Uniting community leaders & the public in support of rail solutions for tomorrow's transportation challenges. 🚂 Newsletter: https://xitter.cf/t.co/3GWpCime7p
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46 years ago today, the Staggers Rail Act became law. Since then, freight railroads have invested $840B+ in their own networks, and rates are 44% lower than in 1981 (inflation-adjusted). Balanced policy keeps it going. #Staggers46
ALT Black-and-white photo of a freight train rushing past in motion blur, with tracks leading toward a bright horizon. Text reads: “Staggers Rail Act. 46 years of Staggers. Here’s why it still matters.” GoRail logo in the top right.
ALT Photo of President Jimmy Carter smiling as he signs the Staggers Rail Act at a desk, surrounded by smiling members of Congress and staff. Text reads: “October 14, 1980. President Carter signs the Staggers Rail Act. Named for West Virginia Rep. Harley Staggers, the law freed railroads to negotiate rates and service with their customers and run like other businesses.”
ALT Navy graphic with a large green “$840B.” Text reads: “What it unlocked. $840B invested by freight railroads in their own networks since 1980. That’s roughly $25 billion a year in recent years, funding tracks, bridges, yards and technology at no cost to taxpayers. Source: Association of American Railroads.”
ALT Light blue graphic with a large navy “44%.” Text reads: “What shippers gained. 44% lower average rail rates than in 1981, adjusted for inflation. Shippers pay less to move each ton of freight, and the businesses and communities that depend on them benefit too. Source: Association of American Railroads, 2024 data.”
"It's not self-evident how trains benefit America."
Our polling found most people don't know much about freight rail — but once they learn the facts, they back smart, data-driven policy.
On the latest Coffee Break with @AAR_FreightRail, GoRail President Betsy Cantwell discusses why the freight rail story matters. Watch the full episode here: aar.org/coffee-break-what-is…
🎥 Trains can come from either direction, any time, and are quieter and faster than they look. 🚫 Stay off the tracks — always. #TrespassPrevention #SeeTracksThinkTrainWeek @olinational
🔴 Wear red today for Rail Safety Education Day!
It's a small gesture for a big goal: no more preventable deaths on the tracks.
📸 Snap a photo, tag @olinational and share why rail safety matters to you.
#RedOutForRailSafety #SeeTracksThinkTrainWeek
🚦 60%+ of crossing collisions happen at crossings WITH working lights and gates. A freight train can take a mile+ to stop 🚆. Stop. Look. Listen. Every time. #CrossingSafety #SeeTracksThinkTrainWeek @olinational
🚦 A train can't stop quickly. You can. When you see tracks—stop, look, and listen. Always think TRAIN. 🚆
September 21–27 is @olinational's See Tracks? Think Train® Week. To help spread OLI's rail safety message, we're sharing tips, stats, and the safety investments that save lives all week long. Stay tuned. 👀
#SeeTracksThinkTrainWeek #STOPTrackTragedies
GoRail President Betsy Cantwell recently sat down with the Coffee Break staff at AAR for a candid discussion on freight rail advocacy at the grassroots level. Check out the full episode here: youtu.be/vLzSvsItb0I?is=Nrsg…
☕ New episode of AAR's Coffee Break!
@GoRail President Betsy Cantwell joins us to discuss the grassroots movement behind GoRail and the role advocacy plays in supporting freight rail across America.
▶️ Watch via the link in the comments. 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes.
New on the Rail Grant Hub: state-level grant opportunities! ✅
Public officials can now search by state to find rail infrastructure funding available to their communities — the first resource, to our knowledge, to bring state and federal rail grant opportunities together in one place.
Safer crossings and stronger rail infrastructure don't just benefit railroads — they benefit the jobs, supply chains and communities that depend on freight rail every day. That's what GoRail works toward, and the Rail Grant Hub is one way we help make it happen.
Explore the newly updated Rail Grant Hub: gorail.org/rail-grant-news
Today, on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost and reflect on the strength and unity that emerged in the face of tragedy.
As we commemorate this milestone, GoRail joins communities across the nation in remembering those we lost and the heroes who answered the call. Their legacy of service, resilience, and commitment to others continues to inspire us today.
We will never forget.
This Labor Day, thank you to the people who keep freight trains — and the country — moving. Happy Labor Day from GoRail. #FacesOfFreight
Freight rail moves because people do. More than 153,000 railroaders keep America's freight network running — and the economy moving with it. Proud to celebrate them this week alongside @AAR_FreightRail for #FacesOfFreight.
🚛 Bigger Trucks, Bigger Stakes: Understanding the Transportation Debate in Congress
Congress is debating truck size and weight proposals, transportation funding, and other issues that will help shape the future of the nation's transportation network.
Join GoRail and the @leagueofcities on Sept. 9 at 1 PM ET for a timely webinar on what's at stake.
Register today: bit.ly/BiggerTrucksBiggerSta…
Earlier this month, @RepTonyWied (WI-8) spent part of his day trackside in Green Bay, touring short line rail operations with the Fox Valley & Lake Superior Rail System (FOXY), @WatcoRail and GoRail.
He watched a crew pick up empty cars and prep them for transfer to the CN yard for switching, then dug into the policy questions that matter most for Wisconsin's short lines: reauthorizing the Short Line Railroad Tax Credit (45G), avoiding prescriptive mandates, and continued federal rail grant funding.
Conversations like this one are how freight rail's role in Wisconsin's economy gets understood in Washington. Thanks to Rep. Wied for making the time.
🚂 We’re headed to Spencer!
GoRail will be at the America 250 Locomotive Celebration at the N.C. Transportation Museum August 28–30, joining an incredible lineup of locomotives from railroads across the country as we celebrate 250 years of American history and the role rail has played in moving our nation forward.
Stop by the GoRail table to say hello, learn more about freight rail advocacy, and pick up some Rail Champions merchandise and other GoRail swag.
Three days. Dozens of locomotives. One big celebration of American rail.
Your voice can help shape the future of #FreightRail.
Join our Rail Champions 101 webinar to learn about today's policy priorities, how advocacy makes a difference, and how you can take action.
📅 Thursday, August 13
📷 1 PM ET
🎉 Thank you, signers! 🎉
Our proposal for a dedicated freight train emoji has officially been submitted to the Unicode Consortium!
A huge thank you to all 1,317 Rail Champions who signed our petition and helped make this milestone possible. Your support showed that freight rail deserves a place on every keyboard.
This is just the beginning of the review process, and we'll be sure to keep you updated as we receive news on the status of our application.
Thank you for helping move this campaign forward! 🚂💙
🚂 One last stop!
Our campaign for a modern freight locomotive emoji is almost at the end of the line, and we need your help to finish strong.
The petition closes this Friday, which means this is your last chance to add your name and show that the trains moving America's goods deserve a place on your keyboard.
Let's make sure the freight trains that keep our economy moving aren't left behind in the digital world.
📝 Sign before the deadline: gorail.quorum.us/campaign/uq…
