Year: 2007

  • RailPAC September Meeting Report

    California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento September 15, 2007 Reported by Russ Jackson and Bob Manning Photos by the authors The CSRM is a perfect place for a rail advocacy meeting. The atmosphere and hospitality were outstanding. The Rail Passenger Association of California board of directors (shown below with President Paul Dyson presiding) met in a…

  • CA Rail Photos: An Arizonan comes to CA

    From Bill Lindley, RailPAC Associate Director, and Arizona Rail Passenger Association Treasurer. Taken on his vacation from the Arizona heat this summer. An original series San Diego Trolley train is in downtown San Diego on August 6, 2007. A Surfliner train passes through Old Town Station in San Diego The Trolley, Coasters, and some Surfliners…

  • RailPAC welcomes expanded Metrolink weekend service

    September 5, 2007. PRESS RELEASE: RailPAC President Paul Dyson today called for continued expansion of Metrolink train service throughout the region. In welcoming the additional trains on the Antelope Valley line on Saturday, and service for the first time on Sunday, Dyson said that: “At last Metrolink is beginning to fulfill its potential as a…

  • Editorial: Now would be a good time to raise Gas Taxes

    By Noel T. Braymer The recent collapse of the I-35W Freeway Bridge in Minneapolis highlights a problem that has been growing for years: the deferred maintenance of much of America’s infrastructure. There is an old saying in Economics: “There is no such thing as a free lunch“. The “free lunch” referred to was the practise…

  • RailPAC September MEETING NOTICE

    10:00 Board Meeting 12:00 Lunch 1:00 General Meeting At the California State Rail Museum in the Museum Theater (use east “group” entrance), in Old Sacramento! Reserve your space NOW! Only a few days left to reserve! EVERYONE is welcome! And, it’s FREE! Our topic: “Running Trains WITHOUT Money!” A Presentation from Operation Lifesaver just added!…

  • Bay Bridge Closure- Labor Day Weekend (Followup)

    The Bay Bridge reopened at 6 PM on Monday, September 3, 11 hours ahead of schedule. Over the weekend BART carried a record number of passengers, became a rolling party with its overnight service, and other public transportation systems saw record numbers of riders! No major tieups were encountered. Congratulations to Caltrans for its $1…

  • August 11 Train and Tribute to Bob Conheim

    The “Lord Mayor” of the Capitol Corridor Riders group who passed away on July 15 at age 63 was honored by his friends and family at Recreation Park in his hometown of Auburn on August 11. In his honor a special Capitol train traveled from the Bay Area to Auburn for the event. Many friends…

  • New rail construction in Southern California

    Photos taken August 22, 2007, by Noel Braymer The new Metrolink station at Buena Park is nearly finished including this pedestrian bridge across the tracks. Looking at the new Los Angeles Gold Line “run-through” bridge that crosses US 101 at the south end of Union Station. The freeway is in the foreground. RailPAC has long…

  • Santa Barbara City Council Adopts Pro-Rail Program 7–0

    Document closely follows RailPAC policy. Commentary by Paul Dyson, RailPAC President At the regular Santa Barbara City Council meeting on Tuesday August 21 the Council unanimously adopted the staff’s report that outlined a policy of passenger rail improvements. The full text of the document can be seen on line at http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/CAP/MG61001/AS61005/AS61020/ AS61031/AI64016/DO64017/1.DOC While the City…

  • Bay Area “Regional Rail” meeting report

    August 20, 2007, Suisun City Hall Reported by Russ Jackson The Draft “Regional Rail” Plan was presented at a series of August meetings around the Bay Area. This writer chose to attend the afternoon session in Solano County, while other RailPAC members attended other meetings. The Plan is called a “blueprint for expanding the region’s…