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What about a new Transportation Policy President Obama?
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer In the aftermath of the BP Oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico, now in its 3rd month the President is talking about a new Energy Policy. President Obama is calling for less dependence on oil. But every President since 1974 starting with President Nixon has called for energy independence…
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Tracking Rail News: July 2010
Commentary and Photos by Russ Jackson . . . On Time Performance. Strange month, what with the mid-west heavy rains causing detours for several trains. On June 24 heavy rain washed out the BNSF tracks just south of Las Vegas, New Mexico, with repairs expected to take a week and causing Southwest Chief passengers to…
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April was the Cruelest Month for the Fossil Fuel Industry
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer First there was the explosion on April 5th in Montcoal, West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine which killed 29 miners. The cause of the deadly explosion was a build up of coal dust and methane gas which is very explosive if there is an ignition source. It…
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TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report
June 7, 2010 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director The commuter rail extension (Gilroy to Salinas) is now in the right of way acquisition phase. The committee has issued a request for proposals in 3 categories: acquisition agent, legal services, and on-call appraisal. For the on-call group, the committee received 8 proposals. They recommend…
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Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board Meeting Report
June 16, 2010 Meeting in Oakland Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors Meeting was held at the BART Boardroom in Oakland. There were as many as ten out of the sixteen total directors present for this particular meeting. The Meeting opened with remarks from Chair Jim Holmes…
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How fast can Trains run between Los Angeles and San Diego?
Comments by Noel T. Braymer Governor Schwarzenegger recently proposed service between Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego in 2 hours and 10 minutes. This will be a “demonstration project” to give Californians a taste of Higher Speed Rail. So far there haven’t been many more facts about this project beyond a deadline of November, 2…
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Trip on the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to Yuma
Report and Photos by Mike Palmer, RailPAC correspondent, Torrance, CA My work sent me on an assignment to Yuma, Arizona for two days, May 19-20. As luck would have it I was able to work my visit around train times – it also helped that there is limited LA – Yuma air service. (Side note:…
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May California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance
Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA The Capitol Corridor yielded positive results for May 2010 compared to May 2009 in all relevant performance statistics – ridership, revenue, and on-time performance. Ridership for May was 1.4% above last year as was revenue (+2.9%). On-time performance (OTP) set the record for the fiscal year at 95.9% – making the…
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Tracking Rail News: June 2010
Comments and PHOTOS by Russ Jackson . . . Good news for Los Angeles Union Station. The lack of a variety of food items available in the LAUS waiting room has been lessened with the news that by July Peets Coffee and Tea, Subway Sandwiches, and Wetzel’s Pretzels will open, and later in the summer…
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Dunsmuir Railroad Days
Dunsmuir, California is a historic train town that celebrates Railroad Days annually. This year’s event is taking place June 11-13 at the Dunsmuir Amtrak Station. We are excited that Dunsmuir is wanting to increase awareness of the Coast Starlight this year. RailPAC and Coast Starlight Communities Network will have materials displayed. Amtrak is supplying Coast…