Category: Technical and Rolling Stock

  • RailPAC sends letter to California Air Resources Board about proposed In-Use Locomotive Regulation

  • Passenger Rail to the Imperial Valley

    [also published in 3rd Quarter 2022 issue of Steel Wheels] Brian YanityVice President-South, RailPAC (photos by the author unless otherwise noted) (background map: OpenStreetMap.org, annotations by author) An exciting prospect for new passenger rail in Southern California is an Imperial Valley extension to the Coachella Valley Rail passenger service, currently under development. As currently proposed,…

  • Steel Wheels 3rd Quarter 2022 issue available online

    The 3rd Quarter 2022 issue of RailPAC’s quarterly magazine Steel Wheels can be downloaded by clicking here. In this issue: Passenger rail to the Imperial Valley Introducing the ‘Aurora Group’ advocating for Amtrak’s National Network Amtrak Beech Grove National Network shops Passenger train planning- best practices How many tracks do train stations need? Arizona News…

  • Steel Wheels, 4th Quarter 2021 issue available online

    Download the pdf of Steel Wheels, 4th Quarter 2021 by clicking here. In this issue: Northern California Passenger Rail Projects Vision for the future of Inland Empire rail Locomotive emissions New routes to San Diego Bi-Level Challenge Superliner Cars- Whats Next? Future rail service in Monterrey County Arizona News Nevada News and more!

  • Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2021 issue available online

    Download the pdf of Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2021 by clicking here. In this issue: San Diego County rail improvements Public transportation in a post-pandemic world Prospects for future LA-Phoenix passenger rail Letter to California High Speed Rail Authority Arizona rail news Russ Jackson commentary on state of U.S. passenger rail in 2021 Andrew Seldon…

  • Steel Wheels magazine, 2nd quarter 2020 available online

    Download the pdf version of Steel Wheels, 2nd Quarter 2020 by clicking here. In this issue: RailPAC President’s Commentary on COVID-19 and passenger rail California High Speed Rail Update Amtrak pandemic “Lessons Learned” commentary RailPAC recommendations for Nevada State Rail Plan RailPAC’s recommended priority rail investments for California California company makes progress with zero-emissions locomotives…

  • 2020 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) Grants Awarded

    This past week the California State Transportation Agency announced the 2020 grants distributed as part of the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP). Created by SB 862 in 2014, the TIRCP utilizes revenues from the State of the California’s cap-and-trade program and vehicle registration fees to fund capital projects that reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs)…

  • President’s Commentary – Key RailPAC priorities for 2020

    By Steve Roberts – RailPAC President [Originally published in Steel Wheels, 1st Quarter 2020] Greetings! In early January, members of the RailPAC Board developed options and came to a consensus on RailPAC’s policy priorities for 2020.  The two major ground rules were that the priorities had to be focused and actionable in 2020.  A list…

  • Amtrak At Last Looking to Renew or Upgrade Locomotives

    From Amtrak Press release: Amtrak to Improve National Network Locomotive Fleet New or rebuilt locomotives will provide more reliable service, a smoother ride and improved safety features WASHINGTON – With demand for Amtrak service at record levels, Amtrak is moving to either acquire new locomotives or rebuild its current diesel fleet of locomotives to supplement…