A Siemens Mobility Venture trainset at the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission facility in Stockton, Calif. (Caltrans)
Commentary

California Starvin’ on the San Joaquin Line, Along With a Missed Connection

“California Dreamin’” was one of the iconic songs of the sixties. It was about an Angelino enduring a New York winter and dreaming about his warm hometown (the inverse of the scenario in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”). Barry McGuire recorded the original version in 1963, and the 1966 version by The Mamas & the Papas with Bud Shank’s flute solo defined the song. Nostalgia aside, there seems to be a new custom in part of the Golden State: “California Starvin’” as practiced on Amtrak’s San Joaquin trains between Bakersfield at the south end and the Bay Area and Sacramento at the north end.

Commentary

East River Tunnel Rehabilitation, Sunnyside Yard, Rensselaer and Beyond: An Update

Amtrak’s long-term closure of one of the tunnel tubes (Amtrak calls them “lines”) under the East River between Penn Station and Queens remains controversial. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, other elected officials in the Empire State, and rider-advocates in New York and New Jersey have called instead for the work to be done on nights and weekends, similar to the way the L-train tunnel between Manhattan and Brooklyn on the subway system’s Canarsie Line was repaired in 2020-21: in only one year and without having to resort to a 15-month complete shutdown, which area residents feared.

(Courtesy of AmeriStarRail)
Commentary

AmeriStarRail Issues a Challenge—and Faces One—for America’s 250th Birthday

There has been much talk lately about increasing participation by the private sector when it comes to running passenger trains in the United States. Brightline’s Florida operation and the company’s efforts to

Skanska JV, VPRA Sign Contract to Build Long Bridge North in Washington, D.C.

Skanska, in a joint venture with FlatironDragados, announced on July 7 that it has signed a $658 million contract with the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) to build the Long Bridge North

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on June 27 approved a $100 million award to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Silicon Valley Phase II. (VTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VTA, APTA, Valley Metro, VPRA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) lands $100 million in California state funding for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project. Also, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) presents its 2025 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards; Arizona’s Valley Metro is introducing streetcar fares; and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) marks its fifth anniversary.

The Sound Transit Board on June 26 identified its preferred light rail route and station locations for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, which will expand service nearly 10 miles on mostly elevated light rail tracks between Federal Way and Tacoma, Wash., and include four new stations in the South Federal Way, Fife, East Tacoma/Portland Avenue and Tacoma Dome areas. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, CHSRA, Amtrak, BART

Seattle’s Sound Transit Board identifies the preferred alternative for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension. Also, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) issues a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for operating segment delivery; Amtrak Pacific Surfliner celebrates the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort with a special train wrap; and new San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) data shows ridership growth and improvements to safety, cleanliness, and rider satisfaction, plus a reduction in fare evasion.

Richard Anderson (NS Photograph)

Richard Anderson Elected NS Board Chair

Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 12 reported that Richard H. Anderson—the former CEO and Executive Chairman of Delta Air Lines, President of Optum Health, CEO of Northwest Airlines, and most recently President

MBTA plans to bring BEMU (battery-electric multiple-unit) train service to the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line starting in 2028. Proposals to finance the trainsets are due in August. (MBTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, CTA, Amtrak

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) seeks proposals to finance new BEMU (battery-electric multiple-unit) trainsets for its Commuter Rail system. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) invests in workforce development through a “land-for-learning” agreement with City Colleges of Chicago; and another San Diego-Los Angeles roundtrip will be added to Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, restoring more pre-pandemic service.

Commentary

“Fund the 15!” Building Out a True National Network

The American passenger rail renaissance is well-under way! Sold out trains, highly successful new services, and (justifiable) frustration about high ticket prices because of it: This is only the beginning. FY2024 was

Heartland Flyer train. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, State of Nevada, Santa Clara VTA

Is it the end of the line for the Heartland Flyer? Also, the Nevada Governor approves a regional rail transit study; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) reaches an agreement with its largest union, which represents some 1,500 frontline workers, including light rail and bus operators, mechanics, dispatchers, fare inspectors and customer service representatives.

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