learn the details of the available grants.

Local Impact Stories

Demonstrating rail-driven economic development.

Local Impact Stories

Demonstrating rail-driven economic development.

As GoRail's team visits and connects with communities across the country to talk rail, they’re able to learn directly from local leaders about positive economic development stories, for example where freight rail is catalyzing business and job growth. We publish these stories on our blog, Rail at Work.

The Clippings
Earned and Social Media Highlights Over the Years

GoRail has facilitated thousands of media submissions over the last two decades, from social media campaigns connecting rail advocates to their policymakers, to placements in the publications of vital state associations, to op-eds and letters to newspapers large and small across the nation.

The Big Picture
By the numbers

GoRail is small but able to impact policy by working with local and state leaders across the country to highlight the public benefits of rail. Our state directors have traveled thousands and thousands of miles to build relationships, talk rail, and mobilize advocates in support of pro-rail policies.

Meetings with Community Leader
44,000
Meetings with Community Leader
Meetings with Members of Congress
2,300
Meetings with Members of Congress
Letters and Emails to Congress
21,000
Letters and Emails to Congress
Media Placements
1,800
Media Placements
Meet The Exceptional Team
Our small team has an outsize impact
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A word from
Russ McGurk

GoRail President

When GoRail began operations twenty years ago in March 2004, a new social network called thefacebook.com had just launched, President George W. Bush was starting his second term in the White House, and Tom Brady was fresh off his second Super Bowl win.

GoRail President

A word from Russ McGurk

GoRail President

When GoRail began operations twenty years ago in March 2004, a new social network called thefacebook.com had just launched, President George W. Bush was starting his second term in the White House, and Tom Brady was fresh off his second Super Bowl win.

Two decades later, GoRail’s core message still resonates: Freight railroads strengthen the economy, support jobs, mitigate emissions and congestion, and save taxpayers money.

Across 44,000 meetings with community leaders about government policies impacting rail, we’ve seen the positive impact when key constituents deliver our message to Congress with local examples of how freight rail benefits their cities and towns.

As we turn 20 this year, we’ve taken a step back to produce this report highlighting our advocacy work on behalf of the world’s safest, most efficient, and most cost-effective freight rail system.

Thank you for supporting our work, and we hope you’ll stay involved for the next 20 years.

Continue Reading

We are proud of this team and the work they do every day to forge connections in support of robust railways and the communities they serve. And thank you to the GoRail alum over the years who have also shared the freight rail story.

Betsy Cantwell

Betsy Cantwell

AVP of Communications

"In compiling this report, I'm struck by the theme of consistency: across two decades, railroads continue to drive positive impact for communities and GoRail's work continues to shed light on rail as a connector operating in the background of people's lives."

Bonnie Carter

Bonnie Carter

Director, Finance, Administration & Development

"I have been a part of GoRail since the early days and feel lucky to both support our team and build relationships with the rail suppliers and contractors who, in some cases, quite literally lay the foundation for America's rail network."

Michael Gaynor

Michael Gaynor

Assistant Vice President, Field Operations

"As railroads continue to build a brighter economic future that enhances the quality of life for all Americans, GoRail will continue building coalitions of elected officials and community stakeholders to advance smart transportation policy that navigates the challenges ahead."

Nate Kaplan

Nate Kaplan

State Director

“Working at GoRail has been an incredible opportunity to advance policy issues vital to our environment, economy, and quality of life. It's a rare occasion when all those categories align to benefit every business, family and individual in this great nation."

Jackie Leggett

Jackie Leggett

Accountant

"I have enjoyed being a part of the GoRail support team for the past 15 years. I support efforts for increased commercial rail transport."

Christy Sammon

Christy Sammon

State Director

"GoRail has a cohesive team that works well together and pivots during changing environments in the industry. I enjoy working with our team!"

Brett Sebastian

Brett Sebastian

State Director

"I get to work with an amazing national staff in one of the most historic and important industries in America. Helping communities pursue rail grants, supporting jobs and safety, and furthering our transportation needs for the future—this isn't just busy work, its a 20-year effort that matters."

Emily Traiforos

Emily Traiforos

State Director

"The policy threats that impact this industry are always changing, always evolving as are the coalitions we work with.”