Earlier this month, Sierra Club released a statement regarding passenger and freight rail, and rail electrification. It aims to inform the public on how rail investments have benefits such as fighting climate change, increasing equitable mobility, and creating good jobs. It also includes recommendations on how to implement the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for rail.

Read on for a roundup of the important rail news and commentary in and around Nevada, along with some of our thoughts on it.

It’s been a busy summer for Brightline West, the planned passenger rail service connecting Las Vegas to southern California. After clearing several major hurdles, Brightline West’s president Sarah Watterson said in a statement that they are “moving towards a ground-break later this year.”

The railway safety bill would have required freight trains to not be longer than 7,500 feet, established requirements for hazard detectors, and required stopped trains to clear crossings for emergency vehicles. It was designed to decrease the chances of major railway accidents but it was vetoed by Governor Lombardo. Nevada Rail Coalition members share their reactions.

Earlier this year, UDOT applied for a $500,000 grant through the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program to study restoring passenger rail service between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, the former route of Amtrak’s Desert Wind. The estimated travel time between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas would be between 7 and 9.5 hours each way.

In March, we sent a letter of support to Secretary Buttigieg in support of Brightline West’s grant application for federal funding. Las Vegas currently has no passenger rail service. Brightline West would connect southern California and Las Vegas, providing key access.

In March, the Nevada Rail Coalition sent a letter to Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration, and their partners thanking them for taking on the Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study. We also provided them with recommendations for the restoration of the Desert Wind route and improvements to the California Zephyr route.

Read on for a roundup of the important rail news and commentary in and around Nevada, along with some of our thoughts on it.

On behalf of the Nevada Rail Coalition, I want to thank and support the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak and its partners in taking on the crucial Amtrak Long Distance Service Study.

High Speed Rail Alliance reports that Brightline West has released an Environmental Assessment for the Cajon Pass section of the Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed rail project. This is an important milestone that had to be completed before construction could begin. In a newsletter to members, High Speed Rail Alliance writes: “The Cajon Pass … Read more

Sacramento-Reno Rail Extension Study: It appears local transit agencies are actually talking seriously about better passenger train service between Reno and the Bay Area! Please take this short survey to let them know northern Nevadans want better transportation options than driving on dangerous, crowded I-80 over the mountains.