After a quick train ride from Philadelphia on Amtrak’s Acela—and a meeting with “Abe Lincoln,” the Washington Nationals’ mascot—high-speed rail experts from around the world assembled July 10 at Union Station in Washington, DC.

FRA Administrator Joe Szabo offered remarks on behalf of President Barack Obama and DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. “Three years ago,” he said, “the president declared a vision of an America transported by high-speed rail. This week you’ll hear about the remarkable progress we’ve made in a very short time.” He said that FRA “is thrilled to be a cooperating sponsor and part of the UIC World Congress convening in Philadelphia,” and he called the event in Washington “a terrific opportunity to bring together the talent and experiences of colleagues and world leaders worldwide.”

Michael Melaniphy, APTA president & CEO, noted in his welcome that the train on which they rode into DC is the “anchor in our own Northeast Corridor for high-speed rail.”

“We are here,” he said, “to demonstrate how and why high-speed rail is flourishing, and yes, still spreading in the rest of the world. We believe educational events like today on Capitol Hill will help speed the course in the United States as well.” He also called the recent legislative vote in California to support high-speed rail funding a “huge step for this country.”

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, director-general of UIC, the world rail association, thanked everyone “from the bottom of our hearts for this warm and enthusiastic welcome.”

He also mentioned the California vote, adding with a smile: “The decision made Friday [July 6] was symbolic in its timing [of the 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail convening in Philadelphia]—so, are we [UIC] a lucky charm?” Loubinoux said the Washington Day event presented “a unique opportunity to have all the prominent actors in high-speed rail gathered—all in one row [at the meeting].” 

Ed Hamberger, president & CEO, Association of American Railroads, recalled how “my heart leapt a few years ago when President Obama used the word ‘railroad’ in his State of the Union address.” Hamberger said, however, that any rail system should be one rail system, and that those who run both passenger and freight trains should figure out how to work together “to reach that dual goal of finding a world-class passenger as well as freight system.”

Other speakers included Joe McHugh, vice president, government affairs, Amtrak, who pointed out that Amtrak carries more people between New York City and Washington, DC, than all the airlines combined; Janet Oakley, director of policy and government relations, American Association of State Highway and Transportation  Officials, who remarked that “we have much to learn from your experiences—and value your time with us”; Thomas Hart, vice president, government affairs, and general counsel, U.S. High Speed Rail Association, who called Szabo “a soldier in this effort to bring high-speed rail to America”; and Charlotte Muller, operations manager, American High Speed Rail Alliance, who urged the audience to “use your experiences abroad to educate the people here.”

Following the welcoming remarks, attendees left in small groups to visit personally with nine Congressional representatives. They were Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Corrine Brown (D-FL), Russ Carnahan (D-MO), John Mica (R-FL), John Olver (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), David Price (D-NC), Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-NY), and Steven LaTourette (R-OH).

Photo by Kevin Allen Posing at Union Station with “Abe Lincoln,” mascot of the Washington Nationals, are, from left, FRA Administrator Joseph Szabo; UIC Chairman Yoshio Ishida, vice chairman, East Japan Railways; Satoshi Seino, chairman, East Japan Railways; UIC Director-General Jean-Pierre Loubinoux; Suleyman Karaman, director general and chairman of the board, Turkish State Railways; and APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy.