Californians for Electric Rail
@calelectricrail.org
Bringing together transit riders, environmentalists, and union members for fast, clean, safe catenary electric regional, intercity, and freight rail in California. #CatenaryNow #ElectrifyMetrolink
Pinned
Funding is a major, underappreciated contributor to the high construction costs and long timelines that hold back electrification. In our new policy paper, Against Patchwork Funding, we propose a smarter way to fund rail: Multi-year Investment Frameworks. 🧵 calelectricrail.org/against-patc...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Meanwhile, '3rd world' India has almost electrified all of its vast network in record time. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railway...
Over 99% electrification of Indian Railways network complete
Indian Railways Electrification: The Indian Railways has completed over 99% electrification of its broad-gauge network, with a significant push towards renewable energy, including rooftop solar panels...
infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Meanwhile, '3rd world' India has almost electrified all of its vast network in record time. infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/railway...
More and more cities are waking up to modern regional rail! With through-running and electrification, cities can serve urban and suburban transit needs alike - improving access, reducing driving, and creating a greener future. #Electrolink
This idea is so gosh darn out there... it just might work! "Crosstowners: Regional rail for Chicagoland"
yard-social.com/crosstowners/ @starlinechicago.bsky.social
yard-social.com/crosstowners/ @starlinechicago.bsky.social
CrossTowners
CrossTowners, or “regional rail”, are a vision to unlock Chicagoland by using our existing passenger rail infrastructure more efficiently for all-day service.
yard-social.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:05 PM
More and more cities are waking up to modern regional rail! With through-running and electrification, cities can serve urban and suburban transit needs alike - improving access, reducing driving, and creating a greener future. #Electrolink
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
the Surfliner between LA and SD has been packed every single time I’ve taken it, kinda insane that in the year 2025 it has not been converted to electric rail with all of the tracks owned by Caltrans yet but what do eye know- I’m not an urban planner
November 7, 2025 at 11:39 PM
the Surfliner between LA and SD has been packed every single time I’ve taken it, kinda insane that in the year 2025 it has not been converted to electric rail with all of the tracks owned by Caltrans yet but what do eye know- I’m not an urban planner
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Another argument for high speed rail: a hedge against government shutdowns impacting air traffic.
Thousands of flights across the U.S. are set to be canceled. Here's a list of 40 affected airports and what you need to know. 🔗 on.wsj.com/3LsYeYz
November 6, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Another argument for high speed rail: a hedge against government shutdowns impacting air traffic.
Read more for how Electrolink - electrification, level boarding, and through-running - would transform Southern California!
Momentum is gaining momentum. The railroad infrastructure framework developed by @ndhapple.bsky.social has gone bicoastal.
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Read more for how Electrolink - electrification, level boarding, and through-running - would transform Southern California!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
This is a great piece on efforts to envision a truly transformational regional rail system for So Cal. Looks at all these publicly-owned tracks! We should have have 15 minute peak service running under overhead wires powered by 100% renewable energy.
November 6, 2025 at 12:03 AM
This is a great piece on efforts to envision a truly transformational regional rail system for So Cal. Looks at all these publicly-owned tracks! We should have have 15 minute peak service running under overhead wires powered by 100% renewable energy.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Crazy that there's no statewide agency that would look at the success of Caltrain and just copy that model for Metrolink and the Coaster.
Caltrain popularity among riders at all time high: https://blog.bayareametro.gov/posts/caltrain-popularity-among-riders-all-time-high!
Caltrain popularity among riders at all time high
Caltrain released the results of its 2025 customer satisfaction survey last week, with the rail agency receiving a record high satisfaction rating of 4.41 out of 5, up from 4.02 in 2024.
blog.bayareametro.gov
November 5, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Crazy that there's no statewide agency that would look at the success of Caltrain and just copy that model for Metrolink and the Coaster.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Is there anything that Caltrain did recently that might be instructive to other agencies? Something about wires?
Caltrain popularity among riders at all time high: https://blog.bayareametro.gov/posts/caltrain-popularity-among-riders-all-time-high!
