Texas Rail Advocates

Accomplishments & Objectives

Accomplishments for 2005

Organized the first South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Conference at DFW International Airport with key speakers from railroads, the state and transportation agencies - a sold out event.
Developed an informational and educational website for the public and private sectors to obtain information on passenger and freight rail issues in Texas.
Engaged the public and private sectors in developing our Texas rail system through outreach programs including participation at the Transportation Summit in San Antonio, Texas in September 2005.

Accomplishments for 2006

Expanded the outreach of Texas Rail Advocates to a broader area of the public and private sector and raised awareness of passenger and freight rail issues as they affect the quality of life and economic development in the state.
Held the 2nd Annual South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Conference at DFW Airport in Dallas on January 28, 2006.
Promoted the designated USDOT South Central High Speed Rail Corridor as an environmentally friendly and economically viable alternative to adding more highways in Texas.
Exhibited at the Texas Association of Regional Councils conference in Houston and acquainted regional elected officials with passenger and freight rail issues.

Accomplishments for 2007

Held the 3rd Annual South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Conference in Dallas at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas.
Met with elected officials and their staff during Day at Capitol Hill during National Association of Railroad Passengers board meeting.
Participated during Railroad Day at the State Capitol in Austin with members of the Texas Railroad Association and met with members of the House and Senate on rail issues.
Relaunched www.texasrailadvocates.org and added a blog site.

Accomplishments for 2008

Held the 4th Annual South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Conference in Dallas at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Dallas in conjunction with the Texas Rail Passengers Association general meeting the following day.
Participation included a presentation from SNCF (French National Railroads) on high speed rail. Conference speaker presentations posted online.
Exhibited at the Texas Association of Regional Councils conference in Corpus Christi in conjunction with Texas Alliance of Rail Districts
Organized the Dallas and Fort Worth activities for the first annual National Train Day.
Met with elected officials and their staff during Day at Capitol Hill during National Association of Railroad Passengers board meeting.
Texas Rail Advocates offered public comment during a Texas Transportation Commission hearing in Dallas on the need for a Rail Division within the Texas Department of Transportation.

Accomplishments for 2009

Held the 5th Annual South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Conference in Dallas at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Dallas in conjunction with the RPCA (Railroad Private Car Association). Conference speaker presentations posted online.
Participated during Railroad Day at the State Capitol in Austin with members of the Texas Railroad Association and met with members of the House and Senate on rail issues.
Met with elected officials and their staff during Day at Capitol Hill during National Association of Railroad Passengers board meeting.
Organized the Dallas and Fort Worth activities for the second annual National Train Day at Union Station in Dallas and at the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center.
TRA board members met with various state and federal legislators during the year to inform and educate their staff on issues concerning the South Central and Gulf Coast rail corridors.
TRA offered testimony during Texas Senate Transportation hearings in Austin and Arlington on the need for a Rail Division within the Texas Department of Transportation. A Rail Division was subsequently created by TxDOT.