This report was prepared at the request of AASHTO's Standing Committee on Rail Transportation. It provides for AASHTO's members and others committed to developing a national intercity passenger rail system a summary of the recent favorable actions by Congress and the Obama Administration, a description of the work of the states over the past decade, the views of the essential partners to the states and other commentators, and some guidelines for advancing the effort. It is a strong recommendation based on a decade of work-research, policy development, and advocacy-responding to the increasing number of states that are or are planning to provide intercity passenger rail service.