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MUST READ LETTER, PART TWO by ED SAALIG, PRS DIRECTOR

I have some good news to report since my last LETTER. On the recommendation of Steve Crise, an outstanding bookkeeper was hired to bring our financial accounting up to date. I'm happy to say ALL outstanding checks have been October 31, 2014. We are still working with her on streamlining our accounting system but all accounts have been updated. I'm sorry to say that Richard Weigle, Treasurer has resigned, therefore, his position will be open to the membership. If interested please contact Virginia Grupp, President. Because of time conflicts Richard has found it necessary to resign. We all thank him for his many years of service to the PRS. With our books in order Marti Ann and the Excursion Committee will be able to keep the National Forum running for the foreseeable future. Will Walters is in the process of finding some outstanding homes for our rolling stock. As difficult as it is to part with these cars, I believe the Board is excited in knowing that they will go to good homes. OERM has expressed a high degree of interest in our Santa Fe RDC car and have assured us that restoration will begin at once if an agreement is reached. They have indicated they are already in the process of obtaining missing parts for the car. They see this car as "highly desirable" and want to preserve it for future generations. We should have some agreements reached within the next two months.

Our Museum Committee reports that donations and sales continue to range between $400 and $900 per month. This has all come about because of the countless hours that David Housh and the Museum Committee have volunteered. This has helped our financial situation very much. A special "Thank You" goes to Steve Crise for cleaning out and condensing one of our storage units. The money saved in rent will almost pay for the monthly utility bills at the Museum.

Charles Varnes is our new editor of Wheel Clicks. We can not thank Dick Finley enough for the years he served. Dick has been worth his weight in gold to the PRS. Good news is he still will be hosting the monthly mailing parties at his home. In future issues you will see more reports from your PRS committees and directors.

With all this good news there is still some sad news to report. We have received no response for help since the last Wheel Clicks. All of our committees need YOU to help them. If the PRS is to continue to grow we need your help. Please donate your time. and please sign up for the Excursion to San Diego on Saturday, December 20 and our annual Christmas Dinner on Saturday, December 13. Ed Saalig Director, Pacific Railroad Society

GOLD LINE AN ECONOMIC CATALYST FOR THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY: GUEST COMMENTARY

by HABIB F. BALIAN When a transportation infrastructure project as robust as the

Foothill Gold Line is discussed, it's usually in terms of improving mobility certainly a major need in the semi-regular traffic jam that is Southern California.

Too often lost but not forgotten by planners, economists and the business community — is the economic impact an investment such as this will have on our region as a whole.

Throughout the San Gabriel Valley, signs of this economic transformation can already be seen in the form of transit-oriented and related developments.

Last month, ground was broken on the Station Square Transit Village in Monrovia, the largest public works project in the city's history and a direct investment of more than $40 million into the local economy.

A month later, on Oct. 18, the Foothill Gold Line held a track completion ceremony a short walk from a two-story Target store in downtown Azusa one of several transit-oriented developments planned for that city. Recent months have seen Glendora and Pomona both moving forward with their own projects tied to next phase of the light rail line currently undergoing advanced design.

These and otherretail, housing and commercial developments will pump billions of dollars into the local economy. According to a study funded by the Federal Transit Administration, every public dollar invested in the Foothill Gold Line will return $43.50 in private investment and economic development.

Another study, by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, projected that construction of the Pasadena to Azusa phase alone would generate $930 million in direct and indirect business revenues, create 6,900 jobs and result in $39 million in state income taxes, sales taxes and local fees.

The notion of transportation infrastructure as an economic engine is not a new one. Postwar investment in highways, rail lines and bridges created millions ofjobs, expanded our ability to move goods from one end of the continent to the other, and helped build the American middle class.

It's no coincidence that our major economic centers have, at their core, highly effective transportation networks. Even Los Angeles County, as maligned as we are for our congestion, is home to the world's largest, most sophisticated goods movement system and voter-approved, locally funded transit network in the state's and nation's history.

