AAWA News, November 2025

AAWA at the Portland Rail Summit

AAWA board and staff members Harvey Bowen, Larry Yok, John McIntosh, Jim McIntosh, Warren Yee, Gary Wirt, Bob Lawrence, Charlie Hamilton, and Luis Moscoso participated in the Pacific Northwest Rail Summit in Portland in October. The agenda was packed with presentations and discussions about the future of Passenger and freight rail throughout the region. Including the latest on building rail services in the North Coast route between Seattle and Chicago via Stampede Pass, and the . Seattle to Denver route via Boise. 

See a recap and an article from the Oregon Capital Chronicle: “Train line from Portland to Salt Lake City would bridge rural and urban gap, advocates say”

Rail Corridor Communications Network

AAWA is one of many rail advocacy, economic development, and environmental organizations who are working together to coordinate efforts to restart service along the North Coast route.

AAWA asks Senator Cantwell to Co-Sponsor the “Long-Distance Corridor Relief Act”

The Federal Railroad Administrator approved routes to participate in the Corridor Identification Program . But as currently designed, states or other non-Federal sources will be required to provide a local match. 

AAWA has asked Senator Cantwell to Co-Sponsor the “Long-Distance Corridor Relief Act,”S 2916, being introduced by Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT):

The Long Distance Corridor Relief Act would correct the current requirement for non-Federal sources to provide match funds for long-distance Amtrak service like Big Sky North Coast; there is no precedent for a local-match requirement and the requirement contradicts 2008 Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) language.

AAWA Shares its Legislative Priorities for 2026

The AAWA board has approved working with our friends from the Rail Can't Wait coalition. on the AAWA and RCW Coalition Legislative Priorities. 

• AAWA and RCW will work together to propose and support Washington state legislation in support of Montana’s Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) Corridor Identification Program (CID) for restoration of passenger rail service in Washington via Stampede Pass.  We believe that Stampede Pass should be the preferred route in Washington state for restoration of passenger rail service through central Washington as recommended by the Federal Railroad Administration in their January 2025 report to Congress.
• AAWA and RCW will work together on both the short-term legislative ask re CCA/CERA funds being made available to all three CID-qualified programs (Amtrak Cascades, Big Sky, and UHSR) - potentially, both the allocations in the 2025-2027 budget and new funds available through the most recent CCA auction.
• AAWA and RCW will also work together on proposing a study of potential funding streams for passenger rail.
• AAWA and RCA agreed on the need to educate legislators and local beneficiaries via AAWA’s Train Treks, Whistle Stops and Committee Days. We are planning presentations with legislators and community groups, and another series of Train Treks.

Reauthorization

We understand that the replacement for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA), which expires in 2026, is currently being drafted in Congress. AAWA and other rail advocates are working together to ensure the future of passenger rail.

Annual Meeting December 13

AAWA’s annual meeting will be held on Zoom Saturday, December 13 at 1:00 pm PT. Please register at https://www.aawa.us/events/aawa-winter-gathering--december-2025/2025-12-13/ 

We have invited the WSDOT Rail, Freight and Ports Division to present updates on their upcoming grant applications, status on the new train sets, and other items of interest. 

We also encourage AAWA members to enter nominations for the 2026 AAWA Board to be voted on  at the meeting. 

Fundraiser

AAWA needs your help to continue our work in 2026. We’re just over halfway through the $30,000 goal needed by the end of 2025. Please donate now at https://www.aawa.us/support/ or mail your check to

All Aboard Washington

P.O. Box 70381

Seattle, WA 98127-0381

News

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Charles Hamilton
Executive Director
All Aboard Washington