-
Steel Wheels, 4th Quarter 2021 issue available online
Download the pdf of Steel Wheels, 4th Quarter 2021 by clicking here. In this issue: Northern California Passenger Rail Projects Vision for the future of Inland Empire rail Locomotive emissions New routes to San Diego Bi-Level Challenge Superliner Cars- Whats Next? Future rail service in Monterrey County Arizona News Nevada News and more!
-
RailPAC submits comment letter to U.S. DOT on supply chain and freight issues
The majority of intercity and regional/commuter passenger rail service in the U.S. is on tracks shared with freight trains. Therefore, sufficient capacity, safety and reliability of the nation’s freight rail system is vital to the interest of rail passengers. These two different uses of railroad infrastructure need not be in conflict. Both passenger and freight…
-
Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2021 issue available online
Download the pdf of Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2021 by clicking here. In this issue: San Diego County rail improvements Public transportation in a post-pandemic world Prospects for future LA-Phoenix passenger rail Letter to California High Speed Rail Authority Arizona rail news Russ Jackson commentary on state of U.S. passenger rail in 2021 Andrew Seldon…
-
RailPAC submits public comment letter on California Transportation Plan 2050
The California Transportation Plan (CTP) 2050 is the “state’s long-range transportation plan that establishes an aspirational vision that articulates strategic goals, policies, and recommendations to improve multimodal mobility and accessibility while reducing greenhouse gas emissions”: https://ctp2050.com/ Read RailPAC’s letter of public comment on the CTP 2050 public review draft by clicking here.
-
2020 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Grants Awarded
This past week the California State Transportation Agency announced the 2020 grants distributed as part of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Created by SB 862 in 2014, the TIRCP utilizes revenues from the State of the California’s cap-and-trade program and vehicle registration fees to fund capital projects that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs)…
-
President’s Commentary – Key RailPAC priorities for 2020
By Steve Roberts – RailPAC President [Originally published in Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2020] Greetings! In early January, members of the RailPAC Board developed options and came to a consensus on RailPAC’s policy priorities for 2020. The two major ground rules were that the priorities had to be focused and actionable in 2020. A list…
-
RailPAC submits comment letter on Connect SoCal – The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy
The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) regional transportation plan is nearing completion. As described by SCAG’s Connect SoCal website: “Connect SoCal – The 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy is a long-range visioning plan that balances future mobility and housing needs with economic, environmental and public health goals. Connect SoCal embodies a collective vision…
-
California Integrated Travel Conference 2018 at UC Davis May 1and 2
RailPAC Board members Doug Kerr and Steve Roberts attended this event, and their report follows. Chad Edison and State staff have been working hard to bring together the many State rail and transit agencies to make travel easier for the passenger, a long standing RailPAC goal. On May 1 and 2 Steve Roberts and I…
-
DMU – Horses for Courses
Noel Braymer wrote a good piece about Amtrak CEO Anderson’s musings on the use of Diesel Multiple Units (“DMU”) to replace aging Amfleet cars. (See below). I’d just like to embellish Noel’s thoughts a little. I’ve ridden in a lot of DMUs since the late 50’s when they were introduced as part of British Railway’s…