California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
both freight and passenger services. The cost of these improvements may be
borne by the passenger operator or can be shared.
Freight railroads and various public agencies have entered into negotiations for the
use of freight rail lines for commuter and intercity passenger services. Some of
the freight railroads sold their lines to the passenger operators but retained the
rights to provide freight services on them. In California, shared use of ROW
includes:
• State-sponsored Amtrak intercity services: Pacific Surfliner Route,
San Joaquin Route, and Capitol Corridor.
• The Southern California Metrolink commuter rail system.
• The San Diego County Coaster commuter rail system.
• The Caltrain commuter rail system in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• The Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) rail system.
In recent years, ridership and train service has increased on all commuter and
intercity rail lines in California. Passenger operators have plans for adding more
trains over the next several years. In some cases, capacity has proven insufficient
to handle existing levels of both freight and passenger service, particularly in
metropolitan areas with substantial freight and passenger traffic. For example, in
2004, Metrolink trains operated on time 95 percent of the time on Metrolink
controlled trackage. On the tracks owned by UP and BNSF, Metrolink trains
operated on time 70 to 85 percent of the time.
Freight interference causes major operating problems for Metrolink especially on
UP's Los Angeles Subdivision between Riverside and Los Angeles. Heavy UP
port rail traffic results in Metrolink trains operating late almost on a daily basis.
Heavy BNSF port rail traffic on their San Bernardino Subdivision between
Los Angeles and San Bernardino also causes delays for Metrolink trains.
JOINT DISPATCHING OF FREIGHT OPERATIONS
In California, five Class I rail segments have joint freight train operations.
Three segments are owned and dispatched by the UP:
• The UP Sacramento and Canyon Subdivisions between Stockton and the
Nevada State Line via Sacramento and the Feather River Canyon.
• The UP Martinez and Roseville Subdivisions between Oakland and the
Nevada State Line via Donner Summit.
• The UP Mojave Subdivision between Bakersfield and Mojave.
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