Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 12h

Another reason for Metrolink to electrify: their renewable diesel fleet isn't actually reducing emissions. #ElectrifyMetrolink

T&E @transportenvironment.org · 4d

NEW: Biofuels globally emit more than the fossil fuels they replace, our latest study shows.

The first-of-a-kind study looks at global biofuels production today and the potential impacts of government biofuel targets.
🧵⤵️

8 32

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

Hydrogen rail is not the answer for the Sprinter. With the need for equipment, the Sprinter should be modernized and electrified instead of rolling out unproven, polluting hydrogen trains. thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

1 5 61

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Andrew Allio @andrewallio.bsky.social · 5d

11 billion is just a little under half the amount needed to get High Speed Rail out of the Central Valley and into the Bay Area, transforming mobility in the state.

Or we can spend it so that people can drive from the booming metropolises of Novato and Vallejo.

Tough call.

Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · 5d

The entire proposed Highway 37 Solano-Marin super bridge is estimated to cost $11 billion, all to replace an existing road between a couple of suburbs. And it's proposed at 114 feet wide.

For comparison, the Golden Gate Bridge is 90 feet wide.

Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · 5d

Caltrans has released a cross section for the ultimate (raised viaduct) version of SR-37.

Now maybe I'm just being paranoid, but if you were building a road that you planned to keep at 4 lanes wide, I don't think it would look like this.

6 36

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 3d

Electrifying the Coaster would make an Oceanside-San Diego trip 45 minutes, competitive with driving cutting 25% off the travel time. But LOSSAN and CalSTA want to run slow, unreliable hydrogen trains instead! calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...

Bar chart showing Average Driving Time, Current Metrolink (Coaster) Time, and Electrolink time for the Coaster from Oceanside to Santa Fe Depot. Average driving time is 45 min, the Coaster is 61 minutes, and the time with Electrolink would be 45 minutes

1 10 35

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Assemblymember Diane Papan @asmdianepapan.bsky.social · 4d

Celebrating a great win and my bill to help @caltrain.com financially benefit from the dynamic regenerative braking technology on the new electric trainsets feeding power back to the grid. @pencleanenergy.bsky.social www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco...

Caltrain getting paid as electrified trains give back to the grid

Caltrain's new all-electrified trains are doing more than just carrying passengers up and down the Peninsula and eliminating diesel exhaust. The trains are giving electricity back to the grid, and the...

www.cbsnews.com

4 13 65

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

This one highway costs twice as much as electrifying and speeding up Caltrain between Gilroy and San Jose to bring high-speed rail to the Bay Area. Where are our priorities??

1 2 29

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

This one highway is projected to cost 85% of what CA has spent on high-speed rail over 15 years and hundreds of miles. If we can afford this, we can afford high-speed rail.

Alfred Twu @alfredtwu.com · 5d

The entire proposed Highway 37 Solano-Marin super bridge is estimated to cost $11 billion, all to replace an existing road between a couple of suburbs. And it's proposed at 114 feet wide.

For comparison, the Golden Gate Bridge is 90 feet wide.

Warren Wells, AICP @warrenjwells.bsky.social · 5d

Caltrans has released a cross section for the ultimate (raised viaduct) version of SR-37.

Now maybe I'm just being paranoid, but if you were building a road that you planned to keep at 4 lanes wide, I don't think it would look like this.

4 32 120

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

Yes!!

Eric the Red @realeric4real.bsky.social · 4d

Even then, didn’t the Germans find them inadequate for low frequency lines and switched those to battery electrics with partial ocs?

1 7

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

Hydrogen trains are most cost-effective at low levels of service, and Germany rolled them out on low-frequency rural lines. But the Sprinter runs every 30 minutes and serves hundreds of thousands. Electrification leads to service improvements, but will hydrogen trains lead to service cuts?

RideSD @ridesd.org · 5d

Electrify the Sprinter!

thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

1 3 13

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Seamless Bay Area @seamlessbayareaca.bsky.social · 4d

Looking forward to the Governor signing SB63 to enable voters to support continued Caltrain service to keep that ridership increase going!

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 14d

@caltrain.com just celebrated one year of fully electrified train service in the Bay Area — with surging ridership and faster, more frequent services.

California is driving our clean tech dominance forward and laying the groundwork to hook up to our @cahsra.bsky.social high-speed rail.

Caltrain @caltrain.com · 20d

“Today we celebrate one year of electrified Caltrain – using clean technology to connect more communities and economies throughout our state while laying crucial groundwork for high-speed rail.” (1/2)

Thank you Governor Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) for your support & celebrating one year!

1 22

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

Fuel shortages have caused major service disruptions on hydrogen trains in Germany. ARCHES, CA's hydrogen hub, is behind CA's hydrogen train push and was supposed to fix this. With ARCHES defunded, will riders see similar disruptions on trains they rely on every day? www.trains.com/pro/mechanic...

German hydrogen trains experience problems - Trains

Germany has more hydrogen-powered trains in use than any other country, but regular operation has been hit by snags leading to the temporary replacement of the largest fleet by older diesel trains. In...

www.trains.com

1 5

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 4d

Trump is trying his hardest to make hydrogen expensive and hard to get, but California is still doubling down on hydrogen trains, now on the Sprinter and Surfliner. If only there was zero-emissions rail tech out there with an already developed power supply chain!

... oh wait there is, electric rail

Emily Pontecorvo @emilypont.bsky.social · 5d

Some additional info on the new list of axed DOE projects circulating.
- All 7 H2 Hubs
- All 13 IRA grants to convert at-risk auto plants to EV mfg
- 11 of 15 grants to speed domestic clean energy mfg in former coal communities
- 10 of 38 grants for battery materials
heatmap.news/politics/doe...

