Month: July 2009

  • RailPAC writes Amtrak CEO Joseph Boardman re Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle, and City of New Orleans routes. New: Boardman Replies

    TRANSCRIPT OF NOTE FROM JOE BOARDMAN TO PAUL DYSON 7/14/09 Paul: I have your letter of the 13th. I understand your interest, mine too frankly but we are not ready to pull the trigger on the changes that you want right now. Equipment has become a very complex issue and we are making progress. We…

  • Why did Gas Prices go up, again?

    Opinion by Noel T. Braymer Since the late 1970’s there has been talk off and on of raising taxes on gasoline as much as 50 cents more a gallon. The reason for this would be to raise money for alternatives to driving such as better rail and transit service, for alternative energy, infrastructure repairs and…

  • Central Coast Train Day rescheduled at Santa Barbara

    THE SCHEDULE 9:00 am Ventura County electeds meet on the Oxnard Station platform 9:00 am Santa Barbara County electeds meet on the Santa Barbara Station platform 9:20 am Train Departs Santa Barbara Station Southbound for Carpinteria with electeds 9:21 am Train Departs Oxnard Station Northbound for Santa Barbara with electeds 9:35 am Southbound train arrives…

  • RailPAC writes Amtrak COO William Crosbie re Southern California Issues

    13th July, 2009 Dear Mr. Crosbie: Many thanks for taking the time for a meeting with me last Thursday (8th July, 2009). I have written today to Mr. Boardman concerning the Sunset route and RailPAC’s support for positive steps by Amtrak. I’d like to expand upon some other topics that we covered briefly. Regarding the…

  • CA Corridors June stats

    Reported by Eugene K. Skoropowski Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority June ridership numbers in California and across the nation continue to be disappointing. The California economy and high unemployment rate are manifesting themselves in uncertainty and reduction in travel, particularly discretionary travel. The Capitol Corridor still handled 131, 670 passengers in June 2009,…

  • Democracy Is Not A Spectator Sport

    Editorial by Noel T. Braymer RailPAC, while it is non-partisan is a political organization. It is because we are involved in politics that even though we are a non-profit organization, donations to RailPAC are not tax-deductible. Our goal is the creation of a safe, comfortable, economical and well connected rail passenger system for California and…

  • LOSSAN BOARD DISCUSSES JPA AND THE FUTURE GOVERNANCE OF PASSENGER RAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

    July 1 Meeting Report and comments by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President In an encouraging sign that LOSSAN and the County transportation executives are getting to grips with the conflicts between the multiple agencies operating railroads in Southern California (Amtrak, BNSF, UP, SCRRA and NCTD) the LOSSAN Board on Wednesday discussed the “Corridor Long Term Vision…

  • TRACKING RAIL NEWS for July. . .

    and PHOTOS from everywhere! . . . Commentary by Russ Jackson July, 2009. Summertime and the living is easy, right? It is for people who go on vacations, and for some that means riding Amtrak. California. . . .Half-price train tickets? YES, Seniors 62 and older can ride at 50% off this summer on the…