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Two press conferences in Sacramento on March 31
A RailPAC Special Report — Two Press Reports; one with DOT Secretary Mineta, and the other with local officials. By Russ Jackson, RailPAC, who was the only rail advocate allowed into the press conference. A followup news conference was held outside the press room, and that is included below. USDOT Secretary Norman Mineta spoke to…
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Don’t Panic, but do Write!
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — In politics everyday is the silly season. Along with Amtrak, almost every government program is getting hit with major proposed budget cuts from the Bush Administration. Haven’t we seen this movie before? I think it is a good bet that Amtrak will get more money than the Bush…
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RailPAC 2005 Annual Meeting
Oakland — By Russ Jackson, Secretary Shown speaking at the RailPAC meeting is Santa Cruz director Matt Melzer, announcing that the Glendale station will be replaced by the Van Nuys station for the Coast Starlight beginning with the March timetable. Others at the table are (left to right) Oakland director Anthony Lee, Sacramento director Marcia…
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Bad start to the New Year
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Well, to be frank, January stank. The first half of January it rained constantly. The result was washouts and mudslides that disrupted rail service throughout California. Canceled and late trains due to heavy snows in the Midwest and East didn’t help project the image of passenger rail service…
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How To Create A California Intercity Rail Corridor Network
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — We have come a long way in nearly 30 years of expanding passenger rail service in California. We are not finished through in creating a complete network for most of California to major travel centers in and near California. There are plans to extend service toward Reno/Sparks, Redding,…
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Featured Photos for 2004
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AMTRAK/CALTRANS Food Service
A RailPAC Special Report, November, 2004. — In its September issue, the Train Riders Association of California’s (TRAC) “California Rail News” displays a front page photograph taken without permission from the RailPAC website. The photo isn’t shown in its entirety. The entire photo was published in the August 2004, “Western Rail Passenger Review” magazine (on…
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What California Needs From High Speed Rail
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Faster Rail Passenger service not only increases ridership but also improves productivity. It does this by carrying more passengers per day with the same number of train crews and equipment. To achieve these results require major investments in equipment and trackwork. A fast, efficient railroad infrastructure can benefit…
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The Gods Help Those Who First Help Themselves
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President The gods help those who first help themselves: Or, It is easier to ask forgiveness than to ask permission. Generally the state of rail passenger service in this country is bleak. Many large cities in this country have no service. Some of the largest cities in this country have…
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On my August 2004 commentary
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President NOTE: The following was received from Elizabeth O’Donoghue, Director-Communication Public and Government Affairs (West) Amtrak. My comments follow hers, and refer to my August commentary. To: Editor, Western Rail Passenger Review One thing – you wrote in the Western Rail Passenger Review that “…if Amtrak receives this money the…