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The Best and Worst of Times
By RailPAC Editor Noel T. Braymer — RailPAC’s annual meeting this January 28th highlighted the great progress we have had, and can look forward to in California. Along with this we have problems that never seem to go away which we must still fight. Since 1990 there have been no major sources of new funding…
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Letter on the Prohibition of Photography
Letter to Mr. David Solow Chief Executive Officer Southern California Regional Rail Authority Dear Mr. Solow, For over twenty-five years, I have photographed rail passenger stations and equipment to help educate the public and promote rail passenger service as an efficient and convenient alternative to the auto. On Saturday, February 26, I was told by…
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RailPAC 2005 Annual Meeting
Oakland — By Russ Jackson, Secretary Shown speaking at the RailPAC meeting is Santa Cruz director Matt Melzer, announcing that the Glendale station will be replaced by the Van Nuys station for the Coast Starlight beginning with the March timetable. Others at the table are (left to right) Oakland director Anthony Lee, Sacramento director Marcia…
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How To Create A California Intercity Rail Corridor Network
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — We have come a long way in nearly 30 years of expanding passenger rail service in California. We are not finished through in creating a complete network for most of California to major travel centers in and near California. There are plans to extend service toward Reno/Sparks, Redding,…
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What California Needs From High Speed Rail
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Faster Rail Passenger service not only increases ridership but also improves productivity. It does this by carrying more passengers per day with the same number of train crews and equipment. To achieve these results require major investments in equipment and trackwork. A fast, efficient railroad infrastructure can benefit…
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What Do We Need From Amtrak?
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Amtrak over the last thirty plus years never seems to change. Amtrak always seems to want more money from Congress, and threaten to shut down most or all service if it doesn’t get what it wants. Most of the money Amtrak gets goes to the NEC to run…
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Technology is not the Solution
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — When it comes to transportation, many people get hung up on technology. People argue we need the latest in monorail, or maglev, bullet trains or whatever. Naturally the people most hung up on the technology are the people trying to sell a particular technology. Now, technology can be…
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The Terrorists Among Us
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Since the bombing of commuter trains in Madrid, Spain that killed 190 people this March, there has been a heightened state of awareness for transportation security. It is true there are terrorists among us in America. Many kill themselves in their terrorist deeds, some are unknowing accomplices spreading…
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Plan now for the next Emergency
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — In both the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge Earthquakes, Caltrain, BART and Metrolink proved the value of passenger rail service as a transportation alternative in an emergency. It is not too soon to plan ahead for the next disaster and the role rail can play in it.…
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A Look Ahead At The Future Of California Passenger Rail Service
by Noel Braymer — In the short run, it is easy to get discouraged about the future of passenger rail service in this country. But each time I look at traffic on or read how unstable the oil supply in the world is, I know in the long run the future is bright. In California…