Rail Passenger Association of California & Nevada

Traveling The Web Of California Bus/Rail Connections
Report and Comments by Ralph James

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 I have it on good authority that Boardman, in discussions with his top aides, defines Amtrak’s priorities toward train service as Northeast Corridor first, state-supported short-distance trains second, and long-distance trains a distant third. Were I in his shoes, I’d do the same thing. There was also a defining moment in a Senate hearing this year, when asked by Susan Collins, R-Maine, why Amtrak’s deficit for 2011 was rising despite increased ridership, that Boardman blurted in response, “It’s the long-distance trains!”… Is Amtrak considering another round of cut backs on Long Distance Trains in the face of  Congress likely turning down their full subsidy request? Every time Amtrak has cut Long Distance Trains they end up with a deeper deficit.

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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?

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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.

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What will the future hold for Palmdale? Metrolink is studying running trains at speeds over 100 miles per hours to Palmdale. The Las Vegas High Speed Train to Victorville is closer to starting construction next year: a connection to Palmdale make sense for that service. It looks more likely that future Higher Speed Rail service in the immediate future will have to use more improved existing rail lines than originally thought.

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This business plan has a sticker shock of 98 billion dollars for the full  800 mile project but much of this reflects adjustments for inflation with a longer construction window adding to the inflation. In 2010 dollars the final bill is between 65.4 to 75 billion.The reality is infrastructure is expensive. San Diego County has just released its proposed transportation plan up to 2050 with a 200 billion dollar budget. Of that 43 billion is for transit which includes almost 5 billion for commuter and intercity rail service in future inflation dollars. Los Angeles County is proposing to spend 40 billion dollars on 12 transit projects, most of them rail transit in the next 10 years with borrowed money and pay off the loans over 30 years with local sales tax money.

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In the article California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Roelof van Ark “said private investors, including rail operators and construction companies from Europe and Asia, have voiced interest in high-speed rail. The catch: Investors want to see a link to San Francisco or Los Angeles closer to completion before they put in billions, he said. It is precisely that link for which the state needs money. Mr. van Ark said the new business plan would include scaled-back options that would link the new track to existing commuter transit lines in the two cities and, as a last resort, perhaps Amtrak lines.”

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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.

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Opinion by Noel T. Braymer

There are hints that the revised Business Plan now due on November 1st for the California High Speed Rail Project will reflect current economic realities. The October 16th Wall Street Journal reports the project will be built incrementally with greater use of existing track. The possibility that the new trackage could be used at first by the San Joaquin Trains is being raised. In the article California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Roelof van Ark “said private investors, including rail operators and construction companies from Europe and Asia, have voiced interest in high-speed rail. The catch: Investors want to see a link to San Francisco or Los Angeles closer to completion before they put in billions, he said. It is precisely that link for which the state needs money. Mr. van Ark said the new business plan would include scaled-back options that would link the new track to existing commuter transit lines in the two cities and, as a last resort, perhaps Amtrak lines.”

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Planning for the San Joaquin Valley alignment has been ongoing for at least 5 years. If the people in the Valley and the High Speed Rail Authority can’t come to an agreement soon on where to build HSR, there are plenty of other places which are ready to take the money and run with it. Orange and Los Angeles Counties come to mind. Based on work done or ongoing I believe in a short time with funding we could see construction begun on four tracks between Los Angeles and Fullerton with complete grade-separation. We could get run through tracks at Los Angeles Union Station plus track and signal upgrades between Anaheim and Lancaster for speeds over 100 miles per hour. Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties are planning a freeway between Palmdale and Victorville with a median reserved for fast rail service. With funding this could be accelerated and tied in to rail service to Las Vegas. NB

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