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Corvallis passenger rail service: Letter to Federal Railroad Administration and Oregon Transportation Commission

Casprail sent a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration (who will approve or disapprove the Oregon rail plan environmental study request) and to the Oregon Transportation Commission stating that a plan without a treatment of the needs of Corvallis train riders is not acceptable.

The text of the letter follows.  What do you think the next steps should be for Corvallis to push for a change in the Oregon passenger rail plan?

————————————————————————————————

From: Lawrence Plotkin [mailto:advocate@casprail.org]
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 8:55 PM
To: SNIDER Stacy E; MELBO Robert I; ROCK Michael D; OfficeofRPD@dot.gov
Subject: Corvallis Rail Route needed

Hello Oregon Transportation Commission,

Any Oregon passenger rail plan without a comprehensive treatment of
Corvallis ridership needs is incomplete and unacceptable.

Corvallis citizenry will provide a steady ridership (are a ‘target rich
environment’) and needs to be better served by the Oregon passenger rail
network.

I believe that the FRA should reject any plan without a comprehensive
plan to serve Corvallis.

Regards,

Larry Plotkin

Cascade Passenger Rail Association, LLC
Lawrence Plotkin, Chief Advocate
advocate@caspail.org
541-760-3282

Visit McMenamins Olympic Club by Train – a FUN excursion!

McMenamins Olympic club pub, theater and hotel is right next to the Amtrak station in Centralia, Washington.  The Olympic club is a fun place to hang out, take in a movie, sample some great beers and spend the night in a historic hotel.

Olympic Club and Hotel from the front

Olympic Club and Hotel from the front

Olympic Hotel room

Olympic Hotel room – reasonable prices, bathroom down the hall.

 

Olympic Hotel bar

Olympic Hotel bar

Olympic Hotel theater

Olympic Hotel theater

Olympic Hotel pool tables

Olympic Club pool room

A fun way to get there is to take the Amtrak Cascades – we took the train from Albany, OR to Centralia, Wa.  McMenamins has a special deal for getting two train tickets for the price of one!

Olympic club train trip3 Olympic club train trip 

Take the train and return the same day, or stay late and return the following day. Two-for-one Amtrak vouchers are available at all McMenamins. See the Amtrak Schedule for complete train times. From Portland to Centralia, take the 8:30 a.m. or 12:15 p.m. train and return on the 7:11 p.m. train, or return the next day on the 9:11 a.m. or 1:06 p.m. train. From Seattle to Centralia, take the 9:30 a.m. or 11:25 a.m. train and return on the 7:46 p.m. train, or return the next day on the 10:01 a.m. or 1:46 p.m train.

What are your favorite train excursions?  Leave us a post –

Larry at Casprail.org

New Draft Oregon Rail Plan available

The Draft Oregon State Rail Plan is available for formal public review and comment through June 20, 2014. A public hearing has been scheduled for the Oregon Transportation Commission’s May 16th meeting in Astoria. To view a copy of the Draft Plan and for information on how to provide comments, visit the Plan’s  website:http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP/Pages/RailPlan.aspx

Casprail.org is disappointed that the plan does not include a Corvallis station and stop.  I am told that a petition of the Federal Rail Commission is still possible…  Anyone out there know someone on it?

Oregon’s 2 new Talgo trains in regular service on Amtrak-Cascades Route

There are some good things happening on the Oregon-Washington train route.  The two new modern Talgo train sets purchased by ODOT (the Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Jefferson) are now in operation, increasing flexibility between Portland and Eugene and allowing for convenient business travel back and forth in a single day.  The  2014 Amtrak Cascades Train and Bus Schedule is located here: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/docs/AmtrakCascades_Jan.14.pdf

Mt Jeffereson new talgo train1

The “Mt Jefferson” exterior

Mt Bachelor new talgo train1

The “Mt Bachelor” Train exterior

Mt Bachelor new talgo train-interior

Comfortable interiors, including upscale seating, booths and Bistro car

Also, Oregon’s Passenger Rail study, for which Eugene Mayor Piercy serves as the Leadership Council co-chair, is studying ways to further improve travel between Eugene-Springfield and Portland and is advising Governor Kitzhaber on preferred track configuration for intercity travel throughout the Willamette Valley.

Amtrak Cascades Train Route with alternatives

Amtrak Cascades Train Route with alternatives

Additionally, ODOT is developing enhancements to Eugene’s historic Train Depot that will serve to support the city’s long-standing commitment to the progression of rail travel in the region.

