RailPAC POSITION ON THE CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL PROPOSAL

RailPAC POSITION ON THE
CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL PROPOSAL

Impact on Current Services

Commuter Services

The impact of the introduction of HSR in California can only be highly beneficial to the commuter operations in California. HSR will dramatically increase the exposure of the public to all forms of rail passenger transportation. As feeders and distributors for HSR passengers in the urban areas of California, the commuter train will gain added ridership and the ability to provide a high density all day service 7 days a week as opposed to the traditional weekday only services geared to the work cycle of commuters, Commuter trains and HSR trains are therefore mutually supportive of each other. Without a growing network of Commuter services, HSR would fail for a lack of a local distribution network.

Southwest Corridor

The Southwest Corridor from San Diego to San Luis Obispo is not in direct competition with the proposed alignment of the HSR and will benefit by having the rapidly approaching saturation southern segment between Los Angeles and San Diego augmented by the inland route of the HSR Project, This will allow the operation of more local service along the coast line that can interface with the HSR at San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition the Southwest Corridor operation can be expanded by having it operate TALGO Tilt trains to Las Vegas and to Tucson via Phoenix over the new high speed line between Los Angeles and Ontario The effect on the Southwest Corridor can only be beneficial. Speeds for the Southwest Corridor Trains would be increased to 125 MPH in some areas and TALGO trains would be permitted to operate at up to 125 MPH in places like an upgraded Phoenix West Line.

Capitol Corridor

The Capital Corridor is similar to the Southwest Corridor in that it does not directly compete with the HSR, but in fact complements it as a regional feeder and distributor. This can be even more beneficial to both systems if the Capital Corridor were extended eastward to Reno and Sparks and northward to Redding. While the Sacramento to Salinas portion of the Capitol Corridor should be electrified with the introduction of HSR, the extensions to Nevada and Northern California can remain diesel powered for the foreseeable future and would be the routes onto which conventional diesel locomotives would be cascaded as other routes are electrified. Speeds on these routes could be marginally improved by using TALGO trains. For the Capitol Corridor, the introduction of HSR is also highly beneficial. Selected sections of the Capitol Corridor may eventually allow speeds up to 125 MPH for conventional electric trains.

Coast Route

The Coast Route is to some minor extent in competition with the HSR route in the San Joaquin Valley. However, due to its many curves and the need to stop at more communities along the way, it will never be a time sensitive competitor to the HSR route. Similarly, the HSR route can not compete in the local market the coast route serves. The Double tracking and electrification of the Coast Route from Burbank Junction as far north as Santa Barbara for local Southern California traffic is a vital part of any master plan for HST in the option of RailPAC. Similarly the eventual double tracking of the northern End of the line between Salinas and Sacramento as part of the modernization of the Capitol Corridor will leave only the segment from Santa Barbara to Salinas as a major concern for RailPAC, However, the counties representing this part of the line are rapidly organizing to improve the line for faster passenger service. RailPAC is currently endorsing the complete conversion of the Coast Line to CWR so that TALGO trains can operate comfortably in the near future. Initial these trains would be diesel powered, but if HSR is introduced in California, RailPAC would ask that additional funds be included to speed up the Coast line including full electrification. Between Santa Barbara and Salinas the line can remain single track, however the number of passing sidings must be dramatically increased to increase capacity and all sidings must be fully controlled by CTC, The goal would be to allow TALGO trains to operate over most of the Coast Route at speeds up to 90 MPH and on selected straight sections at speeds up to 125 MPH. In additon, the Coast Route will continue be the home of the World's Most famous long distance train, the Coast Starlight.

The proponents of the HSR project will need to pass their bond initiative with a least a 2/3 margin. If the Coast Line as well as corridor extensions to Redding, Reno, Las Vegas and Arizona are not part of the master plan, it will be difficult to organize a pro HSR vote throughout the state, RailPAC therefore wants assurance that these expansions are part of the proposal to be brought to the electorate.

San Joaquin Route

The San Joaquin Corridor will be the most heavily impacted by the introduction of HSR since the new route will not only be much faster, but will compete in most of the same markets. It is tempting to contemplate the compete abandonment of the current service, However, the rapid population growth in this area suggests that the route or at least parts of the route be retained for local commuter services that could interface with with HSR at stations served by both modes. The impact of HSR on this service is therefore strongly negative, but the route can and should be retained for purely local service where this is feasible. Since these trains would be purely local commuter services, speeds on the old route can remain in the range of 90 MPH. No funds should be spent on upgrading the route for higher speeds.

Long Distance Trains

The long distance trains serving California are not directly impacted by the introduction of HSR in California except that the grater visibility of rail passenger service will benefit all modes of rail passenger service. In addition, the upgrading of routes into urban areas by the HSR project will benefit the reliability of these trains in California. The introduction of High Speed Rail can only have a positive impact on the operation of these great trains.


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Archives High Speed Rail Line Segments Service Impacts Meeting Reports Membership Links	RailPAC POSITION ON THE CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL PROPOSAL Impact on Current Services Commuter Services The impact of the introduction of HSR in California can only be highly beneficial to the commuter operations in California. HSR will dramatically increase the exposure of the public to all forms of rail passenger transportation. As feeders and distributors for HSR passengers in the urban areas of California, the commuter train will gain added ridership and the ability to provide a high density all day service 7 days a week as opposed to the traditional weekday only services geared to the work cycle of commuters, Commuter trains and HSR trains are therefore mutually supportive of each other. Without a growing network of Commuter services, HSR would fail for a lack of a local distribution network. Southwest Corridor The Southwest Corridor from San Diego to San Luis Obispo is not in direct competition with the proposed alignment of the HSR and will benefit by having the rapidly approaching saturation southern segment between Los Angeles and San Diego augmented by the inland route of the HSR Project, This will allow the operation of more local service along the coast line that can interface with the HSR at San Diego and Los Angeles. In addition the Southwest Corridor operation can be expanded by having it operate TALGO Tilt trains to Las Vegas and to Tucson via Phoenix over the new high speed line between Los Angeles and Ontario The effect on the Southwest Corridor can only be beneficial. Speeds for the Southwest Corridor Trains would be increased to 125 MPH in some areas and TALGO trains would be permitted to operate at up to 125 MPH in places like an upgraded Phoenix West Line. Capitol Corridor The Capital Corridor is similar to the Southwest Corridor in that it does not directly compete with the HSR, but in fact complements it as a regional feeder and distributor. This can be even more beneficial to both systems if the Capital Corridor were extended eastward to Reno and Sparks and northward to Redding. While the Sacramento to Salinas portion of the Capitol Corridor should be electrified with the introduction of HSR, the extensions to Nevada and Northern California can remain diesel powered for the foreseeable future and would be the routes onto which conventional diesel locomotives would be cascaded as other routes are electrified. Speeds on these routes could be marginally improved by using TALGO trains. For the Capitol Corridor, the introduction of HSR is also highly beneficial. Selected sections of the Capitol Corridor may eventually allow speeds up to 125 MPH for conventional electric trains. Coast Route The Coast Route is to some minor extent in competition with the HSR route in the San Joaquin Valley. However, due to its many curves and the need to stop at more communities along the way, it will never be a time sensitive competitor to the HSR route. Similarly, the HSR route can not compete in the local market the coast route serves. The Double tracking and electrification of the Coast Route from Burbank Junction as far north as Santa Barbara for local Southern California traffic is a vital part of any master plan for HST in the option of RailPAC. Similarly the eventual double tracking of the northern End of the line between Salinas and Sacramento as part of the modernization of the Capitol Corridor will leave only the segment from Santa Barbara to Salinas as a major concern for RailPAC, However, the counties representing this part of the line are rapidly organizing to improve the line for faster passenger service. RailPAC is currently endorsing the complete conversion of the Coast Line to CWR so that TALGO trains can operate comfortably in the near future. Initial these trains would be diesel powered, but if HSR is introduced in California, RailPAC would ask that additional funds be included to speed up the Coast line including full electrification. Between Santa Barbara and Salinas the line can remain single track, however the number of passing sidings must be dramatically increased to increase capacity and all sidings must be fully controlled by CTC, The goal would be to allow TALGO trains to operate over most of the Coast Route at speeds up to 90 MPH and on selected straight sections at speeds up to 125 MPH. In additon, the Coast Route will continue be the home of the World's Most famous long distance train, the Coast Starlight. The proponents of the HSR project will need to pass their bond initiative with a least a 2/3 margin. If the Coast Line as well as corridor extensions to Redding, Reno, Las Vegas and Arizona are not part of the master plan, it will be difficult to organize a pro HSR vote throughout the state, RailPAC therefore wants assurance that these expansions are part of the proposal to be brought to the electorate. San Joaquin Route The San Joaquin Corridor will be the most heavily impacted by the introduction of HSR since the new route will not only be much faster, but will compete in most of the same markets. It is tempting to contemplate the compete abandonment of the current service, However, the rapid population growth in this area suggests that the route or at least parts of the route be retained for local commuter services that could interface with with HSR at stations served by both modes. The impact of HSR on this service is therefore strongly negative, but the route can and should be retained for purely local service where this is feasible. Since these trains would be purely local commuter services, speeds on the old route can remain in the range of 90 MPH. No funds should be spent on upgrading the route for higher speeds. Long Distance Trains The long distance trains serving California are not directly impacted by the introduction of HSR in California except that the grater visibility of rail passenger service will benefit all modes of rail passenger service. In addition, the upgrading of routes into urban areas by the HSR project will benefit the reliability of these trains in California. The introduction of High Speed Rail can only have a positive impact on the operation of these great trains.
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