The 22nd Annual
Southwestern Rail Conference

Book your registration and hotel space now while Early Bird Pricing is in effect!

The 22nd Annual Southwestern Rail Conference will be held May 18-19, 2026 at the Hurst Conference Center, Hurst, Texas in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. It's the premier all-rail conference highlighting important freight and passenger rail projects and developments held yearly in Texas.

New to our conference? Here's what you missed in 2025.

Tickets
Sponsors
Event Schedule
Hotel Info
Hosted by Texas Rail Advocates
This rail conference draws attendees who are interested in:
Transportation planning, government affairs, rail coalitions, policy advisor, economic development, signaling and communications, passenger rail, transit, research and emerging technology, state affairs and funding, marketing, management and finance, freight logistics, infrastructure, intercity rail, management consulting, supply chain management, business services, railway supplier and manufacturer, energy and the environment, rail safety, rail industry careers.
"Extra Early Bird"
"Extra Early Bird" Full Registration is $299.00 (capacity controlled)
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Event Sponsors

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Click Here To Sponsor

These sponsors are making the 2026 Southwestern Rail Conference possible:

Held in conjunction with the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Annual Meeting May 18, 2026

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 Schedule

Monday, May 18, 2026

12:00 PM - Registration Opens
2:00 PM - Opening Remarks, Peter J LeCody, President of Texas Rail Advocates
2:15 PM - Surface Transportation Board
Karen Hedlund, Surface Transportation Board Member - Karen Jean Hedlund is an American attorney and governmental advisor who has served as a member of the Surface Transportation Board since January 2022. Comments are her own and do not reflect policy of the STB.
3:15 PM - On The Border
Stan Meador, Sr. Vice-President Administration and Sales, Texas Pacifico Transportation - After many plot twists and turns, the 8th international gateway rail bridge between the U.S. and Mexico, over the Rio Grande River, is close to opening in the small desert town of Presidio. It opens up a wealth of future economic development for two countries.
Dr. Armando Ocaña, former Mayor of Mission, Rio Grande Valley Group - They recently held their second RGV International Rail Conference to highlight the need for intercity passenger rail service and unveiled their concept of the Texas Diamond Rail Corridor.
4:15 PM - Where is the freight rail industry heading?
Anthony "Tony" Hatch, is a renowned independent transportation analyst and consultant with over 30 years of Wall Street experience, specializing in the freight rail and intermodal sectors. He co-founded the RailTrends conference, and is a prominent voice in rail industry analysis.
5:15 PM - Networking Happy Hour
7:00 PM - Dinner
David Fink, heading up the Federal Railroad Administration, is a fifth-generation railroader who takes a hands-on approach dealing with a myriad of freight and passenger rail issues and programs. He's kept busy with a basket of rail grant programs from the 2021 Infrastructure Law to safety issues and a recent directive to restructure the national passenger rail carrier, Amtrak.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

