Washington Rail News October /November 2006

www.washarp.org [email protected]

Publication of the Washington Association of Rail Passengers A NotNot----forforforfor----profitprofit Consumer Organization “Moving forward...On Rail ."."."

Amtrak has new president but still no final Changes coming to 2007 federal funding or reauthorization WashARP By Chuck Mott The Amtrak Board of Directors has we need to know whether he was The WashARP Board of Directors appointed Alexander Kummant as brought in to build up Amtrak or tear it approved major changes in the struc- president and CEO. He started Sept. down. We await what he’ll have to say ture of our organization on July 28, 12. Kummant replaced interim presi- about Amtrak’s future.” Sen. Tom 2006, that are expected to facilitate and dent David Hughes, who had filled in Carper (D-DE) said Kummant’s hiring strengthen the purpose, focus and ef- for the highly regarded David Gunn, “should help Amtrak to better work with fectiveness of our rail advocacy organi- fired by the board last November. its partners in the freight rail business.” zation. Chief among the changes made "Alex Kummant has the outstanding Kummant spoke publicly for the first is our name change to All Aboard credentials and experience to lead a time Sept. 28 at a House Transporta- Washington . Reasons for the new changing Amtrak that is more tion and Infrastructure Committee name include: customer-focused and fiscally respon- hearing. His brief opening statement • It is a progressive term sible," said Amtrak Chairman David M. included this: “I believe long-distance • It suggests forward movement to Laney. "His appointment fulfills the trains are an important part of the na- something that is excitingly board's commitment to select an ex- tion’s transportation network, and I be- different traordinarily strong and capable leader lieve it is our challenge to run them in • It anticipates new experiences for Amtrak's future, building on the the most efficient and effective way. and outcomes growing national desire for more and That said, I understand how important • It unmistakably identifies passen- improved passenger rail service." these trains are as a form of basic ger trains as the means in getting Little was know of Kummant by transportation to many small communi- us there most people. He served as a Union ties across the nation.” NARP’s Ross The board also adopted this mission Pacific vice president 1999-2003. His Capon said, “We will be watching with statement: “Promoting rail as an inte- other employment involved a number of interest to see how he defines ‘efficient gral part of Washington State’s trans- companies in the U.S. and Europe, and effective.’” portation solutions.” Most organizations sometimes for less than a year. Some He also said corridor expansion and today, both for-profit and non-profit, members of Congress and rail advo- continued development of state part- have adopted a mission statement, cates want to know in what direction he nerships are important to Amtrak’s which says, in a few well-chosen will take Amtrak. future. words, what the organization is about. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) told Kummant said he's always won- We believe this mission statement pro- the Wall Street Journal, “It’s good they dered "why the Amtrak debate is so vides an excellent description of who finally appointed someone, but given emotional and at times acrimonious.” we are and what we want to accom- this administration’s record on Amtrak, (See Kummant, page 5) plish. A special thanks goes to Brandon Swalley and her committee for their UP failures much higher up than with the dispatchers By Mark Meyer thorough research and analysis in In the August/September WashARP newsletter, Jim Hamre pens a lengthy tale of finding a suitable name and mission how the Coast Starlight has become a victim of Union Pacific operating practices. statement for our rail advocacy “Union Pacific – lessons in how not to run a railroad” includes a thorough documen- organization. tation of some of the delays he experienced during a roundtrip on the Starlight in The board also reviewed a draft of June of this year. Unfortunately, his frustration with the constant, growing delays our proposed Washington State Rail these trains experienced caused him make some statements that question the com- Policy document. The final statement petence of the train dispatchers rather than to focus on the main culprit: UP was to be submitted to the board of di- management. rectors at its meeting on October 14 for One example he experienced is indicated as such: “One mile north of Salinas sta- final review and approval. This impor- tion we parked in a siding for more than a(n) hour to await passage of the northbound tant document will serve as All Aboard Starlight . We could have proceeded to the Salinas station and continued on our way Washington’s official rail policy state- to meet the northbound train at a siding south of town. No freight trains were evident ment for our state. On behalf of the in this area.” There are several similar descriptions about delays such as this using board; I want to thank C.B. Hall and the phrases “we could have” done this or “there is no reason we could have not” done that. Lloyd Flem for their tireless and (See Meyer, page 4) (See Changes, page 5) page 2 ceived benefits? Repeatedly, I heard, case of the Higher Users Federation (a FroFroFro m the "comfort, safety, lack of stress, very re- powerful highway BUILDERS lobby) for Executive laxing, pleasurable experience, better an ultra-costly massive new round of Director's Desk scenery, cordial fellow travelers, produc- road construction. The article begins with tive use of time, best way for seniors or probably accurate estimates of