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Subject: Do LD Trains lose money? 21 billion for the NEC . 2 sets of doors for Caltrain?

From: Rail Passenger Association of California (noelnoelt@cox.net)

To: ntbraymer@yahoo.com;

Date: Monday, April 27, 2015 9:30 AM

RailPAC Weekly E­Newsletter for April 27, 2015 Edited by Noel T. BraymerFeel free to forward copies of this E­Newsletter to your friends or someone who canuse this information. If you would like to subscribe to the E­Newsletter just send me your name and emailaddress to nbraymer@railpac.orgIf you'd like to see expanded and improved Rail Passenger Service­Join Us!Membership increases our strength in presenting the case for rail to policymakers at alllevels!

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Did You Know? All Metrolink tickets are also valid for travel on any Amtraktrain between Burbank­Bob Hope Airport and L.A. Union Station, allowingpassengers to take the first train that arrives to continue their travels. From Metrolink Matters Newsletter for April/May 2015 Amtrak at Bob Hope Airport train station.Photo by Noel T. Braymer

8 Critical Rail Projects That Amtrak Can't AffordCityLab ­ Apr 21, 2015 A major rail advisory commission presents a sobering new wish list for the Northeast Corridor over thenext five years. That's $3.646 billion dollars for NEC projects without full funding. NB

Northeast Corridor agencies debut five­year capital improvement planProgressive Rail Roading ­ Apr 21, 2015An estimated $21.1 billion is needed to fully fund both types of projects, officials said.Several of the plan's projects are fully funded, such as station improvements for the SoutheasternPennsylvania Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, while othersare "shovel ready" but lacking funds. Replacing the century­old Portal Bridge North, which traverses theHackensack River in New Jersey, is one of the plan's currently unfunded projects.

16 Vintage Photos of Amtrak's Early YearsNational Journal­Apr 19, 2015An Amtrak advertisement issued in November 14, 1971, announcing schedule changes to the nationaltimetables. Between 1971 and 1973,

The Long­Running Battle Over Long­Distance TrainsNational Journal ­ Apr 22, 2015Amtrak has 15 long­distance routes that crisscross the United States over some 18,000 miles. They losemoney. They likely will always lose money...This is not true but is what passes as "wisdom" in Washington where this publication is based.This is the true story of the loses of Amtrak Long Distance Trains. Dr. Ronald C. Sheck anAssociate Professor of Geography and Planning at New Mexico State University Las Cruces, NewMexico in 1982 wrote a report called "Amtrak 90:A Route to Success". What Dr. Scheck found

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was ” In FY 1980 Amtrak incurred total expenses of $1.1 billion, yet the actual cost of directoperating expenses (moving the trains over the tracks­labor, fuel, expendables, etc.) was only $272million, or about 25 percent of the total. Indirect expenses (stations, yards, shops, maintenance oflocomotives, cars, and the small amount of track owned by the corporation) totaled $644 million,or 56 percent of expenses. Revenues generated from ticket sales, food and beverage sales, and themovement of mail and express in the year ending September 30, 1980, totaled just over $410million. On a direct­cost basis Amtrak’s trains earned more than the cost to operate them by some$127 million. This is from a web post I wrote "Passenger Trains Make Money" in March 2013. Whilewhat Dr. Sheck wrote about is 35 years old, the basic problem at Amtrak is still the same. Themoney Amtrak loses is not from operating trains, but the cost of its overhead which is primarilyon the NEC. If Amtrak was serious about becoming "profitable" it would be begging to have theNEC taken over by a new government body that would be responsible for the capital costs andoperation of the NEC. This new body would charge the users by trains miles. This is how mostpassenger rail operators in Europe do things. Only 2 railroads in Europe still "own" their tracks inEurope, and both are in Ireland. Most European Passenger Trains operators are for profitcompanies. Amtrak operates in California on the LOSSAN Corridor which is mostly owned andmaintained by local government which Amtrak is charged a fee to use.This doesn't count thesubsidy Amtrak charges California to provide rail service. That is something the States on theNEC don't have to worry about. NB

Food service on Amtrak (ouch!!)By Fred Frailey Apr 13, 2015As an experiment, Amtrak is eliminating the dining car on the New York­Miami Silver Star from July 1until January 2016. Free meals for sleeping car passengers will cease, but fares for sleeping car space willbe lower. I’m all for the test. I’ll tell you what would make it a worthwhile endeavor, and what willdoom it to failure.Congress has told Amtrak that subsidies for food service will cease in about four years. That’s thechallenge — what does Amtrak do? President Joe Boardman has said that 100 percent of the loss restswith the 16 pairs of long distance trains. If that is indeed so, it is here that most of the economies shouldlogically come.

