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Amtrak changes the Sunset Limited schedule: Positives, Negatives, and they agreed to WHAT?
Analysis and Commentary by Russ Jackson, RailPAC From out of the blue, so to speak, on March 13 came an Amtrak News Release from New Orleans, not Washington DC, saying a new schedule for the Sunset Limited would take effect on May 7, 2012. This new schedule will have major impacts all along its route,…
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Amtrak California gets to the Coachella Valley
RailPAC Report by Russ Jackson, Robert Manning, and from the Amtrak.com timetable. Photo by Robert Manning. In its revised schedule dated December 5, 2011, Amtrak California quietly added a new train-bus service finally recognizing the importance of travel from Palm Springs, Indio, and the Coachella Valley to/from Los Angeles. Until then the only Amtrak service…
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Comparing The Benefits Of The First $7 Billion Investment In California High Speed Rail—Bakersfield North vs. Bakersfield South
Commentary by Ralph James, RailPAC Member, Blue Canyon CA This commentary is a follow-up to this writer’s original commentary entitled “Is California High Speed Rail on Track for Successful Implementation?”, published in spring 2010 illustrating the futility of spending early HSR dollars in the Central Valley as compared to other sections of the ultimate HSR…
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Amtrak Updates Fleet Strategy Plan
Commentary by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Director I wish this was an April Fools prank, but it isn’t.
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Metrolink CEO Kicks off Steel Wheel in California
On Saturday, March 19 Chair Richard Katz provided opening comments for the 4th Annual Steel Wheels in California conference hosted by RailPAC and NARP. Over 200 rail professionals gathered in the L.A. Metro board room for a conference providing information and education to “opinion formers and decision makers” and grass roots supporters of the rail industry. Chairman Katz…
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Officials Tour Rail Line: San Jose to Soledad
On March 3, 2011, the Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) led a tour of the rail line from San Jose to Soledad. Elected officials, agency staff and other interested persons rode the Amtrak Coast Starlight from San Jose to Soledad, with a stop in Salinas. Dave Potter, Monterey County District 1 supervisor and Chair…
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Write the Governor: Re-allocating the Florida HSR Funds
We understand that the Federal Railroad Administration plans to re-allocate HSR funds that Florida has refused to accept. California is among the states vying for a share of the $2.4 billion available. In November of 2009, California was poised to apply for federal funds for improvement of its three intercity rail corridors as well as…
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Steel Wheels in California 2011 Presentations
As promised, we are providing the files presented on March 19, 2011 at Steel Wheels in California. Some files are large, so please be patient.
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UP’s Premium Corridor: Coast Starlight Improvements on the Way?
Commentary by Jarrod DellaChiesa Director, RailPAC / Project Coordinator, Coast Starlight Communities Network Union Pacific is investing $12,900,000 in track improvements to their Coast Line this month. The right-of-way between Watsonville and San Lucas is a 76-mile long staging area, with more than 82,000 railroad ties waiting to be installed, along with new rail and 42,000…
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TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report
February 7, 2011 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director