Byron A. Nordberg, 60, passed away on January 30, 1997.

Byron Nordberg lived in Oceanside, California, and will forever have an impact on public transportation there, having served for many years on that city's Transportation Commission. He and Adrian Herzog were partners in the rail consulting firm, NHA, Inc. Through their efforts, Metrolink and the Coaster bought the UTDC (which was absorbed by Bombardier) bilevel commuter car equipment. After Metrolink was up and running, Byron went to work for Metrolink, commuting every day between his home in Oceanside and downtown Los Angeles. He passed away while still employed there. Byron's influence went far, far beyond his efforts at home in Southern California.

Byron and many others were instrumental in early efforts at developing the right kind of rail for California. Partly through Byron's efforts, the San Diegans grew from a few frequencies each day into a mature system. Byron was also influential at Amtrak, consulting to several members of the Amtrak board and staff. He served on the original LOSSAN Corridor Committee. All who knew Byron respected him and his knowledge of railroads, because he rightly turned his passion into hard business sense that served both him and his clients well.

Byron was one of the founding stalwarts of the United Rail Passenger Alliance. He, Dr. Herzog, Andy Selden, Austin Coates, Randy Schlotthauer, Russ Jackson, E. P. Hamilton and others formed the original nucleus of the URPA brain trust that has resulted in many changes at Amtrak and in how passenger rail is viewed by professionals. He developed the theory that "tax credits" were the answer to financial cooperation between the freight railroads and passenger rail. Byron was the founding President of the Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC). Members of both groups still can be heard saying, "Well, Byron said...."

Byron was a Vietnam war veteran. He retired as a Lt. Col. from the United States Marine Corps, and that outstanding aspect of his life always stayed with him as a guide for ethics, honor and duty to country and family.

He was honored in June of 1998 by the dedication of a plaque in a garden area of the Oceanside Transit Center, which he had been instrumental in bringing to reality. The plaque says, "In recognition of his many contributions to the development of passenger rail in Oceanside, San Diego County, California and the United States." The dedication ceremony was attended by Byron's wife, Eunice, their family, and a large crowd of state and local officials, Amtrak officials and employees, and friends from all over the country. Anyone who wished to speak at the ceremony was allowed, and most began their speech by saying, "I first met Byron on a train ..."

-- Bruce Richardson


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Archives Tributes Byron A. Nordberg Dr. Adrian Herzog Alan Wimmergren Meeting Reports Membership Links	Byron A. Nordberg, 60, passed away on January 30, 1997. Byron Nordberg lived in Oceanside, California, and will forever have an impact on public transportation there, having served for many years on that city's Transportation Commission. He and Adrian Herzog were partners in the rail consulting firm, NHA, Inc. Through their efforts, Metrolink and the Coaster bought the UTDC (which was absorbed by Bombardier) bilevel commuter car equipment. After Metrolink was up and running, Byron went to work for Metrolink, commuting every day between his home in Oceanside and downtown Los Angeles. He passed away while still employed there. Byron's influence went far, far beyond his efforts at home in Southern California. Byron and many others were instrumental in early efforts at developing the right kind of rail for California. Partly through Byron's efforts, the San Diegans grew from a few frequencies each day into a mature system. Byron was also influential at Amtrak, consulting to several members of the Amtrak board and staff. He served on the original LOSSAN Corridor Committee. All who knew Byron respected him and his knowledge of railroads, because he rightly turned his passion into hard business sense that served both him and his clients well. Byron was one of the founding stalwarts of the United Rail Passenger Alliance. He, Dr. Herzog, Andy Selden, Austin Coates, Randy Schlotthauer, Russ Jackson, E. P. Hamilton and others formed the original nucleus of the URPA brain trust that has resulted in many changes at Amtrak and in how passenger rail is viewed by professionals. He developed the theory that "tax credits" were the answer to financial cooperation between the freight railroads and passenger rail. Byron was the founding President of the Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC). Members of both groups still can be heard saying, "Well, Byron said...." Byron was a Vietnam war veteran. He retired as a Lt. Col. from the United States Marine Corps, and that outstanding aspect of his life always stayed with him as a guide for ethics, honor and duty to country and family. He was honored in June of 1998 by the dedication of a plaque in a garden area of the Oceanside Transit Center, which he had been instrumental in bringing to reality. The plaque says, "In recognition of his many contributions to the development of passenger rail in Oceanside, San Diego County, California and the United States." The dedication ceremony was attended by Byron's wife, Eunice, their family, and a large crowd of state and local officials, Amtrak officials and employees, and friends from all over the country. Anyone who wished to speak at the ceremony was allowed, and most began their speech by saying, "I first met Byron on a train ..." -- Bruce Richardson
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