This document describes critical research needs for the short- and long-term future development of intercity passenger rail as a viable mode and component of the national transpotration system. These needs were identified in response to the call for research that was articulated during the National Conference on Critical Issues for the Future of Passenger Rail in June 1997. Transportation Research Board (TRB) Committees A1E13, A2M02, and A2M05 developed these recommendations subsequent to this conference. The contents are organized in four sections. Section 1 contains a summary of the research statements. Section 2 provides background information and discusses implementation considerations and dissemination of research outputs. Section 3, Research Track, contains two research problem statements that propose to collect literature and data on intercity passenger rail in the United States and internationally. Section 4, Analysis Track, contains three research problem statements which propose that the value (from economic, social, and environmental perspectives), management and financing, and infrastructure of the intercity passenger rail system should be assessed by using the data and information that would be collected in the research track.