Economic conditions are more complicated now, but the broader impact of sound transportation investment has never

GOLD LINE >> Page 6

Wednesday December 6, 13, 20, 27 December 6, 13 20, 27 December 23 Tuesday

210 W. Bonita Ave.. San Dimas, CA 91773 PRM Open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. 210 W. Bonita Ave.. San Dimas, CA 91773 Saunders Yard Open Saturday, 8:30 a.m. — ? Noakes St. & Herbert Ave., Commerce January Wheel Clicks Mailing, 10:00 a.m. 1240 Dominion Ave., Pasadena. (626) 794-0783 Railroads-The Backbone of America

WHEEL CLICKS DECEMBER 2014 VOLUME 78, NO. 12

EDITOR. CHARLES VARNES MAILING COORDINATOR. DICK FINLEY MAILER. JOHN STALLKAMP

Opinions expressed in unsigned articles are those of the editorial board, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Society, its officers or directors. Opinions in signed articles are those of the author only. All rights reserved. ISSN: 0043-4744.

Published monthly by PACIFIC RAILROAD SOCIETY, INC. Address and telephone are the same as for Pacific Railroad Museum.

PARTICIPATING MEMBER. $45.00 per year SUSTAINING MEMBER $60.00 per year CORPORATE MEMBER. $110.00 per year LIFE MEMBER $500.00

PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM is operated by Pacific Railroad Society at 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773. Telephone: (909) 394-0616. Museum e-mail: PRSTrainman@aol.com Open Mondays: 12-5 p.m.; Wednesdays: 12-5 p.m.; Saturdays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. MUSEUM CURATOR DAVID HOUSH EXCURSION DIRECTOR MARTI ANN DRAPER WEBMASTER. RUSSELL HOMAN INTERNET Home Page: http://www. pacificrailroadsociety.org

Pacific Railroad Society, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (e)(3) social organization staffed by volunteers. The Society supports rail car preservation and restoration; railroad excursions; a museum which preserves and displays railroad literature, photos, artifacts and a resource library; railroad related education; social events; and publications. The public is welcome to participate in the Society's events, operations, and facilities. The Society is funded by membership, donations, grants, and fundraising activities.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PACIFIC RAILROAD SOCIETY, INC. PRESIDENT VIRGINIA GRUPP VICE-PRESIDENT. WILL WALTERS SECRETARY. RICK REYES TREASURER. VACANT DIRECTOR (2012-2015). DAVID ABBOTT DIRECTOR (2014-2017). STEVE CRISE DIRECTOR (2012-2015). MARTI ANN DRAPER DIRECTOR (2013-2016). ANDY NOVAK DIRECTOR (2014-2017). ED SAALIG

Starting November 5, 2014, the meeting of the PRS Board of Directors moved to the Pacific Railroad Museum in San Dimas, California. The time and date are 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month.

PRS MEMBER MEETINGS December 1, 8, PRM Open Monday, 12:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. 15, 22, 29 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773 December 3, 10, PRM Open Wednesday, 12:00 a.m. — 5:00 17, 24, 31 210 W. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, CA 91773 December 3 PRS Board Meeting, West Room, 7:30 p.m.

PRS HOLIDAY BANQUET There is still room for you at our annual holiday event to be

held at Ruby's Diner Orange Depot on Saturday, December 13. The deadline to sign up is December 5, 2014. The depot is accessible for Metrolink patrons, please consult a current schedule for times. There will be door prizes and a railroad trivia quiz with a prize for the winner. The program will include a current video regarding restoration of the National Forum passenger car and a brief presentation on the new Arctic Transportation Center which is having its grand opening on the morning of December 13. You are urged to attend this event as well. If you haven't made your reservations, please email Larry Aandahl at coinreturngaol.com. We look forward to seeing you on the 13th.

FROM THE EDITOR — THE WHEEL CLICKS TRANSITION CONTINUES by CHARLES VARNES

The editor thanks those who offered helpful comments and suggestions following the publication ofthe November 2014 issue of Wheel Clicks. Several offers of help that were offered are appreciated.

The editor's vision for Wheel Clicks is to place PRS news and committee reports at the front of the publication, followed by articles and news items of interest to the organization's membership. The return to an eight-page issue is anticipated, also.

Photographs related to articles in Wheel Clicks will be included.

If you, a member, have an article, story, or photograph you wish to submit for publication, an email address will be available soon for that purpose. Watch for it in the January 2015 issue of Wheel Clicks. News items, articles or photographs for publication in Wheel Clicks may be mailed to Wheel Clicks at the Pacific Railroad Museum, 210 West Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA 91773, also.

PRS VOLUNTEERS PUT NATIONAL FORUM IN SHAPE On October 25, 2014, five PRS volunteers undertook the

renewal of the brake valves on the National Forum on the site of the former AT&SF Roundhouse at Amtrak's Maintenance Facility in preparation for a required periodic brake test and inspection. This involved swapping out some heavy equipment for newly outshopped replacements. Russell Homan, Chester Olson, Paul Petersen, Marti Ann Draper and Rob Markowitz did the transporting and lifting, carefully replacing the needed gaskets and fittings.

During the week commencing on November 8, the Forum underwent an extensive inspection which is required ofall private cars operating on Amtrak each ten years following its 40-year rebuild. This inspection was done at Amtrak's 8th Street Engine

DECEMBER 2014 3 WHEEL CLICKS

servicing facility, where the up to date facilities included jacks and drop tables which made removal of the trucks and inspection of them and above them relatively simple. The inspection pinpointed several maintenance items which need to be done to run the car, and helped us to know specific jobs to schedule.

We have an excellent crew of volunteers and we look forward to upcoming jobs to be done on the Forum in the next few weeks. Contact Excursion Director Marti Ann at prsexcursions@live.com if you would like to join in the effort!

Russell Homan and Marti Ann Draper inspect a control valve service portion before applying a new gasket and installing it onto the National Forum.

Marti Ann Draper, Paul Petersen, Chester Olsen and Rob Markowitz at the National Forum on October 25, 2014.

PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM DOINGS by DAVID HOUSH, Curator

It is my goal to keep our membership informed in this monthly article as to the happenings and needs at the Pacific Railroad Museum and Library. So here goes!

Your Museum had a busy month in October. 198 visitors signed in, and most opted for our guided tour. For a second consecutive month our Museum's on site donations and EBay sales approached $900.00. Your Museum is holding its own!

Several special docent led tours took place, one being for 51 members of the Southern California Railway Plaza Association. Member Tony Farst came over from his new home in Las Vegas

to help me out. Another tour was for a group of mentally challenged adults. Both of these tours were successful because we adapt our tour to fit the group. We give many tours to school groups and Boy and Girl Scout troops at one end of the age spectrum and to senior citizen groups at the other end. If you know of a group seeking a destination for an outing, our tour seems to satisfy.

The Museum was fortunate in donations and acquisitions during October. Board member Steve Crise loaned the Museum a fully functional Baltimore and Ohio color-position light railroad signal. It is in pristine condition. We also received a very generous gift from the Ralph J. Staunton Family Trust in the amount of $17,625.00. We plan to use this to create an endowment for our Library. And then, thanks to the sharp eyes of Wheel Clicks editor Charles Varnes and a case of being at the right place at the right time, we were given two bells from the crossing gates adjacent to the Museum. They had just been replaced with electronic devices of decidedly inferior sound. The big surprise was a check from Augustine D. Gomes in the amount of $481.75. This was restitution for damage inflicted when he broke into our Museum last year. He even included a note of apology. What's more, the check appears to be good!

Several months ago we reported getting a sizeable collection of railroad books, models, artifacts and furniture from member James Opel. Included in the furniture was a rack obviously designed to display time tables. On recent inspection we found a small brass plaque attached which reads as follows.

OWNED AND SERVICED BY

EASTERN TIME TABLE DIST. CO.

