April was the Cruelest Month for the Fossil Fuel Industry June 29th, 2010
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report June 29th, 2010
June 7, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director
The commuter rail extension (Gilroy to Salinas) is now in the right of way acquisition phase. The committee has issued a request for proposals in 3 categories: acquisition agent, legal services, and on-call appraisal. For the on-call group, the committee received 8 proposals. They recommend placing 7 on the list, for future use, but not signing any contracts. For legal services, there were 5 proposals. The committee recommends Meyers Nave. The acquisition agent proposals were many. The committee chose Overland Pacific, Associated Right of Way Services, and Paragon Partners as the top 3. The committee interviewed those agencies, and Overland Pacific was chosen. The committee passed a resolution to support the above choices, and the final contracts will go to the TAMC Board of Directors later this month.
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board Meeting Report June 24th, 2010
June 16, 2010 Meeting in Oakland
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
How fast can Trains run between Los Angeles and San Diego? June 15th, 2010
Comments by Noel T. Braymer
Trip on the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to Yuma June 12th, 2010
Report and Photos by Mike Palmer, RailPAC correspondent, Torrance, CA
My work sent me on an assignment to Yuma, Arizona for two days, May 19-20. As luck would have it I was able to work my visit around train times – it also helped that there is limited LA – Yuma air service. (Side note: the locals said they usually drive to San Diego or Phoenix for flights. Either drive is 3 hours for them).
May California Intercity Passenger Rail Performance June 11th, 2010
Reported by David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director, CCJPA
The Capitol Corridor yielded positive results for May 2010 compared to May 2009 in all relevant performance statistics – ridership, revenue, and on-time performance. Ridership for May was 1.4% above last year as was revenue (+2.9%). On-time performance (OTP) set the record for the fiscal year at 95.9% – making the service once again the most reliable train service in the Amtrak system for May 2010 as well as fiscal year-to-date.
Tracking Rail News: June 2010 June 10th, 2010
Comments and PHOTOS by Russ Jackson
. . . Good news for Los Angeles Union Station. The lack of a variety of food items available in the LAUS waiting room has been lessened with the news that by July Peets Coffee and Tea, Subway Sandwiches, and Wetzel’s Pretzels will open, and later in the summer Famina Fresh Foods will open near the Amtrak ticket windows. These places will add to what is now available at the News Stand, Union Bagels and Coffee, and the very fine Traxx Restaurant and bar. Other changes at LAUS have the QuikTrak machines and the Budget and Hertz counters moved into the Amtrak Ticket area. Now, if only they could get the old Fred Harvey Restaurant open again! Train Day visitors were able to enter that historic place, and one visitor was amazed to find the bar area on its east side, closed too long.
Dunsmuir Railroad Days June 1st, 2010
Dunsmuir, California is a historic train town that celebrates Railroad Days annually. This year’s event is taking place June 11-13 at the Dunsmuir Amtrak Station. We are excited that Dunsmuir is wanting to increase awareness of the Coast Starlight this year. RailPAC and Coast Starlight Communities Network will have materials displayed. Amtrak is supplying Coast Starlight timetables and route guides, kid’s conductors hats, system maps and posters.
