Texas rail advocates

Texas rail advocates. Texas Rail Advocates is a 501(c)3 not for profit grass roots organization. Texas Rail Advocates' outreach to the public and private sector helps to advance the development of rail service to its full potential as a carrier of freight and passengers. In his role, Davis will oversee and coordinate the rail activities for the department. These reports are compiled and distributed from the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis. Texas Rail Advocates | 530 followers on LinkedIn. Jun 6, 2023 · The Federal Railroad Administration will be releasing funds totaling some $86 million for five major grade-crossing projects in Texas cities through the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program. C. Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody, who attended the meeting, pointed out that the Mexican government is studying the feasibility of passenger rail service between Monterrey and the border at Laredo and the FRA team needs to relook at this since Laredo was included in the I-35 Texas Oklahoma Passenger Rail Study, which TxDOT and the May 3, 2024 · TRA is a 501(c)3 not for profit. Congressman Pete Sessions, responding to a letter from one of our Texas Rail Advocates board members affirms his support for private investment in building the first high speed rail line in the country. Jul 1, 2021 · If you're a business or industry looking for immediate development in a rail-served site in Texas, BNSF Railway has just added a third park to its state roster. Jul 9, 2024 · The Texas Rail Plan is a federally specified document detailing the state of the rail system in Texas and opportunities for improvement. Unfortunately the state legislature has failed to fund the RRIF. Aug 28, 2024 · Luckily, the industry takes this responsibility seriously. May 13, 2024 · May 13, 2024 - TRA Newswire - A presentation today by the North Central Texas Council of Governments outlined how a Dallas to Fort Worth High-Speed Rail Project is a critical piece for a future passenger rail tie-in to the I-35 and I-45 travel corridors in the state. Hosted by Texas Rail Advocates You should attend if you have any interest in: Feb 12, 2024 · February 12, 2024 - TRA Newswire - Two of the most powerful Texas county judges along the I-35 corridor met with Union Pacific officials in Washington earlier today to begin talks about starting passenger rail service, according to a post on X (formerly Twitter) from the Austin American-Statseman's transportation reporter. Our continuing work of educating and informing the pubic and private sector on the benefits of freight and passenger rail come from conference registrations, sponsorships and financial contributions from private citizens and the business community. TRA was formed in 2000 to educate and inform the public and private sector on the benefits of the then newly designated South Central High Speed Rail Corridor. 2,354 likes · 210 talking about this · 1 was here. Apr 16, 2023 · The next Texas Rail Advocates Board of Directors and public meeting will be on Wednesday, May 4 2022 at 6:30pm. Feb 7, 2022 · The Rail Division at the Texas Department of Transportation is adding new positions and has posted those on the agency website. Jun 16, 2024 · June 16, 2024 - Donnie Tuggle, KBTX. Aug 8, 2024 · TxDOT is updating the Texas Rail Plan and we need as many of our Texas Rail Advocates followers to participate as possible! Updating the Texas Rail Plan only happens every four years and your help is needed NOW. Jul 2, 2023 · No real cost savings and plenty of hungry passengers. In Texas, it is one of only five crossings. Promoting smart development of freight and passenger rail for Texas and the Southwest | Formed in 2000 as a 501(c)3 grass-roots not for profit. Stakeholder meetings were held in Dallas and San Antonio, and, because of Hurricane Beryl, a Houston meeting this week will be a virtual event with input on developing priorities for the state rail plan. Jun 17, 2024 · Rail advocates in Texas are ramping up efforts to secure funding for both high-speed and conventional rail projects as the next legislative session approaches in January. Feb 18, 2024 · But when the Federal Railroad Administration finishes their required study to evaluate future Amtrak conventional passenger rail corridors, it could get very interesting for underserved Texas cities and towns as well as others across the country that lack air service, bus service or have inadequate rail service. He says this time feels different, though. Any other use of the presentations require pre-approval from Texas Rail Advocates and must be identified as 17th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference hosted by Texas Rail Advocates. Jan 12, 2023 · January 12, 2023 - TRA Newswire - Everything really IS bigger in Texas – 12 construction, rail, signal, surfacing and tie teams have been busy out on Union Pacific tracks tackling an expansive series of projects designed to upgrade the state’s rail potential. Texas Rail Advocates. HJR 54 created a Texas rail relocation and improvement fund in the state treasury and authorized grants of state revenue and issuance of public debt to relocate, rehabilitate, and expand privately and publicly owned passenger and freight rail facilities and to construct railroad underpasses and overpasses. 5% in March. The daily service from San Antonio to Chicago that stops in a host of Texas cities and towns including Austin, Temple, Fort Worth, Dallas, Longview and Texarkana, has seen its on-time performance slide from 62. Due to the Coronavirus, the facilities at December 22, 2019 - TRA Newswire - From a Texas Capitol transportation update to the CEO of the company building Texas' high speed rail project, the Southwestern Rail Conference will bring together the public and private sector to discuss important rail issues on January 23-24 in Dallas. In a statement, Representative Morales said "thank you to Chairman Bonnen and Representative Drew Darby (San Angelo) for working with me to ensure that these funds were appropriated for the Presidio CBP Station to expand May 9, 2024 · May 9, 2024 - TRA Newswire - A passenger rail advisory committee in Central Texas, spearheaded by county judges of two of the largest metro areas in Texas is aiming to get regional rail service started between Austin and San Antonio. July 27, 2024 - TRA Newswire -Lawmakers, led by Texas Congressman Troy Nehls who heads the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, are showing bipartisan support and calling for new government regulations following last year's derailment and accident Mar 29, 2024 · The brand new, steel and concrete international rail bridge over the Rio Grande River at the Texas-Mexico line, was built after the original wooden structure burned down in 2008. Aug 9, 2021 · Texas Rail Advocates is saddened to hear of the passing of former Executive Director and transportation advocate Chris Lippincott of Austin. Judges in Waller, Grimes, Aug 25, 2024 · August 25, 2024 - TRA Newswire - You might not have known that U. 5 million to Trinity Metro for reimbursement of project costs incurred by Trinity Metro in the construction of approximately 2-miles of rail and platform facilities linking the Cotton Belt line to the terminal B passenger rail platform. An integrated network of over 100,000 Texas By Train Sep 2, 2024 · The Texas Supreme Court, in 2022, finally recognized that the company had eminent domain authority to acquire strips of land needed to build the rail line, but the initial funding for the project was used up and the railroad's board and CEO stepped down. 2007 Legislative session $0. Help offset costs of our campaign with a donation as little as $5 (Texas Rail Advocates is a 501C3 non-profit) Volunteer to help in your city, county or region by contacting your State Senator and State Representative; Companies, organizations and entities interested in participating in Fair-Share-For-Rail please contact us! Aug 8, 2024 · Since December 11, 1998, Fort Worth & Western Railroad Company (FWWR) has leased and operated the Texas Central Railroad. 287 runs from the panhandle all the way down to Port Arthur, angling its way through Amarillo, Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, and East Texas down to the Gulf Coast. org for authorization. Railroad construction in Texas was halted by the Civil War and the economic downturn of the early 1870s but resumed in the late 1870s and early 1880s. The plan — Connecting Texas 2050 — considers all modes of transportation, including roadways, pedestrian and bicycle paths, transit, freight and passenger rail, airports, waterways and seaports. Jan 11, 2020 · January 10, 2020 - Lyndon Henry for Express-News - Setbacks in attempts to launch urban rail projects over the past two decades have apparently led top San Antonio officials and planners to scratch rail off the city’s agenda. He began his railroad career in 1971 with the St. Armando Martinez says he is building support for legislation that could lead to light rail coming to the Rio Grande Valley. While we wait for the next shoe to drop, we'll let r ail writer Russell Jackson (editrail@aol. March 29, 2022 - TRA Newswire - 300 attendees will get a front-row seat to hear freight and passenger rail experts discuss important issues of the day Thursday and Friday at the 