7:00 AM - Registration Opens
8:20 AM - Opening Remarks
8:30 AM - To Be Announced
To Be Announced
9:00 AM - Texas Department Of Transportation - Rail Division
Don Franks serves as director of Rail at the Texas Department of Transportation. He brings over 35 years of strategic planning and executive leadership experience in the rail industry. The Rail Division implements rail-related policies, performs infrastructure and operational analysis and rail project planning, monitors potential rail line abandonments, oversees rail and transit safety and compliance programs, and manages the South Orient Railroad.
10:00 AM - The Texas Legislature Creates Two Rail Grant Programs
The panel discusses Senate Bill 1555 which created a grant program for At-Grade Rail Separation projects with a first-time allocation of $250 million. Senate Bill 2366 created a Short Line Grant Program, but it fell a bit short to help the "mom 'n pops". You'll head how other states help short line railroads with grants.
Allan Rutter is a Senior Research Scientist and Freight Analysis Program Manager in the Freight and Trade Division. Allan served as Federal Railroad Administrator under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2004
Jeff Van Schaick is Senior Vice President of External Relations at Jaguar Transport Holdings, where he leads federal, state, and local government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy across the company’s portfolio
Ross Lane is Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at Genesee & Wyoming and leads the development and execution of public and government affairs strategies for a leading freight railroad company across a 14 state region
11:00 AM - Passenger Rail Success Story on the Gulf Coast - The "Mardi Gras" Service
The news headlines read Amtrak's Gulf Coast Service shatters passenger projections. Mardi Gras service brings rail revival to US Gulf Coast.
John Robert Smith is chairman of Transportation for America, served four terms as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and formerly served as chairman of the board of Amtrak.
Stephen McNair, Ph.D. serves as the Director of External and Governmental Affairs for the City of Mobile with a focus on legislative and policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Nikki Moon is a Realtor in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and has been a driving force behind coastal tourism for over forty years. She previously served as president of the Board of Commissioners for Coastal Mississippi.
12:00 PM - Our Traditional South Of Border Lunch And Legislative Update
Lorena Campos represents Texas Rail Advocates at the Capitol in Austin and brings us up-to-date on rail issues from the 2025 session, the current transportation climate and a look ahead to 2027.
Deborah Fischer Stout was instrumental in creating the Kansas Rail Caucus. She is president of the Northern Flyer Alliance (NFA), brings a passion for economic development through her work with the Northern Flyer Alliance and her consulting firm, Vectura Consulting, LLC. She previously served as a passenger rail consultant to the City of Wichita.
Honored Guests (TBA)
1:30 PM - TxDOT's First Ever Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan
Eric L. Gleason, Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Director.
2:30 PM - New, Planned and Future Urban and Intercity Rail Projects in Texas
Trey Walker is the Interim Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit, directing the Development Department, which includes Capital Programs, Service Planning & Scheduling, and Real Estate & Economic Development divisions. He is responsible for the construction and development of the recently opened DART Silver Line that connects northern Dallas suburbs directly to DFW International Airport.
Others on the segment to be announced
3:30 PM - Effective Rail Advocacy Strategies
Lonny Stern is the Executive Director of Movability (the Transportation Management Association of Central Texas), which is working with individuals and employers to build Central Texas around people -- not cars.
Katy Atkiss is the Managing Director of Houston-based Texas Streets Coalition, which is the umbrella supporter of a number of transportation advocacy organizations around the state.
4:20 PM - Closing remarks and our Famous $100 Bill Drawing
Program is subject to change.

What we are planning for the 2026 Southwestern Rail Conference with panels and presenters:

  • Surface Transportation Board
  • Federal Railroad Administration
  • Texas Department of Transportation
  • Creating a Texas Rail Caucus
  • Expanding Texas Rail Industrial Parks
  • Rail Technology
  • Gulf Coast Passenger Rail Success Story
  • Connecting the Texas Rail Corridors
  • Industry insights
  • New Texas Rail Grant Programs
  • Regional Transit in Texas: New and Expanded Services
  • Booming Border: Freight and Passenger Rail

Agenda presentations will be listed here.

  • Monday, May 18 - 2pm to 9pm
  • Tuesday. May 19 - 8:30am to 4:30pm

Event Schedule

The Premier All-Rail Conference brings together the public and private sector to discuss important freight and passenger rail topics from experts in their field. We've expanded into two days of presentations and speakers to bring you more content from more rail industry leaders!

Monday, April 7

12:00 PM - Registration Opens
2:00 PM - Opening Remarks, Peter J LeCody, President of Texas Rail Advocates
2:15 PM - Surface Transportation Board
Karen Hedlund, Surface Transportation Board Member - Karen Jean Hedlund is an American attorney and governmental advisor who has served as a member of the Surface Transportation Board since January 2022. Comments are her own and do not reflect policy of the STB.
3:15 PM - On The Border
Stan Meador, Sr. Vice-President Administration and Sales, Texas Pacifico Transportation - After many plot twists and turns, the 8th international gateway rail bridge between the U.S. and Mexico, over the Rio Grande River, is close to opening in the small desert town of Presidio. It opens up a wealth of future economic development for two countries.
Dr. Armando Ocaña, former Mayor of Mission, Rio Grande Valley Group - They recently held their second RGV International Rail Conference to highlight the need for intercity passenger rail service and unveiled their concept of the Texas Diamond Rail Corridor.
4:15 PM - Where is the freight rail industry heading?
Anthony "Tony" Hatch, is a renowned independent transportation analyst and consultant with over 30 years of Wall Street experience, specializing in the freight rail and intermodal sectors. He co-founded the RailTrends conference, and is a prominent voice in rail industry analysis.
5:15 PM - Networking Happy Hour
7:00 PM - Dinner
David Fink, heading up the Federal Railroad Administration, is a fifth-generation railroader who takes a hands-on approach dealing with a myriad of freight and passenger rail issues and programs. He's kept busy with a basket of rail grant programs from the 2021 Infrastructure Law to safety issues and a recent directive to restructure the national passenger rail carrier, Amtrak.