Caltrain popularity among riders at all time high
Caltrain released the results of its 2025 customer satisfaction survey last week, with the rail agency receiving a record high satisfaction rating of 4.41 out of 5, up from 4.02 in 2024.
blog.bayareametro.gov
November 5, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Is there anything that Caltrain did recently that might be instructive to other agencies? Something about wires?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Forget hydrogen or batteries. Just electrify trains like the rest of the world, with simple overhead line that allows efficient engines to pull power direct from source.
Congrats to @caltrain.com, where newly electrified trains are delivering vastly improved service - and rave reviews!
Congrats to @caltrain.com, where newly electrified trains are delivering vastly improved service - and rave reviews!
We love good news! 🤭
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain | Caltrain
2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey shows widespread exuberance over electric service
www.caltrain.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Forget hydrogen or batteries. Just electrify trains like the rest of the world, with simple overhead line that allows efficient engines to pull power direct from source.
Congrats to @caltrain.com, where newly electrified trains are delivering vastly improved service - and rave reviews!
Congrats to @caltrain.com, where newly electrified trains are delivering vastly improved service - and rave reviews!
You paying attention, Metrolink, NCTD, CalSTA?
We love good news! 🤭
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain | Caltrain
2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey shows widespread exuberance over electric service
www.caltrain.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
You paying attention, Metrolink, NCTD, CalSTA?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Caltrain's electric trains run faster and smoother - and people LOVE it. Make service better, and riders will come, which means more people will vote to support transit.
We love good news! 🤭
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain! Read more: https://www.caltrain.com/news/survey-says-riders-love-caltrain.
Survey Says: Riders Love Caltrain | Caltrain
2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey shows widespread exuberance over electric service
www.caltrain.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Caltrain's electric trains run faster and smoother - and people LOVE it. Make service better, and riders will come, which means more people will vote to support transit.
Utah's UTA is state-managed, funded by 5-year investment frameworks, and uses service-led planning. It's no wonder FrontRunner has plans for electrification while Metrolink and LOSSAN are still avoiding the issue, despite serving more people. rideuta.legistar.com/LegislationD...
November 5, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Utah's UTA is state-managed, funded by 5-year investment frameworks, and uses service-led planning. It's no wonder FrontRunner has plans for electrification while Metrolink and LOSSAN are still avoiding the issue, despite serving more people. rideuta.legistar.com/LegislationD...
New Mineta Institute report on CA High-Speed Rail explains that CAHSR was given certain "superpowers", but lack of special powers on eminent domain or 3rd party permits slow the project. CAHSR needs to be empowered to finish faster - but imagine if Metrolink had even CAHSR's powers?
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 AM
New Mineta Institute report on CA High-Speed Rail explains that CAHSR was given certain "superpowers", but lack of special powers on eminent domain or 3rd party permits slow the project. CAHSR needs to be empowered to finish faster - but imagine if Metrolink had even CAHSR's powers?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
California as part of growing state capacity and standardization across the mainline rail network should produce a document like this. Standard stations is an easy win. Right now there’s no standardization between the operators
www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/u...
www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/u...
www.networkrail.co.uk
November 2, 2025 at 6:53 PM
California as part of growing state capacity and standardization across the mainline rail network should produce a document like this. Standard stations is an easy win. Right now there’s no standardization between the operators
www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/u...
www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
This is the kind of small-bore stuff LA desperately needs.
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:35 PM
This is the kind of small-bore stuff LA desperately needs.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
It made a huge difference for Caltrain in the Bay Area. It can do the same for Metrolink in SoCal. Let's go!
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
It made a huge difference for Caltrain in the Bay Area. It can do the same for Metrolink in SoCal. Let's go!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Time for Electrolink, Southern California 🚆
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Electrification and level boarding "on the San Bernardino Line, the journey from San Bernardino to LA would go from 106 minutes to 70 minutes."
via @benschneider.bsky.social
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Momentum is gaining momentum. The railroad infrastructure framework developed by @ndhapple.bsky.social has gone bicoastal.
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
How Southern California would benefit from electric trains
Electrification and level boarding platforms can significantly improve rail travel on the west coast, too.
benjaminschneider.substack.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Momentum is gaining momentum. The railroad infrastructure framework developed by @ndhapple.bsky.social has gone bicoastal.