Grand Rapids­to­Chicago Amtrak train to leave earlier, return laterFox17 ­ Apr 21, 2015CHICAGO — The daily Amtrak train that runs between Grand Rapids and Chicago, called the PereMarquette, will be leaving earlier to allow more time in the Windy City...The schedule change allows day­trip passengers to spend more time in Chicago, says the MichiganDepartment of Transportation. The new schedule also “improves connections with other Amtrak trains,”says MDOT.

Amtrak Releases New Faster Schedule For the VermonterMy Champlain Valley Apr 22, 2015A press release says trains will run half an hour earlier leaving Vermont southbound until Springfield,Mass. and 15 minutes earlier north of Springfield. South of Springfield, the Vermonter will keep itsexisting time slot. The new schedule is planned to be in place before summer

Amtrak to Permanently Allow Small Pets on Illinois TrainsNBC Chicago ­ Apr 23, 2015Amtrak says it has not had a single complaint or problem with a pilot project in Illinois allowingcustomers to travel with small pets, so it's making the program permanent around the state.

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About 200 animals have accompanied passengers since the pilot project began a year ago.

A really scenic route to TorontoDallas Morning News­Apr 25, 2015The adventure begins the moment you step into Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station. This 1919neoclassic revival building, with its polished marble floors, long wooden benches and glass and brassclock, sets the perfect tone for this memorable trip.We’d booked one of the double rooms on the Canadian’s Manor sleeping car, and thanks to a little tipfrom a friend, we had one of the end rooms, which are about a foot wider. This might not sound like alot, but if you’ve ever been on a train sleeper car, a foot is a big deal.

More on capital spendingBy Fred Frailey Apr 23, 2015Is $480 million a respectable number? Of course it is. But you have to judge it in comparison to the need.Norfolk Southern was on its knees, crawling, almost all of 2015, unable to credibly handle a surge ofbusiness along its northern lines. Today its service metrics, while improved from their nadir lastNovember, continue to stink. It’s not so much that total traffic has grown, as that it has shifted, from thecoal corridors to the northern east­west corridors. Unfortunately, you cannot pick up track and yards andmove them from one place to another.Given these facts, it is kind of startling that Norfolk Southern would spend more than twice as much onshare buybacks this year as on expansion of its infrastructure, to handle existing business better and toinvite more shippers to sign on

Schumer, Blumenthal introduce 'Positive Train Control Safety Act'WRGB ­ Apr 19, 2015WASHINGTON ­­ Senators Charles Schumer (D­N.Y.) and Richard Blumenthal (D­Conn.) todayannounced the creation of the Positive Train Control Safety Act, a bill meant to ensure railroads aremoving swiftly to install Positive Train Control (PTC) technology, following repeated delays. The billalso takes steps to improve rail inspection practices, and it enhance safety at grade crossings and workzones. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D­Calif.), Barbara Boxer (D­Calif.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D­N.Y.)are co­sponsors. How much bipartisan support will this bill get? NB

High­speed rail escalates eminent domain legal battles for landFresno Bee­Apr 21, 2015Under pressure to deliver property to construction contractors, the California High­Speed Rail Authorityand the state are increasingly taking off the gloves and going to court under eminent domain law to getthe land needed for a bullet­train line through the central San Joaquin Valley.

High­speed rail land­taking looms in KingsHanford Sentinel ­ Apr 22, 2015If anybody was hoping that bad blood between the California High­Speed Rail Authority and a veryvocal group of residents in Kings County who want to torpedo the project would lessen over time, they’rein for some major disappointment.

Santa Clarita urges regional cooperation to fight high speed railSanta Clarita Valley Signal ­ Apr 21, 2015Residents in the Santa Clarita Valley and some northern reaches of the San Fernando Valley have foundthemselves at odds in recent months as rail planners examine ways to route the controversial bullet trainfrom Burbank to Palmdale.

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Residents again raise concern for high­speed rail projectSanta Clarita Valley Signal­Apr 23, 2015A modest but vocal group of Santa Clarita Valley residents turned out Wednesday to raise concerns withthe California high­speed rail project during a community working group meeting.About 15 people were on hand for the second meeting in as many months at the Santa Clarita ActivitiesCenter, where officials from the California High­Speed Rail Authority gave an update on the Palmdale­to­Burbank section of the bullet train project.