Tuesday, April 8

7:00 AM - Registration Opens
8:20 AM - Opening Remarks
8:30 AM - To Be Announced
To Be Announced
9:00 AM - Texas Department Of Transportation - Rail Division
Don Franks serves as director of Rail at the Texas Department of Transportation. He brings over 35 years of strategic planning and executive leadership experience in the rail industry. The Rail Division implements rail-related policies, performs infrastructure and operational analysis and rail project planning, monitors potential rail line abandonments, oversees rail and transit safety and compliance programs, and manages the South Orient Railroad.
10:00 AM - The Texas Legislature Creates Two Rail Grant Programs
The panel discusses Senate Bill 1555 which created a grant program for At-Grade Rail Separation projects with a first-time allocation of $250 million. Senate Bill 2366 created a Short Line Grant Program, but it fell a bit short to help the "mom 'n pops". You'll head how other states help short line railroads with grants.
Allan Rutter is a Senior Research Scientist and Freight Analysis Program Manager in the Freight and Trade Division. Allan served as Federal Railroad Administrator under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2004
Jeff Van Schaick is Senior Vice President of External Relations at Jaguar Transport Holdings, where he leads federal, state, and local government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy across the company’s portfolio
Ross Lane is Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at Genesee & Wyoming and leads the development and execution of public and government affairs strategies for a leading freight railroad company across a 14 state region
11:00 AM - Passenger Rail Success Story on the Gulf Coast - The "Mardi Gras" Service
The news headlines read Amtrak's Gulf Coast Service shatters passenger projections. Mardi Gras service brings rail revival to US Gulf Coast.
John Robert Smith is chairman of Transportation for America, served four terms as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and formerly served as chairman of the board of Amtrak.
Stephen McNair, Ph.D. serves as the Director of External and Governmental Affairs for the City of Mobile with a focus on legislative and policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Nikki Moon is a Realtor in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and has been a driving force behind coastal tourism for over forty years. She previously served as president of the Board of Commissioners for Coastal Mississippi.
12:00 PM - Our Traditional South Of Border Lunch And Legislative Update
Lorena Campos represents Texas Rail Advocates at the Capitol in Austin and brings us up-to-date on rail issues from the 2025 session, the current transportation climate and a look ahead to 2027.
Deborah Fischer Stout was instrumental in creating the Kansas Rail Caucus. She is president of the Northern Flyer Alliance (NFA), brings a passion for economic development through her work with the Northern Flyer Alliance and her consulting firm, Vectura Consulting, LLC. She previously served as a passenger rail consultant to the City of Wichita.
Honored Guests (TBA)
1:30 PM - TxDOT's First Ever Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan
Eric L. Gleason, Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Director.
2:30 PM - New, Planned and Future Urban and Intercity Rail Projects in Texas
Trey Walker is the Interim Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit, directing the Development Department, which includes Capital Programs, Service Planning & Scheduling, and Real Estate & Economic Development divisions. He is responsible for the construction and development of the recently opened DART Silver Line that connects northern Dallas suburbs directly to DFW International Airport.
Others on the segment to be announced
3:30 PM - Effective Rail Advocacy Strategies
Lonny Stern is the Executive Director of Movability (the Transportation Management Association of Central Texas), which is working with individuals and employers to build Central Texas around people -- not cars.
Katy Atkiss is the Managing Director of Houston-based Texas Streets Coalition, which is the umbrella supporter of a number of transportation advocacy organizations around the state.
4:20 PM - Closing remarks and our Famous $100 Bill Drawing
Program is subject to change.
Monday, April 15
12:00 PM - Registration Opens
2:00 PM - Opening Remarks, Peter J LeCody, President of Texas Rail Advocates
2:15 PM - Surface Transportation Board
Karen Hedlund, Surface Transportation Board Member - Karen Jean Hedlund is an American attorney and governmental advisor who has served as a member of the Surface Transportation Board since January 2022. Comments are her own and do not reflect policy of the STB.
3:15 PM - On The Border
Stan Meador, Sr. Vice-President Administration and Sales, Texas Pacifico Transportation - After many plot twists and turns, the 8th international gateway rail bridge between the U.S. and Mexico, over the Rio Grande River, is close to opening in the small desert town of Presidio. It opens up a wealth of future economic development for two countries.
