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.
RailPAC writes Boxer regarding Passenger Rail Safety February 22nd, 2010
SENATOR BARBARA BOXER
Fax to 202 224 0454
22 February, 2010
PASSENGER RAIL SAFETY
Dear Senator Boxer:
First of all may I commend you for your concern about passenger rail safety following the Chatsworth collision last year, and also for spending so much time at the Los Angeles USDOT conference last Friday. We appreciate your interest in passenger rail.
We exchanged views on the subject of two engineers in the cab of mainline passenger trains. You asked me to provide information about railroad accidents in which there were two engineers in the cab. Freight train operators have a two person crew, a trained and qualified engineer and conductor, who are responsible for the safe operation of the train. Here follows a brief list of some of the accidents that have happened in recent years, taken from NTSB records, in which both members of the train crew failed to take action to prevent an accident. Read the rest of this entry »
The High Speed Rail Dilemma February 17th, 2010
Response to High-Speed rail system: Leaders mull benefits, fears, first published in the Burbank Leader on 2/13/10.
Commentary by Paul Dyson
It was great to see the Leader take a close look at the High Speed Rail project on Saturday 13th February. This huge undertaking is described as the largest public works project in our history and the impacts will be far reaching and long lasting. But while the Leader discussed some of the issues arising from the project I would respectfully suggest that we need to review why these issues exist, and whether indeed some of the impacts need to be as great as they are. Read the rest of this entry »
More on the Coast Starlight China February 12th, 2010
Reported by Jarrod DellaChiesa, Website Editor and CSCN Project Coordinator
As reported a few days ago, the Coast Starlight is finally doing away with plastic dinnerware and synthetic tablecloths and is re-introducing full china service and linen. This is exciting because passengers will once again receive a quality Dining Car experience.
Here are some additional details … Read the rest of this entry »
Coast Starlight Re-introduces Real China and Linen February 10th, 2010
Official Amtrak Press Release
Elegant dinner service aims to improve customer satisfaction
OAKLAND – Beginning today, real china, table linens and glassware are returning to Amtrak’s popular Coast Starlight long-distance train to provide an elegant dining experience for passengers and is the latest service change aimed at further improving customer satisfaction on the west coast route between Los Angeles and Seattle.
Connectivity Works for High Speed Rail Too February 9th, 2010
Commentary by Paul Dyson
Our RailPAC/NARP meeting in Las Vegas last December revealed one important nugget. Guest speaker, Desert Xpress (“DX”) CEO Tom Stone announced that the project team is planning to extend the Las Vegas – Victorville core route across the high desert to Palmdale where it will connect with the California High Speed Rail system. This is excellent news for those that believe in the matrix theory of connectivity and passenger train productivity. Read the rest of this entry »
Amtrak’s Fleet Strategy Plan February 4th, 2010
Today Amtrak released the Fleet Strategy Plan they promised was coming.
You can download the report here: Amtrak Fleet Strategy – Feb 2010
RailPAC to CHSRA: Provide Value from 1st Investments February 4th, 2010
2nd February, 2010
Hon. Curt Pringle and Board Members
CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY
925 L Street Suite 1425
Sacramento, CA 95814
Via fax: 916 322 0827
PROVIDING VALUE FROM THE FIRST INVESTMENTS
Dear Chairman Pringle and Board members:
The Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC) has been campaigning for over thirty years for improved passenger rail service in California. Progress has been slow but at least today we have the basic framework of commuter and inter city rail in most of the important corridors. We supported Proposition 1A and welcome the recently announced small down payment for High Speed Rail (“HSR”) from the federal government. We are, however, greatly concerned by the growing clamor of criticism from some key politicians as well as the public and even some rail advocacy groups. Read the rest of this entry »
RailPAC writes Senator Boxer re Amtrak Board January 23rd, 2010
Senator Barbara Boxer
Washington DC
Via Fax
22nd January, 2010
CALIFORNIA REPRESENTATION ON AMTRAK BOARD
Dear Senator Boxer:
California needs and deserves a representative on the Amtrak Board of Directors. At present there is no Amtrak Board member domiciled west of Illinois.
