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VitalRail brings together a diverse group of [[VitalRail Stakeholders|stakeholders]] who see unprecedented opportunities to boost efficiency in freight and rail transportation. We view rail infrastructure as the backbone of revitalizing North America’s essential industrial systems. Through our [[IntelliConferences]] and continual dialogues, VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders identify breakthroughs, make them actionable, and tackle industry challenges head-on.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:VitalRail Hub}}
'''VitalRail expands freight rail service across North America's industrial systems and communities.'''


== The VitalRail Dialogues ==
Rail is irreplaceable for moving heavy weight efficiently over land—no technological alternative exists. Our continent's economic and environmental sustainability depends on dramatically expanded rail service. This expansion demands collaboration across companies, communities, and sectors.
* [[Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger IntelliConference|Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Growth Capitalization IntelliConference|Rail Growth Capitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Regulatory Excellence IntelliConference|Rail Regulatory Excellence]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Business Culture Transformation IntelliConference|Rail Business Culture]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Management – Rail Labor IntelliConference|Rail Management – Rail Labor]]
* [[VitalRail/Containerized International Freight IntelliConference|Containerized International Freight]]
* [[VitalRail/Revitalizing the Rail Carload System IntelliConference|Rail Carload System Revitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Energy Efficiency IntelliConference|Rail Energy Efficiency]]
* [[VitalRail/Freight Transportation Land Use IntelliConference|Freight Transportation Land Use]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Technology Adoption IntelliConference|Rail Technology Adoption]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Trucking Coordination IntelliConference|Rail Trucking Coordination]]


== [[The Case for VitalRail|Why is VitalRail Needed?]] ==
VitalRail orchestrates that collaboration.
Though North America enjoys perhaps the world's most productive freight rail system in the World, the industry’s $115 billion annual revenue is in stark contrast with the freight trucking industry’s $1 trillion yearly revenue.


Railroads offer irreplaceable space, energy, and capital efficiencies. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:
'''VitalRail works in six essential areas:'''


* A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks
# '''Citizen and community education''' on the benefits of rail transportation
* Its energy efficiency allows it to move that freight on one-quarter to one-half of the fuel required as well as the resulting emissions
# '''Rail-enabled economic development training''' for economic developers, landowners, and developers
# '''Growth capital''' for rail-served industrial systems and projects
# '''Rail-centered industrial development initiatives''' for states and provinces
# '''Rail integration strategy''' for supply chains, facilities, and operations
# '''Collaborative resolution of long-standing barriers''' through IntelliConferences (listed below)


VitalRail serves at the heart of OTNA as a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service.
Together, these initiatives remove barriers and accelerate rail expansion.


There has never been a greater need or more opportunity for capitalizing railroad development to address transportation efficiency and environmental challenges. Rather than  emotional critiques and general calls for a so-called rail renaissance, VitalRail is informed by the real challenges and benefits of growing an industry as integral as railroads.
'''<big>[[Participation Options|Participate in VitalRail]] | [[VitalRail/About|About VitalRail]]</big>'''


At the same time, we need more from railroad companies than they can accomplish on their own. Fortunately, railroads do not need a government bailout, and they outperform many other industries. That stability—combined with rail technology’s inherent efficiencies—delivers a high return on investment when the involved stakeholder groups work together.
== The VitalRail IntelliConferences ==
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger|Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Growth Capitalization|Rail Growth Capitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Regulatory Excellence|Rail Regulatory Excellence]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Business Culture Transformation|Rail Business Culture]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Management – Rail Labor|Rail Management – Rail Labor]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Containerized International Freight|Containerized International Freight]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Revitalizing the Rail Carload System|Rail Carload System Revitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Energy Efficiency|Rail Energy Efficiency]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Freight Transportation Land Use|Freight Transportation Land Use]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail Technology Adoption|Rail Technology Adoption]]
* [[VitalRail/IntelliConferences/Rail-Truck Coordination|Rail-Truck Coordination]]


== VitalRail Value Proposition ==
== See More ==
Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.


As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. For North America’s future prosperity, they must be reconceived with the thoughtful input of all stakeholder groups.
* [[VitalRail/About|About VitalRail]]
 
* [[VitalRail/VitalRail Stakeholders|VitalRail 360° Stakeholder Map]]
Learn more about the [[VitalRail/VitalRail Value Proposition|VitalRail Value Proposition]].
* [[VitalRail Capitalization|Bridging the Rail Growth Capitalization Gap]]
 
* [[Media:OTNA VitalRail 18Nov2025.pdf|VitalRail Opportunity Memo]]
==== VitalRail FAQs ====
Go to the [[VitalRail/VitalRail FAQs|VitalRail FAQs]] page to get your early questions answered.

Latest revision as of 21:14, 9 January 2026

VitalRail expands freight rail service across North America's industrial systems and communities.

Rail is irreplaceable for moving heavy weight efficiently over land—no technological alternative exists. Our continent's economic and environmental sustainability depends on dramatically expanded rail service. This expansion demands collaboration across companies, communities, and sectors.

VitalRail orchestrates that collaboration.

VitalRail works in six essential areas:

  1. Citizen and community education on the benefits of rail transportation
  2. Rail-enabled economic development training for economic developers, landowners, and developers
  3. Growth capital for rail-served industrial systems and projects
  4. Rail-centered industrial development initiatives for states and provinces
  5. Rail integration strategy for supply chains, facilities, and operations
  6. Collaborative resolution of long-standing barriers through IntelliConferences (listed below)

Together, these initiatives remove barriers and accelerate rail expansion.

Participate in VitalRail | About VitalRail

The VitalRail IntelliConferences

See More

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