RIDING THE RAILS: After one year, Metrolink...

RIDING THE RAILS: After one year, Metrolink commuter trains are carrying four times as many passengers--more than 8,100 a day--hitting their time schedules, slashing travel times and adding service (B1). . . . Despite that, some experts are skeptical that trains will ever be more than marginal in the homeland of the car culture.

LOOK TO THE SKIES: That’s not a new star streaking across the Valley sky this morning, but an unusual glimpse of the space shuttle. . . . Heading for a landing Monday at Edwards Air Force Base, the 178-mile-high shuttle is visible for a minute today and two minutes Thursday and Friday mornings (A3). . . . Meanwhile, last month’s shuttle flight astronauts visited Rockwell International in Canoga Park, where the shuttle’s engines are made. “You took us into space and it was a heck of a ride,” the mission commander told workers to thank and encourage them (B2).

MONEY AND SWEAT: There’s more money for some of Cal State Northridge’s restive athletes. Led by black student groups, the football team and others are at odds with CSUN over financial packages. . . . An emergency review brought additional “need-based” grants to 18 and possible federal loans to 14 others (C8).