On the Right Track: Railroads, Aging in Place & Dr. Seuss

Ever wondered what's actually on that two-mile-long train rolling through town? Chriss Nielsen has spent 30 years as a freight rail economist and she ended up there entirely by accident. In this episode, she breaks down how goods move across America, why your Amazon package probably crossed three states by rail, and what AI might mean for driverless trains. Then Chriss shares her other passion: At Home in Alexandria, a village-style nonprofit helping neighbors age in place, including the 92-year-old she drives to the gym every Wednesday. Oh, and she grew up trick-or-treating at Dr. Seuss's house.  00:00 Welcome to Old Town00:56 Book Club Beginnings03:39 From Temp to Rail05:52 Rate Cases Explained07:49 Rail vs Trucks10:40 Deregulation Debate13:05 Big Railroads Today14:59 Future of Freight16:53 AI and Driverless Trains19:46 Amtrak vs Freight21:04 Amtrak vs Freight Priority22:46 Why US Rail Lags Europe23:41 High Speed Rail Reality25:38 Best Rail Systems Today26:32 Transit Subsidies Debate27:23 At Home in Alexandria28:14 Village Services Explained31:40 Volunteer Story at the Y32:58 Dr Seuss Connection36:38 Lightning Round Favorites37:42 Markets and Monopoly38:11 Seuss Railroad Rhyme38:40 Final Thanks and Wrap  Around Old Town - places mentioned in this episode:Fresh Baguette: 1101 King St | freshbaguette.net | IG: @freshbaguettePrinciple Gallery: 208 King St | principlegallery.com | IG: @principlegalleryAt Home in Alexandria (AHA): 3139 Mt. Vernon Ave | athomeinalexandria.org | IG: @athomeinalexandria Email us at [email protected]. To stay up to date with The People You Meet In Old Town, and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Apple podcasts and Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a rating and review on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.  The People You Meet in Old Town AlexandriaThe People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria is a podcast that explores the people, places, and ideas that shape the historic district. Hosted by Jane Khodos Beyer, the show features wide-ranging discussions with local leaders and experts who bring practical ideas on how to preserve our heritage and build a vibrant community.© 2026 The People You Meet in Old Town Alexandria. All rights reserved.