December 15, 2024

This year has been very productive for All Aboard Washington. Here are a few highlights of our activities.

AAWA Assisted with A Medical Provider Survey on the Impact of Restoring Passenger Rail Service

AAWA provided technical assistance to this survey conducted by the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility and the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences.

AAWA Commented to the FRA’s Long-Distance Service Study

AAWA supported serving the Yakima Valley-Stampede Pass route via Spokane, southern Montana and points east, as well as via the Tri-Cities, eastern Oregon, Boise, Salt Lake City, and Denver.

Renowned Railroad Artist J. Craig Thorpe Spoke with AAWA in Seattle

J. Craig Thorpe, noted railroad artist and author of Railroads, Art and American Life: An Artist’s Memoir (Indiana University Press, 2023), spoke in Seattle at an event hosted by All Aboard Washington.

"All Aboard Washington and Forty Years of Passenger Rail Expansion" 

AAWA heard from Jeff Schultz, Senior Transit and Rail Planner, David Evans and Associates, and a longtime AAWA member.

AAWA Supported Expanding Amtrak Cascades Services, Called for Expansion Statewide

AAWA expressed its enthusiastic support for a proposal by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for a significant increase in Amtrak Cascades service.

FRA and BSPRA Meetings in Missoula

Gary Wirt and Charlie Hamilton traveled to Missoula to represent AAWA and other rail advocacy organizations to provide feedback to the Federal Railroad Administration's Long Distance Service Study during the fourth of four meetings.

Remembering Lloyd Flem

With deep regret and sadness, we remember the passing of Lloyd Flem, Executive Director Emeritus of All Aboard Washington.

AORTA-AAWA Meeting at Portland Union Station

Government Affairs Director Luis Moscoso led a lively panel discussion with staffers Jason Hitzert, representing Oregon Senator Chris Gorsek; Aaron Brown, representing Oregon Senator-Elect Khanh Pham; and Spencer Rosenau, representing Oregon Representative Nancy Nathanson.

Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Spokane

The Third Annual Greater Northwest Rail Summit in Spokane expanded its focus beyond passenger rail to discuss how an improved rail network in the Greater Northwest will benefit movement of both people and goods.The Summit was planned and organized by a team including AAWA Co-Executive Director Charlie Hamilton. Thanks also to AAWA board members Gary Wirt, Warren Yee, and Jim McIntosh, along with members Pat McIntosh, Dave Rowe, and Tim Gould for their indispensable help.

AORTA-AAWA Meeting at Portland Union Station

At the AORTA-AAWA joint meeting at Portland Union Station, Government Affairs Director Luis Moscoso led a lively panel discussion with staffers Jason Hitzert, representing Oregon Senator Chris Gorsek; Aaron Brown, representing Oregon Senator-Elect Khanh Pham; and Spencer Rosenau, representing Oregon Representative Nancy Nathanson. 

Gary Wirt Named to State Work Group

AAWA Vice-President Gary Wirt has been appointed to the Washington State Commercial Aviation Work Group.

Year-End General Meeting “Transportation Equity & Inclusion” Presentation 

Anthony Lanzilotti of the Rail Passengers Association board shared his unique perspective with AAWA as a totally blind traveler.

Planning for 2025

With new administrations in Washington, DC, and in Olympia, rail advocates have much work to do in the coming months. At the December 4 Amtrak Board of Directors meeting that was held in Seattle, we heard some good news about expanded ridership in fiscal year 2024. But Amtrak and the state rail offices made it clear that expanded and more frequent rail service won’t happen without continued legislative support in Washington DC, Salem, and Olympia. The expansions proposed by the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program, and the Long-Distance Service Study, won’t happen without funding for infrastructure improvements, additional equipment, and operating funds.

Amtrak and the state DOTs won’t lobby for these improvements, so it will be up to us. We saw that there has been great enthusiasm for better rail when we visited your communities through our Train Treks and ongoing conversations. That enthusiasm is bipartisan, since most communities appreciate the need for at least some of our “3Es” – benefits to the economy, the environment, and to equity.

Local groups in places like Ritzville, Washington have generated community support to press local, state and national leaders to fund a rail system for everyone. Would you like to create a local organization in your own community? With your donations, All Aboard Washington can help. Please donate today!

Donate Now to Double the Benefit to All Aboard Washington!

Once again, AAWA has received a generous donation that you can help match. Donations totaling up to $10,000 received through January 3 will be matched, so a $100 donation will bring in $200 toward our rail advocacy efforts. Please keep us on track by making a generous donation. You may donate at https://aawa.us/donate or send a check to

All Aboard Washington
P.O. Box 70381
Seattle, WA 98127-0381

Your donations must be received by January 3 to receive this generous match!

We wish you a great holiday season and safe travels!

Patrick Carnahan
Charlie Hamilton
Co-Executive Directors
All Aboard Washington