Seth Moulton’s Bold Vision for High-speed Rail

I want to highlight this Train Time podcast from 2021 because it was recorded under unique, and historic, conditions. My interviewee was Congressman Seth Moulton and I’d set a date for our interview through one of his aides. Then the Capitol was invaded by a mob, and by the time our audio meeting came round Rep Moulton was scheduled to be back at the Capitol to vote on a second impeachment. I offered to reschedule, but as you’ll hear, Rep Moulton was eager to talk about trains and did so from the Capitol itself. We started a little late because of the extra time it took for him to get through the new security arrangements, but once we began, he didn’t miss a beat. I plan to talk to him again soon about all that’s happened, and not happened, in the intervening 3 years, but want this marker to be part of the new Train Time.

Podcast introduction 2021

We spoke with Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton (D-6th District) on January 13, 2021 about his bold plan for high-speed rail in the United States. He filed his “American High-Speed Rail” bill last May. The prospects for investment in rail look far better now and we will be following developments in federal infrastructure recovery, knowing that Rep. Moulton will be one of the leading voices for rail.

This podcast is shorter than usual, because Moulton and his aide were delayed by the increased security in Washington, and he had another interview scheduled. Later that day he voted on impeachment, so we were especially pleased to catch him.

Rep. Moulton is no stranger to conflict, having served four tours in Iraq. And he has dealt with the challenges of building a new train system, since he worked for Texas Central before turning to public service. We spoke about passenger rail as something to be approached as a 21st-century project: not preserving something from the 1950s but building something for the 2050s. This “moon landing” approach is bigger and bolder than the approach of many in the rail advocacy world. Take a listen and see what you think! We’ll be picking up the conversation as the Biden transportation team gets to work.