TARP News Winter 2025

Tennessee Association of Railroad Passengers

Remembering Dad

The Year 2024 was a year of progress for passenger rail!


It thrills me to mention that ridership and revenue on Amtrak came very close to pre-Covid levels. I noted that full-service dining car service expanded to east-coast routes, and there are concrete proposals to bring the service back to other trains, including the Crescent and the City of New Orleans.


I tried to follow the developments in our national rail passenger system (as well as our many frustrations); however, the Year 2024 was unusually difficult for me.


My father, Steven Pearson, passed away on April 4, 2024, following a four-year struggle with cancer. His burial was on my 48th birthday on April 7th. Since that time I have gone through the emotional challenges of a first Father's Day, a first Thanksgiving, a first Christmas, and my first calendar New Year without Dad.


I'm doing well through it all, but some of my passions, including passenger rail advocacy, didn't get the usual time and attention. I plan to change that in 2025.


I'm taking this opportunity to remember Dad because he is largely the reason that I support passenger rail. Dad took me to my first TARP meeting in 1990 at Nashville Union Station. As a fourteen year old, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the old station and the stories my grandparents told about arrivals and departures there. I thoroughly enjoyed the topics we discussed, and I especially loved our evening trip on the Broadway Dinner Train.


I treasure my memories with Dad from that day, and I also treasure the many friendships I have formed with fellow TARP members in the years since then.


I hope that we can build and expand our voice in TARP and that we will provide a way for future generations to be as inspired as I was 35 years ago.


Thank you all, as always, for your support of this organization and for our friendship going forward! I look forward to working with you in 2025!


Sincerely yours,


L. Jarod Pearson, TARP President

Accessibility updates at Newbern-Dyersburg

Federal investment improves Newbern-Dyersburg platform


NEWBERN, Tenn. – Amtrak customers can enjoy a more accessible and comfortable experience at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station with the completion of $3.5 million in upgrades. The Amtrak City of New Orleans stops twice daily while traveling between Chicago, via Carbondale, Ill., and New Orleans, via Memphis and Jackson, Miss.


“With construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across the country, station accessibility is a priority we’re actively pursuing with funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities.


“We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for every customer,” he said at a ribbon-cutting at the station in West Tennessee with state tourism commissioner Mark Ezell and Newbern Mayor Pam Mabry.


To provide smoother pathways for passengers with disabilities, Amtrak installed a new 350-foot platform with historically inclusive features integrating key elements of the 104-year-old station, which includes the Newbern Depot & Railroad Museum, an Amtrak waiting room and a grand room for public functions with the surrounding community.


Other improvements include new accessible parking, public right-of-way access with sloped accessible walkways and safety barriers, energy efficient LED light fixtures providing full-coverage lighting along the pathways and at the platform, a new wheelchair lift with secure enclosure and new signage. Much of the work was done by local sub-contractors.


This investment is part of an Amtrak commitment to creating safer, accessible facilities across the National Network through its Accessible Stations Program. Since 2011 Amtrak has made more than $870 million in upgrades at 123 stations across the country, providing a better travel experience for customers with disabilities. Another 30 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year as Amtrak works toward 100% completion by 2029.

FRA Releases Long-Distance Study

TARP is pleased to note that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released details on an extensive study to restore former long-distance Amtrak routes and develop new routes. Tennessee and other states with growing population would benefit from the fruits of this study (if the fruit produced is the real implementation of passenger rail service!).


Indeed this is a move in the right direction. This study sees the value in passenger rail routes that connect different corridors, several states, and a multitude of city pairs. Connections to other rail routes and to bus and transit service could transform these routes into true mobility mechanisms. 


We encourage you to read and reflect on the study. Give us your thoughts and feedback as well. And keep the conversation going with your elected representatives. 


Here is the link to the study: fralongdistancerailstudy.org

Tennessee's famous Incline Railway Suspended due to fire damage

With much regret, we received news that Tennessee's famous and very popular Incline Railway, connecting Lookout Mountain with Chattanooga's St. Elmo community, was damaged by a 10-acres brush fire that swept along Lookout Mountain in early December 2024.


The damages are estimate to include more than 5,100 feet of damaged cable, over 200 damaged cross ties, and over 1,000 feet of damaged rail. The total cost to repair the railroad landmark will exceed half a million dollars; however, the Incline Railway is sufficiently insured.


We do not expect service to be restored until early Summer, and there is no estimate on the economic damage the suspension will cause to businesses in the St. Elmo community. TARP could like to encourage passenger rail advocates to support the St. Elmo businesses community as much as possible while repairs are under way. 


The Incline Railway was been a vital part of Tennessee's cultural heritage and tourism industry since it was built in 1895. We will post updated information on the service restoration as soon as details are available.

Amtrak sets all-time ridership record in Fiscal Year 2024

Invests more than $4.5 billion in major infrastructure projects to support future growth


WASHINGTON – Amtrak achieved an all-time ridership record in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), welcoming a historic 32.8 million customers as demand for passenger rail service continues to grow in markets across the nation. Amtrak also invested an unprecedented $4.5 billion into major infrastructure and fleet projects – creating the largest boom in rail construction in Amtrak’s history, putting thousands of skilled Americans to work and jump-starting American manufacturing. Amtrak is seizing the opportunity of strong customer interest and leveraging investments to improve all aspects of the travel experience.


Click here for the full press release...

Support TARP in 2025!


  • We depend on you, our paying members, to keep TARP in motion! 
  • Your annual $20 dues help us provide a website, an e-mail blast newsletter, brochures, handouts, and cover basic operating expenses. 
  • TARP is a voice for passenger rail and balanced transportation with a 45-year history!
  • Many state-level passenger rail organizations are dormant or inactive, but TARP is fully operational!
  • Support TARP in 2025 with your $20 annual dues or with a donation. 


You can pay annual dues of $20, click here to use our our secure PayPal service.  Or, consider a donation to help us offset expenses.

 

Or, you can send a $20 check/money order (or a donation) to TARP, PO Box 585, Cowan, Tenn. 37318.

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