Author: Russ Jackson

  • RailPAC Co-sponsors “INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL DAY”

    Report and Commentary by Russ Jackson. Photos by Russ Jackson and Ken Miller (New photos added 3/1) Thursday, February 21, was “Intercity Passenger Rail Day” in Sacramento. Distinguished rail leaders from around the state of California met to discuss the benefits and future of the four state rail corridors, LOSSAN (San Diego-Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo),…

  • SACRAMENTO RT PLANS EXPANSION TO AIRPORT

    Reported by Russ Jackson, with Bill Kerby PHOTOS by Russ Jackson On Saturday, February 9, Sacramento Regional Transit held an open house to receive a project update and the draft Program EIR review. The project is a proposed extension of the current RT light rail system through the current rail station north across the American…

  • RailPAC removes Deely letter

    We have received correspondence from Amtrak saying that the letter published here allegedly written by Joe Deely of Amtrak is “a fake and not created by Amtrak.” We are complying with their request to “immediately remove it from your website and provide a retraction.” RailPAC will continue to investigate this circumstance, as it has not…

  • AMTRAK EXTENDS COAST STARLIGHT SERVICE by BUS!

    Another PARTIAL victory for rail advocates. They never give everything, do they? Are you ready to ride a bus from Sacramento to Portland? Press release and PHOTOS below! Coast Starlight #11 is about to depart the San Luis Obispo station on time on February February 18, 2008, with three coaches, one Sightseer Lounge, and a…

  • Starlight should go to Klamath Falls and Eugene with bus bridge

    Further communication from the RailPAC President to the Amtrak President NOTE: Full restoration of service for trains 11/14 is anticipated for March 3, but LIKELY will be much later. Also see “Partial restoration” article below. 11th February, 2008 Mr. Alex Kummant President and CEO NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION Washington DC COAST STARLIGHT RECOMMENCEMENT Dear Mr.…

  • AMTRAK RESTORING PARTIAL COAST STARLIGHT SERVICE

    RailPAC NOTE: A Partial WIN for rail advocates! PHOTO ADDED 2/8. Return of full service for trains 11/14 will not be until March 3 or beyond!!!! The “mini” COAST STARLIGHT re-started on February 6th. Here is train 14 arriving at Van Nuys. Photo by Noel Braymer AMTRAK PRESS RELEASE February 1, 2008 Service available between…

  • RailPAC’s Dyson strongly replies to Mr. Kummant ‘s “explanation” for suspending the Coast Starlight

    NOTE: The original letter from Mr. Dyson, letters of support, and Mr. Kummant’s reply appear as separate posts below on this site. January 29, 2008 Mr. Alex Kummant President and CEO National Railroad Passenger Corporation 60 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. Washington, DC 20002 Via fax to 202 906 2850 COAST STARLIGHT SUSPENSION Dear Mr. Kummant: Thank…

  • Reply to RailPAC letter re Coast Starlight suspension, from Amtrak’s Kummant

    NOTE: The original letter from Mr. Dyson appears in the next post below this one. January 28, 2008 Mr. Paul J. Dyson President Rail Passenger Association of California 1008 – 10th Street, Suite 217 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Mr. Dyson: Thank you for your letter of January 22 regarding your concerns with the temporary cessation…

  • Rail PHOTOS from California’s Central Coast

    San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara in December Comments and 5 photos by Russ Jackson, RailPAC website editor San Luis Obispo station, Sunday, December 16, 2007, 2:45 PM. Amtrak train 11, the southbound Coast Starlight, has arrived 35 minutes EARLY, with a sold-out load of Christmas time passengers. Too bad that great service is now…

  • SUSPENSION OF COAST STARLIGHT SERVICE

    Amtrak must reverse its decision to cancel the train during the Oregon washout! A letter to Amtrak President Alex Kummant from RailPAC President Paul Dyson RAIL PASSENGER ASSOCIATION OF CALIFORNIA 22nd January, 2008 Mr. Alex Kummant President and Chief Executive Officer NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION 60 Massachusetts Avenue NE Washington DC 20002 SUSPENSION OF COAST…