How would advertising big wigs launch a campaign to tout high speed rail in 1965? First, start with a meeting underscored with a jazzy record and bolstered with some fine spirits. Then, thing of the most anti-feminist angle possible (as in, ladies, don't worry about all those knobs and buttons in a car, be passive while riding a train!). Then scoff at predictions the price of gas could exceed a buck forty years out. In fact, scoff at the stupidity of even having to pitch the idea of high speed rail, since the idea should be selling itself. more ›

It's only been a few months since Los Angeles' historic Union Station was sold to a Texas company, but today the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) today announced they have successfully negotiated the purchase of the transit hub property to the tune of $75 million. more ›

The birthplace of cruising and Grease-like fascination for all things with four-wheeled, Los Angeles has become synonymous with its cars and freeways. But what if the roads could become a little less congested and the commute a little less frustrating? more ›

The plan calls for $53 billion in funding for new and existing rail projects over the next six years with $8 billion marked specifically for high-speed rail. But don't go selling your car just yet, 2012 is the earliest that work would begin in California... on a line connecting Fresno and Merced. more ›

In a unanimously vote on Monday, officials decided to nearly double in length the first segment of California’s planned high-speed rail line to curb concern that the initial route would not reach major population centers in the Central Valley, reports The Signal. At an additional cost of $616 million in federal funding, the rail segment will now be extended to Bakersfield. more ›

Sorry, Wisconsin and Ohio! If you don't want those federal funds for high-speed rail (HSR) projects, well, California will be more than happy to those bucks off your hands. Today Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced he will redirect about $1.2 billion to the states who have large HSR projects, including California, according to Time. Our state, along with Florida, will get the lion's share of the funds, up to $624 million to the Golden State alone. more ›

As expected, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board approved a 65-mile section in the Central Valley as the first leg in the state's massive project, according to LA Now. However, the remote location, and the fact that the line would not actually run trains until more segments of the system are built, have some calling this a train to nowhere. more ›

As Angelenos, we complain about LA traffic and talk regularly about a future with fast, affordable mass transit. We encourage carpooling, bicycling, ridesharing, walking. Yet, when it comes to ditching our cars in favor of a high-speed rail system that could help alleviate many of our daily (and environmental) concerns, are we all talk or is LA ready to embrace a solution? more ›

Federal officials today told California that it wants the $4.3 billion it has given to the state for high speed rail to be spent in one of two Central Valley segments -- either the Merced-to-Fresno or the Fresno-to-Bakersfield portion of the $43 billion project. more ›

Before Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger leaves office this year, he'd like to leave a legacy and one that isn't poisoned by that "deficit" word. Too late on that one. He could, however, leave somewhat of a mark on the development of high speed rail. At the very least, he's trying really hard. more ›

Officials with California's High Speed Rail Authority recently held community open houses for the L.A. to Antelope Valley section of the route to give updates on the project. Station locations, otherwise known as alternatives, under consideration basically remain the same as before with two in Burbank at the downtown Metrolink station or at San Fernando Blvd. and Ontario St. and three others in the northeast Valley. Only one is expected to be chosen. But when will a decision finally be made? Probably a year from now. The state budget mess means the rail authority cannot begin environmental-impact work until money is approved, according to the Burbank Leader. At this point, those reports are expected to be finished sometime next Summer. more ›

Residents in some San Gabriel Valley cities are voicing opposition to a high speed rail route that could cut through their communities near the 60 or 10 Freeways, according to the Star-News. more ›

With recently-released proposals showing where tracks could be placed throughout Los Angeles as part of California's high speed rail project, some residents and environmental groups are ready to fight at least one possible route. That's because it could temporarily shut down Los Angeles State Historic Park, one of the few green spaces around downtown, for several years, according to the Downtown News. more ›

The Board overseeing California's 800-mile high speed rail project are scheduled to meet next week and hear reports on possible station locations in the San Fernando Valley. One of the four will eventually be chosen, according to the Glendale News-Press. They are: near the Burbank Airport, in the city of San Fernando, near the Tujunga Wash at Branford Street and near the Pacoima Wash. Specific details are expected to be posted on July 7th or 8th, just prior to the Los Angeles-based meeting (.pdf), according to a high speed rail spokesperson. more ›

