Travel Observations August 31st, 2010
Comments by RailPAC member Freeman Gosden Jr.
on his recent trip from Santa Barbara-LA-Chicago-Emeryville- Santa Barbara
San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report August 2nd, 2010
July 29, 2010 Meeting in Atwater
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report June 29th, 2010
June 7, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director
The commuter rail extension (Gilroy to Salinas) is now in the right of way acquisition phase. The committee has issued a request for proposals in 3 categories: acquisition agent, legal services, and on-call appraisal. For the on-call group, the committee received 8 proposals. They recommend placing 7 on the list, for future use, but not signing any contracts. For legal services, there were 5 proposals. The committee recommends Meyers Nave. The acquisition agent proposals were many. The committee chose Overland Pacific, Associated Right of Way Services, and Paragon Partners as the top 3. The committee interviewed those agencies, and Overland Pacific was chosen. The committee passed a resolution to support the above choices, and the final contracts will go to the TAMC Board of Directors later this month.
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board Meeting Report June 24th, 2010
June 16, 2010 Meeting in Oakland
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
Trip on the Sunset Limited from Los Angeles to Yuma June 12th, 2010
Report and Photos by Mike Palmer, RailPAC correspondent, Torrance, CA
My work sent me on an assignment to Yuma, Arizona for two days, May 19-20. As luck would have it I was able to work my visit around train times – it also helped that there is limited LA – Yuma air service. (Side note: the locals said they usually drive to San Diego or Phoenix for flights. Either drive is 3 hours for them).
TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report May 23rd, 2010
May 3, 2010 Meeting
Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director
There was a recommendation to create an Ad Hoc Committee for proposed stations. The group members would visit the sites of the proposed Castroville and Pajaro Stations, plus the existing Salinas train station. The recommendation passed.
TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report May 12th, 2010
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.
San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report May 3rd, 2010
April 29, 2010 Meeting in Fresno
Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director
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.