Republican’s Attempt to Undermine High Speed Rail on Hold…for NowStreetsblog California Apr 20, 2015The Assembly Transportation Committee said “thanks, but no thanks” to A.B. 6, legislation by a SantaClarita Republican that would give voters the chance to overturn $8 billion in bonds meant to fundCalifornia High Speed Rail. A.B. 6 was defeated by an unofficial vote of 7­4 (which will likely be 11­5when the official tally is released.)Assemblymember Scott Wilk (R­Santa Clarita) introduced the legislation in hopes of rerouting thefunding approved by voters in 2008 for high­speed rail to schools instead. The wastefulness of spendingon high­speed rail has been an article of faith for Republicans, with governors in Wisconsin and Floridaactually returning federal funding for bullet train projects.With Governor Jerry Brown championing the project, conservatives have taken to mocking the“Browndoggle” even though campaigning against high­speed rail has not proven to be an electoral winnerin the Golden State.Much of the opposition to High Speed Rail seems to be more political grandstanding for "firing upthe base" and raising money than being serious attempts to stop High Speed Rail. Much the samehappened with several "voter initiatives" drives to kill High Speed Rail that after much noisefailed to get enough signatures to even be turned in to the Secretary of State. NB

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The scene last summer around the future High Speed Rail right of way and downtown Fresno HSRStation. Some of fenced off property to the left of this picture is subject to being demolished for the HSRproject. Photo by Noel T. Braymer

Five firms now qualified to bid on next phase of bullet train projectFresno Business Journal­Apr 20, 2015The California High­Speed Rail Authority announced today that five construction teams withinternational experience in developing high­speed rail programs have qualified to bid on ConstructionPackage 4 (CP 4) — the next 22­mile phase of construction through the counties of Tulare and Kern andthe cities of Wasco and Shafter.

High Speed Rail To Use Local Product To Control Dust PollutionValley Public Radio ­ Apr 22, 2015 On this Earth Day, California’s High­Speed Rail Authority is demonstrating steps it is taking to minimizeenvironmental damage from the construction of the rail.Rail construction workers will spray a biodegradable solution made of processed wood chips that holdsdown dust pollution.

Debunking 5 Myths About Texas High­Speed RailCityLab­Apr 20, 2015Opposition to the big Texas high­speed rail plan to link Houston and Dallas hasemerged in full force, butsome of the pushback is based on information that's flat out wrong. To explode these myths, TexasCentral Partners, which is in charge of development for the bullet train project, is circulating a "Rumorsvs. Realities" document that they've provided CityLab.

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High­speed rail: Is it posing a clash between rural and big­city TexansFort Worth Star Telegram­Apr 24, 2015Rural counties between Houston and Dallas oppose a privately built high­speed rail line connecting thestate’s two largest metropolitan areas, launching a multi­pronged legislative initiative to block it. Part ofthis is grounded in economics: People don’t want their farm and ranch land split by a rail line. Butthere’s also a clash of lifestyles: Rural residents see no benefit from people zipping nonstop betweencities.

Japanese consortium to propose Kawasaki Heavy bullet trains for high­speed linein CaliforniaThe Japan Times­Apr 24, 2015NEW YORK – A consortium of Japanese companies is planning to propose Kawasaki Heavy IndustriesLtd.’s bullet train technology for use in a high­speed rail link in California, sources with knowledgeabout the plan said....The technology is based on Kawasaki’s efSET, short for environmentally­friendly super express train,and is designed to achieve an operational speed of 350 kph.(217 mph) NB

Rail Rivals China, Japan Compete for High­Speed Track in AsiaVoice of America­Apr 22, 2015China and India and Southeast Asia compromise the most populous region in the world, creating a hugepotential market for modern and safe railways.European, Canadian and South Korean manufacturers are vying for Asia’s new high­speed rail projects,but the competition is primarily between the Japanese and the upstart Chinese.

Mott MacDonald JV picked for Czech high­speed railThe Construction Index­Apr 21, 2015The work for Správa Železniční Dopravní Cesty involves two studies for the line that will connectDresden with Ústí nad Labem and Litoměřice.The new railway will be a part of the Trans European Transport Network’s Orient/East Med corecorridor and the first section of the Czech Republic’s future high­speed rail network. Powered byelectricity, it will pass through the Ore mountains, enabling it to avoid existing railway congestionthrough the Elbe valley ­ a popular region for tourists.

