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Subject: Nevada getting a High Speed Rail Authority, More on Amtrak crash, Art Leahy wants to hear from you.

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

To: ntbraymer@yahoo.com;

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2015 9:33 AM

RailPAC Weekly E­Newsletter for May 26, 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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This open letter from Metrolink's CEO is available on Metrolink trains. On the back side is a form toreport problems. The biggest problem for Metrolink right now is the sorry state of its Ticket Machines.On a recent trip from Oceanside I had, only one of the 2 machines were working. The one that did wasslow and often rejected good credit cards for payment which further slowed ticketing. The result was thetrain left with people still in line to buy tickets and passengers with tickets on the platform running to thetrain only to have the doors shut in their face and the train leaving without them. This is not the way tobuild ridership. The fastest way to turn this around is to get on­line ticketing that passengers can use theirsmart phones to buy tickets on the train if need be. NB

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China may have edge in race to build California's bullet trainReuters­May 21, 2015While "bullet train" manufacturers from Germany, Japan, South Korea, and France are expected to beamong those jockeying for the estimated $1 billion train contract, China’s ability to offer low prices andhefty financing appear to make it the one to beat, say lobbyists and industry insiders.Despite what HSR critics say, California will have no problem getting financing for High SpeedRail. The bidding for this project may be so competitive that we might see it built with no profitfor the winner just to get their foot in the door in America for future projects. NB

Bill sets up Nevada High­Speed Rail AuthorityLas Vegas Sun­May 21, 2015CARSON CITY — A bill aimed at accelerating the process of establishing a high­speed train betweenLas Vegas and Southern California is on its way to the desk of Gov. Brian Sandoval.The Assembly voted 40­1 on Wednesday for SB457, which sets up the Nevada High­Speed RailAuthority. The authority will select a company by Oct. 15 to go forward with the project, estimated tocost $5.5 billion.

Design of High­Speed Trains Threatens to Diminish Caltrain CapacityStreetsblog San Francisco (blog)­May 19, 2015Last Tuesday, Caltrain officials gave an update on the electric trains the agency plans to purchase nextyear, which will begin operating in 2021 [PDF]. To enable level boarding for Caltrain passengers beforeand after CAHSR raises platforms to be compatible with its 50­inch floor trains, the new design has twosets of doors at different heights. This way, both Caltrain and high­speed trains will have level boardingat every station.

Proposed station in Burbank could serve as hub for California high­speed railBurbank Leader­May 19, 2015There may come a day when a business professional hops on the Metro Orange Line at Warner Center at7 a.m. and travels to San Francisco for an 11 a.m. meeting without stepping foot on a plane or in a car.That's a possibility that excites Russell Brown. He was one of dozens of area residents at a public meetingat the Buena Vista Branch Library on Monday to hear the latest on the “transformative” infrastructureproject that could make that vision a reality: the bullet train that will eventually run from Sacramento toSan Diego.

Via Rail boss has no interest in high­speed railWindsor Star (blog)­May 20, 2015“We’re working hard to increase ridership at Via Rail,” Desjardins­Siciliano told about 50 people at theCaboto Club. “We believe we’re poised for growth.”He said the extra service should be in place late this year or by early 2016. There is also a plan to add anextra service between Sarnia and London.The Crown corporation is trying to reverse an early trend in 2015 when ridership throughoutSouthwestern Ontario was down 7.7 per cent through the first quarter of the year.

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The not uncommon sight of people waiting in line to use a Metrolink ticket machine like this one inOceanside. Photo by Noel T. Braymer

Why aren’t we outraged over 90 automobile deaths every day? Rebuild the Rust Belt May15, 2015The Amtrak derailment that killed eight people has been the top news story since Tuesday evening –rightly so. A major mass­transit incident is rare, and the circumstances – an apparent failure ofCongress to equip Amtrak with the means to implement positive train control – are fueling a long­overdue public debate regarding transportation safety.But an estimated 90 additional people died using the US transportation system on Tuesday, Monday,Wednesday, and every day since the 1920’s. (*The auto fatality rate –90 per day in the US – is an alltime low.)

How Amtrak Failed the Victims of Train 188: A Survivors TalePolitico­May 19, 2015I've spent much of my career helping with disasters, helping people and organizations at some of theworst times of their lives. I was always lucky enough not to need the help of people like me. That endedlast week, after I boarded Amtrak Train 188. I’m now even more grateful for our first responders—police, fire, EMTs and hospital emergency rooms. And more convinced that Amtrak itself needs anoverhaul.

I Survived Amtrak 188New York Observer May 19, 2015It was almost like being knocked down by an ocean wave—the sensation of falling end over end, limbsflailing, blindly groping for help, the loud rush of churning water filling your ears. But there was no

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water or soft sand, instead there was just empty space and debris—other people, their belongings, chairsthat became dislodged by the violent force of the crash.

Four Remain Hospitalized Following Deadly Amtrak Derailment In PhiladelphiaCBS Local ­ May 23, 2015PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Temple University Hospital has a released an update regarding the patientsfrom the deadly Amtrak train derailment in Philadelphia’s Frankford section.Four victims of the horrific crash are still receiving treatment, a hospital spokesman said Saturday.Of those four people, two remain in critical condition.

