by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Faster Rail Passenger service not only increases ridership but also improves productivity. It does this by carrying more passengers per day with the same number of train crews and equipment. To achieve these results require major investments in equipment and trackwork. A fast, efficient railroad infrastructure can benefit…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President The gods help those who first help themselves: Or, It is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. Generally the state of rail passenger service in this country is bleak. Many large cities in this country have no service. Some of the largest cities in this country have…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President NOTE: The following was received from Elizabeth O’Donoghue, Director-Communication Public and Government Affairs (West) Amtrak. My comments follow hers, and refer to my August commentary. To: Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review One thing – you wrote in the Western Rail Passenger Review that “…if Amtrak receives this money the…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Amtrak over the last thirty plus years never seems to change. Amtrak always seems to want more money from Congress, and threaten to shut down most or all service if it doesn’t get what it wants. Most of the money Amtrak gets goes to the NEC to run…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — As in any business, time is money when running a railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad is learning this the hard way. In the face of growing traffic Union Pacific’s earning are declining. They are declining because traffic congestion on their lines is causing their trains to run late.…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — When it comes to transportation, many people get hung up on technology. People argue we need the latest in monorail, or maglev, bullet trains or whatever. Naturally the people most hung up on the technology are the people trying to sell a particular technology. Now, technology can be…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — SCAG, the Southern California Association of Governments continues to promote its plan to build a regional MagLev system in Southern California. This would start with a 54 mile starter line connecting Ontario Airport with Downtown Los Angeles and West Los Angeles. Eventually this starter line would be part…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Since the bombing of commuter trains in Madrid, Spain that killed 190 people this March, there has been a heightened state of awareness for transportation security. It is true there are terrorists among us in America. Many kill themselves in their terrorist deeds, some are unknowing accomplices spreading…
“Business as usual is a recipe for failure.” — Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta in referring to Amtrak, July 2003. by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Norman Mineta is an old trusted friend, a former Congressman from California, the only Democrat in the Bush Cabinet; he is no right wing ideologue. His Department of…
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Things can be confusing with all the political battles being fought over the California State budget. The budget proposed by the Governor keeps in place the current level of subsidy for Rail Operations. This means no cuts can be expected for state-supported rail services if the Governor’s budget…