RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV

The sun is setting earlier now, but what about the fate of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited?

Commentary by Russ Jackson, RailPAC Opinions expressed are those of the author, not necessarily those of the RailPAC Board The summer of 2014 is thankfully almost over. As this is written there is a week to go until Labor Day, and then the Congress will return to Washington DC for two weeks of yelling at…

August 26, 2014
Capitol Corridor Monthly Report (July, 2014)

By David B. Kutrosky, Managing Director Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Service Performance Overview For the fourth consecutive month, ridership increased on the Capitol Corridor over the corresponding month in 2013. A total of 119,425 passengers rode Capitol Corridor trains in July 2014, representing a 2.8% increase compared to July 2013. Revenue for July 2014…

August 22, 2014
Will Driverless Cars Eliminate Passenger Trains?

By Noel T. Braymer This is the assumption being made by some promoters for the future of automated driverless cars. The thinking behind this is when people no longer drive their cars, all traffic congestion will disappear and road travel will be much faster and easier. This will happen because there will be no accidents…

August 22, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for August 18, 2014

The Truth About Obama’s High-Speed Rail Program TIME-Aug 11, 2014 The administration hasn’t spent anywhere near $11 billion. The projects haven’t gone mostly nowhere. There are legitimate questions about the high-speed rail initiative—and the administration’s hype has outstripped its ability to deliver in an era of divided government—but the public debate over the program has been almost…

August 22, 2014
What is Metrolink’s Problem?

By Noel T. Braymer Metrolink’s problem is money; or rather the lack of money. Metrolink is in the red because ridership is below projections. Metrolink blames this on declining commuter ridership to downtown Los Angeles. What Metrolink needs to do is increase its ridership to more places in Southern California for more revenue. In the…

August 15, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for August 11, 2014

Amtrak: We’re the best choice for operating the Heartland Flyer Wichita Business Journal (blog)-Aug 7, 2014 Amtrak officials are taking issue with the search for a new Heartland Flyer operator launched by the Texas and Oklahoma transportation departments. August 11, 2014 The above copy of this enewletter is on a PDF file . If you would like…

August 15, 2014
Pros and Cons of a Burbank-Palmdale Underground HSR Short Cut

By Noel T. Braymer After years of studies and public meetings when it seemed the California High Speed Rail Authority was ready to make a final decision for the route between Burbank and Palmdale: they are studying a new route. This comes at the request of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich who’s district includes…

August 8, 2014
RailPAC eNewsletter for August 4, 2014

California High-Speed Rail Bonds Revived by Appeals Court Bloomberg – Jul 31, 2014 The California High-Speed Rail Authority can issue $8 billion in bonds to finance the U.S.’s first bullet train, a state appeals court ruled. The agency suffered a setback in November when a state judge blocked it from issuing the bonds, saying its finance ……

August 8, 2014
RailPAC rail PHOTOS of the month (July, 2014)

Here are this month’s photos by RailPAC photographers. 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. This is a segment of the new elevated path from the Bob Hope Burbank Airport train station and…

August 7, 2014
Welcome!

Our Mission is to promote the development of a modern, sustainable, environmentally friendly passenger rail system through education of the public and government officials. Our Vision is a comprehensive rail network of long distance, intercity, and regional trains, supported by and integrated with local transit, bicycle access, and pedestrian friendly stations. We accomplish these…

August 7, 2014