My Latest Trip to Sacramento February 23rd, 2010
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
To get to the RailPAC/NARP meeting in Sacramento on January 16th I once again chose the San Joaquin Bus/Train connection. I have been riding the San Joaquin now for almost 30 years. In that time I have long hoped for direct rail service from Southern California to the San Joaquin Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.
YouTube link to Gene Skoropowski’s October 24, 2009 Speech February 1st, 2010
Part 1 of three parts of edited highlights of a great presentation
Another Surfliner Meltdown On The Day Before Thanksgiving! December 16th, 2009
RailPAC President Paul Dyson writes;
Once again, at the busiest time of the year, the Surfliner service has fallen apart. 769, 12.30pm from LAUS, departed 5 hrs 30 minutes late. No southbound train from Santa Barbara all afternoon, over 200 people on the platform after the Starlight departed.
We May Have Underestimated Mr. Boardman December 16th, 2009
Editorial by Noel T. Braymer
I know I was pleased that the new interim Amtrak President and recent FRA Administrator Joseph Boardman agreed to speak to RailPAC at our May 2nd 2009 meeting in Los Angeles.
My October Train Trip Report December 16th, 2009
By Noel T. Braymer
October 12th found me with a day off, so I used it to ride most of the trackage in San Diego County. I particularly wanted to check out the lines of the San Diego Trolley which is planning a major overhaul as it nears its 30th anniversary on July 26, 2011.
What happened on the weekend of October 24-25 on the Surfliners? November 29th, 2009
Report by Noel T. Braymer
Train 571 left San Diego on time at 10:35 A.M. from San Diego on Saturday October 24, 2009. But by the time the train got to San Clemente around 11:40 the brakes locked up on the Business Class Car bringing the train to a halt.
The Never Ending Battle for Truth, Justice and Rational Rail Service November 29th, 2009
Editorial By Noel T. Braymer
What rail passengers want is very simple. They want trains that are clean, comfortable, safe and convenient.
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.
Any Excuse Is Good For A Train Trip September 25th, 2009
Report and Photos by Noel T. Braymer
Recently I had a free Saturday afternoon. Since I like to go for rides and I always need more photos for the Newsletter it was a good time for a train ride. Metrolink has a weekend train that leaves at 2:10 PM out of Oceanside to Los Angeles and a train to get me back home by 10:45 PM.
(NOTE: PHOTOS have now been added to this report. Photo right shows a 9 PM Metrolink train to Lancaster at LAUS.)
Be Careful What You Ask For, You May Not Like It September 9th, 2009
Editorial By Noel T. Braymer
This August there have been many news stories about opposition to the construction of High Speed Rail in Northern California. This opposition has even led a Judge in Sacramento to order a revaluation of the Environmental Impact Reports for the High Speed Rail Project between Gilroy and San Francisco. There are two groups leading this opposition. There is one group generally small but very loud that wants High Speed Rail in the Altamont Pass, not the Pacheco Pass or else nothing for anyone. People like this are difficult to talk to when their idea of a dialogue is to shout louder.
