Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President Funding For Rail Expansion In California – Grade Separation Projects. Grade Separation Funding – RailPAC’s view. RailPAC is concerned that a disproportionate amount of passenger rail funds is spent on grade separation projects. We believe that the State of California does not spend nearly enough on this important aspect…
CCJPA Press Release — The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) announced Sept. 5 that more direct service to and from Sacramento is now available with the addition of eight new trains, according to a press release. The 33% increase in direct intercity train service between Sacramento and the Bay Area/San Jose began August 28,…
By Noel T. Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review — The late Dr. Adrian Herzog was a very smart guy. It helps to be smart when you’re a college professor at Cal State Northridge. This is even more so when you teach Astronomy and Physics. Adrian’s love for trains seems to have been his birth…
August 25, 2006, was the dedication date for the new ACE mid-day train that departs Stockton at 9:30 AM, with the return train departing from San Jose at 12:05 PM and arriving in Stockton at 2:30 PM. The train connects in Stockton with San Joaquin trains 711, 716 and 718. Ceremonies were held before departing…
By Paul Dyson, RailPAC President — Once again our public officials have failed to propose expanding a transportation system that is both affordable and practicable and could link LAX to over 60 stations in 6 counties. Our underdeveloped Metrolink service could be extended along an existing, publicly owned right of way from south of downtown…
The Rail Passenger Association of California took several positions regarding current rail passenger issues at its Board meeting July 8, 2006, in Oakland. RailPAC vigorously supports the startup of the Coast Daylight train, which will operate between downtown San Francisco’ s Caltrain Station and Los Angeles Union Station daily. This project has been in the…
By Frank Busalacchi –Travelers across America and throughout California are voting in record numbers for expanded passenger-rail service in the United States. These “votes” are coming in the form of record passenger-rail ridership. Amtrak ridership increased in fiscal year 2005 to 25,374,998, marking the third straight year of passenger gains for the national intercity passenger…
By Richard Silver, Executive Director — RailPAC has just heard that there will be a change in the California portion of the Sunset Limited Route in the Ontario/Pomona area. Specifically, the train will follow the current route out of LA Union Station, stop at the Pomona station, and then after leaving Pomona will change to…
By Noel Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review –Since last October, the COAST STARLIGHT on-time performance has dropped to about 2%. Most of the delays happen between Dunsmuir, California, and Chemult, Oregon. In this mountainous area rail breaks are so common that welding crews can’t keep up with the repairs and 10 mph slow orders…
A SPECIAL REPORT by Anthony Lee, RailPAC director, Oakland — The proposed schedule is designed to provide advance train schedule of the Coast Starlight train 11/14, since the Coast Starlight is often sold out during peak periods such as holidays and during the summer period Given the significant population growth along the Central Coast as…