Passenger Trains > Sacramento to Chico Project Draft Report Released

The North Valley Rail Project to establish a passenger rail corridor between Sacramento and Chico, CA has just released its revised draft report.  The proposal would see four daily roundtrips: one to the Bay Area, one to Stockton and two to Merced(future Calif. HSR connection).  Operation on former WP Sacramento Sub south of Marysville and former SP Valley Sub north of there.  Service to begin in 2031.

Media story from Mass Transit.com:
https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/news/55021601/ca-plans-for-chico-passenger-train-nears-completion

Just released draft report(110 page pdf):
https://northvalleyrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/nvprsp-revised-draft-20240416.pdf



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/24 07:27 by milepost20.

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The incredible part of this is that it will take seven years before trains run....for what seems to be a fairly simple project.

TJY

You forget, this is dealing with the Union Pacific.

If this is going to be a continuation of the San Joaquin, then the San Joaquin Joint Power Authority and Caltrans should seriously think about bringing a cafe car to those trains. The San Joaquin service cannot afford to lose a cafe car period.

Posted from iPhone

The San Joaquin JPB has complained about losing money in the Cafe cars, but hasn't done one damn thing to publicize their existence.I think they have a really backwards approach to promoting ANYTHING about their trains, for reasons unknown.

I visited my brother in Roseville earlier this year. When driving to Roseville from the Sacramento airport on Baseline Rd, we crossed this line.

What traffic is currently on this line?

<edit> Oh wait - this is the route the Coast Starlight uses right?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/24 10:51 by restricted_speed.

Is this a resurection of the Sacramento Northern ?

It's amazing how quickly things can get done when people demand it.  WW2 saw lots of such results, when transit lines were built and put into operation quickly, when service was extended.  7 years is ridiculous.

There's a lot of work to be done in Chico and intermediate points and a lot still being talked about how that will all work. I'm surprised that this project is coming to fruition at all honestly what with dealing with UP and all. It seems like this project has been talked about for 15-20 years.

Posted from Android



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/24 14:34 by SPbird.

restricted_speed Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Oh wait - this is the route the Coast Starlight
> uses right?

Yes on both the WP & SP segments.

Posted from Android

coach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's amazing how quickly things can get done when
> people demand it.  WW2 saw lots of such results,
> when transit lines were built and put into
> operation quickly, when service was extended.  7
> years is ridiculous.

What is ridiculous is people comparing attitudes and sentiments during wartime 1939-1945 circumstances when people were working together for the common good and today's ME ME ME ME attitudes and politician and lawyer controlled decisions. 

longliveSP Wrote:
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> What is ridiculous is people comparing attitudes
> and sentiments during wartime 1939-1945
> circumstances when people were working together
> for the common good and today's ME ME ME ME
> attitudes and politician and lawyer controlled
> decisions. 

. . . while still proclaiming America's greatness.

TAW

Unfortunately, the California landscape is littered with draft rail studies with service start dates just far enough out that current politicians cannot be held liable for lack of implementation and future politicians can absolve themselves from lack of follow-through on ‘impossible’ plans.

Consultant plan writers laughing all the way to the bank.

They should really extend the train up to Redding. That brings people a little closer to where more of the recreational centers are in Northern California that are along The 5 plus heading toward the Oregon State Line.

Future spending on California transit and rail projects has been axed from the upcoming budget, and most likely for years to come.  So far the state is axing $1 billion from capital expenditures on rail and transit projects for the upcoming fiscal year.  California will be broke for the foreseeable future.  California's budget has been propped up for 30 years by Silicon Valley fortunes, but that is coming to an end as the Internet has matured and the windfall from taxes on IPOs and skyrocketing stock values has vaporized.  

The most feasible project would be to extend a San Joaquin or Capitol to Redding as has been suggested.

 

Todd Clark
Canyon Country, CA
Trainorders.com

Well, it makes for a nice pdf document with pretty colors and fancy words and pictures. This seems like a pipe dream. In a state that's in debt with a current HSR project that's horribly over budget. And with existing equipment? Yes, I know, more is planned to arrive. But they can barely keep up with the trains they have with their current equipment.

longliveSP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> coach Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's amazing how quickly things can get done
> when
> > people demand it.  WW2 saw lots of such
> results,
> > when transit lines were built and put into
> > operation quickly, when service was extended.
>  7
> > years is ridiculous.
>
> What is ridiculous is people comparing attitudes
> and sentiments during wartime 1939-1945
> circumstances when people were working together
> for the common good and today's ME ME ME ME
> attitudes and politician and lawyer controlled
> decisions. 

Well, lack of knowledge here.  You compare CONTRASTING points, not SIMILAR points, for example, when trying to draw attention to certain things.  So, I still say it:  it's amazing how fast things can be done when government wants it to.  From modern freeways being quickly rebuilt, to rail lines that languished back in the day (until WW2 happened, and the government NEEDED THOSE WORKERS TO GET TO WORK.). It has always taken both public and private work to get things done.

Just look at BRIGHTLINE WEST--they're moving right along.  And people want it to happen.  LIke I said................and I love America, too.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/01/24 18:30 by coach.

I continue to feel it would make more sense to run on the UP Valley Sub. There are opportunities for more stations in populated areas, potential sponsorship of parking and other infrastructure, and utilize more existing Amtrak stations. In addition, it would give alternate service for the Coast Starlight by serving a few different stations, but still connnecting on either end, and connecting with the California Zephyr, San Joaquins and Capital Corridor as well.

PHASE 1
Sacramento | Sacramento Amtrak
  Sacramento to Roseville are already receiving 3rd main to accomodate the Capital Corridor
Roseville | Roseville Amtrak
Lincoln | Thunder Valley Casino Resort - Tracks directly next to property. Can provide the parking and an attractive new way to arrive at their resort and concert venues.
Wheatland | Tracks 1 mile from Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and 2.5 miles from Toyota Amphitheatre.  Can provide sponsored shuttle service, etc.
Yuba City / Marysville | Marysville Amtrak
Gridley
Chico | Chico Amtrak

PHASE 2
Red Bluff | Relocate Red Bluff Amtrak next to tracks, which would allow the Coast Starlight to service the station as well
Redding | Win River Resort and Casino - Tracks across street from. Can provide the parking and an attractive new way to arrive at their resort and concert venues
Redding | Redding Amtrak for Lassen National Park

Jarrod DellaChiesa
Oakley, CA