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TRAC San Diego Conference & Sprinter Excursion Nov. 2-4
Author: Alan C. Miller
Date: 10-28-2007 - 20:25
For those of you that are passenger rail advocates, plus we're having the first through excursion on the yet-to-be opened Sprinter Line from Oceanside to Escondido . . . please feel free to post to other lists.
Sponsored by TRAC & the California Rail Foundation
Annual Conference & Membership Meeting
"Encouraging Ease of Rail Connectivity in the Southland"
Plus Sunday Sprinter Excursion
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Caltrans District 11 Campus, 4050 Taylor Street*
San Diego (Old Town), California
*A MAP of the conference sites and rail station can be found at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
Conference & Excursion Info also at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
SPEAKERS & SPECIAL GUESTS
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Richard Phelps, Vice President of Transportation
Amtrak, Washington DC
Mr. Phelps will be joined by:
Jack Rich, Director of Product Management
Amtrak, Los Angles
Joe Yannuzzi, General Superinendent Southwest Division
Amtrak, Los Angeles
Mr. Phelps is visiting his former home of Southern California after his move earlier this year to Washington DC for his promotion to Vice President of Transportation for Amtrak. He will give a "State of Amtrak" address and an overview of operating performance from a national to a California perspective. He will address issues on all West Coast corridors and long-distance trains which traverse California, including the status of "simplified dining." He will also discuss the challenge of future freight capacity needs and of partnering with Class I railroads and sharing corridors with other passenger and freight operations. In keeping with our theme, Mr. Phelps will address ways to improve coordination between agencies in the region and along the LOSSAN corridor regarding scheduling, ticketing and transfers.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAIL TRANSIT FORUM
This forum will feature speakers from up and down the LOSSAN corridor and south state. They will discuss operations and future plans for their individual operations. We will encourage a creative discussion of ways to improve interline transfers, seamless ticketing between agencies, and coordinated scheduling. Each agency will give a talk for this Forum, followed by a lively discussion spurred by questions from the audience which will include all Forum participants and our guests from Amtrak.
Patrick Merrill, Chief
Office of Capital Project Development, Operations and Marketing
Caltrans Division of Rail
Pacific Surfliner Operations and Future Plans
Wayne Penn, Manager of Rail Safety
North County Transit District
The Coaster: Operations and Future Plans
Walt Stringer, Manager of Light Rail
North County Transit District
The new Sprinter Service
Gray Crary, Assistant Executive Officer, Operations and Engineering
Metrolink
Metrolink Operations & Future Plans
Jim Linthicum, Manager of Capital Projects
San Diego Association of Governments
The MidCoast LRT corridor, a proposed extension from Old Town to UCSD/University City
John Haggerty, Senior Engineer
San Diego Association of Governments
Rehabilitation planned for the Blue Line LRT; how to make upgrades while keeping a major rail line open.
SPECIAL GUEST
Josh Shaw, Executive Director
California Transit Association
We invited Mr. Shaw because his organization has taken on the admirable and monumental task of suing the State of California to reclaim a good portion of the $1.3 billion in transit funds which was illegally diverted to the general fund in the last budget process. Josh will also speak on a proposed initiative that will protect all state transit funds from diversion, preventing the shell games which got around the intent of Prop. 1A by simply diverting funds not specifically protected.
OTHER FEATURE SPEAKERS
David Blue, Director of Marketing – Western Region
Cubic Transportation Systems
Automatic fare card technologies; seamless transfers between transportation agencies with one universal ticket; development of the new COMPASS card good on all San Diego Country transit systems.
John Hoegemeier, Consultant
SD Freight Rail Consulting
The history and the future of The Carrizo Gorge Desert Line – From California to Mexico and back again.
George Chilson, President
National Association of Railroad Passengers
Mr. Chilson, a San Diego resident, will give a presentation about the NARP Vision Plan for the future of passenger rail in the US.
The San Diego Electric Railway Association (SDERA)
A short introduction to the museum, its location and a brief description of logistics for our Sunday excursion on the Sprinter Line.
