Articles by Railfanning.org News Wire

SAN FRANCISCO — Californians are showing increasing interest and support for high-speed trains in advance of a November ballot measure, proponents of high-speed rail say. On Feb. 1, officials held a seminar in San Francisco to discuss “Shinkansen,” Japan’s High-Speed Train System. Retired San Mateo Superior Court Judge Quentin Kopp offered opening remarks to a crowd of public officials, policy makers and California resident about the economic and environmental benefits of high-speed trains. “The sincerity and commitment expressed here today, reflects the strong bonds between our countries,” Kopp said. “This is a critical year for high-speed rail in California, and

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific Corp.’s Board of Directors has approved plans to invest a total of $3.1 billion for capital projects during 2008. The Company’s capital programs are designed to enhance safety, improve customer service, increase operating productivity and add network capacity to handle our customers’ growth. Major investment categories include: $1.6 billion to maintain and strengthen the track infrastructure, $840 million to increase network and terminal capacity, $490 million to upgrade our locomotive and freight car fleet, including the acquisition of 175 high-horsepower locomotives and new covered hoppers, and $170 million primarily to upgrade information technology systems, including

Union Pacific Railroad has reopened the route through the Sierra Mountains used by the daily California Zephyr (Trains 5 & 6) between the San Francisco Bay and Chicago. The tracks were blocked on Feb. 1 in a mishap involving UP snow-removal equipment. Westbound Train 5, originating from Chicago on Jan. 30 Amtrak managers responded to the Placer County location where the westbound California Zephyr was stopped. Later, a decision was made to reverse the train to Reno, Nevada, where about 160 passengers were housed and fed at Amtrak expense in area hotels, awaiting alternate transportation that was provided today. At