NEW YORK, N.Y.

The only problem was its rather delicate condition. But Steve Crise came to its rescue. It has been totally reconstructed and restored to look probably better than when new. It will soon find a place in our Museum doing what it was designed to do--display time tables. Steve will be providing photographs and perhaps a few more details for your enjbyment. Thank you Steve!

Your Museum has developed a positive working relationship with the city of San Dimas and participates in city sponsored events. In October we were open for San Dimas Western Days and welcomed many visitors during the weekend event. And then there was the annual Halloween tick-or-treat afternoon event when we joined the local merchants in distributing candy to the young folk. It is during these events that I could use greater physical presence from our members. Don't be afraid to volunteer to help!

I am happy to report that the city of San Dimas has finally approved and is moving ahead to install a sign advertising our Museum at the street in front of our facility. This will let the public know that the train depot is not an empty shell and that there is indeed something inside that bright yellow building. Hopefully we will no longer be the best kept secret in San Dimas! It has been a long and sometimes difficult process dealing with the city planning department, but the city will actually be covering part of the cost. There is hope that the sign might be in place by

4 WHEEL CLICKS DECEMBER 2014

the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in early December, but I am not holding my breath.

We have long been burdened with the expense ofmaintaining up to four storage units to house the excess "stuff' that has been accumulating from donations over the years. Some of it is of great value to the Museum and Library and will be kept, but a great portion is of little value to our needs. Board member Steve Crise has taken on the thankless task of sorting through the multitude of publications and artifacts and, with the approval of the Museum Committee, is finding knew homes for what is deemed inappropriate to our needs and retaining what is relevant to our collections. We now have just three units with a goal to reduce this to two units by year's end. The monthly savings will be significant, and we will have a well organized and accessible annex to our main facility.

Each month I intend to give credit to those members giving valuable volunteer hours to the Museum. For October this list includes Dennis Gilkey (gardening), Steve Crise (storage units and much more), Tony Farst (EBay sales and tour help), Russ Davies (Photo and slide processing and program prep), Jim Baker (Photo and slide processing and electronics tech), and Harvey Laner (photo and slide processing and program prep). Several members helped staff the Museum on the first day of Western days, but I fear listing them as I am sure to leave one or more out. A big thank you to all my October helpers.

Finally, members are welcome to come visit the Museum and even give us a hand. Upcoming events include the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Saturday, December 6. 2014. We will be staffing the Museum from 2:00 to 6:30 PM. Your help would be welcome.

COUNTERPOINT -- A View from Outside by ROLLAND GRAHAM, PRS member #15

Throughout America social organizations are experiencing a decline in membership and participation as the younger generation eschews group activities. Pacific Railroad Society is not exempt from this change in social behavior. Membership has been declining at a rapid rate, and is now only about 1/3 of the level of our peak in the 1970's. As our former president, the late Neil Bjornsen warned, if PRS is to survive, it must adapt to these changes. The concerns of this writer are not with the fact that changes are needed, but that the membership has, effectively, been excluded from the discussion of the direction PRS should take. COMMUNICATION

A major concern voiced by several Board and Committee members is that very few members show any willingness to volunteer to work on PRS projects. What is apparently being overlooked is that there is very little communication with the membership on PRS activities. Most members do not attend the monthly membership meetings, so they must rely on other forms of communication to be informed of PRS activities. A review of past issues of Wheel Clicks reveals the last report of activity at Sunders Yard, where most of our rail cars are stored, was in January, 2005 -- 10 years ago! Information on activities at the Pacific Railroad Museum is more recent, but the last report was in January, 2012 -- 2 years ago! The last time a summary of the Board of Directors meeting minutes was in June 2007, -- 7 years

ago!. If the membership isn't kept informed about PRS activities, what incentive is there for either a) volunteering, b) donating funds or materials, or c) paying $45 annually to renew membership?