Trains are steadily becoming more publicly recognized as an energy-efficient way to travel. A well-planned and functioning rail system will help address federal and state energy mandates, limited resources and other environmental concerns.

What do you think are the most effective next steps for improving west-coast train service?

Corvallis out of the running: Oregon Leadership council decision Dec 17, 2013

The Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership Council met on Dec 17th, 2013 to make a recommendation on the routes for an environmental impact study for high-speed rail between Eugene and Portland, OR.  As expected, the route including a stop in Corvallis was NOT chosen for additional consideration.  The current route utilizing Union Pacific track and running through Albany, OR will be retained, bypassing the largest new source of passengers on that leg.  Casprail.org will now work for improved connections between Albany and Corvallis (rail spur, bus, etc.)

This December 17th article by the Albany Democrat-Herald sums up the decision:

Panel prefers UP as rail route

Written December 17th, 2013 by 

 

Albany Station is the mid-valley stop on the Union Pacific mainline.

Albany Station is the mid-valley stop on the Union Pacific mainline.

A committee of elected officials has decided plans for expanding passenger rail service in the Willamette Valley should make use of the existing Union Pacific mainline, but it also wants to give additional consideration to routing future trains at least partly along Interstate  5. The planning project’s leadership council, which includes Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa and state Rep. Sara Gelser of Corvallis, met in Salem Tuesday and agreed to move forward with an environmental impact study of using the UP mainline, but also to look into how the I-5 routing option would affect the metro area. The panel dropped the idea of a route through Monroe and Corvallis, as well as one that would use parts of the old Oregon Electric line south of Albany.

People from Corvallis had lobbied for the route through that city, but Gelser said she could support the panel’s decision. At her request, the group’s report will include language on improving Corvallis connections with Albany and Eugene, perhaps with a future spur line or improved “multimodal” connections. “I think there was broad consensus among the Leadership Council that ridership could be improved with better access to rail from Corvallis, whatever form that access might take,” Gelser said in an email.

Passenger rail service between Eugene and Portland, with stops at Albany Station, Salem and Oregon City, now consists of the daily Coast Starlight and two daily round trips of the Cascades trains. Transportation planners hope to cut the travel time and increase frequency of trains. The planning process, budgeted at $10 million, expects to finish with a final environmental impact statement and a route decision in 2016. That would make passenger rail expansion eligible for more federal funds, but there’s no timetable and the general view is that construction of an upgraded rail link in the valley is years or decades away, if it happens at all. (hh)

Casprail Statement in Favor of Environmental Impact Study for Corvallis Passenger Rail Route

The following statement was sent to the Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership Council on 11-17-13.

The Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership commission is (with emails…):

  Segment/Type of Representation Names
1 Eugene – Co-Chair Kitty Piercy, Mayor of Eugene
kitty.piercy@ci.eugene.or.us
2 Portland – Co-Chair John Russell, President Russell Development, Portland –http://www.russelldevelopment.net/johnwrussell/index.html
john.russell@cushwake.com
3 Portland Charlie Hales, Mayor of Portland
mayorcharliehales@portlandoregon.gov
4 Metro Tom Hughes, Metro Council President
tom.hughes@oregonmetro.gov
5 South Metro Region Sen. Rod Monroe
sen.rodmonroe@state.or.us
6 South Metro Region Jeremy Ferguson, Mayor of Milwaukie
fergusonj@ci.milwaukie.or.us
7 Salem Rep. Vicki Berger
rep.vickiberger@state.or.us
8 Salem Anna Peterson, Mayor of Salem
ampeterson@cityofsalem.net
9 Corvallis Rep. Sara Gelser
Rep.SaraGelser@state.or.us
10 Albany Sharon Konopa, Mayor of Albany
sharon.konopa@cityofalbany.net
11 Eugene Rep. Nancy Nathanson
rep.nancynathanson@state.or.us
12 Springfield Sen. Lee Beyer
sen.leebeyer@state.or.us
13 Springfield Hillary Wylie, Springfield City Council
hwylie@springfield-or.gov
14 Transit Neil McFarlane, Manager, TriMet
15 Transit TBD, Lane Transit District Board
16 OR Transportation Commission Mark Frohnmayer, Arcimoto
17 OR Business Development Commission E. Walter Van Valkenburg, Stoel Rives
vanvalkenburg@stoel.com
18 Out of Corridor Mike Quilty, Out-of-Corridor representative
mikeq@roguevalleycleancities.org
19 TBD, Land Conservation and Development Commission
20 ODOT Matthew Garrett, Director*
matthew.l.garrett@odot.state.or.us
20 WSDOT Lynn Peterson, Secretary of Transportation*
LYNNP@wsdot.wa.gov