The plan in Congress was to put aside $4 billion for high speed rail in 2011 federal appropriations, but it's been cut by 62%, down to $2.5 billion. Tomorrow, a group of Southern California leaders are coming together to rally for that funding restoration. more ›

Earlier plans for the California's High Speed Rail called for two stations in the San Fernando Valley -- one in Sylmar and another in Glendale or Burbank. At first, HSR planners were looking at station locations in downtown Burbank, but city officials there balked, wanting consideration of a station at Burbank Airport. Now it appears planners are all about that airport station as the only station in the Valley, reported the Burbank Leader last week. The news left HSR blogger Robert Cruickshank with many questions, including this one: "Is Burbank Airport equipped to handle the ridership that HSR might bring?" He also noted that the Valley, "with a population of 1.76 million, would seem capable of supporting two stations." more ›

First there was the DesertXpress--the proposed high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the SoCal hub of all things connected and happening, Victorville. Then the X-Train emerged on the scene, offering future riders a "party" experience to Sin City, including on-board drinks and gaming. more ›

Still want to wait for the "hurry-up" of the high-speed rail line to Vegas? The Las Vegas Railway Express says they can have trains running from Southern California to Vegas as soon as mid-2011, according to the Las Vegas Sun. Their X-Train will run from Los Angeles' Union Station to an as-yet unspecified terminus in Sin City. more ›

Following Metro's "big-time" unhappiness with high speed rail plans between Anaheim and Union Station in downtown Los Angeles, the rail authority board today voted to take a second look at one of the previously-scrapped routes. At issue was the pushed-aside idea of sharing track used by Metrolink and Amtrak instead of using $2 billion build a new route, which would include condemning hundreds of private properties and razing homes. Now both approaches will be considered. The L.A. to Anaheim segment is expected to be one of the first to open. In all, the first 500-mile system would connect L.A. and San Francisco in under three hours. more ›

One of the first segments to be built in California' 800-mile high speed rail network is the small Los Angeles to Anaheim segment, which is expected to see trains every five minutes. But as with anything in a first-of-its-kind project of this magnitude... more ›

The Infrastructurist today points out a nice historical post on Progressive Fix, which tells us there was a time when we led the world in high speed rail. But that was before we went interstate highway-crazy: "In the period between 1935 and 1950, the 10 fastest scheduled passenger trains in the world were all U.S. streamliners… To operate the Shinkansen, or 'New Trunk Line,' between Tokyo and Osaka, Sogo actively imported technology from America... Remarkably, the U.S. government gave Japan foreign aid - money purportedly going to an underdeveloped country - to build a rail infrastructure far superior to our own." Maybe Japan, with its super fast bullet trains, can lend us a helping hand in return? more ›

Burbank officials are at odds with planners of the California High Speed Rail Authority over station locations, finds the Glendale News Press. more ›

Local controversy over high speed rail has been more commonplace in the Bay Area, but some believe that as plans progress in Southern California for the L.A. to Anaheim segment, among others, we'll be hearing more about it. more ›

At today's official announcement of high speed rail funds given to various states, including here in California, in Tampa, Florida, President Barack Obama turned to train lover Vice President Joe Biden--he used to ride 250 miles a day--and asked, "Now, Joe, in terms of the high-speed rail here, do you have something specific to say?" more ›

The Obama Administration is set to award California with $2.35 billion in federal passenger rail stimulus funds today, with most all going towards high speed rail. The money is earmarked for four HSR segments--locally to the Los Angeles to Anaheim alignment--and for upgrades to the Pacific Surfliner route between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. more ›

On Monday, the state's Legislative Analyst’s Office released its report on California's planned $42.6-billion state high-speed rail network. Concerns included ridership, income, risk assessment and a backup plan in case ridership can't support operation. more ›

A big false alarm was rung late last week in the form of who was getting money for high speed rail projects around the country. Among the awardees was California, which requested around $4.5 billion for segments include Anaheim to Los Angeles. The source of the rumor was Florida Rep. John Mica who reportedly said his state was one of four to receive a sum of the $8 billion along with California, Texas and the Chicagoland area. more ›

Would you still buy a train ticket or just fly? more ›