Ten Years ago Amtrak Along with Caltrans and other locals Started the Capitol Route with three Trains. Now some Ten Years later. This route is going to have Ten Trains (20 Trains 10 each way). Like one Train for every Year. This Service was about to be cut back a some years ago. But the Capitol Route was saved. And look at it now. averaging about six Car Trains a Day. And the new Surfliners being added to the Capitol pool. I wonder why this line was running 15, 20, 25 or even 30 ago. With the Success of this Route. One can only wonder. It is nice to see something good with a Route outside the NEC. Should we wish the Capitol Route another Great Ten more Years?? I do.
Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :
I, too, am impressed with the Capitol's success. It proves that people will ride trains if they are available, convenient and comfortable. If we can do it here in California, land of the freeway, home of the drive, it can be done anywhere.
Unfortunately those 10 trains only go between Sacramento and Oakland. Until the line south is double tracked, only four trains can get to San Jose and all those business travelers in Silicon Valley.
I want them to extend a couple of those San Jose trains to Monterey. I think that would be more useful than the proposed Monterey-SF service (which is progressing painfully slowly). Because Monterey was California's first capitol, the Capitol could be promoted as offering "capitol to capitol service."
It has also been suggested that the Capitols be extended to Reno on the east end. I think that is a terrific idea. In my dream world the corridor should extend from Monterey to Reno. It would require an act of the legislature to expand the range of the train, though.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy