Greater Northwest Rail Advocates Network

Rail Advocates Network (RAN) Sidebar
Pacific Northwest Rail Summit
EcoTrust Building, Portland
Thursday, October 16 | 1:15–2:15 PM (PT)
Hybrid: in-person and online (registration required)

Purpose
The Rail Advocates Network (RAN) brings together leaders from across the Pacific Northwest and the Big Sky North Coast Corridor to coordinate advocacy, share information, and build regional alignment on intercity passenger rail priorities.

This Sidebar offers a chance to reflect on what we’ve learned during the Summit and determine how to strengthen collaboration among advocates and partner organizations.

Please Come Prepared

Bring one key issue or insight from the Summit sessions—especially those not fully covered in the Legislative Roundtable or other panels.
Keep comments concise and actionable; this is a listening and coordination session, not a debate.
Written notes or short summaries are welcome. Email them to Luis Moscoso ([email protected]) or Kim Whittemore ([email protected]) by Thursday morning if possible.

Key Discussion Themes

Reflections from the Legislative Roundtable
- What stood out from legislators’ comments on coordination, funding, and governance?
- What priorities or next steps emerged that advocates can help advance?
- We will capture key takeaways and potential follow-up actions for future RAN coordination.
The Role of RAN (Charlie & Mark)
- Position RAN as a connector that helps groups share accurate information, amplify regional wins, and build state-level advocacy networks.
- Encourage participation from new partners, including MPOs, chambers, universities, and workforce organizations.
- Define how RAN can link into broader coalition efforts like Government Partners, ensuring consistent communication across the corridor.
- Reminder: RAN meeting at AORTA HQ, Union Station, Friday at 1:15 PM.
Legislative Engagement (Kim & Luis)
- How advocates can support constructive dialogue around the surface transportation reauthorization and S. 2916 (Sheehy) without taking premature positions.
- Opportunities for state legislators to coordinate more effectively across state lines—building on the discussions at the Big Sky conference and PNWER’s “Regional Rail Coordination” panel.

Outcome
Our goal is to leave this Sidebar with:

A clear record of key themes and observations from PNWER sessions.
A shared understanding of how RAN can strengthen coordination among states and partner organizations.
Preliminary next steps to carry forward at Friday’s meeting and beyond.

Facilitators
Luis Moscoso, Government Affairs Director, AAWA/AORTA
Kim Whittemore, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority / BSPRA–Corridor ID Coordination
Charlie Hamilton and Mark Quam, All Aboard Washington / All Aboard Northwest

Please email Charlie if you would like to attend via Zoom and we'll send you an invitation.