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Technology is not the Solution
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — When it comes to transportation, many people get hung up on technology. People argue we need the latest in monorail, or maglev, bullet trains or whatever. Naturally the people most hung up on the technology are the people trying to sell a particular technology. Now, technology can be…
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Take the Train, not MagLev to the Airports
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — SCAG, the Southern California Association of Governments continues to promote its plan to build a regional MagLev system in Southern California. This would start with a 54 mile starter line connecting Ontario Airport with Downtown Los Angeles and West Los Angeles. Eventually this starter line would be part…
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The Terrorists Among Us
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Since the bombing of commuter trains in Madrid, Spain that killed 190 people this March, there has been a heightened state of awareness for transportation security. It is true there are terrorists among us in America. Many kill themselves in their terrorist deeds, some are unknowing accomplices spreading…
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The Future of Intercity Passenger Service
“Business as usual is a recipe for failure.” — Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta in referring to Amtrak, July 2003. by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Norman Mineta is an old trusted friend, a former Congressman from California, the only Democrat in the Bush Cabinet; he is no right wing ideologue. His Department of…
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How Are Trains Doing In The State’s Budget?
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — Things can be confusing with all the political battles being fought over the California State budget. The budget proposed by the Governor keeps in place the current level of subsidy for Rail Operations. This means no cuts can be expected for state-supported rail services if the Governor’s budget…
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On the Release of the High Speed Rail Draft Environmental Report
PRESS RELEASE — The Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC) is the largest statewide membership organization working since 1985 for the expansion and improvement of passenger rail service in California and Nevada. RailPAC has been an enthusiastic supporter for the establishment of a high speed rail system that will serve the entire state. Transportation in…
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Time To Kill The “Metroliner Experiment”
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — If I were to date the true beginning of Amtrak it wouldn’t be in 1971. Instead I would say 1964 with the creation of the Metroliner experiment. In the wake of the very successful introduction in Japan of the Shinkansen Trains with speeds of 125 mph, the call…
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Plan now for the next Emergency
by Noel T. Braymer, RailPAC President — In both the 1989 Loma Prieta and 1994 Northridge Earthquakes, Caltrain, BART and Metrolink proved the value of passenger rail service as a transportation alternative in an emergency. It is not too soon to plan ahead for the next disaster and the role rail can play in it.…
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A Look Ahead At The Future Of California Passenger Rail Service
by Noel Braymer — In the short run, it is easy to get discouraged about the future of passenger rail service in this country. But each time I look at traffic on or read how unstable the oil supply in the world is, I know in the long run the future is bright. In California…
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It Is Heard, 1999-04-11
(This is a correction to a prior post made on Nov 09, 1998.) I don’t know if I was aware of it at that time, but I have been aware for a few months now that the Amtrak Sunset Limited would not be able to stop at the current San Bernardino station if it was…