Boardman response to Dyson 10-30-09 October 30th, 2009
October 30, 2009
Mr. Paul J. Dyson
President
Rail Passenger Association of California
1017 L Street #217
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Mr. Dyson: (Paul)
Thank you for your letters dated October 28 and 29, 2009. I concur that last weekend’s service disruption was unacceptable.
RailPAC writes Amtrak: UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE FAILURES ON PACIFIC SURFLINER October 28th, 2009
NOTE: Detailed reports of the incidents to which Mr. Dyson refers in the letter below are printed in the November Western Rail Passenger Review which will be mailed this week. To join RailPAC, see the “Membership” link in the right column. -Ed.
Sacramento’s Downtown-Natomas light rail line Groundbreaking October 28th, 2009
Report and PHOTOS by Marcia Johnston, RailPAC Sacramento Director
The Downtown-Natomas Airport [Green Line to the River District] Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on Monday, October 12th at Richards Boulevard and Seventh Street.
Outstanding Guest Speakers at San Carlos RailPAC/NARP meeting; Skoropowski honored October 28th, 2009
October 24, 2009 
Combined Report by (first) Noel T. Braymer and (second) by Anthony Lee; Photos by Mr. Braymer and Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer Photo right shows Mr. Skoropowski with Paul Dyson and Art Lloyd. Details below.
October 22, 2009
By Paul Dyson, President of the Rail Passengers Association of California
Photos by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer
Chairman Davis, Vice Chairman Fletcher, and Committee members:
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have no money, therefore we must think”.
RailPAC-NARP joint October meeting set for San Carlos; Skoropowski retires October 17th, 2009
Saturday, October 24, On the Peninsula!
Location:
Samtrans HQ Auditorium, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos about a block from the San Carlos Caltrain station
.
Time: 1pm – 4pm
Plenty of choices for restaurants in the locality.
Confirmed Speakers:
NEW SMART, the Sonoma-Marin commuter rail project will be represented! Check here for updated information.
Fee: Suggested minimum $10 donation at the door.
But, Please RSVP to info@railpac.org
so we can plan for the space.
Texas Eagle Marketing and Performance Organization Meeting October 17th, 2009
Report by Robert Manning, RailPAC Director
It was suggested that I attend the TEMPO meeting which was held Saturday, September 26, 2009 in Temple, Texas. I had heard of this group, but their web site which I thought was rather bland did not give much detail or an agenda regarding this meeting. I was also told that this group saved the Amtrak train, the Texas Eagle, which was slated to be cut.
The New Transportation Lobby October 14th, 2009
Editorial By Noel T. Braymer
I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone on TV or Radio says something like “The Government can’t do anything right!” Life is never perfect, but we depend on many government services which generally work fine. An example of this would be indoor plumbing. These are basic services which government provides. Government is also good at raising tax dollars in large amounts to pay for needed projects which private industry wouldn’t find profitable. We take clean water and sanitation for granted. But 100 years ago indoor plumbing wasn’t universal in this country. Poor countries to this day often don’t have clean water or proper sanitation. The result is water borne bacteria are a leading cause for illness and death in poor countries.
RailPAC MEETS WITH JOE BOARDMAN, Amtrak President and CEO October 9th, 2009
October 8, 2009
Reported by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President
I was very pleased to accept an invitation from Joe Boardman to meet him at Los Angeles Union Station today on Board the “Beech Grove” business car. Mr. Boardman was making a brief stopover during an inspection and meet the troops tour. I invited RailPAC VP South James Smith and Director Bob Manning from the Coachella Valley to join me.
Coast Rail Coordinating Council Meeting Report October 7th, 2009
September 25, 2009, Monterey
Reported by Chris Flescher, RailPAC Associate Director, Salinas
There is currently a capacity study being made for the Coast Daylight train. San Luis Obispo and TAMC have each given $500,000 to help fund the study. There is still an issue of UP and Caltrans lacking an agreement on what capacity improvements are needed to allow the Coast Daylight train.
Photo of 799 at San Luis Obispo station by Russ Jackson.