the costs by non-drivers." Speedier travel time and/or in time and money of current traffic con- Lloyd H. Flem cheap rides were rarely, if ever, men- gestion. The total proposed answer: more tioned by my respondents. (Although for and bigger roads! In considering "what Benefits of Passenger Rail; me, the train fare Olympia-Seattle- we all can do," the article's only hint of Olympia is certainly less than the cost of Rail is Also an Answer! action beyond more pavement is "mem- driving and parking downtown, which is bership rent-a-car." Transit, rail (for pas- The Washington State Transportation my usual destination in the Emerald City.) sengers and freight – large trucks create Commission sponsored Rail Capacity In concert with research done by the much of the wear on streets and high- and Needs Study is rapidly proceeding state DOT Rail Office, I found that what ways and at least some freight now and scheduled to end in December with passenger train riders and would-be rid- trucked would better be on the rails), van policy recommendations to the legisla- ers want more than anything else is pooling and (Heaven help us!) driving a ture, governor, and WSDOT. All Aboard greater frequency of service. The Cas- bit less were not even considered as Washington Chairman Chuck Mott and I cades are seen by their passengers now other solutions to the problems and costs were actively involved in helping deter- as being a much more pleasant way to of motor vehicle congestion. mine the scope of the study. Of course we need to in- Later, some passenger rail …I found that what passenger train riders vest in road transportation. advocates attended "Lis- and would-be riders want more than Nearly all of us drive or use tening Sessions" around the the highways and want them state. The sessions were anything else is greater frequency of safe and reasonably effi- efforts to discern citizen service. The Cascades are seen by their cient. Most rail advocates views on rail transportation. strongly supported recent Results showed strong sup- passengers now as being a much more legislation that increased port for an even greater pleasant way to travel than flying, driving funding for roads and op- state emphasis on rail, par- posed anti-funding initia- ticularly freight rail. or riding buses. State investments need tives. But not JUST more Recently, members of a to focus on adding more trains. roads, please! Technical Resource Panel An ongoing annoyance (TRP) have been asked to review and travel than flying, driving or riding buses. to this rail advocate is the critique the progress thus far made in the State investments need to focus on add- profound double standard to which in- study. I was appointed to represent rail ing more trains. Faster schedules? vestments in rail are judged compared to passengers on the TRP and have had Some, particularly those taking the train investments in rubber tired infrastructure. several cordial and productive meetings for business, would find that an advan- At a recent hearing by the Puget Sound with and have given written papers to tage, but all day, hourly service, now en- Regional Council on the fate of the East- representatives of Cambridge Systemat- joyed by passengers in two California side rail line (see Jim Cusick’s column on ics, the prime consulting firm responsible corridors, the Northeast Corridor, and that issue), a report on environmental im- for research and study products. much of Europe and East Asia, is what is pacts emphasized that (direct and local- One task of the study was to deter- needed. More riders, the inevitable result ized) impacts would be greater if the rail mine measurable benefits coming from of more service, would be the primary use were continued or increased and far state investment in passenger rail. The benefit to a continuation of state invest- less if the line were converted to a rec- draft measurements of benefits, in effect ment in our passenger trains. reational trail for bikes and hikers. Un- why people would choose to ride the A recent feature article in The News doubtedly true. But the overall long-term Amtrak Cascades , was thought to be Tribune concerning the Sounder com- environmental advantages of a preserved cost and, particularly, time savings in re- muter trains substantially verifies the rail line, which could absorb at least lation to other modes. In the case of above sentiments. The strong continuous some of the far more environmentally- Sounder, these reasons may be true to a increase in ridership numbers on the Ta- damaging car and truck traffic, was ap- degree. I felt these were not primary rea- coma to Seattle Sounder appears to be parently not considered. And has anyone sons for choosing the Cascades , and if occurring primarily as more daily round ever stated that conversion of highways cost/time savings were seen as the main trips are instituted, and because Sounder to recreational trails would also result in justifications for continued or increased is seen as a dramatically more pleasant less environmental impact?!? (This is not state investments, the vocal minority, way of commuting than the highway al- being seriously suggested here, but who appear opposed to such, could sug- ternatives. (However, time savings and hopefully the point is made!) gest that since other modes might be the current reasonable fares are consid- About fifteen years ago, a BN branch perceived as equally fast or cheap (or ered, too.) And like Cascades passen- line running into Olympia from the even faster or cheaper), added invest- gers, what Sounder riders and the gen- mainline to the east was abandoned and ments in passenger rail were "not worth eral public most want is simply more removed, to accommodate the widening the money." passenger train service. of