RailPAC: Rail Passenger Association of CA & NV

eNewsletter for November 7, 2011

I have it on good authority that Boardman, in discussions with his top aides, defines Amtrak’s priorities toward train service as Northeast Corridor first, state-supported short-distance trains second, and long-distance trains a distant third. Were I in his shoes, I’d do the same thing. There was also a defining moment in a Senate hearing this…

November 10, 2011
Amtrak long-distance trains: the kinda good, the pretty bad, the really ugly

Commentary by Russ Jackson We passenger rail advocates prefer traveling cross-country on one or more of Amtrak’s long-distance trains whenever possible. We do it because we love it. We do it because we want them to be a part of the continuing heritage of this great country. We do it because we want that transportation…

November 4, 2011
What’s it like to ride the train?

Commentary and Trip Report by Dana Hawkes I am taking the train from LA to Houston. It is nearly universal that people are surprised, they have never taken a long distance train ride, and they are very curious about what it is like, and when they learn it takes longer than a plane they wonder…

November 3, 2011
Enewsletter for October 31, 2011

What will the future hold for Palmdale? Metrolink is studying running trains at speeds over 100 miles per hours to Palmdale. The Las Vegas High Speed Train to Victorville is closer to starting construction next year: a connection to Palmdale make sense for that service. It looks more likely that future Higher Speed Rail service…

November 3, 2011
eNewsletter EXTRA Highlights of CA HSR 2012 Business Plan Draft

This business plan has a sticker shock of 98 billion dollars for the full 800 mile project but much of this reflects adjustments for inflation with a longer construction window adding to the inflation. In 2010 dollars the final bill is between 65.4 to 75 billion.The reality is infrastructure is expensive. San Diego County has…

November 3, 2011
eNewsletter for October 24, 2011

In the article California High Speed Rail Authority CEO Roelof van Ark “said private investors, including rail operators and construction companies from Europe and Asia, have voiced interest in high-speed rail. The catch: Investors want to see a link to San Francisco or Los Angeles closer to completion before they put in billions, he said. It…

October 27, 2011
Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train… Coming soon!

Exhibit Train Schedule for the West Coast Can you hear the sound of a whistle? To commemorate our 40th Anniversary, we’ve put together a special train with displays of photos, uniforms, china, and memorabilia from America’s Railroad? while also offering a glimpse into the future. The Amtrak Exhibit Train is coming soon to a station…

October 21, 2011
Big Changes coming for California High Speed Rail?

Opinion by Noel T. Braymer There are hints that the revised Business Plan now due on November 1st for the California High Speed Rail Project will reflect current economic realities. The October 16th Wall Street Journal reports the project will be built incrementally with greater use of existing track. The possibility that the new trackage…

October 20, 2011
eNewsletter for October 17, 2011

Planning for the San Joaquin Valley alignment has been ongoing for at least 5 years. If the people in the Valley and the High Speed Rail Authority can’t come to an agreement soon on where to build HSR, there are plenty of other places which are ready to take the money and run with it.…

October 20, 2011
Update: Texas Eagle burglarized at San Antonio

Gene Poon has updated this story for us, giving more details of a story that has implications for Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle passengers going through San Antonio and laying overnight on the train there. San Antonio Police reportedly have gotten some suspects to talk about how the Texas Eagle was burglarized, and passenger hand baggage stolen…

October 18, 2011