RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV

Author: Noel Braymer

  • Passenger Train Service depends on healthy Freight Railroads

    By Noel T. Braymer The nation’s freight railroads have plenty of business now. In fact maybe it has too much business to handle current traffic, let alone future growth. This in turn has affected several long distance passenger trains, often causing them to be habitually late and making long distance rail passenger service less viable.…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 24, 2014

    Whistle-blower: INDOT wasted time on alternative Journal and Courier-Nov 18, 2014 The Indiana Department of Transportation expects to reach agreement with Amtrak to continue operating the Hoosier State passenger rail service between Indianapolis and Chicago, INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield said. November 24, 2014 The above copy of this enewletter is on a PDF file . If…

  • Are Hybrids the Future for Locomotives?

    By Noel T. Braymer The Diesel-Electric locomotive has been around since the 1930’s. Since the 1950’s it has been the standard locomotive for most American Railroads. The Diesel-Electrics drove out the Steam locomotives for simple economic reasons: one Diesel-Electric could do the work of at least 3 steam locomotives. Will economics again drive out the…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 1, 2014

    Fight onboard an Amtrak train ends with a stabbing ABC30.com-Nov 12, 2014 FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) –Authorities are investigating a stabbing on an Amtrak passenger train. The Amtrak train involved was number 714.   November 17, 2014 The above copy of this enewletter is on a PDF file . If you would like to subscribe to this…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 10, 2014

    State ends negotiations with Amtrak alternative Journal and Courier-Nov 8, 2014 The Indiana Department of Transportation has ended contract negotiations with Corridor Capital LLC to provide passenger rail cars, marketing and other services for the Hoosier State line between Indianapolis and Chicago, said INDOT spokesman Will Wingfield. Wingfield did not comment as to why negotiations were terminated. But he…

  • Everything Starts in California

    Commentary by and opinion of Noel T. Braymer California has for almost the last 100 years, for better or for worse been the trendsetter for this country. Whatever it is, it either starts or takes off in California before spreading to the rest of the county and often the rest of the world. Be it…

  • What’s the matter with Metrolink?

    By Noel T. Braymer Metrolink has been slowly going downhill even before the Chatsworth crash disaster in 2008. Since 2008, safety on Metrolink has been greatly improved and will get better with the full implementation of Positive Train Control. But Metrolink’s problems stem from a lack of leadership and planning. Metrolink has been slow to…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for November 3, 2014

    24 hurt as Amtrak train, semi collide Indianapolis Star-Oct 28, 2014 “I went across the tracks, then I seen that train coming, and it was too late,” Hatfield said recalling the morning’s accident. “That’s about it.” There were 56 passenger on this Hoosier State. The crossing didn’t have warning lights or gates: see photos in this story. NB…

  • The Future Passenger Rail Connections at San Diego’s Airport

    By Noel T. Braymer By 2016, there will be a shuttle bus connection from the Washington Street Trolley Station and the terminals at San Diego International Airport. This is part of a much larger project over the next 20 years to move the main entrance of the airport to the North Side right along the…

  • RailPAC eNewsletter for October 27, 2014

    Construction to Impact Rail Service in October Complete Rail Closure October 25 -26  The weekend of October 25-26 will see rail service interruptions along the Coastal rail corridor from Oceanside to San Diego: COASTER: No COASTER service will be provided. AMTRAK – Amtrak trains will not operate between Oceanside and San Diego including the six select Amtrak ‘Rail…