roads and highways. The only debate Several All Aboard Washington mem- ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ was how much BN would be paid for the bers, whom I knew to be regular riders of loss of the line. I guess bigger highways A recent Readers Digest article, in the Cascades , were asked why they are necessities; railroads better get out of classic Digest selected-anecdotes-to- chose the train. What were their per- (See Flem, page 5) make-a-political-point style, presents the page 3 Mexico’s Mid-Region Council of Govern- the public’s input, and seemingly ignoring The View ments (MRCOG). However, #2 is not a the preliminary data showing this is a vi- quote, but what the article actually stated. able transportation option. Down the I paraphrased the article in #3, making Why is it only preliminary data? Be- Tracks only minor changes. In #4 the official cause during the I-405 program, the city ======quoted is Lawrence Rael, executive di- of Renton and the Kennydale Neighbor- rector for MRCOG. hood Association (KNA) asked that any with Jim Cusick What was the point of doing this? further study of this line be stopped. It A new commuter rail line, Simply because with just a few changes never progressed further into cost/benefit a dream? the whole article itself could just as well analysis. describe the Woodinville Subdivision. This was purely a political decision. A number of years ago, after the re- Rail Runner Express has exceeded The City of Renton’s complaint that the gion’s transportation plans were drawn 100,000 riders in just its first months this rail line cuts through their city borders on up, and after negotiations with BNSF, the summer. They introduced the service by silly, since in the immediate area it prac- state was set to acquire the first segment offering it for free. In October, the service tically parallels I-405 with Houser Street of railroad right-of-way. required a standard fare and still the core being the only incursion. In addition, the “Unlike a roadway project, this is ridership is around 2500 per day. current discussions concerning the line’s really the beginning of a rail-based public 1 What New Mexico has done is show future completely pull the rug out from transportation system,” stated one offi- some long-range vision. The leadership their argument, as you will see. cial. “It is rare that the op- The KNA’s argument is portunity presents is itself What I’m describing, unfortunately, is not born strictly from the clas- to introduce a totally new sic NIMBY handbook. mode of transportation in a an apparition of the future of the Eastside Since widening I-405 will corridor – especially one rail line but instead…the quotes are from take properties and in- that connects so many crease noise, it makes no smaller communities with officials involved with the New Mexico Rail 2 sense. A rail line has less the largest urban area…” Runner Express commuter train service. noise pollution per hour The area’s govern- and a smaller footprint. ments understood how important it was has taken advantage of an opportunity Aside from their observation that it’s bet- to develop and maintain viable connec- and moved ahead with that vision. (Web ter to deal with the devil you know than tions between urban, suburban, and rural site: www.nmrailrunner.com) the devil you don’t know, there is no communities. The fact that there is only other objection that can’t be mitigated as one continuous roadway connecting two What commuter line? with any other transportation project. of the major cities – very few prospects Quite frankly, the way things have Unless, of course, those who live in the for additional transportation facilities pre- been progressing with the Woodinville expensive homes bordering the rail line sents the bigger question: what do we Subdivision is astounding in its short- 3 have the clout to keep a commuter rail do? sightedness. Readers of this column al- line from becoming reality. “It’s time to do something different,” ready know the details, but it seems that Is that the real problem? Is this com- said an official, “Transportation costs are there are enough elected officials that mute option being held hostage by well- three time what the average household wish to ignore what is staring them in the heeled NIMBYs? spends on health care on an annual ba- face. Let me remind them what has tran- I don’t know. sis. On top of that, we have a rapidly spired with this. It would be nice if they stepped for- growing population that is increasing in In 1992, the Eastside Commuter Rail ward. If not, then I’m perplexed by the age and less willing and able to drive. study explored the possibility of using decision-making process at WSDOT. In Commuter rail is an opportunity to ad- this line in an even more restricted order to save a mere $30 mill. not re- dress many of these issues in a different scope, and came to the conclusion that it 4 building the Wilburton tunnel on I-405, but compelling way.” was a viable transportation option. The the state is willing to sacrifice this rail Why am I putting footnotes on these final part of the report explored a direct corridor. statements? What I’m describing, unfor- connection with what is now the Sounder This just does not pass the sniff test. tunately, is not an apparition of the future service. The DOT argument that Renton of the Eastside rail line (BNSF’s Tukwila- During the I-405 Corridor Program, doesn’t want the line makes less sense in Snohomish Woodinville Subdivision), but extending the study’s scope up to light what is being proposed – the line instead, with just a few substitutions, the Woodinville, and doing a bit more de- would still exist up to the Boeing plant, quotes above are from officials involved tailed analysis showed that