Dreamstar Lines Inc. is one step closer to making a luxury, overnight train service connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco a reality.
The Newport Beach-based startup last month said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Union Pacific Railroad to operate its trains on Union Pacific’s Coast Line railroad.
“This agreement communicates to the market that this is coming soon,” Chief Executive Joshua Dominic told the Business Journal.
Dreamstar, originally led by Jake Vollebregt who is a partner at Quadrant Law Group LLP, this month shifted leadership to Dominic to lead the upcoming project.
Once the agreement is finalized, Dreamstar’s LA-to-SF train service is expected to be up and running by next summer.
It would be the first overnight service between the two areas in decades, according to news reports.
Dreamstar said it has been in talks with stakeholders Union Pacific, Caltrain and Metrolink for over a year.
The three rail services own the lines Dreamstar plans to operate on, with Union Pacific owning a majority of the line.
“With Union Pacific being willing to enter an MOU with us, we can further negotiations,” Dominic said.
“This was a crucial step for us.”
Next steps for Dreamstar include raising enough funds to sign the remaining agreements with Caltrain and Metrolink.
