From the Editor - Send us your Rising Stars nominations

Last month, we opened the nomination process for our 13th annual Rising Stars Awards, a recognition program for up-and-coming leaders in the North American railroad industry.

Progressive Railroading defines a Rising Star as someone under the age of 40 who is making a positive difference in his or her company, department or team, and is viewed by others — peers, colleagues, supervisors, clients or associates — as a rising star in the rail industry.

We’ll select 25 Rising Stars and publish their profiles in July at progressiverailroading.com, and in September in our print magazine. The Rising Stars Class of ‘25 also will be honored during a virtual celebration on July 23.

To be considered for the award, nominees must be younger than 40 years old as of Sept. 1, 2025, and currently work in the North American rail industry.

To nominate a Rising Star, fill out the form at progressiverailroading.com/risingstars/submission.aspx. In a detailed written statement, tell us how the nominee goes above and beyond to make a difference in the railroad industry. Candidates will be considered for recognition based on qualities such as their contributions to railroading, career achievements, demonstrated leadership, education, training and professional association activity or community involvement.

Nominations are due March 14.

Questions? Email Senior Editor Julie Sneider at julie.sneider@tradepress.com.

Amtrak’s Acheson named LRW’s ‘Railway Woman of the Year’

Last month, the League of Railway Women (LRW) announced Eleanor “Eldie” Acheson as the recipient of the 2024 Railway Woman of the Year Award.

Corporate secretary and ethics officer at Amtrak, Acheson received the award during the 2025 National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association Conference and NRC-REMSA Exhibition held Jan. 5-8 in Marco Island, Florida.

Co-sponsored by Progressive Railroading, the Railway Woman of the Year Award honors a woman who establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, and brings excellence to her organization and community, all while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.

“The Woman of the Year Advisory Committee was impressed by Eldie’s unwavering commitment to creating pathways of opportunity for women and other minorities across the Amtrak organization,” said LRW President Lisa Tackach in a prepared statement. “She has championed diversity in our industry, as well as accessibility for Amtrak passengers throughout the system.”

Acheson, who served as Amtrak’s chief legal counsel officer and general counsel before taking on her most recent role, retired Feb. 1 after an 18-year stint with the railroad. In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed her assistant attorney general at the U.S. Department of Justice in the Office of Policy Development, where she served until 2001.

We’ll publish a more detailed story on Acheson and her career in our March issue.