California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

2007-08 – 2017-18 California State Rail Planbetween profit and capacity. An ongoing subsidy may be necessary tomanage, market and operate the service.• There must be inland intermodal freight and transload facilities that can beeasily accessed and served by rail and trucks, close to where shippers haveexisting operations.• Operation of night trains for shippers is crucial; it would allow for extendedcutoff times and make it easier to load trains.EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFUL SHORT HAUL INTERMODAL RAILSERVICEQuincy, Washington Rail Transload FacilityThis project created a transload facility where trucks and containers can be loadedon and off railcars. A 400-acre staging area for trains and trucks to transload theircargos was constructed, including double-stack train staging tracks, paving,fencing, lighting, and security. Construction was completed in April 2005 andwas funded with $2 million in new and used vehicle sales tax monies and$3 million in federal funds.Virginia Inland Port (VIP)The VIP offers all services one would expect at a well-run port terminal; domesticand international train service six days a week provided by Class I railroadNorfolk Southern (NS), handling and warehousing, U.S. Customs, flexibleoperating hours and a chassis pool. The VIP provides an interface between truckand rail for the transport of ocean-going containers to and from The Port ofVirginia. Containers arriving from Hampton Roads seaport terminals are railed tothe VIP and then dispatched by truck to inland destinations. The current facilityhas some 40 acres of pavement, 17,820 feet of rail track and is located 220 milesinland from the Port of Virginia, which is comprised of the Ports of NewportNews, Norfolk International and Portsmouth Marine Terminals.Short haul rail shuttle service between the San Francisco Bay Area andSan Joaquin Valley would greatly reduce truck trips over the Altamont Pass.Truck trips would also be reduced in the I5 and Highway 99 corridor betweenStockton and Bakersfield. The two Class I railroads have been approached atdifferent times with short haul proposals but as of yet have not offered toparticipate in any service. Similar short haul rail shuttle service has also beendiscussed with regard to the Inland Empire of Southern California but as of yetthere is no service.The primary issue is length of haul. The distance at which the economics becomefavorable for the large railroads is approximately 500 miles. Without a subsidy,short haul freight is not economically feasible for Class I railroads. Withincreasing congestion occurring in California the economics of short haul rail inthe State may be on the horizon.234