If the membership isn't kept aware of PRS activities, it should be apparent that there will be little or no incentive for members to get involved. A request simply to "come down and volunteer" isn't providing the incentive to members to forego their other activities in favor of PRS. Where specific projects are described along with a request for the donation of a finite amount of time to see a specific project to completion, history has shown that members do volunteer. Witness the excellent crew of volunteers which made the 75th Anniversary excursion to Bakersfield a success, or the group of volunteers now working to get the National Forum ready for the December excursion. But volunteering should not be defined solely by one's physical presence, at the Museum, Saunders Yard, or Board Meeting. Any member's time dedicated to PRS should count, whether it be by taking on a project at home, on the computer (as this writer is doing), or by donation of funds. (which are tax deductible, by the way). And don't forget to publicly acknowledge (in Wheel Clicks) the volunteers which devote their personal time to the benefit of PRS. They deserve recognition!

PRS volunteer staff and AM.trak crew from Excursion 542, at Union Station April 3, 2011. Photo by Matt Wiles

DISENFRANCHISING THE MEMBERSHIP Current PRS By-Laws permit changes to the By-Laws on the

basis of a majority of members voting in person at a membership meeting. The problem with this provision is immediately apparent: With only a small percentage of the membership able to attend a membership meeting, as few as 10-15 members (based on recent attendance figures) could vote in changes to the By-Laws. The large majority of members who are not able to attend have no opportunity to vote. The Board does not seem concerned about this; the membership should be very concerned. PRIVATE CARS (aka Rolling Stock)

PRS has owned (and preserved) railroad cars for most of its existence, starting with the acquisition of the Descanso in 1940, followed by the streetcar, 1559 in 1959, and various passenger cars between 1969 and 2007. This activity is one of the cornerstones of our existence. Today there is valid question as to

WHEEL CLICKS DECEMBER 2014 5

the ability of the Society, with its declining membership and finances, to adequate maintain and preserve this equipment. This past July, the Board of Directors held an unannounced (to the membership) meeting at Saunders Yard to discuss the future direction the Society should take with regard to the rolling stock. Without any presentation of options to the membership, it appears from statements from certain Board members, that the Board has decided to dispose of most, or all, of the rolling stock. One person even published an advertisement ofthe disposition of the equipment in a railfan publication. Other organizations have been invited to tender offers for the PRS equipment -- again, without any announcement to the PRS membership. The only presentation was an article in Wheel Clicks in October which informed the membership that the decision to dispose of the rolling stock had already been made! While the Board should be commended for tackling a difficult issue, doing so without consulting with the membership before making a final decision, is a serious breach of trust. PACIFIC RAILROAD MUSEUM From its earliest days, PRS has maintained an archive and library. With the lease of the former Santa Fe station in San Dimas, PRS was finally able to formalize and inventory our collection and make portions of it available for public viewing. This is an ongoing project, spearheaded by a small, but very dedicated group of volunteers. Like other PRS projects, it is seriously limited by a dearth of volunteers. Again, communication with the membership comes up: the last mention of Museum activities and projects in Wheel Clicks was in January, 2012 -- 2 years ago! In the interim, a decision was made by the Museum committee to de-access a portion of the collection with does not meet the criteria PRS has for retention (generally, duplicate articles, articles which do not pertain to Southern California railroading). Few would take issue with that policy. A significant amount of the de-accessed documents were taken to a paper recycler to be destroyed. No communication of this was made to the membership, nor any opportunity for members or others to acquire these irreplaceable documents. Persons who donated this material to the Museum likely did so with the understanding that it would be preserved--not sent to a recycler. This is another example of lack of communication with the membership, and a breach of trust.

In summary, PRS is facing a serious crisis. To meet this challenge, it is imperative that the members be given the opportunity to be involved in deciding the future of the Society. While the Board of Directors can give direction to this process, the ultimate responsibility must lie with the membership.

