RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV

Will California’s First High Speed Train go to Las Vegas?

By Noel T. Braymer It is looking more and more that California’s first High Speed Train will go to Las Vegas. Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, a major supporter of California- Las Vegas High Speed Rail service, says he has been talking with Governor Brown about the future of California-Las Vegas High Speed Rail. Senator…

September 11, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for September 8, 2014

Metrolink’s annual ridership continues to drop Los Angeles Times-Sep 7, 2014 Once hailed as the fastest-growing commuter line in the nation, the railroad has seen its annual ridership drop by almost 595,000 passengers since 2008, with resulting losses in revenue. That and other factors have left the agency squeezed between trimming service or boosting fares, either of…

September 11, 2014
Bipartisan Passenger Rail Legislation introduced in U.S. House

PRESS RELEASE Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Passenger Rail Legislation READ THE BILL at http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hr5449.pdf For Immediate Release: September 11, 2014 Contact: Jim Billimoria, Justin Harclerode Washington, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders today introduced bipartisan legislation that improves the infrastructure, reduces costs, leverages private sector resources, creates greater accountability and transparency, and accelerates project…

September 11, 2014
Followup Comments re HR5449 regarding Amtrak

NOTE: Below is a commentary on the newly introduced Passenger Rail bill, written by Andrew C. Selden on September 11. The bill was introduced in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on the same date. READ THE BILL at http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/hr5449.pdf To: Jim Billimoria and Justin Harclerode, U. S. House T & I Committee Gentlemen: HR5449 (Amtrak)…

September 11, 2014
Metrolink Connections that exist or should exist Now!

By Noel T. Braymer The counties that control Metrolink need to demand that it make good connections. Right now each line on Metrolink is run as a private fiefdom for each county. As a result the emphasis is on what that county wants or will pay for, not what will produce the best ridership or…

September 5, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for September 2, 2014

Las Vegas rail service plans have seen starts, stops Las Vegas Review-Journal-Aug 31, 2014 Although the loan request’s rejection is now more than a year old, there are indications XpressWest may be gearing for another run. In a recent appearance in Las Vegas, Reid said the loan request may resurface in “a matter of months.”“(California Gov.) Jerry Brown…

September 5, 2014
On Board Electrification and Near Zero Emissions for Regional Rail

Dave Cook and Ian Stewart Rail electrification has been implemented in many urban and regional rail applications in the US and the benefits are numerous. Electrified rail is quiet, quick, clean and generally more reliable and less expensive to operate than similar services with Diesel fueled locomotives. There are significant environmental benefits as well, with the elimination of…

September 5, 2014
Rail Photos of the Month: August 2014

Here are this month’s photos by RailPAC photographers. NINE (9) of them this time from everywhere! Click on each photo to see it full size! Contributions to this page are welcome. Send your jpg rail photos to Russ Jackson, RailPAC Photo Editor, at info@xg1.b3e.myftpupload.com. 1. Ever wonder where Amtrak’s ex-Santa Fe “Hi Level” cars are?…

September 3, 2014
Price Tops Speed for Attracting Passengers

By Noel T. Braymer How a person travels depends on several factors. Saving time is nice, but so is saving money. Safety and comfort are also factors in choosing how to travel. The best value for traveling is the best combination of speed, price, comfort and safety. If all things are generally equal, price usually…

August 29, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for August 25, 2014

Deal reached to extend Indiana Amtrak service The Hill-Aug 21, 2014 Indiana transportation officials said they were trying to keep the route viable until a private company could take over the cost of operating the short-distance trains. “For the Hoosier State, we are hoping to build from the experience of North Carolina’s successful Piedmont service, in which…

August 29, 2014