Following the release of the Railway Supply Institute’s 2026 Rail Supply Economic Impact Study, leaders from across the rail, manufacturing, engineering and transportation sectors are weighing in on the report’s findings and reinforcing the industry’s critical role in supporting jobs, investment, and economic growth nationwide. The study, produced in partnership with Oxford Economics, provides a comprehensive analysis of the rail supply industry’s footprint across all 50 states and its contributions to the broader U.S. economy.
Ian Jefferies, President & CEO, Association of American Railroads:
“RSI’s report highlights the strength of a rail ecosystem that delivers real, measurable value across the American economy. Freight rail alone generates more than $233 billion in economic output and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs nationwide, with every dollar invested producing $2.50 in broader economic activity. Together, railroads and their suppliers are not only sustaining high-quality domestic jobs, but powering the industries and supply chains that keep America competitive.”
Roger Harris, President, Amtrak:
“These numbers reaffirm what we see every day: rail investment strengthens domestic supply chains, supports local economies and drives America’s transportation future. As we modernize our fleet, upgrade stations and advance major infrastructure projects nationwide, Amtrak remains committed to creating jobs, expanding opportunity and delivering the world-class passenger rail network Americans deserve.”
Marsha Anderson Bomar, President, American Society of Civil Engineers:
“Rail provides an essential transportation mode for people and goods throughout our nation. ASCE applauds the work of the Rail Supply Institute to identify and communicate the rail sector’s immense economic contributions and outcomes. As the report demonstrates, continued investment in rail infrastructure and operations means greater opportunity for people and business.”
Chuck Baker, President, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association:
“The rail supply industry is crucial to the success of short line railroads and the thousands of customers we serve. Members of RSI, REMSA and RTA are critical in enabling short lines to solve operational issues, complete infrastructure upgrades efficiently and serve customers safely and effectively. This study further demonstrates the tremendous economic impact of the rail supply industry on the nation’s economy.”
Paul Skoutelas, President & CEO, American Public Transportation Association:
“The Railway Supply Institute’s new Oxford Economics report comes at a pivotal moment as Congress begins writing the next surface transportation bill. It makes clear that America’s passenger rail supply chain—from manufacturers to construction firms—is a powerful economic engine supporting more than 333,000 jobs and nearly $46 billion in GDP across all 50 states. It’s American workers building the infrastructure that moves people and powers our economy. APTA commends RSI for quantifying this impact and urges lawmakers to recognize that investing in passenger rail means investing in a domestic workforce that delivers returns in every congressional district.”
Jim Mathews, President & CEO, Rail Passengers Association:
“Investments in our rail network are about moving people and goods more safely and efficiently, but they’re also about sustaining the domestic industrial base that makes modern transportation possible. RSI’s report helps underscore what many of us have been saying for years: when we invest in passenger rail, we’re investing in American factories, skilled workers and supply chains in communities far from any station platform. As Congress considers the next phase of federal transportation programs, this analysis underscores this essential point: strengthening passenger rail isn’t just mobility policy, it’s industrial strategy.”
Devon Barnhart, Director, OneRail Coalition:
“The new economic impact report provides clear evidence of the railway supply industry’s essential role in sustaining and advancing America’s vital freight and passenger rail systems. The data confirm that the industry’s economic footprint has grown in recent years, supporting rail’s enduring purpose: to efficiently, reliably and safely move goods and people.”
Taken together, these perspectives reflect a unified industry voice: the rail supply sector is a cornerstone of the U.S. economy and a key driver of domestic manufacturing, job creation, and infrastructure investment. Looking ahead, RSI and its partners will actively promote the report through targeted outreach to policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the media to reinforce the industry’s national impact. These efforts will position the report not only as a snapshot of today’s economy, but as a strategic tool to inform policy discussions and highlight the value of a strong, resilient rail supply network.