Comments on HSR Thru Riverside August 31st, 2010
Comments Compiled from a RailPAC Member
We were recently contacted by a Professional Engineer who has, until recently, done a small amount of work on the CAHSR project. This is a summary of his report. Apparently the concept designs he cites are in the public domain (e.g. used in public outreach meetings) however the conclusions he offers (and are shared by RailPAC) are decidedly not the CAHSRA “message”.
UP Extortion Letter to CA Shows That FRA/Congressional Legislative Guidance Are Needed May 18th, 2010
Commentary by Dennis Lytton, Director
Earlier this week, the Union Pacific Railroad distributed to the media, particuarly the San Jose Mercury News, their letter to the Authority of April 23, 2010. In it they outline their most forceful position thus far of not cooperating with high speed rail.
Demonstrating Why We Need New Railcars Now: Amtrak #763 May 17th, 2010
Commentary by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Director and Website Editor
On Saturday, May 15 Amtrak passengers were not allowed to board Pacific Surfliner #763 in Chatsworth. Would-be passengers reported the Conductor designated the train as “overcrowded and unsafe”. Ridership was high on this run due to passengers traveling to the Strawberry Festival.
Our Vision for Rail in California and Nevada May 7th, 2010
CONNECTIONS! It’s all about connections. Depending on your journey you may live close to a station that has a direct service to your destination. But there’s a good chance that you’ll need to transfer, from bus to train, light rail to high speed rail, Surfliner to long distance Amtrak. RailPAC’s campaign is all about connections between these modes so that all of us can enjoy mobility without the automobile.
Our map attempts to portray the statewide system that we want to see over the next two decades. What it cannot show, but is equally important, is the electronic ticketing and information system that is needed to make passenger rail easy to use for 40 million Californians.
CSCN Outlines How to Improve Amtrak’s Coast Starlight May 6th, 2010
May 6, 2010 — The Coast Starlight is one of Amtrak’s 15 long-distance passenger rail routes, serving 27 cities between Los Angeles and Seattle. The route has been described as “one of the most fascinating journeys on the West Coast. It will take your breath away.” The route offers unparalleled experiences of the western states as well as incredible untapped potential as a tool for improved mobility. The Coast Starlight has been a proud West Coast asset for nearly thirty-nine years and, as it prepares to enter its fourth decade of service, still has much potential for growth. Like Amtrak’s other long-distance rail routes, the Coast Starlight suffers from chronic underfunding and under-investment.
Provide Your Feedback on New California Car Design April 30th, 2010
Now’s your chance to voice your opinion on the next generation of California Cars – the national standardized railcar. We posted a story a few days ago with information on the new cars. We invite you to check that story out and then visit Amtrak California’s virtual open house (available until May 28, 2010). There you will be able to:
- Review railcar information
- View floorplans
- View design concepts
- Make comments via an online survey
RailPAC addresses SJVRC on BFD-LAX Gap April 29th, 2010
Statement by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Director and Treasurer
at the April 29, 2010 meeting in Fresno, CA
Three events motivate this statement:
- Development of ideas at the joint RailPAC/NARP meeting in Los Angeles on April 17
- Joint agreement proposals among regional railroads and the HSR
- The 29th anniversary of the last run of the SP San Joaquin Daylight from Sacramento to Los Angeles.
Although the words are now definitely chiseled in the frieze of State Office Building #1, across 10th street from the State Capitol, are the words “Bring me Men … and now Women … to Match my Mountains”. Since that last run April 30, 1971 the Mountains, specifically the Tehachipi Mountains, have more than matched the men. They have stopped people from taking a single seat ride from the north to the south.
RailPAC writes Boardman regarding Daily Sunset Corridor Service April 29th, 2010
April 29, 2010
Dear Mr. Boardman:
Having heard no announcements regarding the proposal to introduce a daily Sunset/Eagle we conclude that negotiations are continuing with Union Pacific regarding the operating details, schedules, etc. It seems to us that if there is capacity for a train three days a week there should be capacity daily, especially given the major investments in double tracking that UP has made over the past few years. We hope these negotiations bear fruit in the very near future. Read the rest of this entry »
Amtrak California Railcar Development Open House April 26th, 2010
Report by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Director and Website Editor
As we all know, there are currently no funds available for new railcars. In 2006, Californians approved the procurement of new railcars through Proposition 1B. The budget crisis has caused the release of the Prop 1B bonds to be put on hold indefinitely.
In the midst of this, Caltrans is once again being a leader in intercity rail and is, on their own, working with Amtrak, other states, railcar builders, rail groups and riders to design the third generation of California Cars – a National standardized railcar. This design will allow any state to purchase railcars quickly, at a lower cost and will provide railcar manufactures an incentive to tool a shop for continuous building of bi-level intercity railcars. Since the cars are being designed now, once funds are released, a bid will be able to be sent out without further delays. Any state will be able to add onto the car order and make any minor modifications to suit their own needs.
Read the rest of this entry »
Metro/OCTA to CAHSRA: LA-Anaheim should be revisited March 25th, 2010
Arthur T. Leahy (CEO, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation) and Will Kempton (CEO, Orange County Transportation Authority) write to Curt Pringle (Chairman, California High Speed Rail Authority) asking CAHSPA to revisit the concept of a rational shared use option in the Anaheim to Los Angeles segment.
