Our History
The Rail Passengers Association (formerly the National Association of Railroad Passengers, or NARP) was founded in 1967 to give America's train travelers a voice in the halls of Congress and before federal agencies.
From NARP to Rail Passengers
For more than fifty years, we operated under the name National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP). In 2019, we rebranded as the Rail Passengers Association to better reflect our mission and our inclusive, forward-looking vision for American rail.
A Consistent Advocate
Since our founding, Rail Passengers has supported every significant advancement in American intercity passenger rail, including:
- Amtrak's creation in 1971 — We fought for the establishment of a national intercity passenger rail operator when the private railroads sought to abandon passenger service entirely.
- State-supported corridor programs — We championed the model that allows states to fund additional Amtrak service, which has given rise to successful corridors like the Capitol Corridor, Cascades, Downeaster, Piedmont, and Carolinian.
- Long-distance train preservation — We have repeatedly defeated attempts to eliminate Amtrak's long-distance trains, which serve rural communities and connect cities across vast distances not suited to aviation or highway travel.
- Food and sleeping car service — We've fought to maintain the amenities that make long-distance train travel viable and attractive.
- Positive Train Control — We advocated for the implementation of life-saving collision-avoidance technology on the national rail network.
Notable Victories
"High-speed rail, passenger rail is coming to America, thanks to a lot of your efforts!" — Secretary Ray LaHood, 2012
From preserving the Texas Eagle to securing operating funds during lean budget years to winning compensation rights for passengers stranded by delays, Rail Passengers' history is one of persistent, principled advocacy for the travelers who depend on trains.
Our Foundation
Rail Passengers operates from the conviction that all Americans deserve access to safe, reliable, convenient, affordable, and enjoyable train service — regardless of where they live or how they travel. We represent urban, suburban, and rural residents nationwide, serving as a unifying force for transportation advocates seeking federal and state investment in modern passenger rail.