Filed under: Humboldt, Marin, Mendocino, NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Sonoma
Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Judge to dismiss suit against North Coast rail service
Environmental groups cannot use state law to block the resumption of freight rail service on the North Coast, a Marin County judge tentatively ruled Tuesday.
Judge Roy O. Chernus said that federal law preempts state law in matters relating to railroads, so environmental groups could not sue the North Coast Railroad Authority over deficiencies in an environmental impact report that it prepared under state law using state money.
The state law “mandates a time-consuming review which may result in indefinite delays and unduly interfere with exclusive federal jurisdiction over rail transportation” by giving local officials power to block operations on environmental grounds, the judge wrote.
Ouch! This is what I have said for a long time. This also calls in to question Novato’s lawsuit and settlement. Maybe NCRA can get some money back from that city and the county of Marin.
Watch soon for Hank Sims to write another rant against the railroad and bearing his teeth. The troll or trolls will do the same with the comments on here.
Filed under: NCRA, North Coast Railroad, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, Schellville, SMART, Sonoma, transit | Tags: Passenger Train
For the first time since the reopening of the railroad. The NWP is having a passenger train. For $199 you will travel between Sacramento and the Sonoma race track. A t-shirt and preferred seating is included.
For the first time ever, Northern California NASCAR fans can get on board the NASCAR Express train service to the Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event at Sonoma Raceway.
The raceway has partnered with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) to offer a first-of-its-kind express train that will transport fans directly from the Sacramento area to the raceway on race day, Sunday, June 23, 2013. The train will depart from Sacramento, with stops in Davis and Suisun City, and traverse some of Northern California’s most spectacular scenery before dropping passengers just steps from the raceway’s main entrance.
Filed under: Marin, NCRA, Northwestern Pacific Railroad, Railroad, SMART, Sonoma, transit | Tags: Californians for Alternatives to Toxics, cats, Patty Clary
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
