We conduct the “Train Trek” series of in-person and electronic meetings in communities of all sizes throughout the region.
Train Treks are a series of outreach and engagement meetings held in local communities. They are an efficient and effective way to meet local stakeholders, gain valuable information, make the proper connections, and build the coalitions needed to realize visionary, large-scale, infrastructure projects.
Train Treks can be focused along a specific corridor (for a specific route proposal), a specific audience (elderly, college students, etc.), a specific type of development (Transit Oriented Development, local industrial economic development), or scope of service and benefit (rural communities with few other options).
AANW is requesting sponsorship of Train Treks in order to further the call for a robust multi-modal transportation network. A sponsor can fund the Train Treks, or one or more specific Train Trek that aligns with their specific goals.
Even in the 21st Century, showing up matters. We gain far more insight, local engagement, and respect by meeting with people in person, while still offering electronic connections to those who cannot attend otherwise.
In 2023, AANW is planning a Collegiate Train Trek that will visit university campuses, and an Upper Midwest Train Trek traveling in the Wisconsin and Minnesota region.
Purposes
The purposes of Train Treks are to:
- Improve awareness of rail issues and opportunities in the Greater Northwest by educating the public.
- Discover and leverage opportunities for better collaboration with stakeholders and partners.
- Increase AANW’s capacity to educate the public and elected officials to serve its mission and vision, in line with its charter as a nonprofit organization.
- Promote multi-modal transportation options, focused on a comprehensive network of long-distance, intercity, and regional passenger rail services that are economically-viable and user-friendly.
- Solicit community support such as resolutions and letters to elected officials.
- Encourage community action in support of a specific proposal, vision, project, or legislation.
- Receive local feedback so that we can convey community needs to elected leaders.
History
2022 Train Trek
Over eighteen days in August 2022, All Aboard Northwest traveled through the Greater Northwest to gather support for restoring the Pioneer, the North Coast Hiawatha, and other passenger train services.
We completed the All Aboard Northwest 2022 Train Trek community outreach efforts in August, and they were quite successful. We traveled around the region to discuss the benefits of passenger rail with local communities, and received public feedback on how we can best work together to improve our transportation system.
We met with many elected officials and community leaders, all of whom were anxious to work with us. In addition, Train Trek events were covered by the press in small towns and large cities.
2021 East-West Train Trek
From August 12 - 21, 2021, Patrick and Charlie led a series of meetings across Washington and Idaho, in the communities of Edmonds, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Yakima, Toppenish, Richland, Walla Walla, Spokane, Cheney, Ritzville, and Ellensburg, Washington; and Lewiston, Idaho. Funding for this series was provided by All Aboard Washington (AAWA), with additional support provided by AAWA donors.
2021 Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Train Trek
Image: Example of a “Train Trek” route taken by founder Dan Bilka in August, 2021.
From August 12 - 21, 2021, Dan Bilka conducted a number of meetings across Wyoming, in the communities of Cheyenne, Wheatland, Douglas, Thermopolis, Greybull, Evanston, Rawlins, and Laramie, with stop-overs and information requests with Worland, Wyoming.
2021 South Dakota Train Trek
From June 28 - July 8, 2021, Dan Bilka conducted volunteer community outreach across South Dakota, in the communities of Salem, Mitchell, Plankinton, Chamberlain, Kennebec, Presho, Murdo, Kadoka, and Hot Springs.
2021 Wyoming - South Dakota Train Trek
From August 26 - 30, 2021, Dan Bilka conducted in-person outreach across Wyoming and South Dakota, in the communities of Sheridan, Gillette, Moorcroft, Sundance and Lusk, Wyoming and Spearfish and Sturgis, South Dakota.