Month: November 2014

  • Trip Report on the Texas Eagle and other trains: How was it?

    Commentary by Russ Jackson Opinions expressed in this report are the author’s, and not necessarily those of the RailPAC Board This writer and spouse recently completed a November Amtrak circle trip, starting and ending with the Texas Eagle, which covered much of the western United States. For reporting purposes, the information below primarily covers the…

  • Passenger Train Service depends on healthy Freight Railroads

    By Noel T. Braymer The nation’s freight railroads have plenty of business now. In fact maybe it has too much business to handle current traffic, let alone future growth. This in turn has affected several long distance passenger trains, often causing them to be habitually late and making long distance rail passenger service less viable.…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 24, 2014

    Whistle-blower: INDOT wasted time on alternative Journal and Courier-Nov 18, 2014 The Indiana Department of Transportation expects to reach agreement with Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State passenger rail service between Indianapolis and Chicago, INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield said. November 24, 2014 The above copy of this enewletter is on a PDF file . If…

  • Capitol Corridor Monthly Report (FY 2014 and October, 2014)

    From DAVID B. KUTROSKY, Managing Director Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority clic on images to see them larger Service Performance Overview FY2014 Projected Results The Capitol Corridor finished the FY 2014 on a high note. In September 2014, a total of 119,034 passengers rode Capitol Corridor trains, an impressive increase of 7.6% compared to September…

  • Are Hybrids the Future for Locomotives?

    By Noel T. Braymer The Diesel-Electric locomotive has been around since the 1930’s. Since the 1950’s it has been the standard locomotive for most American Railroads. The Diesel-Electrics drove out the Steam locomotives for simple economic reasons: one Diesel-Electric could do the work of at least 3 steam locomotives. Will economics again drive out the…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 1, 2014

    Fight onboard an Amtrak train ends with a stabbing ABC30.com-Nov 12, 2014 FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) –Authorities are investigating a stabbing on an Amtrak passenger train. The Amtrak train involved was number 714.   November 17, 2014 The above copy of this enewletter is on a PDF file . If you would like to subscribe to this…

  • Steel Wheels in California Conference Presentations

    Steel Wheels in California Conference Presentations

    Saturday – November 15th, 10:30 – 3:30 PM California State Railroad Museum,  Sacramento Presentation Files:

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 10, 2014

    State ends negotiations with Amtrak alternative Journal and Courier-Nov 8, 2014 The Indiana Department of Transportation has ended contract negotiations with Corridor Capital LLC to provide passenger rail cars, marketing and other services for the Hoosier State line between Indianapolis and Chicago, said INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield. Wingfield did not comment as to why negotiations were terminated. But he…

  • Everything Starts in California

    Commentary by and opinion of Noel T. Braymer California has for almost the last 100 years, for better or for worse been the trendsetter for this country. Whatever it is, it either starts or takes off in California before spreading to the rest of the county and often the rest of the world. Be it…

  • Long Distance, State-Supported, and the NEC…now what?

    Commentary by Russ Jackson Comments are those of the writer, not necessarily those of the RailPAC Board. The three categories in the title of this writing are all tied to Amtrak in one way or another. Amtrak, as we know, is the “National Rail Passenger Corporation,” and is the purveyor of intercity passenger rail transportation.…