18th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference in Dallas. Sep 18, 2023 · In just the first 6 months of 2023 there have been 239 injury and fatality reports across Texas that involved either trespassers on railroad property, vehicles or pedestrians hit at rail crossings or on-the-job railroad injuries. Sep 14, 2022 · TRA is a 501(c)3 not for profit. Louis-San Francisco Railroad (the Frisco) and over the next 14 years held various positions in rail operations at the Frisco and later Burlington Northern (BN) when the Frisco was merged into BN. This week, the Rail May 30, 2024 · The public comment window for the Connecting Texas 2050 draft is open from May 10 to June 9, 2024. In a December 6, 2018 news release Peter Espy, TxDOT Rail Division Director was quoted as saying “The rail system is a critical component of our thriving economy, safely connecting industries, ports Jul 8, 2022 · Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody was quoted in a Railway Age news report and said that “You don’t see major projects like this, in the $20 billion to $30 billion range, coming down the pike every day. m. We now have a dedicated Rail Division at the Texas Department of Transportation and legislation including the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund (RRIF). Email taylor@texasrailadvocates. In a letter to its members, TSLRRA President Paul Treangen said that the organization "has been working to overcome historic roadblocks to the inclusion of short line railroads in Jun 3, 2024 · June 3, 2024 - TRA Newswire - Some 50 miles north of Dallas, a scene will be playing out in the 15th District Court of Grayson County between the small town of Gunter and a Class 1 railroad that owns property destined to become a major logistics distribution center. Jun 17, 2024 · The accountability bill has gained support from the Southern Rail Commission, DC-based Rail Passengers Association and now from Texas Rail Advocates. 5 days ago · Our continuing work of educating and informing the pubic and private sector on the benefits of freight and passenger rail come from conference registrations, sponsorships and financial contributions from private citizens and the business community. Aug 20, 2019 · Predecessor Heart of Texas Railroad was organized in 2012 and acquired the 67. Dec 23, 2020 · Two heavy haul locomotives pulling a 100 car ballast train from Alpine, Texas have made their way over the long mothballed South Orient Railroad line to Presidio, in deep Southwest Texas. com - Mexican officials confirmed plans for a 400km high-speed train between Nuevo León state capital Monterrey and San Antonio in Texas. A single freight train can take the load of 280 or more trucks — equivalent to 1,100 cars off our overcrowded highways In a special Texas Rail Advocates online presentation Wednesday evening August 4th, 2021 officials of Mexico’s state-owned rail system laid out how they want to address a passenger rail corridor between Monterrey, MX and San Antonio and work with their U. Aug 18, 2020 · advocacy August 28, 2024 - Texas Railroad Association - It is difficult to describe the sheer scope of the railroad industry. October 15, 2021 - TRA Newswire - Texas high-speed rail investors have announced their intention to form an entity that will develop train stations in Dallas, Houston and Grimes County near College Station, where the permitted Texas Central Railway high-speed rail line terminals will be located. Jul 27, 2022 · Union Pacific signed a historic deal with Wabtec Corporation for 600 locomotive modernizations worth more than $1 billion and is the largest investment in modernized locomotives in rail industry history. "Texas has a dormant fund called the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund", according to Texas Rail Advocates President Peter LeCody. Apr 15, 2022 · April 15, 2022 - TRA Opinion - Amtrak's Texas Eagle, cut down to a four car train with limited amenities, continues to suffer additional woes. The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Silver Line, as it will be called, has run into supply, labor, construction, freight railroad agreements and jurisdictional woes, not unlike any Jun 13, 2020 · Both BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad will serve the rail park and it offers access to Texas 79 and Interstate 35. Mar 24, 2024 · Still on the planning board is the Texas Central (Amtrak) proposed high-speed passenger rail corridor between Dallas and Houston, which would be an electrified 240 mile line to link the mega-regions with trains at speeds up to 200 miles per hour, an a Dallas-Fort Worth planned extension. Congress set aside $66 billion