Hi Everyone.. The last two or three days, I was amusing myself reading thru old A-P topics and really enjoyed some of the topics. In so doing, I inadvertenly ran across a very brief exchange between a Coleman Randall and then another guy named Jim Speaker. I thought it was a bit humorous. Maybe you will and maybe you won't! First we hear from Coleman. I have included the A-P time stamp......

Author: Coleman Randall
Date: 10-24-2007 - 21:26

The UP Fresno line has other advantages if it had been originally selected as the regular route for the Amtrak San Jaoquin service while the current route has stations in many of those same cities that the UP resno line has the stations on that line of which some are still in use for other activities are more centrally located within those towns that the San Juaquin service currently serves like the old SP Station in Modesto as one example which now serves as a local transit center.

Also, the immeidate proximitity of the UP Fresno line to Highway 99 is another advantage providing the public and train services personnel with more readily available access to the rail line and the stations from the freeway which is a major thoroughfare between Northern and Southern California i.e. passengers, bus services and even railroad maintanence personnel.

Unfortunately, it became apparent that due to the shape of this line and SP's apparent dislike for the passenger business to a greater extent than ATSF as was apparent by the poor shape SP had kept their passenger trains in compared to ATSF in the late 1960's and apparently their would have been fewer siding delay related problems for the Amtrak San Jaoquin trains as well given the professionalism of the ATSF management style like the apparent differences between the BNSF and the UP today.

Still I could see the UP Fresno line serving as a viable detour route for the San Jaoquin service for this reason after all that service regular uses the portion between Stockton and Sacramento for some of its trains so why not all the way in case a detour situation need arises.

There has even been talk of extending the ACE Commuter Train service down that line as far as Modesto or maybe Turlock as well to serve the Bay Area Commuters in those towns as well. A possibility because the UP has been known to have upgraded the tracks in many locations since the merger with the SP.

This was followed up within a day or two by a Jim Speaker. Again, the A-P time stamp is included......

Author: Jim Speaker
Date: 10-26-2007 - 12:27

Coleman,

wHich Route has the best trees to Climb?

I have been run out of town by Police on both linez.

Jim


Thanks.

Jack--Sparks, NV.