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Buses and Trains: No Competition
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — For well over sixty years, Greyhound has had a near monopoly over intercity bus service in the United States. In the last twenty or so years Greyhound has been losing business and cutting back service. Greyhound has often been a critic of rail passenger service, claiming it was…
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Trains and Gasoline
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — When Amtrak was created in 1971 it was supposed to be a two year “experiment.” So uncertain was Amtrak’s future that one of the few capital expenditures at that time was for some new freight locomotives modified for passenger service. They could be sold easily to the railroads…
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Amtrak 1999 and Acela R.I.P. ?
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — “We know we have a product here that will absolutely knock the socks off the competition,” said Amtrak President George Warrington. “Only Amtrak’s Acela will provide a very special journey for customers who will travel downtown to downtown. Fares will be about 20% higher than the current Metroliners…
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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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Two press conferences in Sacramento on March 31
A RailPAC Special Report — Two Press Reports; one with DOT Secretary Mineta, and the other with local officials. By Russ Jackson, RailPAC, who was the only rail advocate allowed into the press conference. A followup news conference was held outside the press room, and that is included below. USDOT Secretary Norman Mineta spoke to…
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Don’t Panic, but do Write!
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — In politics everyday is the silly season. Along with Amtrak, almost every government program is getting hit with major proposed budget cuts from the Bush Administration. Haven’t we seen this movie before? I think it is a good bet that Amtrak will get more money than the Bush…
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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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Bad start to the New Year
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Well, to be frank, January stank. The first half of January it rained constantly. The result was washouts and mudslides that disrupted rail service throughout California. Canceled and late trains due to heavy snows in the Midwest and East didn’t help project the image of passenger rail service…
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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,…