Trump to Axe All 7 Hydrogen Hubs, Bucking Bipartisan Law

A new list of Department of Energy grants slated for termination will hit clean energy and oil majors alike, including Exxon and Chevron.

heatmap.news

2 5 27

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

RideSD @ridesd.org · 5d

Electrify the Sprinter!

thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

1 2 17

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Carter Rubin @carterrubin.com · 5d

Really nice and super clearly written argument for electric rail from @narayangopinathan.bsky.social

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

Hydrogen rail is not the answer for the Sprinter. With the need for equipment, the Sprinter should be modernized and electrified instead of rolling out unproven, polluting hydrogen trains. thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

2 2 10

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

narayangopinathan.bsky.social @narayangopinathan.bsky.social · 5d

I wrote a thing!

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

Hydrogen rail is not the answer for the Sprinter. With the need for equipment, the Sprinter should be modernized and electrified instead of rolling out unproven, polluting hydrogen trains. thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

1 8

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 5d

Pretty incredible that California policymakers would rather build essential infrastructure using expensive and polluting technology when there's a cheaper, cleaner and far more widely adopted technology whose only downside are overhead wires that upset the only weirdest and dumbest people on Earth.

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

Hydrogen rail is not the answer for the Sprinter. With the need for equipment, the Sprinter should be modernized and electrified instead of rolling out unproven, polluting hydrogen trains. thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

4 9 74

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

Hydrogen rail is not the answer for the Sprinter. With the need for equipment, the Sprinter should be modernized and electrified instead of rolling out unproven, polluting hydrogen trains. thecoastnews.com/hydrogen-rai...

Commentary: Hydrogen rail not the answer | The Coast News Group

The Coast News recently reported that NCTD plans to pilot hydrogen trains for the Sprinter. However, hydrogen is not as great as it seems.

thecoastnews.com

1 5 61

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5d

calelectricrail.org/against-patc...

Against Patchwork Funding: How Multi-Year Investment Frameworks Can Deliver Rail Service Infrastructure Cheaper and Faster
Californians for Electric Rail, June 2025

Image shows a dollar bill on a train track being cut into tiny pieces

5 27

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Railfan & Railroad Magazine @railfanandrailroad.bsky.social · 6d

A proposal is being floated to revive the isolated Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad in northeastern Arizona for tourist operations railfan.com/potential-bl...

Potential Black Mesa & Lake Powell Tourist Revival

Another proposal is being floated to revive the isolated Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad in northeastern Arizona for tourist operations.

railfan.com

2 7 43

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 9d

The Antelope Valley Line has the closest to real all-day service. The San Bernardino Line has more mid-day service but still very constrained hours. Ultimately we want to see truly all-day, 15 min service on all lines, but the latest schedules are a step in the right direction.

2

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 9d

Metrolink has already implemented all-day service with pulsed scheduling, and is now up to 71% ridership recovery. But Metrolink must follow Metra's lead in other ways through consolidation of governance and electrification.

Alex Wenzel @alexwenzel.bsky.social · 9d

Wonderful news. I grew up a block from a Metra station. My dad commuted downtown every day, so did many of my friends' parents. But the era of the 5-day/week same-time commuter is over and Metra has to meet people's actual needs now if it's going to grow past ~30% post-2020 ridership recovery.

The bill also lays groundwork for transforming Metra from rush-hour commuter service into true regional rail—running all day, in all directions, serving everyone. It creates a planning body to coordinate trains, buses, and local transit statewide. And it stabilizes funding for transit agencies facing a fiscal cliff that would otherwise force brutal service cuts starting January 2026.

1 21

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 9d

Illinois' transit reform bill not only combats the fiscal cliff, it consolidates regional transit governance, institutes service-led planning and multi-year investment frameworks, and pushes Metra towards regional rail service. When will California follow suit? www.hsrail.org/blog/illinoi...

Illinois Transit Bill Could Deliver the First Real Money for Intercity Rail | High Speed Rail Alliance

HB3438 funds intercity rail, secures transit, and begins Metra’s shift to regional rail—building a connected future for Illinois.

www.hsrail.org

1 42

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 9d

Unfortunately this webinar has been postponed as one of our panelists is unable to serve due to the government shutdown. We'll keep you updated with the new date and time.

1 4

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 9d

Unfortunately this webinar has been postponed as one of our panelists is unable to serve due to the government shutdown. We'll keep you updated with the new date and time.

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 10d

Join us next Wednesday for a webinar with @seamlessbayareaca.bsky.social and @publicenterprise.bsky.social to learn how the shape, type and speed of investment can improve service outcomes and affordability for transit and passenger rail projects. actionnetwork.org/events/trans...

Full Steam Ahead: Funding Transformational Transit

Transit and passenger rail investment in the United States struggles for adequate investment. Despite some improvements in top line figures for transit and passenger rail, federal and state transporta...

actionnetwork.org

2 7

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 14d

@caltrain.com just celebrated one year of fully electrified train service in the Bay Area — with surging ridership and faster, more frequent services.

California is driving our clean tech dominance forward and laying the groundwork to hook up to our @cahsra.bsky.social high-speed rail.

Caltrain @caltrain.com · 20d

“Today we celebrate one year of electrified Caltrain – using clean technology to connect more communities and economies throughout our state while laying crucial groundwork for high-speed rail.” (1/2)

Thank you Governor Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) for your support & celebrating one year!

Governor Gavin Newsom speaking behind Caltrain podium

49 250 1.5K