header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Sunday, Nov 23, 2014

darrylmanzer_blacktieI’m going on an excursion up the proposed route of the California High Speed Rail.

I’ve completed most of the interviews I need from folks in Santa Clarita, Agua Dulce and Acton. The statements I heard about the proposed train route can best be told this way:

1. It would be good if they didn’t route the tracks through this area.

2. It would be best if they didn’t build the damn thing at all.

That about sums it up for most of the folks I’ve talked with so far.

It is just one of my screwy theories, but did y’all notice where the proposed route of the train runs? It looks like it was mostly through areas of low population.

Now look at the areas of population that voted for construction of the high-speed rail system. You guessed it: Los Angeles and San Francisco. The new train won’t go through much of either highly populated area. What do they care about some farmland in the Central Valley or Soledad Canyon from Acton all the way through Sand Canyon?

“Build it out there in the wide-open spaces of the Central Valley.” Not much to bother there.

So I’ve got to ask. Why not build it along the coast? Why not build it on the west side of the Central Valley? Why build it so it has to go through Palmdale?

As I look at the current proposed route, I wonder how the planners came up with it. I know that in some places, they want to use some of the existing track. That means the speed of the new train must drop. Our promised 2-hour, 40-minute ride from Los Angeles to San Francisco is now approaching 6 hours. Why not drive? Yes, get in your car and drive.

Just like you’ve always done.

I love trains. I’ve been a passenger on Amtrak and Santa Fe. Got a ride in the engine on the Felton and Big Trees Railroad. Got to ride the train from Boston to New York, plus trains in Spain, France, England and many other places. Can’t forget Metrolink and various subways.

Blue line: Proposed high-speed rail route. Yellow: Alternative tunnel through the San Gabriel Mountains, which subsequently have been designated a national monument.

Blue line: Proposed high-speed rail route. Yellow: Alternative tunnel through the San Gabriel Mountains, which subsequently have been designated a national monument.

I just don’t understand why we need a state-owned railroad going 200 mph between two small towns in the Central Valley. Do you?

If high-speed passenger trains were so necessary and there were a valid need for them, the railroad companies – Union Pacific, Burlington Northern-Santa Fe and others – would have built them.

Those corporations and the railroads that preceded them stopped passenger railroad service because it didn’t make money. People liked planes and cars and buses. We still like our cars and trucks on our freeways. We’re Californians.

Those people in the big cities that maybe don’t have vehicles to drive like the idea of a train. They like the idea of a high-speed train. Why, we’re joining those other countries that have them, and we’re going to build a rail network of “world class” caliber.

And not subsidized.

Inexpensive to ride.

San Francisco to L.A. in a little over 2.5 hours.

And we can keep our doctor and our health plan.

There are more meetings about the route coming up. Nothing new here to see, folks. “We heard you didn’t want it in your valley – but let us show you what we haven’t done.”

If it were a really good deal, they wouldn’t have to send out the sales team so many times.

If it were a really good deal, it would be under construction quickly.

It does look as if the speed is getting slow enough, because of the planned route, that billboards could be effective – because with the lower speeds, you’ll have time to read them.

Maybe that guy who helped write Obamacare should come in and do a sales job on the train. Do you think we’re all stupid enough to buy this boondoggle, too?

Going to be a fun election next time.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

11 Comments

  1. Well I live 4 houses from the proposed route in Acton. As much as our “great” Gov. pushes for it, it’ll never happen. Not in my generation or the next at least.

  2. I liked your other article too!

  3. Neil Arno Neil Arno says:

    The train from nowhere to nowhere.

  4. I hope you’re right, Cindy. I also live right next to the proposed route in Acton.

  5. Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for Governor Moonbeam. It’s not like we have anything more important to build, like water infrastructure.

  6. Lynn Witt says:

    Once upon a time there was a newscaster named Baxter Ward. He became Supervisor of the L.A County 5th district. He was deposed by a guy named Antonovich. He ran to try to get his old supervisor job back. His platform was to create a pay-as-you-go mass transit system using bus, shuttle, and most importantly, monorail. The monorail would be environmentally friendly (think Disneyland), cheap and fast to build, high speed; and would have used the existing right-of-way in the center of the freeway system. No one would be displaced or disturbed. He had the whole idea completely thought out; you would be able to travel from the Antelope Valley to any point south, with minimal, or no driving. He lost the election, and Antonovich could have made this idea his own. But this plan sits in a secret file cabinet somewhere because it makes too much sense, and there are no contractor kickbacks, or expensive bond fees involved. So now we have the B.S.-ullet train.

  7. Michael Pare Michael Pare says:

    We need desalination plans, not over priced trains to nowhere.

  8. Ed Galindo says:

    Everybody was in conflict with William Mulholland.

  9. I agree with Michael Pare. I am born and raised in Ca and Moonbeam can never make a logical decision. It’s amazing how he is back on office again UGH

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com