================================================(End Speakers List)
HOTEL ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE (as of 10/28)
We have worked out a special $75 room rate at the Padre Trail Inn for TRAC Conference attendees. This is essentially half of what you1d pay anywhere else in Old Town. These rates are good for Friday and Saturday night. The motel is right next door to the conference site and only two blocks from the trolley (see map link above). You may call the hotel at (619) 297-3291. Ask for the TRAC rate.
[www.padretrailinn.com]
SAN DIEGO FIRE
There is no way of knowing the conditions next weekend. However, a 10/28 quote from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau web site states: "The city's downtown core, hotels, restaurants, San Diego Zoo, Port and waterfront, along with the airport, are open for business and not directly impacted by fires in the region." For the latest San Diego updates, including a current map of areas affected by the fires, visit:
[www.sandiego.org]
Winds have died down, trains are running, and Old Town and the Sprinter Line are not threatened. As of now, the conference and excursion are on! Two cautions: 1. If heavy Santa Ana winds pick up late this week, check on specific conditions. 2. If you have severe asthma or other breathing difficulties, monitor San Diego air conditions later in the week to make your final decision to attend.
REGISTRATION
FRIDAY: You may register (pickup your name badge) for the Conference at the Friday Reception. Once you pick up your name badge you are ready to attend Saturday morning without stopping at the table, just flash your badge.
SATURDAY: You may register at the Conference site from 8:45 to 10:15am. Please come early as there is always a line at 10am. Coming early assures you won't miss anything and helps us start on time.
SIGN UP!
Register at Low Rate - Reserve Today & Pay at the Door!
Call 916-557-1667 BEFORE 6pm on THURSDAY for the Conference, if you'd like a guaranteed seat, a lower rate, and lunch. (Leave us your name, city and the number in your party--you can pay at the door at the $65 rate IF you reserve by 5pm Thursday; Note: Sometimes the voice mail doesn't beep so talk after the voicemail message.) You can also register via PayPal (no later than 6pm Thursday) at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
SUNDAY EXCURSION (Sprinter)
The San Diego Electric Railway Association is handling all the ticketing. Advance reservations are highly encouraged ($15 SDERA members and conference attendees - all others $20 suggested donation on a space-available basis only). A sign-up form and more information can be found at:
[www.sdera.org]
Schedule for the Sunday excursion (special Old Town stops for excursion):
Dp. Old Town (Track 1) Train #769 9:35am
Ar. Oceanside #769 10:18am
[Note: #566 from the North arrives at 10:24am]
Dp. Oceanside 10:40am
Ar. Escondido 12:40pm
Dp. Escondido 1:15pm
Arrive Oceanside 3:15pm
Dp. Oceanside #578 3:48pm
[Note: #583 to the North departs at 3:52pm]
Ar. Old Town #578 4:40pm
Note: Limited tickets will be available at the conference. We cannot guarantee an excursion space unless you reserve in advance with SDERA.
GETTING THERE: RAIL SCHEDULES, etc.
The Pacific Surfliner schedules change slightly on October 29th. Be sure you know the current schedule of your trains. We have pdf's of the new schedules posted on the TRAC website at:
Southbound: [www.calrailnews.com]
Northbound: [www.calrailnews.com]
Important schedules to know are:
Pacific Surfliner #564 from the north arrives at Old Town at 9:56am (the conference begins at 10:15am).
Pacific Surfliner #591 to the north leaves Old Town at 6:28pm (the conference ends just after 6:00pm).
If you are flying: SuperShuttle can pick you up in San Diego County, including from the conference site or from the Oceanside station. They can be reached at 1-800-BLUEVAN (1-800-258-3826) or to make a reservation:
[www.supershuttle.com]
If you have AAA, type "ACSC1" into the "Group/Discount Code" box for a discount.
SAN DIEGO AREA DISCOUNTS
For those of you staying in San Diego for some vacation time, we have arranged for discount coupons for Sea World and the Maritime Museum. Talk to a volunteer at the reception or at the conference registration table if interested.
WALK-INs
Walk-ins will be accepted at the door, subject to the following:
a) Walk-ins are subject to space available at the venue.
b) Walk-ins might not receive a lunch (although this hasn't happened yet).
c) The walk-in rate is $75.
SEE YOU IN SAN DIEGO!
