The purpose of getting a train station for Amtrak and possibly other passenger trains at Donner Summit is three-fold:
1) Economic development, including ski resorts, current and future businesses, and
various types of overnight accommodations;
2) An alternative to Interstate 80;
3) Complete the Capitol Corridor passenger rail system (eventually to Reno/Sparks).

The eastbound and westbound California Zephyrs already pass through our area, and so does the Reno Fun Train. These are all Amtrak-related trains. The Capitol Corridor commuter trains will eventually go all the way to Reno, starting with two train sets per day, eventually increasing to four. Other future possibilities may include a ski train, one or more charter trains, and Union Pacific excursion trains. By the way, a siding right-of-way just east of the Soda Springs crossing and next to the double-track mainline still exists, and I believe the property is still in the hands of the railroad. Of course, in decades past, many passenger trains stopped in our area, as it was a prime destination point long ago.

I've spoken with representatives from Sugar Bowl, Soda Springs, and Royal Gorge ski resorts, and all have expressed interest in the station. Sugar Bowl, specifically Greg Murtha at the resort, has participated for several years in meetings with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, an agency set up to further the influence of the Capitol Corridor trains. There has been progress, and money spent, to a certain point, but an impasse has been reached for a couple of reasons.

The main reason nothing has happened recently is because Union Pacific has stated very clearly that they are absolutely not interested in adding either a siding or more capacity to their right-of-way for any passenger trains. They are currently building a new route through Reno which will increase their capacity for freight, not passenger, movement. Also, they are still recovering economically from two recent mergers that hit them pretty hard in the pocketbook. There's no extra money for anything other than freight development.

Another reason is that funding for Amtrak is not on the Bush priority list. In fact, the Bush administration's latest proposal was to deny Amtrak any money for the current fiscal year, a strategy that ultimately failed. This yearly uncertainty, however, has spooked Union Pacific even more, and has left Amtrak with very little money for even basic maintenance.

The only way this will get off the ground is by a concerted effort from our group, the area's businesses, and support from state and local politicians. It would also help to have an Amtrak-friendly federal administration. California is one of only two regions where passenger railroading is doing relatively well, and that's a very positive aspect for realizing a station at Soda Springs. However, at this point in time, we're playing a waiting game. Money talks.

Stay tuned. As Jeanne and I progress to moving up to the area permanently, I'll be spending more and more time on this issue. Please call or e-mail me with any comments.

Thanks,

Tom Appelbaum
(510) 816-7720
appelbaums@aol.com