mmmmmmmmmThe Monterey Branch in 2004

In February 2002, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) put forth ambitious proposals to resume intercity passenger train service between San Francisco and Monterey (actually, Fort Ord) and also to extend Caltrain passenger train service to Salinas. As of February, 2004, the projects have not yet moved off of paper.

TAMC's plans, in a PowerPoint-like presentation, are available for downloading at the TAMC site for viewing as a PDF file.

Unfortunately, in regards to Monterey Branch service, the response from some public entities has been underwhelming. Monterey has other plans for the former SP depot area, Seaside has backed-out of the rail project, and Marina has formally opposed resumption of train service.

A fellow from Monterey named James B. Toy has put together an interesting Web page discussion addressing the TAMC branch proposal and conundrums at http://members.aol.com/toylandmry/proposals.html

Wx4 wishes both projects well, but given that the "Monterey" trains are proposed to terminate at Fort Ord, on the fringe of the Monterey area population center, we are concerned about the project's viability in its present form.