FOOTHILL GOLD LINE ACTIVITIES On Oct. 18 the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority

(Construction Authority) from Pasadena to Azusa held a Track Completion Ceremony which celebrated construction completion of the light rail track systems needed for the 11.5 mile Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Pasadena to Azusa. The event took place near the future Azusa Downtown Station in the City of Azusa with more than 300 community members, project stakeholders, and elected officials in attendance. The event culminated in the installation of the last of nearly 300,000 e-clips permanently attach the steel rail to the concrete railroadties),

marking the permanent connection between the cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa, via this new light rail line. A sidewalk marker was also unveiled during the ceremony, recognizing importance of the day to these corridor cities.

On Oct. 24, the Construction Authority announced that the agency has achieved another major milestone for the project —completion of all 14 at-grade (or street-level) crossings for the 11.5-mile light rail extension. The final grade crossing work, at Mountain Ave, was completed this week— three months ahead of schedule.

Work began on the grade crossings in February 2013, and required long-term closures of each street. Each grade crossing received upgrades to underground utilities, the roadway, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, in addition to installation oflight rail track, signals, and communications and safety equipment.

Construction took place at the following at-grade crossings: Arcadia: First Ave. and Santa Clara St. Monrovia: Mayflower Ave., Magnolia Ave., Myrtle Ave. and

California Ave. Monrovia/Duarte: Mountain Ave. Duarte: Buena Vista Ave., and Highland Ave. Azusa: Virginia Ave., San Gabriel Ave., Azusa Ave., Alameda

Ave., Dalton Ave. and Pasadena Ave. The Construction Authority implemented targeted public

outreach campaigns for each crossing that included door-to-door walks, text message noticing, e-alerts, interactive construction map updates, online and print advertisements in regional news publications; public banners and signs; and presentations to schools and community groups. To assist residents and businesses, the Construction Authority also sponsored shuttle service when pedestrian access was unavailable, advertisements for local businesses, among other measures.

On Nov. 6, the Foothill Gold Line joined city of Arcadia officials in dedicating the new transit plaza, which sits adjacent to the future Arcadia Gold Line station and parking facility. The plaza was a multi-year project that was made possible by a generous grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), with local funding coming from the city of Arcadia and the Foothill Gold Line. The plaza which includes bus and bicycle facilities, artwork, brick and concrete paving, drought tolerant landscaping, and a centerpiece clock tower — is located in downtown Arcadia and is the city's newest gathering space.

ANAHEIM REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION INTERMODAL CENTER GRAND OPENING

The public is invited to 'Explore ARCTIC' at its Grand Opening Celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2014. Attendees will enjoy food, music, activities, tours and giveaways at this fun, family-friendly event. On this day, all are invited to tour the iconic landmark to experience the unique architecture and learn how ARCTIC employs sustainable, green efforts at every level. The transportation providers will also be present to provide additional information about services.

ARCTIC is located at 2626 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. On opening day, ARCTIC services will include Metrolink,

Amtrak, OCTA bus, Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART), Coach USA, Greyhound, shuttles, taxis, bikes, and tour and

DECEMBER 2014 6 WHEEL CLICKS

charter buses. Amenities will include transit oriented retail, unique dining establishments, Wi-Fi and plug in stations, plenty of parking, bike racks and lockers, as well as community space for the public to enjoy.

Amtrak trans will begin stopping at the ARCTIC on Dec. 6, 2014.

NEW LOSSAN CORRIDOR TIMETABLE The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Issued a new Southern

California Passenger Rail System Map and Timetables effective Oct. 6, 2014. The new timetable contains Coaster and Metrolink schedule changes.

The 12-page document contains a system map, LOSSAN Train Information, northbound and southbound timetables, and LOSSAN connecting transit information

No printed version was produced. The timetable is available on the Internet at http http ://www.octa.net/pdf/ LOSSANSchedule_ 1 0614.pdf

The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency (Agency) is a joint powers authority originally formed in 1989 that works to increase ridership, revenue, capacity, reliability, coordination and safety on the coastal rail line between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. It is governed by a 11-member Board of Directors composed of elected officials representing rail owners, operators, and planning agencies along the rail corridor. The LOSSAN Agency is staffed by the Orange County Transportation Authority.

