The 18th Annual
Southwestern Rail Conference

Thursday March 31, 2022
Friday April 1, 2022
DoubleTree by Hilton
at Campbell Centre Dallas

Thank you for making the 18th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference a smashing success. We broke attendance records and our presenters were top notch. We hope you were satisfied with the outcome and we look forward to seeing you back next year.

If you missed this year, watch for the 2023 premier all-rail conference held in Texas that features a wealth of discussions on freight and passenger rail from experts in their field Many of this years presentations will be available to view within several weeks of the conference. Watch this page for information.

Be sure to reserve your seat for THE premier all-rail conference held each year in Texas with a wealth of discussions on freight and passenger rail from experts in their field.
The late conference rate is $299.00, subject to remaining registration slots available.
  • Thursday evening dinner/presentation is SOLD OUT
  • The Networking Happy Hour Thursday evening 5:30 – 7:00pm is open to all attendees.

Note: Previous conferences were sold out. Due the high demand, online payment is required when completing registration. We appreciate your cooperation.

Not on our email list? Register here

The hotel room block is sold out. There are several other hotel properties close by.

Event Sponsors

These sponsors made the 2022 Southwestern Rail Conference possible

Your sponsorship helps to promote freight and passenger rail in Texas and the Southwest as we educate and inform our elected / appointed leaders and the public on the economic benefits of rail.

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. Sponsorship gives you coverage before, during and the full year following the conference.

Event Photos

Presentations & Panels

Forget About Infrastructure Week…. 2022 Will Be Infrastructure YEAR!

With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) now law, 2022 means that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration are busy at work writing the rules and regulations for a host of new passenger and freight rail programs. Our 2022 conference will focus on this historic funding package for railway projects and the railroad industry along with other timely topics.


Thursday Evening March 31


4:00PM-7:00PM - Registration, 21st Floor
5:00PM-7:00PM - Networking / Happy Hour, Cash Bar
7:00PM-9:00PM - Conference Dinner - Sponsored by ALSTOM
Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President Government Affairs and Policy for DC-based Rail Passengers Association gives his insight into the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and what it holds for both freight and passenger rail in the future.

Friday April 1


7:00AM - Registration, in front of Main Ball Room
7:30AM - 8:30AM - Light Breakfast
8:30AM - Welcome
Texas Rail Advocates President, Peter LeCody

8:40AM - Rail Equipment Evolution
Alan Reynolds, President, Geismar North America

8:55AM - Alstom - Delivering Sustainable Mobility in the U.S.
Alexandre Paquet, Customer Director and Head of Business Development, Rolling Stock

9:15AM - Amtrak ConnectsUS 2035 Vision for Texas and Beyond
Ray Lang, Vice-President of State Supported Services

9:45AM - Trailblazing Freight Technology Panel - Where's My Railcar?
Trailblazing Technology Panel: Where Is My Railcar? Moderator Karl Ziebarth with representatives of Nexxiot, Trinsight and Quasar discuss innovative ways and solutions for shippers and railroads to track shipments for real time tracking and conditions. Find out about monitoring technologies that benefit both the railroad and the shipper.

10:25AM - Break
10:40AM - Federal Railroad Administration
Allison Fultz, Chief Counsel for the Federal Railroad Administration explains all the new IIJA Programs that the agency will have under its umbrella

11:15AM - Freight Rail Q&A Panel
Moderator Karl Ziebarth, Director Texas Rail Advocates, with Clint Schelbitzki-AVP, Union Pacific; Paul Treangen-CEO, TNW Corp and Pres. Tx Short Line Regional Railroad Association; Lindsay Mullins-ExecDirector State Govt. Affairs, BNSF

12:00PM - Our Traditional Southwestern Luncheon - Sponsored by ALSTOM
Special Guests...
Texas House Transportation Chair Terry Canales
U.S. House Representative Colin Allred, House Transportation and U.S. House Representative Eddie Bernie Johnson, House Transportation
Congressman Allred's Zoom presentation from DC unfortunately dropped out before his remarks were completed. We hope to hear more from him on transportation issues in the future.

1:15PM - Break
1:30PM - Texas Dept. of Transportation Rail Division
Jeff Davis, Rail Division Director at Texas Department of Transportation

2:00PM - Lessons from Nevada State Rail Plan
Michael Sussman-CEO, Strategic Rail Finance

2:30PM - Southern Rail Commission / I-20 Corridor Council
Commissioner Knox Ross of the Southern Rail Commission along with Judge Richard Anderson of the I-20 Corridor Council

3:00PM - Break
3:15PM - Siemens Mobility - Investing in American Rail
Steve Roescher-Director, Business Development

3:35PM - DART: Growth and Regional Development
Dee Leggett, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Executive Vice-President, whose new duties entail Growth and Regional Development

4:05PM - Closing Remarks & Our Famous $100 Drawing