Filed under: NCRA, Railroad, SMART, Marin, Sonoma, transit, Northwestern Pacific Railroad | Tags: cats, Patty Clary, Californians for Alternatives to Toxics
Despite Patty Clary of Californians for Alternatives to Toxics (CATs) being quoted, in the NEC paper that the railroad is required to use creosoted ties for construction. The first load of concrete ties were delivered today in Santa Rosa for the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART). This will reduce needed maintenance. This, for those who may not know, is the same line NCRA/NWP use.
BTW, dear Patty Clary, this was not the first time alternatives to the traditional creosoted tie were used on this railroad. On the Ridgewood pass, alternatives were tried.
Update: Two videos already posted.
Also, lying about alternatives the railroad could be using, does not help the democratic process.
The cars have passed the crash test for use with freight(NCRA/NWP). The shells were and are built in Japan. Over sixty percent of the work will be done in Illinois. Then they will be transported over the rail network to be delivered by NWP. These cars and the new petaluma bridge will generate additional revenue for NWP/NCRA.
The new Haystack bridge in Petaluma was bought from Texas. SMART did a smart move with buying that bridge. Train speeds will be higher, the channel will be wider, and will save about thirty million over the long haul. Barge operators will be happier with the wider channel.
Filed under: Marin, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, SMART, Sonoma, trails, transit
3rd editorial on the utter failure of RepealSMART
Not enough signatures to even bother with the verification of votes. They needed 14,9xx votes plus thirty percent per RepealSMART. They turned in 14,5xx signatures even after paying people to get signatures. They cannot even go to court over that amount. That is six months worth of effort.
There is talk of a second attempt at repeal. Even if successful, it will accomplish nothing. The money will be released soon for construction, committing the money to the project.
Filed under: Marin, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Novato, Railroad, Santa Rosa, SMART, Sonoma, transit
SMART system to depend on computer-aided routing
Also using GPS to aid in location biased control
Filed under: Marin, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Santa Rosa, SMART, Sonoma, transit
Despite sales tax and criticism SMART continues to gain, making it as good a project as it can be with the funds they have.
A long process allowed the moving of the Rohnert Park station to a more desired location to bring more riders on board. Because of the density of the new location, that allowed another station in Novato to be built adding riders.
Many financial companies looked at the books. They decided the financial outlook was good. The only problem with the bonds seems there wasn’t enough for everybody to buy.
Construction has been signed, for two million less than expected for more stations than expected. Smart was able to add in a busy northern Santa Rosa station at Guerneville Road and redoing the Novato bridge.
Ridership is expected to be 80% with this segment vs the whole line.
I do intend to ride it when I can.
Filed under: Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
The move could make it easier for the rail authority to defend the cargo trains, which returned to Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties in July after a 10-year absence.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Novato, Petaluma, Railroad, Santa Rosa, Schellville, Sonoma
Freight trains could roll on the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Sonoma, Marin and Napa counties today after the Novato City Council late Tuesday agreed to revise a legal settlement that sets guidelines for trains running through the city.
Two council members voted against the proposed changes in the settlement, saying they were worried about the impacts of train traffic.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Friends of the Eel River, with Scott G slithering in to leader of that group filed a lawsuit like clockwork. SRPD
Filed under: Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
NCRA releases environmental report on freight service | PressDemocrat.com.
The North Coast Rail Authority on Wednesday took another step toward resurrecting freight service in Napa, Sonoma, Marin and Mendocino counties by releasing a final environmental impact report.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Feds OK return of freight trains in North Bay | PressDemocrat.com.
Federal rail regulators Thursday lifted a 10-year-old embargo on freight traffic over the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, setting the stage for a return of cargo trains later this year.