Senator introduces bill to raise Amtrak liability capBusiness Insurance­May 20, 2015Amtrak's cap on liability would increase to $500 million from the current $200 million if a billintroduced in the Senate becomes law.Sen. Bill Nelson, D­Fla., introduced the legislation Monday in response to last week's Amtrak derailmentin Philadelphia that killed eight people and injured more than 200 others.Under current law, Amtrak's liability per accident or incident is limited to $200 million. The cap was setby the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997.

Why Does Amtrak want to expand Penn Station for New Jersey Transit?By Noel T.BraymerAmtrak’s planned solution is to spend up to $20 billion dollars. Part of this would be to build 2 additiontracks in a new tunnel. This extra capacity with 4 tracks would be used in the future mostly for runningadditional New Jersey Transit trains into Manhattan. The problem is Penn Station as it is currentlymanaged won’t be able to handle this new traffic. So what is being planned is a new set of tracks andplatforms in an annex next to Penn Station for New Jersey Transit.There are much cheaper alternatives.

Amtrak passengers stranded for hours after Union Pacific freight train derails nearJolietWLS­TV­May 18, 2015Union Pacific crews were doing maintenance on the track when the wheels of two rail cars that werecarrying heavy rock came off the tracks around 9 p.m. Sunday. No one was hurt as a result of thederailment.As a result, Amtrak trains #306 and #307 were held up for several hours, stranding dozens of passengerstraveling between St. Louis and Chicago.

Wicker says Amtrak stop coming to MarksMississippi Business Journal ­ May 22, 2015MARKS — Railroad and Mississippi officials say Amtrak will establish a permanent stop in Marks in theheart of the Delta.U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker, R­Miss., says in a news release Friday that the decision was reached after talksamong Amtrak, the Canadian National Railway and local and state officials. No opening date for the stophas been announced.

Oxford Amtrak stop picking up steamCincinnati.com­May 23, 2015OXFORD – City officials here say they are pleasantly surprised after Amtrak officials responded quickerthan expected to the city's proposal for a passenger train stop.And so far, Amtrak appears to be speeding toward a decision that could put the first train stop here in

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more than a half­century."It caught us off guard, but it was a nice surprise," said Alan Kyger, economic development director forthe Butler County city.Sounds like Amtrak feels the need to make friends in a hurry. NB

Amtrak has radio spectrum it needs for safety upgradesPhilly.com ­ May 20, 2015WASHINGTON ­ On April 15, less than a month before eight people were killed in last week's trainderailment in Philadelphia, Amtrak closed on a deal to acquire the radio spectrum it needs to upgrade itsrail safety system throughout the Northeast Corridor, according to Amtrak and the FederalCommunications Commission.

Metrolink trains have anti­crash system Philadelphia trains lackedKPCC May 20,2015Last week's fatal train wreck in Philadelphia renewed debate in Congress over how soon to requirerailroads to install a new safety system, but at Southern California's Metrolink, there's no debate:Officials said they're on track to install a $216.3 million "positive train control" system by the end of thisyear.

Tri­Rail trains lack 'positive train control' devices; to be installed in 2017WPEC­May 18, 2015In 2013 Tri­Rail announced that it would have the safety system up and running by the December 2015deadline. But two years later, we’ve learned the $20­million project won't happen for at least anotheryear because of what Tri­Rail is calling a log jam.“You've got to find spectrum for communication. Somebody to provide software and install and there'sonly so many people who can do the work," South Florida Regional

MTA's Prendergast: LIRR, Metro­North Won't See Positive Train Control Until2018CBS Local ­ May 20, 2015 Despite several deadly train accidents over the last several years, MTA Chair and CEO ThomasPrendergast now says Positive Train Control will not be fully installed on the Metro­North and LongIsland Rail Road before the end of 2018.

Positive train control on track for South ShoreChicago Tribune­May 15, 2015The pricey smart train control system experts say could have prevented Tuesday's deadly Amtrakderailment in Philadelphia is one of the reasons South Shore commuters are facing fare increases thissummer.Congress has mandated passenger and freight railroads install positive train control systems by the end ofthe year.Next month, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District board will open bids for the second time onthe system. The first round of bids were nearly three times NICTD's hopeful estimate.

California railroads to miss deadline to install safety technologyKCRA Sacramento­May 13, 2015The Capitol Corridor, which operates Amtrak service between Auburn and San Jose, said it has recentlycompleted installing on­board computers on all its locomotives.However, David Kautrowsky, director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, said Union PacificRailroad has not yet installed the trackside equipment.

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Caltrain on Track to Install Positive Train ControlsNBC Bay Area­May 14, 2015The system, known as positive train controls, was mandated by Congress after the deadly 2008 Metrolinkcrash in Southern California. Positive train controls should be on all trains by the end of the year.Caltrain said the system will be up and running in all of its trains by the December deadline.

Train safety system is running lateU­T San Diego­May 19, 2015The agency now estimates that it will be early 2016 before the “positive train control” system is in use onthe Coaster commuter rail lines, and another year after that — January 2017 — before it is formallycertified and approved by the Federal Railroad Administration.

How positive train control worksLos Angeles Times­May 14, 2015Positive train control uses sophisticated electronics to monitor trains and take control of them if necessaryto prevent collisions, derailments and other accidents.

Why Congress can’t solve America’s infrastructure crisis The Atlantic May 20, 2015On Tuesday, the House passed a two­month extension of the Highway Trust Fund, which is set to expireat the end of the month. The stopgap measure would prevent a damaging shutdown of infrastructureprojects across the country, but as lawmakers spent an hour debating the bill, all they could talk aboutwas failure. Despite bipartisan agreement that the nation needs a long­term program to repair and replaceits aging roads, rails, and bridges, Congress has been plugging the trust fund like a driver who refills hisgas tank one gallon at a time.

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View of one of the original San Diego Trolley Stations, This is the E Street Station in Chula Vista in2013 near the beginning of the overhaul of the San Diego Trolley. Photo by Noel T. Braymer

Caltrain fatality in Atherton ­­ rail line's 11th of year ­­ surpasses all of 2014San Jose Mercury News­May 17, 2015ATHERTON ­ An unidentified man was killed Sunday afternoon after being struck by a Caltraincarrying 1,200 passengers at a suburban station in Atherton, between San Jose and San Francisco. Thevictim was the 11th fatality this year on the commuter line, surpassing by one the total number reportedin 2014."A preliminary investigation indicates that this may have been an intentional act," Caltrainspokeswoman Tasha Bartholomew said.

Stopping Suicide on the Caltrain TracksKQED­May 20, 2015Caltrain, the commuter rail service that runs between Santa Clara County and San Francisco, doesn’t leadthe nation or even the state for suicides on its tracks, but the numbers are troubling enough. There havebeen 10 suicides already this year. The average for an entire year is typically 10.Here’s a statistic that’s just as startling: Last year, Caltrain stopped 40 people from killing themselves onthe tracks. For every suicide that does happen, there are four that don’t.

Amazing Photos Inside the Central Subway TunnelMuni Diaries May 19, 2015Crews have finished the digging for the 1.7 mile Central Subway Tunnel, which will house the T­line in2019. ABC7 took a tour of the tunnel and captured some amazing photos of your $241M at work.

Freight Train Gets All­Clear After Bomb Scare

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NBC Southern California­May 20, 2015A conductor, who said he saw a man who may have jumped off the train, found a yellow tube thatresembled a pipe bomb attached to one of the sides of the train cars, said Sgt. Wes Albin of the LAPD'sMission Division....Other trains along the Antelope Valley Metrolink line are affected and buses are being requested totransport passengers, according to tweets from Metrolink.

Public open house Saturday for Gold Line Operations Campus in MonroviaThe Source May 19, 2015This should be a fun event. The campus is a very impressive facility and will eventually store many ofthe rail cars used on the Gold Line after the 11.5­mile Foothill Extension project opens in the first half of2016. There will be a few rail cars on hand for the event to see.

New study looks at ridership along Expo Line and Eastside Gold LineThe Source May 18, 2015An interesting new study (above) from the Mineta Transportation Institute looks at total transit ridershipalong the Expo Line and Eastside Gold Line corridors.The gist of the findings: in the first year of service, overall ridership was up along the first phase of theExpo Line but down on the Eastside Gold Line. The study suggests two possible lessons

Amazon is using NYC’s subway system for Prime Now deliveries Consumerist May 18, 2015The company is now using New York City’s subway system to ferry around its products for Prime Nowdeliveries in Manhattan, reports the Financial Times, as often taking the train is a lot faster than takingfour wheels. Prime Now promises delivery within an hour for $7.99 or two hours for free.

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Recent view after rebuilding of the E street Trolley Station in Chula Vista; This includes new shelters,platforms raised 8 inches above rail for easier and faster loading as well as new low floor cars for fasterloading and easier access for passengers with special needs. Photo by Noel T. Braymer

We Get EmailsRe: What caused the crash of Amtrak 188Is it at all possible that mechanical failure was the cause of the terrible AMTRAK wreck? A lever notfully engaged to slow the train down? I cannot believe the engineer did this on purpose or was soextremely negligent.Marisa SamuelsThe crash of Amtrak train 188 was likely caused, like the vast majority of accidents frominattention. People often don't pay attention either due to distraction, or fatigue. The operator ofthe Metro North train in December 2013 which crashed after speeding into a curve was found tohave sleep apnea, and was falling asleep when he failed to slow down. The operator of a highspeed train in Spain in July 2013 was distracted from a phone call with another member of thetrain's crew when he failed to slow down for a sharp curve coming into a town. Because peoplegoof up is why we need signaling on trains that can stop trains before an accident can happen. NB

Opinions expressed in this enewsletter are those of the authors and not necessarilythose of the Rail Passenger Association of California.

The RailPAC Mission: Passenger Rail advocacy, Publications…both print andelectronic, Representation at regional meetings, and Rail education.Join us! More memberships increase our strength in presenting the case for rail to

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policymakers at all levels!

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