in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to advance rail projects across the country. Apr 13, 2023 · April 13, 2023 - TRA Newswire - The Rail Division at the Texas Department of Transportation has some initiatives underway to improve the flow of goods and people through rail improvements and to show how rail benefits economic development. It's part of Union Pacific’s fleet strategy to move more freight efficiently and sustainably across its service territory. Sep 22, 2023 · TRA is a 501(c)3 not for profit. Texas Rail Advocates supports the smart development of both freight and passenger rail service in Texas and the Oct 19, 2021 · Texas Rail Advocates had been working with stakeholders since 2008 to push for reopening of the international rail bridge. As part of BNSF's Premier Parks, Sites and Transload program a new 103 acre industrial property in Somerville, Texas is now ready for occupancy with direct rail service On Tuesday, April 13, the DART Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution authorizing a payment of $21. 3% in February to a dismal 52. Texas Rail Advocates, Dallas, Texas. Presentations on the 15th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference may be viewed for personal use only. Myers is a member of the Brazoria-Fort Bend Rail District, a group comprised of officials from Brazoria and Fort Bend counties, and has advocated for the rail line as a county commissioner by testifying to the Texas Transportation Commission for funding requests. Peter served on the Texas Transportation Commission I-35 Corridor Advisory Committee and on the Steering Committee The 20th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference was held April 15-16, 2024 at the Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, Texas in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. S. The next Texas Rail Advocates Board of Directors and public meeting will be on Wednesday, May 4 2022 at 6:30pm. The conference, hosted by Texas Rail Advocates, draws hundreds of attendees from Texas, neighboring states and across the country and is the only one of its kind in the Southwest that discusses both freight and passenger rail issues that affect the industry and the public with a special emphasis on state and federal rail matters. counterparts to make it a reality. Jul 12, 2024 · July 12, 2024 - TRA Newswire - To mollify Dallas City Council members that didn't want to see an elevated high-speed rail line on the western fringe of downtown Dallas, the Regional Transportation Council was shown a new proposed route that would move the line even further west and keep passenger trains away from developers that complained that noise would be excessive and interrupt their October 8, 2020 - TRA Newswire - The city of San Angelo in deep Southwest Texas is moving ahead on a $600,000 deal to create a rail port in that city. WESLACO, RGV – State Rep. The funds come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress. There have been ongoing meetings between Mexican Nov 6, 2021 · Large sums of transportation funds will be distributed through competitive grant programs which leaves Texas without the proverbial dog-in-the-hunt for rail projects. com - ANDERSON, Texas (KBTX) -Texas Central Railway, the company behind the proposed Dallas to Houston 240-mile high-speed rail project, is facing legal action from multiple counties over nearly $850,000 in unpaid property taxes. and Mexico. Oct 15, 2021 · October 15, 2021 - TRA Newswire - Texas high-speed rail investors have announced their intention to form an entity that will develop train stations in Dallas, Houston and Grimes County near College Station, where the permitted Texas Central Railway high-speed rail line terminals will be located. These are complex, multi-layered projects that involve government bureaucracies at all levels, bringing together domestic and March 8, 2021 - TRA Newswire - No trains will be able to cross the newly rebuilt Presidio, Texas-Ojinaga, Mexico international rail bridge until the Texas legislature appropriates $35 million for the final touch, a U. 55 of Mar 10, 2024 · A full list of panels and presenters can be found on the conference website. Mar 9, 2024 · When the SurfBoard announces the names of those selected, the panel will include representatives from Amtrak, commuter, non-Amtrak passenger rail and freight rail operators, Class 1's, advocacy organizations, shippers, short lines, a state that supports passenger rail, organized labor, and three at-large seats. Jul 27, 2024 · July 27, 2024 - TRA Newswire - It took over three years to get paperwork and environmental clearances in place, but now the Rusk County Rural Rail District can put