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DRAFT MAST':" PLAN FOR THE DPTS NOTE REGARDING STEAM TRAINS In the past, the Southern Pacific Railroad was located in the Corridor, and the town's station was located across from present-day DeLucchi Patk. Cuttently, a group of ttain enthusiasts, the Pacific Locomotive Association (PLA), has proposed the installation and opetation of new ttacks and testoted rolling stock fOt an excutsion train within the Corridot. Pleasanton votets have approved the concept of btinging trains to downtown, but have nor approved specific plans, locarions, or any expendi- ture of public funds. In its December 1998 proposal, the PLA has described a plan thar includes track, turntable, and boarding plarforms extending through and past a porrion of Wayside Park. In DeLucchi Park, proposed parking would fill the block from Spring St. to Ray St. The Task Force discussed this possibility, then heard a formal ptesentation by the Pacific Locomotive Association, which included its overall plans and proposal for the portion of the Corridor in the DPTS Master Plal1. Members of the Task Force dis- cussed the proposal and irs implications at some lengrh. Issues of concern to the Task Force included: safety (e.g., heavy rail trains vs. children and other park users, need for safety fences, etc.), space (e.g., park space vs. rrain space; 40 ft. for tracks in a 75 ft. wide stretch of the Corridor; 80 ft. plus for a turntable in a 100 ft. wide strerch of the Corridor; intensive parking requirements), costs (roughly $3.5 million), and traf- fic congestion downtown (e.g., at-grade crossings ar Bernal Ave., Abbie St., West Angela St., and Neal Sr.). It is clear that the excursion train, if extended north of Bernal Ave., would have a significant impact on the Regional Trail Corridor and other parts of the D PTS Mas- ter Plan. It would occupy land the DPTS Master Plan recommendations show for other uses. Its presence would prevent or severely restrict the implementation of many of the most important goals of the D PTS Master Plan. Some goals prevented or severely restricted by the excursion train include: . Increased use of a renovated Fire Station No. 1 . Increased use of a renovated Bandstand . Adequate audience area in Wayside Park . Accommodation of the Regional Trail in the Corridor An informal vote of Task Force members resulted in an endorsement of trains as far north as a terminus south of Bernal Ave. The conclusion of the DPTS Master Plan is that the excursion train, if extended, should stop south of Bernal Ave. (perhaps con- nected to downtown by shuttle). Steam trains north of Bernal Ave. are incompatible with the DPTS Master Plan's goals, both for the Corridor and fot the other sites in the downtown area. . . . REGIONAL TRAIL CORRIDOR DESIGN RECOMMENDATIONS 40