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Thank you from the Friends of Caltrain
The Friends of Caltrain attracted an overflow crowd of 200 grassroots community and business groups and residents to our Caltrain Summit a little over a week ago. Congresswoman Jackie Speier and Sierra Club national executive director Michael Brune came to keynote. RailPAC donated a generous $500 towards its small budget: thank you so much. You…
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What Happens if the Southwest Chief is Rerouted?
Commentary and Photos by Russ Jackson, RailPAC Every once in a while the rerouting Amtrak Trains 3 and 4, the Southwest Chief, off the traditional line from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Hutchinson, Kansas arises, because the line has almost no BNSF freight traffic in Colorado and New Mexico any longer. That is a true statement,…
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San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report
November 4, 2010 Meeting in Madera Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director The San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee held its quarterly meeting one week later than normal to be as close to the schedule change date as possible for the grand opening of the new Madera Station. The normal procedures opened the meeting after the…
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TAMC Rail Policy Committee Meeting Report
September 13, 2010 Meeting Reported by Chris Flescher, Associate Director According to the California Transportation Commission (CTC), TAMC needs to conduct an independent ridership review and economic analysis, for the Monterey Branch Line (MBL). The study will be very important when TAMC asks for money for engineering. TAMC will ask for $50,000 of Prop 116 funds. If…
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High Speed Rail: The View on November 4th
Report by Bill Kerby, RailPAC Treasurer November 4, 2010 — Public commentary opened and closed the meeting of the California High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) held today in the State Capitol. In his opening remarks, San Mateo’s Assemblyman Jerry Hill announced that he will introduce legislation dealing with expenditures, transparency and disclosure by the HSRA.…
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RailPAC Takes HSR Tour of France
By Bruce Jenkins, RailPAC Director RailPAC Vice President North Art Lloyd and Director Bruce Jenkins joined a High Speed Rail Tour of France on September 13 thru 18th. The Tour was superbly guided by Rick Harnish, Executive Director of MidWestern High Speed Rail Association, who is also on the board of NARP. The tour was…
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Coast Starlight on Google Transit
Report by Jarrod DellaChiesa, RailPAC Director and Coast Starlight Communities Network Project Coordinator It is with great pleasure that I announce that the Coast Starlight is now live on Google Transit! In early 2008, the Coast Starlight Communities Network first suggested that Amtrak share their routes on Google Transit. CSCN began working with Amtrak and…
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Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board Meeting Report
September 15, 2010 Meeting in Suisun City Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director Nine out of a total sixteen directors were present, barely constituting a majority of Directors for this meeting. After Roll Call and the Pledge of Allegiance, Chair Holmes (Placer County) addressed the audience in his “Report of the Chair” time on the…
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Travel Observations
Comments by RailPAC member Freeman Gosden Jr. on his recent trip from Santa Barbara-LA-Chicago-Emeryville- Santa Barbara I told my friends that La Junta to Hutchinson was roughest experience I have ever had on AMTRAK-Santa Fe UP or SP. I’ve done Chi-LA 35 times. I was partially thrown out of bed. Now, I see AMTRAK is…
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San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Report
July 29, 2010 Meeting in Atwater Reported by Michael Barnbaum, Associate Director A moment of scilence was held in the memory of George Gaekle. George spent many years on the San Joaquin alley Rail Committee and was also a Director of RailPAC. He also served for many years as a County Administrator for Stanislaus County. A…