CALTRAIN NEWS by MIKE GONDRON Caltrain has announced the 2014 schedule for its popular

Holiday Train. This year's train will operate on Saturday December 6 and Sunday December 7. It will depart San Francisco's Fourth and King Station at 4:00 p.m. each day and make selected stops on the Peninsula. On December 6, stops will be made at Burlingame, Redwood City, Mountain View, and Santa Clara. On December 7, the train will stop at Millbrae, San Mateo, Menlo Park, and Sunnyvale. The train will spend about twenty minutes at each stop where representatives from the Salvation Army and United States Marine Corps Reserves will be on hand to collect toys for the Toys For Tots program to distribute to underprivileged children in the Bay Area. After each evening's final stop, the train will deadhead nonstop back to San Francisco.

On October 27, Caltrain marked the tenth anniversary of its popular Baby Bullet service. When the service began, Caltrain was carrying about 24,000 people per weekday and trying to stay relevant. Today, weekday ridership stands at 61,000, and instead of trying to attract more riders, the problem is trying to find enough capacity for all who do want to ride. The situation is only going to get worse. With electrification coming in 2019, ridership is projected to climb to well over 70,000.

On October 15, a 23 year old man was struck and killed by Train No. 370 at Charleston Road in Palo Alto, resulting in major delays to trains in both directions. The incident was ruled a suicide and has prompted Palo Alto officials to step up patrols at all city railroad crossings. In 2009 and 2010, five teenagers with ties to nearby Gunn High School committed suicide at the Charleston and East Meadow crossings, and officials don't want

a repeat of copycats stepping in front of trains. Caltrain has been addressing suicide prevention for many years

with limited results. Now, as part ofRailroad Safety Month, it has launched a special page on its website dedicated to suicide prevention and outreach. The page includes a crisis hotline number and links to local, regional, and national resources.

On October 31, roughly a million people attended the San Francisco Giants World Series victory parade in San Francisco. When the parade and ceremonies ended around 4:00 p.m., thousands of people descended on Fourth and Townsend station for the ride home, just as rush hour was starting. To say Caltrain was overwhelmed is an understatement. At one point, the line to board trains stretched for about a half mile down Townsend Street, and Caltrain announced that they were unable to accommodate all those wishing to ride. Finally, schedules were discarded and trains were immediately turned and departed as soon as full, making all peninsula stops. Eventually, everyone got home, and though the official passenger count hasn't been announced, it had to have been a record.

GOLD LINE FROM PAGE 1 wavered. In its most recent Regional Transportation Plan, the southern California Association of Governments reported that every dollar spent on highway and transit projects over the next 25 years would return $2.90 in increased worker productivity, improved air quality and business opportunity.

The Gold Line is a true example of how public investment in transportation creates bigger opportunities for our region as a whole. Since the project's first phase, to Pasadena, opened 11 years ago, more than 1,800 residential units and 175,000 square feet of retail and commercial space have been built within an easy walk to Pasadena's six stations. In South Pasadena, the Gold Line has helped transform the downtown into a vibrant shopping district, filled with higher density housing, restaurants and boutiques.

Similarly, the 11.5-mile Foothill Gold Line from Pasadena to Azusa, which is on budget and more than 80 percent complete, offers built-in economic devejopment opportunities between and around its six new stations in Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale and Azusa.

As subsequent phasing takes the Gold Line further east to Montclair, the possibility of connecting centers of learning, technology and health research throughout the corridor will become a reality, creating opportunities that visionaries could only dream of a decade ago.

In the coming months, as the Station Square Transit Village takes form and the Pasadena to Azusa light rail segment of the Foothill Gold Line edges closer to completion, the region's vision and insight will be realized.

This is not simply a transit project. It's an economic catalyst for the region.

Habib F. Balian is chief executive officer of the Foothill Gold Line.

This article appeared in the Pasadena Star News and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. It appears in Wheel Clicks courtesy of the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority. Ed.