Amtrak long-distance trains: the kinda good, the pretty bad, the really ugly November 4th, 2011
Commentary by Russ Jackson
We passenger rail advocates prefer traveling cross-country on one or more of Amtrak’s long-distance trains whenever possible. We do it because we love it. We do it because we want them to be a part of the continuing heritage of this great country. We do it because we want that transportation alternative. We expect Amtrak to preserve that picture for us, and for the generations that follow us. What kind of job are they doing to help us in that regard?
What’s it like to ride the train? November 3rd, 2011
Commentary and Trip Report by Dana Hawkes
I am taking the train from LA to Houston. It is nearly universal that people are surprised, they have never taken a long distance train ride, and they are very curious about what it is like, and when they learn it takes longer than a plane they wonder what you do with all that time.
Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train… Coming soon! October 21st, 2011
Exhibit Train Schedule for the West Coast
Can you hear the sound of a whistle? To commemorate our 40th Anniversary, we’ve put together a special train with displays of photos, uniforms, china, and memorabilia from America’s Railroad? while also offering a glimpse into the future.
Sacramento Rail station improvements underway October 6th, 2011
Commentary and photos by Russ Jackson, RailPAC
Followup: A trucker looks at the Nevada Amtrak-truck crash August 27th, 2011
Recently the RailPAC website published four “theories” of how the July accident between a truck and Amtrak’s California Zephyr in the Nevada desert east of Reno might have happened (posted July 15, 2011). We asked Jason Brown, a commercial trucker, for his opinion on the events surrounding that crash.
Theories about how the Nevada Amtrak crash happened July 15th, 2011
Compiled by Russ Jackson
How did the terrible incident involving Amtrak’s California Zephyr and a speeding truck traveling on US 95 in the Nevada desert happen? There are many theories out there. We have compiled four theories advanced by some rail writers we know. Because two of these writers prefer to be anonymous, we will not disclose who wrote any of them. It’s interesting reading, and none of these theories should be interpreted as being exactly what happened on that fateful day.
Comments by Russ Jackson
That was then: Forty years is a long time. In this report let’s first take a look at where the western long distance trains started for Amtrak, and then look at today. Charting will be for two trains that were in the Amtrak official timetable #1 for May 1, 1971, which was quickly replaced with a new one on July 12. (this copy is from the author’s collection of all Amtrak national timetables to date). Then the May, 1991 national timetable which was in effect when this writer became editor of RailPAC’s Western Rail Passenger Review, and then we do a comparison of those past schedules with the 40th anniversary 2011 national system timetable which is available now at all Amtrak staffed stations.
Amtrak Updates Fleet Strategy Plan April 1st, 2011
Commentary by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Director
I wish this was an April Fools prank, but it isn’t. Read the rest of this entry »
Don Sepulveda joins Metro March 30th, 2011
Don Sepulveda has joined Metro has the Executive Officer – Regional Rail. Don will be leading the regional rail team in working on matters related to high speed rail, Metrolink and intercity rail corridors (such as I-5 and the LOSSAN corridor).
Write the Governor: Re-allocating the Florida HSR Funds March 28th, 2011
We understand that the Federal Railroad Administration plans to re-allocate HSR funds that Florida has refused to accept. California is among the states vying for a share of the $2.4 billion available.
