I was passing through Antioch and Pittsburg yesterday, and noticed that there were trucks unloading large loads of concrete ties and 80-foot strands of rail into the center median of Highway 4. This is for the new "e-BART" project, which will be a new commuter line between Antioch and Bay Point (West Pittsburg).

Unlike traditional BART (which uses broad gauge and electric trains powered by third rail), the new e-BART system will be standard gauge and use DMU's. Currently, there are only two stations planned: Hillcrest (Antioch) and Bay Point (West Pittsburg) BART, where there will be a transfer platform to transfer to the regular BART system. A possible third station is planned for Railroad Avenue (how appropriate) in Pittsburg, but hasn't been confirmed. Future extensions to Oakley and Brentwood are also possibilities.

I only mention this because it is basically a brand new transit system, but hasn't received much chatter on any of the railroad related websites that I belong to. Perhaps it's because it only has two stations, so it doesn't really qualify as a "system". If anyone is interested...I can try to keep this post updated with new info as construction progresses.