Dear Oregon Passenger Rail Leadership Council,

I am writing to you on behalf of the member of the Cascade Passenger Rail Association (Casprail.org) and myself, Larry Plotkin, Chief Advocate of Casprail.org –

We believe that the decision that is made in regards to choice of routes for the environmental impact study will have ‘100 year’ ramifications.  When we study the criteria and rankings for Eugene to Albany route choice, it seems  that Corvallis has very little chance of being the chosen route.  We strongly believe that the routes that seem most reasonable in regards to engineering and cost criteria, may be in the long run be the incorrect choices for a successful long-term multi-use passenger rail system.

Corvallis has a large potential source of rail passengers, one indication of which is a petition to ‘Bring Passenger Rail to Corvallis’ (http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/bring-passenger-rail-1?source=s.em.mt&r_by=7818608) with over 2100 signatures, and a resolution from the Corvallis city council in favor of an EIS for the Eugene-Corvallis route.  Corvallis is a growing university town with over 20,000 students who we believe would regularly ride the train to home towns and entertainment, if the train is convenient and timely.  Corvallis has many growing entrepreneurial  businesses that are a result of collaborations between the major Oregon universities and (mostly) Portland-centric business.  We a need strengthen our links to the other major Oregon universities and the major airports and make these routes convenient to use.

When a joint venture between HP and Kodak was slated for siting in Corvallis, with the potential for over 500 jobs, a major reason for the decision to site in San Diego rather than Corvallis was the lack of a strong link to our major airports.  Passenger rail would provide that link, as well as a strong link to our other major universities.

We know that humans respond strongly to ‘convenience’.  Social engineering says that a route through a ‘target rich’ rider environment will be successful, and one where there is inconvenience to get to the train, and the last mile is uncertain, will not.

We need to provide a viable route for between Corvallis and Eugene, Corvallis and Portland and beyond – this will improve quality of life in the mid-Willamette valley for the next 100 years .

We urge you to recommend an environmental impact study for the Corvallis route.

Thank you for your consideration,

Larry Plotkin and the Cascade Passenger Rail Association.

-- 
Cascade Passenger Rail Association, LLC
Lawrence Plotkin, Chief Advocate
advocate@caspail.org
541-760-3282

Corvallis Residents Gather more than 2100 signatures on Corvallis Rail Petition

Corvallis residents have gathered more than 2100 signatures from advocates for a Corvallis station on the new Willamette valley passenger rail routing.  The new signature goal before December 15th is 3000 signatures.

This station would add a growing university town of 50,000 residents to the rail system, including students, families and professionals.  It would link the 3 major Oregon universities and provide a convenient alternative to automobile travel to Eugene, Salem, Portland and beyond.

Four Articles have been written in the last month –

1. Corvallis City Council meeting October 21st, with many rail advocates testifying for a Corvallis Station routing and City Council Resolution in support
2. Article about the November 7th public rail forum at LBCC
3. Editorial from Corvallis Gazette-time, Albany Democrat-Herald editor Mike McInally urging Corvallis-Albany Collaboration
4. Article in Oregon State University Newspaper – the Daily Barometer “Advocating for rail through Corvallis”

Corvallis advocates attended the November 7th public information session at LBCC in force (many carpooling from Corvallis to Linn-Benton Community College in Albany, OR) –

Here is a picture of me speaking with Michael Holthoff of ODOT about the project at the Nov. 7th meeting (picture credit: EMMA-KATE SCHAAKE: Daily Barometer).

Larry Plotkin and Michael Holthoff of ODOT discussing Corvallis rail options on Nov 7th, 2013

Larry Plotkin and Michael Holthoff of ODOT discussing Corvallis rail options on Nov 7th, 2013

Regards,

Larry – Chief Advocate, casprail.org

Coast Starlight to Monterey – down in Seat, back in Sleeper

my 89 year-old mom and 90 year-old dad

my 89 year-old mom and 90 year-old dad

 

Breakfast table on the way back to Oregon.