to use a $15 million grant to rebuild the rail line on the Henderson Overton branch in East Texas. Promoting smart development of freight and passenger rail for Texas and the Southwest | Formed in 2000 as a 501(c)3 grass-roots not for Tx Congressman Nehls leads bipartisan push for rail safety legislation in DC hearing Jun 17, 2024 · Rail advocates in Texas are ramping up efforts to secure funding for both high-speed and conventional rail projects as the next legislative session approaches in January. Chris, a resident of Crestview, was a professional media strategist who helped shape TRA's conferences and was also active in Austin Coalition for Transit. In a December 6, 2018 news release Peter Espy, TxDOT Rail Division Director was quoted as saying “The rail system is a critical component of our thriving economy, safely connecting industries, ports Mar 24, 2024 · Texas Rail Advocates does not believe that the Texas Eagle, which for years has been regarded as Amtrak's Red-Headed Step Child, should have to be tied to a initiative that restores proper food service for its passengers through a congressional approved initiative. The rail conference is hosted by Texas Rail Advocates, a 501(c)3 grass-roots non-profit that supports the smart development of freight and passenger rail projects in Texas and the Southwest. Jul 23, 2024 · "It's like the perfect storm forming because 20 years ago if we talked about passenger rail in Texas, it would fall on deaf ears," said Peter LeCody, who heads the organization Texas Rail Advocates. Nov 10, 2021 · Jeffrey “Jeff” Davis has been named the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) new Rail Division (RRD) Director, effective November 15, 2021. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection facility in this remote Texas border town. Peter served on the Texas Transportation Commission I-35 Corridor Advisory Committee and on the Steering Committee Aug 22, 2020 · TRA is a 501(c)3 not for profit. Dec 20, 2020 · Ironhorse Resources railroad company is selling the historic Burlington Depot at 189 Locust St. Another opening is for a Rail Operations Specialist II. 40% of the land needed for the high-speed rail line had already been acquired. The virtual public meeting will take place on Aug. Feb 1, 2023 · The start date for future rail service on the 26-mile Cotton Belt Regional Rail Corridor has been pushed back to late 2025 - early 2026 due to a myriad of issues. RCR Rail Company, which also operates RCR Hempstead Logistics Park in Hempstead said in a news release that the Taylor rail park "will serve national and international grade manifest, transload and unit train firms that want Peter is a Dallas business owner and serves as President of Texas Rail Advocates. Become a Texas Rail Advocates volunteer. Our continuing work of educating and informing the pubic and private sector on the benefits of freight and passenger rail come from conference registrations, sponsorships and financial contributions from private citizens and the business community. March 8, 2021 - TRA Newswire - No trains will be able to cross the newly rebuilt Presidio, Texas-Ojinaga, Mexico international rail bridge until the Texas legislature appropriates $35 million for the final touch, a U. This was the first train, earlier this month, to use the tracks in over 15 years when the wooden international rail bridge across the Rio Grande River burned Before 2010, there was no strategic vision at the state level for passenger rail service to move people between cities in Texas. com) sum it up. The short line has had plenty of bad luck. and the dog-legged, 5. Texas Rail Advocates had been working with stakeholders since 2008 to push for reopening of the international rail bridge. Dec 5, 2022 · TTI has a long-standing relationship with the Rail Division supporting rail research projects which ultimately help shape important items like the Texas Rail Plan. The meeting will start with a presentation, followed by . Peter is a Dallas business owner and serves as President of Texas Rail Advocates. Two new positions are now open for applicants: a Rail Program Coordinator and a Contract Specialist IV. com - Rail advocates in Texas are ramping up efforts to secure funding for both high-speed and conventional rail projects as the next legislative session approaches in January. March 29, 2024 - TRA Newswire (Austin) -Reopening of the Rio Grande rail bridge, between Ojinaga, Mexico and Presidio, in deep Southwest Texas took a giant step forward Thursday when the Texas Transportation Commission approved letting of a $33 million Texas Rail Advocates is saddened to hear of the passing of former Executive Director and