Loneliest Amtrak station in California

A passenger train station appears vacant on a beach under cloudy skies.

Looking for the loneliest Amtrak station in California? Consider Lompoc-Surf, population: zero, an alternative to crowded California passenger stations. You won’t worry about parking your car, long walks to trackside, or even other people. There may be about 40 million people in California, but unless they are waiting for the train, or someone on it, […]

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Lionel Santa Fe F3 is the stuff of legend

Lionel Santa Fe F3 with Roger Carp

The Lionel Santa Fe F3 is a colorful O gauge icon. Roger “Professor” Carp is here to share with you what many consider the greatest post-World War II locomotive, the no. 2333 Santa Fe F3 cab unit. Interestingly, prior to its production, Lionel reached out to the manufacturer, Electric Motive Division of General Motors to […]

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State grant will fund new Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit station

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit logo

PETALUMA, Calif. — Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit will build a second station in the city of Petaluma thanks to a $13 million state grant. KPIX-TV reports the funds from California’s State Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program will go to construction of the Petaluma North station, 4.4 miles of pathway, and grade-crossing improvements. Petaluma Transit […]

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California budget deal creates high speed rail oversight position

Computer rendering of California high speed rail train at dusk

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A state budget agreement passed last week releases the final $4.2 billion in bond funds for California’s high speed rail project, while also creating a new inspector general position to provide oversight for the troubled project. The San Jose Mercury News reports the budget deal allows the 171-mile Central Valley section of […]

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Four railroad themed novels for summer reading

Covers of four train-themed books

You might enjoy these four railroad themed novels on your summer travels. Rene Schweitzer details these four works of fiction that you may have overlooked.   The Christmas Train David Baldacci Genre: Fiction First published: 2004 Journalist Tom Langdon, due to an “incident” at an airport, is banned from flying commercial airlines and takes Amtrak […]

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Site identified for Southern Pacific Railroad History Center

Logo of the Southern Pacific Railroad History Center

ROCKLIN, Calif. — A group seeking to preserve and promote the history of the Southern Pacific Railroad has a identified a site for a proposed museum and archives. The Gold Country Media website reports the proposed Southern Pacific Rail History Center has identified a 7.6-acre site in Rocklin and plans to make an offer on […]

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