RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV

Category: Issues

  • How is the California Zephyr doing since its schedule was lengthened?

    Issues Commentary by Russ Jackson, RailPAC We all know that Amtrak trains 5 and 6, the California Zephyr, have been late regularly. From August, 2006 to June, 2007, the combined on time performance of both trains at their endpoints, Chicago and Emeryville, was 0.0%. On June 21, 2007, after arduous negotiations with the Union Pacific…

  • Hybrid Technology for railroads

    From Modern Railways with Comments added by RailPAC President, Paul Dyson The following is an extract from the June 2007 edition of Modern Railways, the leading UK railway magazine. It was written by Roger Ford, a former traction engineer with the English Electric Company, and now technical editor of MR. It is reproduced with his…

  • LOSSAN Corridor: Statement by RailPAC President Paul Dyson

    COMMENTS presented to THE LOSSAN BOARD – JUNE 13, 2007 Chairman Brown, Board members, I was told a long time ago that in advocacy it is always better to be for something than against. Well, that’s not going to be an easy job today, although item 7, Passenger Rail Integration, is indeed a ray of…

  • RailPAC Position Statement

    Adopted by the membership at the March 17 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles Whereas RailPAC since its inception has been a supporter both of the existing National Passenger Rail System (“the National System”) of Long Distance and Regional trains operated by Amtrak, and of the incremental growth of that system, And Whereas the National System…

  • Caltrain Electrification

    Commentary by Richard Silver, RailPAC Executive Director April 15, 2007 RailPAC Alert:Letter: Caltrain electrification will allow more small-town stops! The letter below by Menlo Park Resident Clem Miller is right on point. We, RailPAC, have tried to raise these points to the member of the Coalition to Expand Transit Service (Certs) but they refuse to…

  • Funding For Rail Expansion In California – Grade Separation Projects

    RailPAC Policy Initiative 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 of public safety.  However, we need a new funding formula and mechanism to…

  • LOSSAN and the Coast Route – A Plan for 2008 and Beyond

    A policy idea presented for discussion and comment.20th February, 2007 From: Paul Dyson, President, RailPAC. Summary: The current standard of service is unacceptable and is not good use of taxpayer funds.

  • Status Of Lawsuit Filed By TRAC Against RailPAC

    We’ve had a number of calls from members who have heard rumors that RailPAC is being sued by TRAC (Train Riders Association of California). The rumors are correct. Recently some of our Board Members were served with writs, basically accusing us of harming TRAC by recruiting their members. My reaction is a combination of anger…

  • RailPAC Board Position Statement

    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…

  • Regional affiliate should form to take over Coast Starlight train

    (Op-Ed from the San Jose Mercury News, Published July 23, 2006) By Arthur L. Lloyd and Paul Bendix — Bay Area Amtrak service to Seattle and Los Angeles has declined so dramatically that state rail agencies must intervene. The Coast Starlight, once the most popular train in America, now limps into San Jose hours late,…