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  • Frequent updates, rail news, commentary, meeting notices, and PHOTOS! See RailPAC information/membership/issues category page-links in the left column. To read the latest articles SCROLL DOWN.

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  • Tracking Rail News for June

    TRACKING RAIL NEWS . . .
    . . . and Commentary by Russ Jackson

    June, 2009. On Time and other performances. Yes, it’s the economy that can be charged with the recent on time performance improvements of Amtrak’s western long distance trains. Freight traffic has dropped over the past months which coincides with the increase in Amtrak trains arriving on time or early.

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    Central Coast Train Day rescheduled

    July 18, 2009
    10:00 amto12:00 pm

    Same event, same train ride, different date! Reported by Dennis Story, RailPAC Director

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    Sunset Limited Marketing Meeting

    Reported by Robert Manning, RailPAC Director, with comments by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President.
    Wednesday June 10, 2009
    I have just arrived home after attending the Sunset Marketing and Revitalization Team meeting which was held June 6, 2009 in New Orleans, LA. I should remind everyone that this SMART (not to be confused with the Sonoma-Marin project) came into existence for the following reasons:

  • 1. To insure the survival of Amtrak’s oldest named train the SUNSET LIMITED.
  • 2. To move the Sunset Limited to a daily train.
  • 3. To restore Sunset Limited service from New Orleans back to Florida.
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    TAMC May Meeting Report

    TAMC Rail Policy Committee meeting May 4, 2009.
    Reported by Chris Flescher
    TAMC is trying to find a consultant to write the environmental documents relating to the Monterey Branch Line (MBL) service.

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    CA Corridors May, 2009 statistics

    Reported by
    Eugene K. Skoropowski

    Managing Director
    Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
    May ridership numbers on the Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins and Pacific Surfliners all were disappointing.

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    COAST RAIL COORDINATING COUNCIL

    (“CRCC”) MEETING Report
    Santa Barbara, May 29, 2009
    Reported by Paul Dyson
    The Meeting was Chaired by Dave Potter, Monterey County Supervisor

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    Does Amtrak propose to cease operations in most of the southern and western states within the next five to ten years?

    Below is a new press release from RailPAC, along with earlier correspondence between Paul Dyson, the RailPAC President, and Joseph Boardman, Interim President and CEO of Amtrak.

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    Art Lloyd receives Golden Star Award PHOTOS

    District HQTrain Day, May 9, 2009, at the California State Rail Museum, Sacramento.
    Photos courtesy Debbie Mullins, Caltrans Rail Marketing Branch; Comments by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer. (Photo) Art Lloyd with Caltrans Rail Chief Bill Bronte

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    Move the Sacramento Depot?

    Sacramento Preservation Commission Votes to Leave Depot in Place.
    Special Meeting May 21, 2009
    Report by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer
    hpim0915
    With only one dissenting vote, the Sacramento Preservation Commission voted to recommend the City Council rescind its 2004 compromise plan that would have kept the Sacramento Valley Station in proximity of the Union Pacific mainline by moving the entire depot complex more than a football field length.

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    Passenger Rail and the CA State budget crisis

    “WE HAVE NO MONEY SO WE HAVE TO THINK*”
    Commentary on a vital current issue by Paul J. Dyson, RailPAC President REVISED 5/25/09.
    Well, the party’s over for the United States and especially for California.

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