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Is CA HSR on Track for Successful Implementation?
A small shift in priorities could produce major benefits sooner and help build public support. Commentary by Ralph James, RailPAC Member, Alta, Blue Canyon CA NOTE: This article also appears in a shorter version in the March Western Rail Passenger Review. Prioritizing the order of expenditure on public projects which may span many years can…
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CRCC Technical Committee Meeting Report
February 26, 2010 Meeting Reported by Dennis Story, RailPAC Director The Coast Rail Coordinating Council Technical Committee meeting was held at the Derby Club, Seaside Park in Ventura on Friday, 2/26/10 from 11:00AM to 12:30PM. Attendees: Pete Rodgers (SLOCOG), Bill Bronte (Caltrans Rail Division), Jonathan Hutchison (phone), Mike Powers (SBCAG), Scott Spaulding (SBCAG), Vic Kamhi (VCTC),…
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Tracking Rail News . . . for March 2010
PHOTOS and Comments by Russ Jackson . . . Amtrak Western On Time Performance. On February 19, Train #1, the Sunset Limited arrived at Los Angeles Union Station at 8:20 AM. Nothing remarkable about that since its due at 8:40, but as crew members will tell you they consider that arrival time as being late…
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Connectivity Works for High Speed Rail Too
Commentary by Paul Dyson Our RailPAC/NARP meeting in Las Vegas last December revealed one important nugget. Guest speaker, Desert Xpress (“DX”) CEO Tom Stone announced that the project team is planning to extend the Las Vegas – Victorville core route across the high desert to Palmdale where it will connect with the California High Speed…
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Trip Report: To “Sacramento Rails” on the Texas Eagle and Sunset Limited
Report and PHOTOS by Russ Jackson Yes, I know those trains don’t go to Sacramento, but on January 13 we boarded Texas Eagle # 21 at Ft. Worth and headed for San Antonio, then on to Los Angeles and drove up the Valley to Sacramento, combining a winter vacation with attending the very successful RailPAC-NARP…
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High Speed and Commuter Rail Electrification: Is Catenary Height an Issue?
Commentary by Paul Dyson As we contemplate construction of High Speed Rail and electrification of existing routes we need to ask if catenary height an issue. This may seem arcane, almost academic, but it has real implications for the type of railroad network that we want to see here in California. Indeed it raises issues…
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Amtrak CEO Boardman replies to RailPAC re Surfliner problems
December 17, 2009 Mr. Paul Dyson, President Rail Passenger Association of California 1017 L Street PMB 217 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Paul: Thank you for your letter of December 5,2009, regarding unacceptable service failures on the Pacific Surfliners. We are equally disappointed with the recent service failures on the Surfliner service. You know, as well…
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We May Have Underestimated Mr. Boardman
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer I know I was pleased that the new interim Amtrak President and recent FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman agreed to speak to RailPAC at our May 2nd 2009 meeting in Los Angeles. I and I’m sure most RailPAC members were very excited that he brought Brian Rosenwald with him to Los…
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TRACKING RAIL NEWS . . . for December, 2009
. . . Commentary and PHOTOS by Russ Jackson . . . On Time Performance. How’s this for an OTP for the first 20 days of November: Zephyr 85%, Starlight 85%, Builder 87.5%, CHIEF 97.5%, Sunset 88.9%, Eagle 92.5%. Then you add in the Corridors, Capitols 92.5%, Heartland Flyer 97.5%, Surfliner 80.3%, San Joaquin 91.3%,…