Thanks for that bit about the California PUC and CA banning rear end helpers on passenger trains Zark...

CA's Public Unitlities Commission was quite active in RR regulation, probably one of the most aggressive states back in the days before the early 80's, and the Stagger's Act, which somewhat "reigned in" states.

I remember Jim Evans, the UTU State Legislative Director had a real good friend who worked for the PUC, that was involved with the original Gianturco SP commute services from Oxnard to LA that I met back in 79, who was very active in the case and hearings. The PUC still had a great deal of ability to make calls on "intrastate" services, like commuter services.

PUC has virtually gone out of the RR regulation business since then, as that generation of talent retired, and was not really replaced with the same level of experienced staff.