Friday midday rail news:
[TRAINS: David Lassen]
Coaster commuter train and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service would be extended southward from their current endpoint at San Diego’s Santa Fe Depot, and more slots would be created for freight trains, under the San Diego Pathing Study for rail service expansion released Thursday by the North County Transportation District. Mid-term goals identified by the study would increase freight slots to five per day, with the Coaster extended to a station at the San Diego Convention Center — approximately a mile south of the current endpoint. Eventually, the goal is to create slots for eight freight trains per day, and to extend both Coaster and Surfliner service further south to National City, where a new Amtrak maintenance facility would be built. A NCTD press release estimates the cost of achieving the mid-term goals at $380 million, and of the long-term goals at $700. The full report is available here.
House subcommittee sets hearing on STB role in passenger service
The House Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials has set a Nov. 18 hearing, “Examining the Surface Transportation Board’s Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System.” The 10 a.m. EST hearing will be live streamed via the transportation committee’s YouTube channel. Additional details, including witness lists, will be available here when they become available.
