Amtrak to begin offering bus-only tickets in California NEWSWIRE

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STOCKTON, Calif. — Amtrak will begin offering bus-only tickets on some routes in California, following approval of the plan by the agency which oversees San Joaquin train service. KGET-TV reports the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority voted at a Friday meeting to allow the passenger railroad to sell bus-only tickets on its Bakersfield-Oxnard-Santa Barbara and […]

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Government report faults FRA oversight of California high speed project (corrected) NEWSWIRE

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WASHINGTON — A government report issued Friday says the Federal Railroad Administration provided inadequate oversight of federal funds granted to California’s high speed rail program, and as a result, $2.55 billion in FRA funding “is at increased risk of not achieveing the purpose of the agreements.” The report from the Department of Transportation’s Office of […]

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Bigger and better: 7/8n2 in the garden

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The author and several helpers modeled the Alhambra Trestle over the course of three years. A 7/8″ Fairymead pulls Dave Frediani cars past 22 Japanese maples, both dwarf and semi-dwarf, back to the caboose. Nancy Norris After decades of building and maintaining garden railways, I’ve built my own railway for low maintenance and live-steam access. […]

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DeMartino selected to head LOSSAN agency NEWSWIRE

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New LOSSAN Executive Director Donna DeMartino. LOSSAN ORANGE, Calif. — Donna DeMartino has been named managing director of the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency, effective Jan. 27. DeMartino will oversee management and operations of state-supported, Amtrak-operated Pacific Surfliner passenger trains along the LOSSAN corridor. She replaces Jennifer Berenger, who has led the […]

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Single donor funding opposition to SMART ballot initiative NEWSWIRE

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SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A single donor has contributed more than $500,000 to an effort to block a sales-tax extension to fund Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit service, and has indicated willingness to double that amount, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports. Molly Gallaher Flater, daughter of Sonoma County developer Bill Gallaher, is funding the effort to […]

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LA Metro clears development teams for possible involvement in Sepulveda project NEWSWIRE

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LA Metro has cleared five teams for potential involvement in its Sepulveda Corridor project. Shown are possible routes for the project, which could be a monorail or heavy rail system. LA Metro LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it has cleared five corporate teams to help develop its Sepulveda Transit […]

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California budget earmarks $4.2 billion for high speed rail NEWSWIRE

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2020-2021 budget would provide $4.2 billion for the state’s High Speed Rail Authority over five years. “The High Speed Rail Authority is continuing to construct the Central Valley segment completing electrified High Speed Rail from Merced to Bakersfield with Proposition 1A bonds, federal funds, and 25 percent of […]

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California high speed agency holds track and systems forum NEWSWIRE

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Southbound Amtrak San Joaquin train 710, operating former New Jersey Transit Comet equipment on BNSF tracks, passes under the American Avenue overpass south of Fresno, where California High Speed Rail construction segment CP-2 begins. The high speed rail right-of-way west of those tracks has been cleared in the foreground. Bob Johnston Behind the trees on […]

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Metrolink to end Amtrak contract for crews NEWSWIRE

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An inbound Metrolink Ventura County Line train approaches the Corbin Avenue grade crossing in Northridge, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2020. Metrolink will end its operating contract with Amtrak, according to an Amtrak memo. TRAINS: David Lassen LOS ANGELES — Commuter railroad Metrolink will not renew its operating contract with Amtrak, Amtrak executive Stephen Gardner has […]

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Riders slowly returning to renovated LA Metro line to Long Beach NEWSWIRE

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An LA Metro A Line train traverses the rebuilt junction at Flower Street and Washington Boulevard, a longstanding bottleneck on the line to Long Beach. Dan Zukowski New electronic signage on the A Line offers updates on service, as well as local maps to help passengers navigate station areas. Dan Zukowski LOS ANGELES — The Nov. […]

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Station sites considered for Dumbarton commuter rail line NEWSWIRE

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A Google Maps 3D view shows a portion of the Dumbarton Rail Bridge, idle since 1982. Work is advancing on selection of station sites for a rail line that would revive the route across San Francisco Bay. Google Maps REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — Sites for possible Redwood City stations on a new Dumbarton commuter rail […]

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