Matrix Theory is not the name of a movie August 30th, 2006
By Noel T. Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review — The late Dr. Adrian Herzog was a very smart guy. It helps to be smart when you’re a college professor at Cal State Northridge. This is even more so when you teach Astronomy and Physics. Adrian’s love for trains seems to have been his birth right, inherited from his native Switzerland which has more trains per capita than almost any other country. As a college professor, one of the benefits of the job was the right to conduct independent research. This research doesn’t have to be directly related to the professor’s normal field of study.
ACE adds Mid-Day Train, Connecting with the San Joaquins August 25th, 2006
August 25, 2006, was the dedication date for the new ACE mid-day train that departs Stockton at 9:30 AM, with the return train departing from San Jose at 12:05 PM and arriving in Stockton at 2:30 PM. The train connects in Stockton with San Joaquin trains 711, 716 and 718. Ceremonies were held before departing Stockton (first photo), where dignitaries posed for a group ribbon cutting photo, and at Fremont (second photo), where speakers included ACE Managing Director Stacey Mortensen, San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Chairman (and Bakersfield Mayor) Harvey Hall, and, speaking under the tree, Caltrans Rail Division Chief Bill Bronte. RailPAC was represented by VP North Arthur Lloyd, and director Bruce Jenkins who can be seen in both photos! (RailPAC photos by Russ Jackson, who also rode the train!) Read the rest of this entry »
Proposals to ease gridlock at LAX August 23rd, 2006
By Paul Dyson, RailPAC President — Once again our public officials have failed to propose expanding a transportation system that is both affordable and practicable and could link LAX to over 60 stations in 6 counties. Our underdeveloped Metrolink service could be extended along an existing, publicly owned right of way from south of downtown to the proposed transit center next to the Green Line, and on to the south bay. In addition to providing a link to LAX this Regional Express opens up job opportunities to South Central communities with direct links to areas like Burbank and Anaheim.
RailPAC Board Position Statement August 14th, 2006
The Rail Passenger Association of California took several positions regarding current rail passenger issues at its Board meeting July 8, 2006, in Oakland. Read the rest of this entry »
Building California’s passenger rail future August 11th, 2006
By Frank Busalacchi –Travelers across America and throughout California are voting in record numbers for expanded passenger-rail service in the United States. These “votes” are coming in the form of record passenger-rail ridership. Amtrak ridership increased in fiscal year 2005 to 25,374,998, marking the third straight year of passenger gains for the national intercity passenger railroad, despite service disruptions that included major hurricanes in the South and repair work that impacted Acela Express service in the Northeast. Gains in passenger rail travel are occurring in all parts of the country.
RailPAC Supports Changes to the Sunset Limited Route August 8th, 2006
By Richard Silver, Executive Director — RailPAC has just heard that there will be a change in the California portion of the Sunset Limited Route in the Ontario/Pomona area.
The Coast Starlate: Why it Matters August 1st, 2006
By Noel Braymer, Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review –Since last October, the COAST STARLIGHT on-time performance has dropped to about 2%. Most of the delays happen between Dunsmuir, California, and Chemult, Oregon. In this mountainous area rail breaks are so common that welding crews can’t keep up with the repairs and 10 mph slow orders are common. There are many rumors about possible changes to deal with these problems. One rumor is that the STARLIGHT might be cut back “temporarily” to between Los Angeles and Oakland. The constantly late STARLIGHT has forced Amtrak to use an additional trainset to run the STARLIGHT despite Amtrak’s acute equipment shortage.