Caltrain May Sacrifice Seats for High­Speed Rail CompatibilityGreen Caltrain Apr 20, 2015The result could be that in 2020/2021, when Caltrain starts electric service, there could be less room onthe train than before (!) While Caltrain can compensate for the loss by more quickly moving to longertrains – and eventually make it almost all back when the extra doors are removed – Caltrain staff saythat Caltrain might not be able to get the room back for well over a decade (since it would take manyyears to raise and extend all the platforms)The reason for Caltrain to do the double­door compromise was that High Speed Rail claimed that itwould be difficult for it to procure lower level trains that could travel at the needed speed. And HighSpeed Rail would advance money – somewhere between $600Million and $1Billion – to get the upgradesdone, including longer platforms.Caltrain is planning dual high level/low level doors on their electric MU trains? Why not use jointlow level/ high level platforms where High Speed Rail will share stations? Using draw bridges forhigh level trains or the trains having sliding ramps to the high level platforms is more economicalthat losing seats for extra doors. NB

Caltrain cautious about Palo Alto officials' requests

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Palo Alto Online­ Apr 24, 2015Caltrain moves forward with fencing estimates but warns camera technology is 'untested'While the City of Palo Alto is putting its weight behind the importance of restricting access to the railcorridor to prevent future suicides, Caltrain has expressed concern about the cost and challenges that somesafety upgrades could present.

Ask voters to invest in BART improvementsSan Francisco Chronicle­Apr 20, 2015The good news is that when BART works well (which it does most of the time), it is reliable andaffordable for the more than 400,000 people who ride it daily. BART takes polluting cars off our roads,helps reduce gridlock traffic, and makes our lives easier by giving us more transportation choices. TheBay Area depends on BART, which is why it is imperative that we make sure the system’s infrastructureis in safe working condition.The 42­year­old system, however, is not what we need it to be. From old tracks to smelly stations, it’s farfrom it. As has been noted in The Chronicle, BART’s infrastructure is woefully outdated — potentiallydangerously so.

Weekend projects to disrupt Van Ness in SF, BART in OaklandSFGate­Apr 23, 2015Getting around the Bay Area on a weekend is always a challenge, but two major closures will make thisone a bigger­than­usual mess.

Enjoying the scenery from a 'speeder'Napa Valley Register­Apr 22, 2015The rail motorcars were having a one­day excursion from Napa to St. Helena and back, following a whitepickup truck operated on the rails by officials of the Napa Valley Wine Train. The excursion was limitedto 30 motorcars and it cost each driver $100 to take the excursion, to see the valley floor from a uniqueperspective — from the railroad tracks themselves, self­propelled, going through what is undeniably agorgeous valley on an equally gorgeous day.

Roll, fly and drive to the Transportation CelebrationOCRegister­Apr 24, 2015FULLERTON – The Transportation Celebration will be held over three weekends in Fullerton, kickingoff May 2 and 3 with Railroad Days.If it has to do with trains and railroads, you’ll find it at Railroad Days, where real locomotives and railcars will be on display for touring and 13,000 square feet of tent­covered display space will featuremodel train layouts of every size.

Why Transportation is Often Not an Overnight SuccessBy Noel T. BraymerSince the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) opened late last year, some localmedia in Orange County have been complaining about it not being an overnight success. To get someprospective we need to look at some of the problems the old Amtrak station had in Anaheim and what thefuture holds for ARTIC.

Should the Orange Line be a rail line?The Source Apr 21, 2015Metro recently asked local cities to submit a wish list of desired projects. The San Fernando ValleyCouncil of Governments ranked several transit projects as “high benefit:” the Orange Line conversion torail, the Sepulveda Pass Transit Corridor (a project already with $1 billion of Measure R money), a

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NoHo to Pasadena bus rapid transit line (which Metro is studying), extending the Red Line to Sylmar anda light rail line from Union Station to Bob Hope Airport in Burbank via Glendale.

Video: Garcetti talks about potential Metro ballot measureThe Source Apr 22, 2015The video covers the last five minutes of Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Member Eric Garcetti’sremarks this morning to the MoveLA conference at Union Station. MoveLA is pushing for a secondMeasure R ballot measure.Cutting to the chase: Garcetti said that a lot of work remains to be done if Metro wants to pursue a ballotmeasure in Nov. 2016, particularly if that ballot measure calls for a new sales tax increase to fundtransportation projects.

Metrolink will extend 91 line to south PerrisLos Angeles Times­Apr 21, 2015In its first major expansion since 1994, the Metrolink commuter railroad that serves Southern Californiais converting 24 miles of an old freight route to passenger service between Riverside and Perris.

This is the view from a few months ago of construction for new tracks to serve the new platform andstation in Perris for the Metrolink Line 91 extension from Riverside to Perris. The historic and preservedATSF station is on the left. Photo by Noel T. Braymer

We Get EmailsRe:California FirstHow about putting all of the California related articles first, then the out of state ones so I don't have to

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look through so many to find what interests us.Michael SnyderI try to place on top the most important stories for the most readers. I'll also place related storieswith the top stories as well. The top story one week could be in California or the next week beabout Amtrak. Local stories often have only local appeal. People in Southern California may notbe interested in Caltrain stories while Northern Californians may not care about Coaster service inSan Diego County. No matter what I do, I can't please everyone, every time. NB

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