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TRACKING RAIL NEWS . . .
. . . Commentary by Russ Jackson, and PHOTOS by Trainweb’s Carl Morrison and Russ Jackson August, 2009. . . . California. . . . Santa Barbara’s RailPAC co-sponsored Train Day, delayed because of the May fires, was successfully held on July 18. (left) The “Santa Barbara” was on the private car track west of…
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Packed High Speed Rail Authority Meeting
August 6, 2009 Report by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer Spilling out into the hallway from the Sacramento Area Council of Government’s board room, prospective contractors, local government officials and the media largely remained for nearly four hours of a two part meeting August 6th. Regular business included the ratification of agreements with the governments of…
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Cleaner Passenger Train Action in Sacramento from Head end Power to Rear End Varnish
A Special Event Report and PHOTOS by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer July 22, 2009 Building on a theme that greener technology is better technology, Amtrak California unveiled at the Sacramento Valley Station the first FP 59 locomotive to be EPA certified emissions standard at Tier 2. With this certification, NOX emissions are cut in half…
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Amtrak and the Sunset Limited
THOUGHTS ON THE BOARDMAN CORRESPONDENCE Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President RailPAC has consistently supported daily service and restoration of the Sunset Route to Florida. A lot of the Amtrak people we talk to agree that thrice weekly service just doesn’t work; the 7 day a week costs are still there but the revenue isn’t!…
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RailPAC writes Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman re Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and City of New Orleans routes. New: Boardman Replies
TRANSCRIPT OF NOTE FROM JOE BOARDMAN TO PAUL DYSON 7/14/09 Paul: I have your letter of the 13th. I understand your interest, mine too frankly but we are not ready to pull the trigger on the changes that you want right now. Equipment has become a very complex issue and we are making progress. We…
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Central Coast Train Day rescheduled at Santa Barbara
THE SCHEDULE 9:00 am Ventura County electeds meet on the Oxnard Station platform 9:00 am Santa Barbara County electeds meet on the Santa Barbara Station platform 9:20 am Train Departs Santa Barbara Station Southbound for Carpinteria with electeds 9:21 am Train Departs Oxnard Station Northbound for Santa Barbara with electeds 9:35 am Southbound train arrives…
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RailPAC writes Amtrak COO William Crosbie re Southern California Issues
13th July, 2009 Dear Mr. Crosbie: Many thanks for taking the time for a meeting with me last Thursday (8th July, 2009). I have written today to Mr. Boardman concerning the Sunset route and RailPAC’s support for positive steps by Amtrak. I’d like to expand upon some other topics that we covered briefly. Regarding the…
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CA Corridors June stats
Reported by Eugene K. Skoropowski Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority June ridership numbers in California and across the nation continue to be disappointing. The California economy and high unemployment rate are manifesting themselves in uncertainty and reduction in travel, particularly discretionary travel. The Capitol Corridor still handled 131, 670 passengers in June 2009,…
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LOSSAN BOARD DISCUSSES JPA AND THE FUTURE GOVERNANCE OF PASSENGER RAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
July 1 Meeting Report and comments by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President In an encouraging sign that LOSSAN and the County transportation executives are getting to grips with the conflicts between the multiple agencies operating railroads in Southern California (Amtrak, BNSF, UP, SCRRA and NCTD) the LOSSAN Board on Wednesday discussed the “Corridor Long Term Vision…
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TRACKING RAIL NEWS for July. . .
and PHOTOS from everywhere! . . . Commentary by Russ Jackson July, 2009. Summertime and the living is easy, right? It is for people who go on vacations, and for some that means riding Amtrak. California. . . .Half-price train tickets? YES, Seniors 62 and older can ride at 50% off this summer on the…