--
Alan C. Miller
Executive Director
Train Riders Association of California
Official TRAC Website: [www.trainriders.org]
Sponsored by TRAC & the California Rail Foundation
Annual Conference & Membership Meeting
"Encouraging Ease of Rail Connectivity in the Southland"
Plus Sunday Sprinter Excursion
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Caltrans District 11 Campus, 4050 Taylor Street*
San Diego (Old Town), California
*A MAP of the conference sites and rail station can be found at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
Conference & Excursion Info also at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Richard Phelps, Vice President of Transportation
Amtrak, Washington DC
Mr. Phelps will be joined by:
Jack Rich, Director of Product Management
Amtrak, Los Angles
Joe Yannuzzi, General Superinendent Southwest Division
Amtrak, Los Angeles
Mr. Phelps is visiting his former home of Southern California after his move earlier this year to Washington DC for his promotion to Vice President of Transportation for Amtrak. He will give a "State of Amtrak" address and an overview of operating performance from a national to a California perspective. He will address issues on all West Coast corridors and long-distance trains which traverse California, including the status of "simplified dining." He will also discuss the challenge of future freight capacity needs and of partnering with Class I railroads and sharing corridors with other passenger and freight operations. In keeping with our theme, Mr. Phelps will address ways to improve coordination between agencies in the region and along the LOSSAN corridor regarding scheduling, ticketing and transfers.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAIL TRANSIT FORUM
This forum will feature speakers from up and down the LOSSAN corridor and south state. They will discuss operations and future plans for their individual operations. We will encourage a creative discussion of ways to improve interline transfers, seamless ticketing between agencies, and coordinated scheduling. Each agency will give a talk for this Forum, followed by a lively discussion spurred by questions from the audience which will include all Forum participants and our guests from Amtrak.
Patrick Merrill, Chief
Office of Capital Project Development, Operations and Marketing
Caltrans Division of Rail
Pacific Surfliner Operations and Future Plans
Wayne Penn, Manager of Rail Safety
North County Transit District
The Coaster: Operations and Future Plans
Walt Stringer, Manager of Light Rail
North County Transit District
The new Sprinter Service
Gray Crary, Assistant Executive Officer, Operations and Engineering
Metrolink
Metrolink Operations & Future Plans
Jim Linthicum, Manager of Capital Projects
San Diego Association of Governments
The MidCoast LRT corridor, a proposed extension from Old Town to UCSD/University City
John Haggerty, Senior Engineer
San Diego Association of Governments
Rehabilitation planned for the Blue Line LRT; how to make upgrades while keeping a major rail line open.
SPECIAL GUEST
Josh Shaw, Executive Director
California Transit Association
We invited Mr. Shaw because his organization has taken on the admirable and monumental task of suing the State of California to reclaim a good portion of the $1.3 billion in transit funds which was illegally diverted to the general fund in the last budget process. Josh will also speak on a proposed initiative that will protect all state transit funds from diversion, preventing the shell games which got around the intent of Prop. 1A by simply diverting funds not specifically protected.
OTHER FEATURE SPEAKERS
David Blue, Director of Marketing – Western Region
Cubic Transportation Systems
Automatic fare card technologies; seamless transfers between transportation agencies with one universal ticket; development of the new COMPASS card good on all San Diego Country transit systems.
John Hoegemeier, Consultant
SD Freight Rail Consulting
The history and the future of The Carrizo Gorge Desert Line – From California to Mexico and back again.
George Chilson, President
National Association of Railroad Passengers
Mr. Chilson, a San Diego resident, will give a presentation about the NARP Vision Plan for the future of passenger rail in the US.
The San Diego Electric Railway Association (SDERA)
A short introduction to the museum, its location and a brief description of logistics for our Sunday excursion on the Sprinter Line.
================================================(End Speakers List)
HOTEL ROOMS STILL AVAILABLE (as of 10/28)
We have worked out a special $75 room rate at the Padre Trail Inn for TRAC Conference attendees. This is essentially half of what you1d pay anywhere else in Old Town. These rates are good for Friday and Saturday night. The motel is right next door to the conference site and only two blocks from the trolley (see map link above). You may call the hotel at (619) 297-3291. Ask for the TRAC rate.
