About RailTrends

RailTrends is the premier two-day intelligence summit for the rail industry—bringing together senior leaders from finance, operations, government, investment, marketing, and beyond.

What sets RailTrends apart? Substance and access. We move beyond surface-level updates to deliver deep, strategic insights—many that aren't yet on your radar. There's no livestream, no recording. If you want to stay ahead, you need to be in the room.

Established in 2005 by renowned rail analyst Tony Hatch of ABH Consulting and presented with Progressive Railroading magazine, RailTrends is the annual must-attend event for those who don't just follow the industry—but define its future.

Jim Vena, CEO of Union Pacific,
Named 2025 Innovator of the Year

Jim Vena
CEO
Union Pacific

Progressive Railroading and RailTrends have named Union Pacific Railroad CEO Jim Vena the 2025 recipient of the Railroad Innovator Award, which recognizes an individual's outstanding achievement in the rail industry.

Jim exemplifies the best of what I call the 'CN Diaspora' and really seems to have gotten his historic railroad to achieve something that seemed just out of reach for many years — fulfill its vast potential, says independent transportation analyst Tony Hatch, RailTrends program consultant.

Vena will receive the award during RailTrends 2025, which will be held Nov. 20-21 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Read the Full Announcement Here

RailTrends 2025 Agenda

Thursday, November 20

8:00 AM

Welcome
Kirk Bastyr, Publisher, Progressive Railroading

8:05 AM

Industry Fireside
Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association
Eric Harvey, President, Railway Association of Canada
Ian Jefferies, President & CEO, Association of American Railroads

8:45 AM

Opening Keynote Address
Adriene Bailey, Partner | Surface Transportation, Oliver Wyman

9:30 AM

CSX
Joe Hinrichs, President & CEO, CSX

10:00 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM

Spotlight Session
Paul Titterton, EVP & President, Rail North America, GATX Corporation

10:50 AM

Analyst Panel
Tony Hatch, ABH Consulting
Larry Gross, Intermodal Consultant, Gross Transportation Consulting
Rick Paterson, Managing Director, Loop Capital

11:45 AM

Lunch

1:15 PM

Rail Association Insights
Urszula Soucie, Director of Events & Education, Railway Engineering-Maintenance Suppliers Association
Ashley Wieland, President, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association
Anne Reinke, President & CEO, Intermodal Association of North America
Jim Riley, President, Railway Supply Institute

1:45 PM

CN
Tracy Robinson, President & CEO, CN

2:15 PM

Rail Technology Outlook
Harry Zander, CCO, Intramotev
Greg Hrebek, CEO, RailSpire
Paul Gross CEO & Co-Founder, Remora

3:00 PM

Genesee & Wyoming
Mike Miller, CEO, Genesse & Wyoming

3:30 PM

Networking Break

3:45 PM

Surface Transportation Board Update
Patrick Fuchs, Board Member, Surface Transportation Board

4:15 PM

Spotlight Session
Gina Trombley, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer, Wabtec Corporation

4:35 PM

RailPros 25th Anniversary Celebration

5:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

Friday, November 21

8:00 AM

Welcome
Kirk Bastyr, Publisher, Progressive Railroading

8:05 AM

Consultancy Panel
Speakers TBA

8:45 AM

CPKC
Coby Bullard, Senior Vice President - Merchandise, Energy, Transload, CPKC

9:15 AM

The Short Line Perspective
Moderator: Stefan Loeb, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Norfolk Southern
Ida Posner, VP, Strategy, Railroad Development Corporation
Justin Broyles, EVP, R.J. Corman Railroad Group
Bob Babcock, President & COO, Livonia, Avon & Lakeville Railroad
Brandy Christian, CEO, Patriot Rail

10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:30 AM

2025 Railroad Innovator of the Year
Jim Vena, CEO, Union Pacific Railroad

11:00 AM

Ferromex/Grupo Mexico
Luis Hernandez, VP, Grupo Mexico/GMXT Intermodal

11:30 AM

Norfolk Southern
Mike McClellan, SVP & Chief Strategy Officer, Norfolk Southern

12:00 PM

Spotlight Session

Ken Mannka, EVP Operations, Nexxiot

12:20 PM

Conclusion

Meet The RailTrends Team

Tony Hatch

Owner & Founder, ABH Consulting

Tony Hatch has been a senior transportation analyst on Wall Street for more than 20 years, starting at Salomon brothers; proceeding to Argus, PaineWebber, and NatWest Markets (USA) prior to starting his independent analyst/consultancy in 1999.

anthonybhatch@gmail.com

Pat Foran

Editor-in-Chief, Progressive Railroading

Pat has more than 25 years of reporting and editing experience. He oversees the editorial operation of Progressive Railroading magazine and ProgressiveRailroading.com

pat.foran@tradepress.com

Kirk Bastyr

Publisher, Progressive Railroading

Kirk has an extensive background in communications, marketing, advertising, management, and sales. He has been involved in the rail industry for over 20 years, including the past 10 years with Progressive Railroading. In addition to being the co-master of ceremonies, Kirk also oversees sponsorship sales for RailTrends.

kirk.bastyr@tradepress.com

General Questions? Contact education@tradepress.com

Pricing

Limited Seating — Don't Wait. Sells Out Every Year!

Early Bird Rates Available

BONUS: Registration includes a 6-month subscription to RailPrime

Our 2025 Venue

Marriott Marquis

The New York Marriott Marquis is an iconic fixture of Times Square and brilliantly captures the vibrant energy and spirit of Manhattan. Located on West 46th Street and Broadway, this hotel places guests near some of NYC's most exciting attractions including Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and the Theater District.

A discounted block of rooms is available to RailTrends attendees on a first-come basis through October 23. You can secure your RailTrends rate of $399/night + local tax at the link below.

Reserve Hotel