Here's our interns' report on the East-West Rail Study meeting last week. They are also participating in our weekly "Office Hour," an informal meeting that anyone can join. Today, at 2pm, we'll be talking about the economic benefits of rail. The Zoom link is below, along with a list of other events, including a program in partnership with [...]
It’s been a painful week in America and for America. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering, and our thanks to all those who are stepping up to make a difference. Our country now has to deal with the challenge of economic recovery, face up to long-standing issues of racial discrimination and social [...]
Karen Christensen, founder and president of the Train Campaign, writes: I cannot send this email without saying something about my grief over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the racism that continues to haunt and damage our country. W. E. B. Du Bois grew up in Great Barrington, the small town where I live and [...]
Today, we’d like to introduce the Train Campaign’s 2020 summer interns, Graham Lewis (below right) and Ethan Michalowski (below left), who are working with the Train Campaign this summer. Graham is in Georgia and Ethan is in Wisconsin, but they couldn't be more enthusiastic about the projects underway in our region. You’ll also find a summary [...]
I remember my first visit to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1992. I was newly arrived in Berkshire County from London, in England, where I had worked for nearly a decade after college. I’d landed in a little New England town called Great Barrington. My head was full of utopian ideas. I’d been reading an American writer [...]
The tracks are humming! We’re expecting further news about the East-West (or West-East) Rail Study soon, and SB2096 “An Act Special act funding a study of passenger service on the housatonic rail line” sponsored by Sen. Adam G. Hinds (D) was referred to Joint Committee on Rules on Thursday, April 30. Thanks to Rep. Smitty Pignatelli, too, for [...]
Work continues on the Housatonic (Berkshire) Line during COVID-19 crisis, 17 April 2020. Photo taken in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. While we're sheltering in place, and flattening the curve, there's a lot going on that suggests a bright future for rail, for our region, and for the planet. (By the way, the 50th anniversary [...]
A year ago, we did a survey asking what the Train Campaign's priorities should be in 2019. The highest rated item was, "Outreach to federal legislators & campaign for infrastructure funding." We were at that point hoping for a federal infrastructure bill. Our hopes were dashed in May 2019 when talks in Washington broke down. [...]
The sun lit the golden dome of the Massachusetts State House. There was a spangling of tiny red buds on the trees. A soft breeze was blowing. It was a glorious day, just two and a half weeks ago, and I'd spent the afternoon talking to legislators about the Housatonic Line bill. As I drove [...]
Like many of you, we expect to be spending much of the next few weeks at home, and I thought you might like to see our list of train movies. Here's our latest list (please use the Comments section below to add more suggestions or let us know on Twitter @traincampaign): Some Like It Hot [...]
A big thank-you to the companies that sponsor the Train Campaign