[www.padretrailinn.com]
SAN DIEGO FIRE
There is no way of knowing the conditions next weekend. However, a 10/28 quote from the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau web site states: "The city's downtown core, hotels, restaurants, San Diego Zoo, Port and waterfront, along with the airport, are open for business and not directly impacted by fires in the region." For the latest San Diego updates, including a current map of areas affected by the fires, visit:
[www.sandiego.org]
Winds have died down, trains are running, and Old Town and the Sprinter Line are not threatened. As of now, the conference and excursion are on! Two cautions: 1. If heavy Santa Ana winds pick up late this week, check on specific conditions. 2. If you have severe asthma or other breathing difficulties, monitor San Diego air conditions later in the week to make your final decision to attend.
REGISTRATION
FRIDAY: You may register (pickup your name badge) for the Conference at the Friday Reception. Once you pick up your name badge you are ready to attend Saturday morning without stopping at the table, just flash your badge.
SATURDAY: You may register at the Conference site from 8:45 to 10:15am. Please come early as there is always a line at 10am. Coming early assures you won't miss anything and helps us start on time.
SIGN UP!
Register at Low Rate - Reserve Today & Pay at the Door!
Call 916-557-1667 BEFORE 6pm on THURSDAY for the Conference, if you'd like a guaranteed seat, a lower rate, and lunch. (Leave us your name, city and the number in your party--you can pay at the door at the $65 rate IF you reserve by 5pm Thursday; Note: Sometimes the voice mail doesn't beep so talk after the voicemail message.) You can also register via PayPal (no later than 6pm Thursday) at:
[www.calrailnews.com]
SUNDAY EXCURSION (Sprinter)
The San Diego Electric Railway Association is handling all the ticketing. Advance reservations are highly encouraged ($15 SDERA members and conference attendees - all others $20 suggested donation on a space-available basis only). A sign-up form and more information can be found at:
[www.sdera.org]
Schedule for the Sunday excursion (special Old Town stops for excursion):
Dp. Old Town (Track 1) Train #769 9:35am
Ar. Oceanside #769 10:18am
[Note: #566 from the North arrives at 10:24am]
Dp. Oceanside 10:40am
Ar. Escondido 12:40pm
Dp. Escondido 1:15pm
Arrive Oceanside 3:15pm
Dp. Oceanside #578 3:48pm
[Note: #583 to the North departs at 3:52pm]
Ar. Old Town #578 4:40pm
Note: Limited tickets will be available at the conference. We cannot guarantee an excursion space unless you reserve in advance with SDERA.
GETTING THERE: RAIL SCHEDULES, etc.
The Pacific Surfliner schedules change slightly on October 29th. Be sure you know the current schedule of your trains. We have pdf's of the new schedules posted on the TRAC website at:
Southbound: [www.calrailnews.com]
Northbound: [www.calrailnews.com]
Important schedules to know are:
Pacific Surfliner #564 from the north arrives at Old Town at 9:56am (the conference begins at 10:15am).
Pacific Surfliner #591 to the north leaves Old Town at 6:28pm (the conference ends just after 6:00pm).
If you are flying: SuperShuttle can pick you up in San Diego County, including from the conference site or from the Oceanside station. They can be reached at 1-800-BLUEVAN (1-800-258-3826) or to make a reservation:
[www.supershuttle.com]
If you have AAA, type "ACSC1" into the "Group/Discount Code" box for a discount.
SAN DIEGO AREA DISCOUNTS
For those of you staying in San Diego for some vacation time, we have arranged for discount coupons for Sea World and the Maritime Museum. Talk to a volunteer at the reception or at the conference registration table if interested.
WALK-INs
Walk-ins will be accepted at the door, subject to the following:
a) Walk-ins are subject to space available at the venue.
b) Walk-ins might not receive a lunch (although this hasn't happened yet).
c) The walk-in rate is $75.
SEE YOU IN SAN DIEGO!
--
Alan C. Miller
Executive Director
Train Riders Association of California
Official TRAC Website: [www.trainriders.org]
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 TRAC San Diego Conference & Sprinter Excursion Nov. 2-4 |
Alan C. Miller | 10-28-2007 - 20:25 |
|
Re: TRAC San Diego Conference & Sprinter Excursion Nov. 2-4
|
Jeff Trimble | 10-28-2007 - 22:12 |