Dr. Armando Ocaña, former Mayor of Mission, Rio Grande Valley Group - They recently held their second RGV International Rail Conference to highlight the need for intercity passenger rail service and unveiled their concept of the Texas Diamond Rail Corridor.
4:15 PM - Where is the freight rail industry heading?
Anthony "Tony" Hatch, is a renowned independent transportation analyst and consultant with over 30 years of Wall Street experience, specializing in the freight rail and intermodal sectors. He co-founded the RailTrends conference, and is a prominent voice in rail industry analysis.
5:15 PM - Networking Happy Hour
7:00 PM - Dinner
David Fink, heading up the Federal Railroad Administration, is a fifth-generation railroader who takes a hands-on approach dealing with a myriad of freight and passenger rail issues and programs. He's kept busy with a basket of rail grant programs from the 2021 Infrastructure Law to safety issues and a recent directive to restructure the national passenger rail carrier, Amtrak.
Tuesday, April 16
7:00 AM - Registration Opens
8:20 AM - Opening Remarks
8:30 AM - To Be Announced
To Be Announced
9:00 AM - Texas Department Of Transportation - Rail Division
Don Franks serves as director of Rail at the Texas Department of Transportation. He brings over 35 years of strategic planning and executive leadership experience in the rail industry. The Rail Division implements rail-related policies, performs infrastructure and operational analysis and rail project planning, monitors potential rail line abandonments, oversees rail and transit safety and compliance programs, and manages the South Orient Railroad.
10:00 AM - The Texas Legislature Creates Two Rail Grant Programs
The panel discusses Senate Bill 1555 which created a grant program for At-Grade Rail Separation projects with a first-time allocation of $250 million. Senate Bill 2366 created a Short Line Grant Program, but it fell a bit short to help the "mom 'n pops". You'll head how other states help short line railroads with grants.
Allan Rutter is a Senior Research Scientist and Freight Analysis Program Manager in the Freight and Trade Division. Allan served as Federal Railroad Administrator under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2004
Jeff Van Schaick is Senior Vice President of External Relations at Jaguar Transport Holdings, where he leads federal, state, and local government affairs and stakeholder engagement strategy across the company’s portfolio
Ross Lane is Assistant Vice President of Government Affairs at Genesee & Wyoming and leads the development and execution of public and government affairs strategies for a leading freight railroad company across a 14 state region
11:00 AM - Passenger Rail Success Story on the Gulf Coast - The "Mardi Gras" Service
The news headlines read Amtrak's Gulf Coast Service shatters passenger projections. Mardi Gras service brings rail revival to US Gulf Coast.
John Robert Smith is chairman of Transportation for America, served four terms as mayor of Meridian, Mississippi and formerly served as chairman of the board of Amtrak.
Stephen McNair, Ph.D. serves as the Director of External and Governmental Affairs for the City of Mobile with a focus on legislative and policy initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels.
Nikki Moon is a Realtor in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and has been a driving force behind coastal tourism for over forty years. She previously served as president of the Board of Commissioners for Coastal Mississippi.
12:00 PM - Our Traditional South Of Border Lunch And Legislative Update
Lorena Campos represents Texas Rail Advocates at the Capitol in Austin and brings us up-to-date on rail issues from the 2025 session, the current transportation climate and a look ahead to 2027.
Deborah Fischer Stout was instrumental in creating the Kansas Rail Caucus. She is president of the Northern Flyer Alliance (NFA), brings a passion for economic development through her work with the Northern Flyer Alliance and her consulting firm, Vectura Consulting, LLC. She previously served as a passenger rail consultant to the City of Wichita.
Honored Guests (TBA)
1:30 PM - TxDOT's First Ever Statewide Multimodal Transit Plan
Eric L. Gleason, Texas Department of Transportation Public Transportation Director.
2:30 PM - New, Planned and Future Urban and Intercity Rail Projects in Texas
Trey Walker is the Interim Executive Vice President/Chief Development Officer for Dallas Area Rapid Transit, directing the Development Department, which includes Capital Programs, Service Planning & Scheduling, and Real Estate & Economic Development divisions. He is responsible for the construction and development of the recently opened DART Silver Line that connects northern Dallas suburbs directly to DFW International Airport.
Others on the segment to be announced
3:30 PM - Effective Rail Advocacy Strategies
Lonny Stern is the Executive Director of Movability (the Transportation Management Association of Central Texas), which is working with individuals and employers to build Central Texas around people -- not cars.
Katy Atkiss is the Managing Director of Houston-based Texas Streets Coalition, which is the umbrella supporter of a number of transportation advocacy organizations around the state.
4:20 PM - Closing remarks and our Famous $100 Bill Drawing

THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWESTERN RAIL CONFERENCE

LOBBY LEVEL
DRIVE A VIRTUAL FREIGHT OR PASSENGER TRAIN
See a demonstration by Dovetail Games, a leading developer of rail simulation software. Dovetail simulation games offer highly detailed, authentic experiences for rail enthusiasts, featuring licensed locomotives and detailed routes worldwide. The U.S. is in a rail renaissance and the popularity of rail-themed software activity for public use continues to expand. Texas Rail Advocates is exploring ways to reach a wider audience and build public support for both passenger and freight rail services. We thank Dovetail Games for their participation in the Southwestern Rail Conference.

Venue & Hotel Information

The Hilton Garden Inn Dallas
1615 Campus Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-281-5800

Our lead hotel is the Hilton Garden Inn, Hurst, Texas, which is directly attached to the Hurst Conference Center. Located in the center of the DFW Metroplex, the City of Hurst offers first-class shopping, popular restaurants and new hotel accommodations just minutes from the Hurst Conference Center.

Special room block rate of $119.00 plus tax, subject to availability.

Book Room Now

Your stay with Hilton Garden Inn includes:

  • Complimentary covered parking with access to all guest room floors
  • Complimentary wired and wireless WI-FI in all guest rooms
  • Garden Grill Restaurant serving breakfast and dinner
  • Hotel Bar featuring daily specials
  • Fitness center featuring upgraded Precor equipment and Peloton - open 24 hours
  • Indoor swimming pool/hot tub - open 24 hours
  • Large outdoor patio with a gas fire pit
  • Microwaves, mini-fridge, and Keurig's in all rooms
  • Hilton Honors Rewards program

Click To Book Your Room

Rooms will be held March 16,2026 or until the room block is filled. After this date, remaining rooms in block will be released and the group rate and room types will no longer be guaranteed.

Nearby Hotels

The Hilton Garden Inn Dallas
(Connected directly to The Hurst Conference Center)
1615 Campus Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-281-5800
The Hampton Inn & Suites
1600 Hurst Town Center Drive
Hurst. Texas 76054
817-503-7777
The Hyatt Place
1601 Hurst Town Center Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-577-3003
The Holiday Inn Express & Suites
820 Thousand Oaks Drive
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-427-1818

Nearby Attractions

Restaurants
- Abuelo's Mexican Food Embassy
- BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
- Bronco's Sports Bar & Grill
- Catfish & Co.
- Chili's
- Dairy Queen
- Del Taco
- Dunkin' Donuts
- Golden Chick
- In & Out Burger
- Italiannis Restaurant
- Carino's Italian
- Logan's Roadhouse
- McAlister's Deli
- McDonalds
- Olive Garden
- Outback Steak House
- Potbelley
- Pei Wei
- Pulido's Mexican Restaurant
- Quick Trip Store
- RaceTrac
- Red Hot & Blue
- Red Lobster
- Red Robin
- Slim Chickens
- Sonic
- Starbucks
- Subway
Airports
- DFW International Airport (10 mi)
- Dallas Love Field (22.5 mi)
Attractions
- Alley cats Entertainment (2 mi)
- Globe Life Park in Arlington (13 mi)
- AT&T Stadium (13 mi)
- Chisholm Park & Aquatics Center (3mi)
- Grapevine Mills Mall (12 mi
- Hurricane Harbor (16 mi)
- IFly Indoor Skydiving (2mi)
- Iron Horse Golf Course (5 mi)
- Mountasia (1.2 mi)
- North East Mall (.5 mi)
- NRH20 (1 mi
- Nytex Sport Center (1.5mi))
- Rave Cinemas at North East Mall (.5mi)
- Six Flags (15 mi)
- Texas Motor Speedway (18 mi)
- Texas Star Golf Course (5.7 mi)
- Downtown Fort Worth (12 mi)
- Fort Worth Stockyards (11 mi)
- Downtown Dallas (25 mi)