transportation advocate Chris Lippincott of Austin. CT. The New York Times found that fourteen Amtrak executives received more than $200,000 each in incentive bonuses last year despite the service’s poor recent financial performance and struggles May 18, 2024 · Expanding passenger rail in Texas has faced many hurdles, but the new Central Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee is a way to speed up that conversation. Jan 28, 2021 · Presentations on the 17th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference may be viewed for personal use only. 42-acre lot on which it sits. OminTRAX took operational control in 2016. Normally we are at the Meadows Conference Center at 2900 Live Oak, Dallas Texas. The committee includes people from Amtrak, people all over the state and other county judges who are interested in expanding passenger service generally in Texas, Brown said. August 22, 2024 - TRA Newswire -The Texas Transportation Commission put its blessing on the Texas Department of Transportation's Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget request Thursday, now sending the lengthy document over to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for review before it November 24, 2021 - BNAmericans. TRA is a 501(c)3 not for profit. Aug 15, 2024 · August 15, 2024 - TRA Commentary - Setting the vision for the future, the Texas Transportation Commission voted unanimously in July to adopt Connecting Texas 2050, TxDOT’s latest update to the statewide long-range transportation plan, at their July meeting. The 20th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference (2024) Dec 9, 2023 · Updated 8pm CST - December 9, 2023 - TRA Newswire - Texas Rail Advocates learned that the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded planning grants to the Texas Department of Transportation, Amtrak, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Southern Rail Commission. October 2, 2019 - TRA Newswire - Texas Rail Advocates has filed a letter with the Surface Transportation Board supporting a request from Texas Central Railway to show that a national ticketing agreement with Amtrak should solidify their position as being an interstate transportation provider, rather than just handling passengers within the state of Texas. We’re the largest grass-roots non-profit organization in Texas and the Southwest that focuses on rail transportation issues. 00 Jul 3, 2022 · The railroad bridge is one of only eight cross-border rail lines between the U. The Weslaco Democrat’s bill, setting up a regional transit authority, is likely to be the top legislative issue for the Valley during the upcoming legislative session, alongside passage of a Sep 13, 2023 · September 13, 2023 - TRA Newswire - Almost 200 opponents of the Dallas-Houston high-speed rail project met at the Truman Kimbro Convention Center in Madisonville Monday night and were updated on the latest developments by several rural elected leaders. The company is moving its rail operations to a 9-acre lot on China Street, on the east side of South Treadaway Boulevard, said John HIll, the listing broker with Barnett and Hill who is representing May 20, 2017 - TRA Newswire - U. 19, 2024, at 4:30 p. He comes to TxDOT with an extensive boots-on-the-ground railroad background. Aug 17, 2020 · Texas Rail Advocates participated as a stakeholder in both freight and passenger rail discussions with the Texas Department of Transportation. Sponsorship gives you coverage before, during and the full year following the conference. He currently serves on the TxDOT I-20 Steering Committee. Railroads, rail associations like this Texas Railroad Association, advocacy and education organizations like GoRail and Operation Lifesaver, and community advocates, such as the Texas Rail Advocates all combine to routinely engage with the public and officials on a variety of topics. All of the other crossings are fully operational and extremely busy. With this acquisition, FWWR will transition from lessee to ownership. Former Amtrak Chairman David Laney ordered that to stop after a paper was presented to him by Texas Rail Advocates showing the folly. Volunteer your time and your talent – either remotely or in person. UP. Aug 20, 2023 · AUSTIN, Texas — Travis County Judge Andy Brown grew up in Austin and has heard the stories about high-speed rail coming to Texas just as long as the rest of us. 5-mile line from the bankrupt Gulf, Colorado and San Saba Railway in 2013. July 30, 2024 - KBTX. He served as Chair of Rail Passengers Association (formerly known as National Association of Railroad Passengers), based in Washington D. fzx cdp rqap lflspydu skggfs oyucza ypyx srowslm sjgas wtftof