Growing Up Around Southern Pacific in Davis, California

I grew up along the Southern Pacific in Davis.  Many days as we drove to down along Second street, a Southern Pacific train would be heading through town.
I often saw their Hydra-Cushion box cars parked in our wide spot along the tracks.  Cars destined for the West Valley line that headed north at our venerable station would get picked up by the local.
As the trains passed by, I would wave to the engineers and conductors.  As the trains rolled onward, towards the Sierra or Oakland, I began to realize that railroads truly connected America.

Amtrak and Its Local Trains

Amtrak and the California Department of Transportation offer commuter service on the Capitol Corridor between Auburn and San Jose.  These trains operate through my hometown of Davis. Recently, I took a trip to Raleigh to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Amtrak Carolinian.  The Amtrak Carolinian is sponsored by Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Through such partnerships, Amtrak offers many such trains that extend its services for commuters and communities.

Freight and Passenger Railroads Compose Our Rail Network

Our freight railroads connect our industries, manufacturing, ports and consumers.  They provide a critical artery for commerce.

Our freight railroads also provide key corridors for Amtrak.  Freight railroads provide critical maintenance to infrastructure for our rail system to operate effectively.

As a Union Pacific intermodal train passes my vantage at the Davis, California Amtrak Station, I prepare for the arrival of the Amtrak California Zephyr.  Our railroads working together truly make America's great rail network possible.

Getting to Meet Amtrak Make-A-Wish Honorary Engineer Conductor Ethan

I was truly honored to meet Amtrak Make-A-Wish Honorary Engineer Conductor Ethan as he came through Davis on the Westbound California Zephyr on Wednesday.  I am truly thankful to Joeseph Boardman, President and CEO of Amtrak, and to everyone at Amtrak and to those at Make-A-Wish for making wishes such as Ethan's to travel by train come true.  Thank you Tom Jones,​ Tom Magazin​ and to the entire crew of Ethan's train and to DeLora Davis​, who accompanied Ethan's family across America.
Ethan was truly excited to receive the card that so many of us had signed.  I was truly grateful to the railfan community who had united to wish Ethan well on his journey.  Thank you to everyone who signed Ethan's card.
This Make-A-Wish Amtrak journey truly filled Ethan and his family with joy.  As their train made its brief station stop in Davis, we discussed how beautiful America is and what a wonderful journey they were on.  I was truly grateful to see such a wonderful boy get his wish come true.

Amtrak Personnel-Always There For Their Passengers

While waiting for the California Zephyr, A heartwarming scene unfolded as an Amtrak California Capitol Corridor commuter train stopped at the Davis, CA depot.  One of the train's conductors assisted a blind woman and her service dog from the train towards the station.
Whenever I ride Amtrak, I am impressed with the care Amtrak personnel have for their passengers.  Amtrak personnel are always there to go above and beyond the call of duty when needed.  Thank you to all at Amtrak.  Your work is greatly appreciated.

My Hometown Amtrak Station Davis, CA

My local Amtrak Station in Davis, CA was completed by Southern Pacific in 1913, the same year Grand Central Terminal was completed in New York. I have boarded the Amtrak Coast Starlight and California Zephyr as well as Amtrak California Capitol Corridor trains many times at my hometown station.

In this picture, I am about to board the Amtrak California Zephyr for Amtrak Train Days in Galesburg, IL.  It truly is a great tribute to our uniformed military personnel that Amtrak welcomes them to the head of the ticket line, as stated in the poster above my shoulder.