Please see the message below from Steve Walker, Safety & Security for ACE.  If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact Steve here. 

Dear ACE Riders:

Over the past few weeks, public health officials in the United States and throughout the world have been investigating outbreaks of H1N1 swine influenza (swine flu) and U.S. officials have declared a national public health emergency.  President Barack Obama has stated that the threat of spreading swine flu infections is a concern but "not a cause for alarm.” 

Out of concern for our passengers, we want to take this opportunity to share with you the guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on how the swine flu is transmitted, steps you can take to prevent the spread of swine flu and symptoms associated with this outbreak.  We are in close coordination with federal authorities as to the actions public transit operators should take to help protect their passengers as they travel in close spaces.  We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and will update you on any new public health recommendations or additional actions being taken by ACE Rail. 

What is the Swine Flu?
Swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza among pigs.  Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans; however, human infections with swine flu do occur.  Human-to-human spread of swine flu occurs in the same way as regular seasonal flu, through the coughing or sneezing of infected people.  Swine flu is not transmitted by eating pork products.

How Can I Help Prevent the Spread of Swine Flu?
There are several things you can do to prevent the further spread of swine flu.  As a courtesy to your fellow passengers:

• If you are ill or have flu-like symptoms, avoid close contact with others as much as possible and the CDC advises that you do not go to work, school or travel (including not using public transportation).
• Avoid contact with people who are ill.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Throw used tissues in a trash can.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an antibacterial gel if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

What are the Symptoms of the Swine Flu?
The symptoms of swine flu are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and may include:

Bike to Work Week is in a couple weeks.  Please see the message below from ACE staff member Hubert Hanrahan.

If you have thought about biking to work via ACE, Bike to Work Week is an excellent time to see what ACE riders with bicycles already know!  Bringing your bike on ACE is convenient and free. Using your bike with ACE is a healthy, environmentally friendly alternative to driving your personal automobile. 

For information about taking your bike on ACE, visit our web site or call ACE Customer Service at 1-800-411-RAIL.

For helpful tips and information about Bike to Work Week, visit California Bike Commute.

New video below of the UP Steam locomotive No 844 passing by the Stockton ACE station.

Below is video I got this morning of UP Steam locomotive No 844 as it passed the Stockton ACE station.  I know some of the video is a little shaky, but I thought I would post this up since the video I had from Wednesday was not usable.  Have a great weekend.

I was hoping to get some good video footage of the UP Steam locomotive at our station yesterday.  Unfortunately, the video came out a little too shaky so I have posted a link below to the pictures.  No 5 questions video this week so I hope you enjoy the pictures and I will have a new video up next week.

http://www.twitpic.com/photos/DAndre_ACE

Just a reminder that the UP steam locomotive No. 844 will be on display at the Stockton ACE station Wednesday.  See post below for more information.

This week I have Strategic Development & Communication Coordinator, Thomas Reeves.  He talks about some upcoming projects, including news on special trains.

Union Pacific's historic steam locomotive No. 844 will make a stop at the ACE train sation as part of the Western Heritage Tour.  This "Living Legend" will be on display at the ACE station, 949 E. Channel St., on April 22nd from 1 to 5 PM. 

Built in 1944, No. 844 is recognized as the only steam locomoitve to have never been retired.  It was originally commissioned as a high-speed passenger ening util more efficienet diesel-electric locomoitves began to replace steam engines int he 1950s.  Since then, No. 844 has logged hundreds of thousands of miles for UP's Heritage program.

I want to thank all of you who were very helpful in sending feedback when we ran the extended Wi-Fi evaluation in February/March.  At this point I am hesitant to give a timeline or date as we do not have an agreement signed.  I can say that we have made progress and we will have a solution in place soon.  I anticipate having more information for an update towards the end of this month.  If you have specific questions regarding this project, please send me an email.

Here is the interview I did with ACE Ticketing Manager Leila Menor.  I was not able to get the video up last week, so there still will be another interview posted for this week.  I will also post an update about the Wi-Fi later today.  If you have any questions or comments please send me an email or leave a comment below.

It is that time of year for School Groups.  Friday, May 1st will be the first Great America school group of the year.  The group will ride ACE 05 in the morning and return on ACE 04.  Additional train cars will be added to ACE 05 to accommodate the group.  If you have any questions, please contact our Special Groups Coordinator Laura Farley.  As we solidify dates for special groups, we will make sure to keep you informed.

This week I had a chance to sit down with Suzie Wilson, Customer Service Supervisor.  We discussed how customer service can benefit new and existing riders.  I have received some request for an update on the Wi-Fi project and I will post that next week.  Have a great weekend!