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
A new report from @calelectricrail.org shows how level boarding and electrified trains would transform transportation in SoCal.
benjaminschneider.substack.com/p/how-southe...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Sounds like Caltrans should've built this
COMPLETE: Avenue 17 Grade Separation
📍Madera County
The grade separation will:
🤝Serve as a new through roadway improving east-west mobility for the community
🚑Reduce emergency response times
🚅Take traffic & pedestrians over BNSF & future HSR tracks
bit.ly/4qBg4so
📍Madera County
The grade separation will:
🤝Serve as a new through roadway improving east-west mobility for the community
🚑Reduce emergency response times
🚅Take traffic & pedestrians over BNSF & future HSR tracks
bit.ly/4qBg4so
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Sounds like Caltrans should've built this
If Illinois can do it, why not California? Will 2026 be the year we embrace regional governance for regional rail, service-led planning, streamlined capital funding, and more?
Exciting to see electeds in Illinois embrace 1) revenue for transit ops 2) governance reform 3) regional network management 4) service led planning 5) streamlining project delivery of new transit infrastructure wrt 3rd parties 6) cost benefit analyses and 7) framework agreements for capital projects
So not only does the massive transit package passed last night fill the funding gap, it *boosts* ops funding by roughly the size of the gap, eliminates parking minimums within a half mile of rail stations, and gives the new regional transit board sweeping powers to do public development
October 31, 2025 at 6:25 PM
If Illinois can do it, why not California? Will 2026 be the year we embrace regional governance for regional rail, service-led planning, streamlined capital funding, and more?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Exciting to see electeds in Illinois embrace 1) revenue for transit ops 2) governance reform 3) regional network management 4) service led planning 5) streamlining project delivery of new transit infrastructure wrt 3rd parties 6) cost benefit analyses and 7) framework agreements for capital projects
So not only does the massive transit package passed last night fill the funding gap, it *boosts* ops funding by roughly the size of the gap, eliminates parking minimums within a half mile of rail stations, and gives the new regional transit board sweeping powers to do public development
Crain’s is good about revenue sources and splits
www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/tra...
I believe the parts not discussed above (parking reform, land development authority, etc.) are largely retained from May
www.chicagobusiness.com/politics/tra...
I believe the parts not discussed above (parking reform, land development authority, etc.) are largely retained from May
October 31, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Exciting to see electeds in Illinois embrace 1) revenue for transit ops 2) governance reform 3) regional network management 4) service led planning 5) streamlining project delivery of new transit infrastructure wrt 3rd parties 6) cost benefit analyses and 7) framework agreements for capital projects
Level boarding can be done! Time to plan and fund for statewide level boarding for faster, more accessible trains #Electrolink
Here's a video of the impossible. The UP Express has high platforms and level boarding for passengers. That is supposed make it impossible for mainline North American freight trains to pass. And yet, as this shows, CN freight trains roll past the high platform at Weston multiple times per week.
October 30, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Level boarding can be done! Time to plan and fund for statewide level boarding for faster, more accessible trains #Electrolink
Brightline West's construction costs have nearly doubled, and they are now asking for $6B new federal funding. Construction costs are a complex issue that needs systemic reform. Private ownership or using existing ROW are not a silver bullet for low costs. www.eenews.net/articles/wes...
Western high-speed rail line asks Trump for $6B as costs balloon
The project aims to connect Las Vegas and Southern California. Trains along the route are expected to hit speeds up to 200 mph.
www.eenews.net
October 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Brightline West's construction costs have nearly doubled, and they are now asking for $6B new federal funding. Construction costs are a complex issue that needs systemic reform. Private ownership or using existing ROW are not a silver bullet for low costs. www.eenews.net/articles/wes...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Metrolink's hyperlocal governance is undemocratic. As a Riverside resident, all the capital projects that improve service for me are in other counties. I can't vote out the people making the decisions on these projects and they have no incentive to listen to me.
October 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Metrolink's hyperlocal governance is undemocratic. As a Riverside resident, all the capital projects that improve service for me are in other counties. I can't vote out the people making the decisions on these projects and they have no incentive to listen to me.