Amtrak Breakfast table

 

Mt. Shasta and Black Butte from the breakfast window

Mt. Shasta and Black Butte from the breakfast window

I took the Coast Starlight from Albany, OR to Salinas, CA (and the Amtrak bus to Monterey) on August 5th to pick up my parents and drive them back to Corvallis, OR for my dad’s 90th birthday celebration.  I have put my parents on the train in the past, but they are now too frail to handle moving around for bathroom trips and food on the train.  Also, my mom makes my dad climb into the upper bunk for the sleeping part of the trip and that is very difficult for him (she doesn’t think there is enough room for both of them in the lower bunk of a deluxe bedroom…)

On my trip to Monterey, I got a coach seat and met a nice older man traveling to Sacramento.  The train was three hours late getting into Albany (for a maintenance issue).  We both slept pretty decently in the large, comfortable coach seats before arriving in Sacramento, and I let him use my cellphone to notify his wife that he would be late.

In Monterey, I rented a minivan and drove my folks back to Corvallis –

After our family reunion and celebration, I rented another minivan and my wife and I drove my parents from Corvallis to Monterey.  The next day we boarded the Amtrak bus at the Hyatt Monterey where there were all kinds of exotic cars parked for the concours d’elegance starting the next day.  It was interesting to see the Amtrak bus negotiate the trick-out Rolls, Bentleys and Maseratis as it wound through the parking lot.

The train was about an hour late, so we ate some dinner at Olivias (a great mexican restaurant near the Amtrak station) and boarded the train.  Our sleeper attendant, Jay Etz, was very attentive and cheerful.  We enjoyed the trip, especially through southern Oregon and Klamath lake with all the migrating birds.  Our breakfast was very pleasant with a 70ish woman from California (Dee) who was taking her bike to Oregon for a touring trip – most inspirational!

What have your Coast Starlight experiences been like?

Regards,
Casprail Chief Advocate – Larry

The Oregon TRail Part 2

The study of the potential routes for passenger rail in Oregon is on-going and will follow the process shown in the image below.  If you click on the image it will take you to the meeting materials for the meeting at Linn Benton community College on April 24, 2013.  This meeting concerned the passenger rail routing study and described to potential routes the train could take.

Rail Train route study

Passenger Rail Study Schedule

We talked about the Willamette Valley rail route possibilities and the positives and negatives of a route that includes Corvallis (Oregon State University town with 50,000 residents) – the ‘Yellow’ Route.

Train route - Yellow- Willamette valley

Potential Willamette valley routes

The yellow corridor concept starts in the Eugene-Springfield area, and continues west of the
purple corridor to travel through Monroe and Corvallis, and then either travels east to connect with the red or blue line in Albany.

Goals and Objectives of the project:

Goal 1: Improve passenger rail mobility and accessibility to communities in the Willamette Valley.
Objectives:
 1A – Provide a viable alternative to auto, air, and bus travel between Eugene and Vancouver, WA.
 1B – Provide reliable and frequent passenger rail service.
 1C – Support multimodal integration at each passenger rail station.
 1D – Allow for future passenger rail improvements, including higher speeds.

Goal 2: Protect freight-rail capacity and investments in the corridor, and maintain safety.
Objectives:
 2A – Does not increase conflicts between passenger rail or freight rail and vehicles.
 2B – Protect freight-rail carrying capability.

Goal 3: Plan, design, implement, maintain, and operate a cost-effective project.
Objectives:
 3A – Develop a strategy that can be reasonably funded and leveraged with range of investment tools for construction and operation.
 3B – Serve the maximum number of people with every dollar invested.

Goal 4: Provide an affordable and equitable travel alternative.
Objectives:
 4A – Provide a viable and affordable alternative for travelers.
 4B – Provide equitable investments and service, with consideration to race/ethnicity and income.

Goal 5: Be compatible with passenger rail investments planned in Washington State.
Objective:
 5A – Provide passenger rail service to meet the existing and future passenger rail
demand for an interconnected system in the Pacific Northwest High Speed Rail corridor.

Goal 6: Promote community health and quality of life for communities along the corridor.
Objectives:
 6A – Benefit communities within the corridor.
 6B – Minimize negative impacts to communities along the corridor.

Goal 7: Protect and preserve the natural and built environment.
Objectives:
 7A – Support Oregon’s commitment to the preservation of resource lands and local land
use and transportation planning.
 7B – Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in support of national and state policies to slow
climate change.
 7C – Avoid and minimize impacts to the natural environment and cultural resources.

Please visit http://www.oregonpassengerrail.org/ to learn more about this project

Please visit: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/bring-passenger-rail-1?source=s.fwd&r_by=7814433 to sign a petition to bring passenger rail to Corvallis, OR

Comments?

Larry, Chief Advocate, Casprail.org