with that con- just south of the Kennydale Neighbor- with the New Mexico Rail Runner Ex- nection to Sounder, ridership would be hood, essentially all the way through to press commuter train service. This op- up to 3100 per day. the north side of the city. That leaves the eration runs between Belen and Bernilillo The I-405 Corridor Program’s staff people along the line north of Renton as via Albuquerque as a result of an agree- conducted a survey (which by the way, the only objectors. ment that was crafted between BNSF was more extensive than standard sur- I know Secretary McDonald is a sup- and the state of New Mexico, with even veys) and concluded that at least 70% of porter of a balanced system that includes more extensions in the future as part of the respondents thought that RAIL rail, so I hope he can explain how this that agreement. should be part of the solution. decision came to be. I have faith in his These quotes appeared in an article The public seems to be more vision- judgment and leadership, and hope he in the New Mexico Business Journal in ary in understanding that rail is a solu- will guide the process to a sensible March 2006. Quote #1 is by Chris Ble- tion, so it boggles my mind that our (See Cusick, page 4) wett, transportation director of the New elected officials are essentially ignoring page 4 as many speculate, including myself on world. Well, we are sacrificing the health Meyer, from page 1 occasion, that the goal at UP might very of this region. If we turn away from this Whether you’re the train crew or pas- well be elimination of Amtrak trains on its golden opportunity for a real progressive sengers in a passenger train, it’s very railroad through excessive delays, then solution that will last much farther into the easy to be frustrated when your train is this would also suggest a good perform- future than the current plans for I-405, being delayed. Sometimes the delay is ance on the part of the dispatcher in that then we have only proven that we have obvious. Sometimes it is not, and usually he or she is paid to prioritize the trains no capacity to see any farther into the then the contemplation begins, followed per the latest management edict. future than 2025. by theories of what could be happening. In a nutshell, speculating about dis- You see, during a presentation in front When the train finally moved, and no patching practices and playing “what if” of the King County Council a few years freight trains were spotted in sidings as will do nothing toward getting Amtrak ago, Dwight Pelz was questioning I-405 the train progressed, the suggestion is trains on UP operating on schedule Program director Mike Cummings, and made that incompetence on the part of again. As passenger train advocates, we asked a very specific question. With the the dispatcher is the reason for the delay need to focus on UP management. It new highway lanes built, we know that because “we could have” been handled matters not one iota, even if true, that a traffic will improve, but for how long? in a different manner. meet with two Amtrak trains occurred at a “When do you estimate that the condi- As someone who has dispatched location other than the optimum point. tions on I-405 will begin to deteriorate?” trains for 17 years (1978-1995), I’ll go out The main focus should be that UP is asked Mr. Pelz. “Around the year 2025,” on a limb here and speak for all train dis- charged with operating Amtrak trains on was Mr. Cummings reply. patchers everywhere by stating that few time and to give them priority, and this is Is it the Puget Sound Region’s destiny things are more irritating than comments simply not happening. Next, it needs to to let every other region in the country like these from someone 2,000 miles be established as to why. Why has the take the lead? New Mexico has taken the away from where the dispatcher is lo- track deteriorated? Why does mainte- lead in developing a new commuter rail cated. Using this as an example, I would nance of way need to be conducted at line, the Rail Runner Express. Portland ask Jim these questions: How do you times when Amtrak will be delayed? Is has taken the lead a long time ago in ur- know that you saw all the freight trains in there sufficient capacity on these routes ban rail transit, with MAX, not to mention the area, including those running ahead to handle the current traffic load, includ- how successful Salt Lake City’s Trax, of your train? How do you know this sid- ing the personnel to move the trains and Denver’s RTD and others have been. ing at Salinas was available for the meet to dispatch them? What is the difference The Ports of Long Beach and Los Ange- between the two Amtrak trains? Were in the perception of Amtrak that allows les have taken the lead by redeveloping there maintenance of way people clear- long distance trains on BNSF and CN to the freight rail Alameda Corridor and ing on that siding previously that were run largely on time, but get significantly have taken business from Puget Sound gone by the time your train passed? Was delayed on UP and CSX? These are the ports. Are we really just backwater ports? the northbound Starlight unexpectedly broader questions, that if answered, can Worse yet, are the rumors I read on the delayed between that other siding, or at help get the trains back on time. Internet that the Puget Sound Region’s Salinas? Did the dispatcher need to ex- Critiquing individual meets and other transportation planning is the laughing- pedite the northbound train for other dispatching practices only tends to high- stock of agencies all over the country? (I meets further up the line? Was there sig- light the effect of UP’s policies with re- hope not.) nal or communications failure that could gard to Amtrak trains. What we really What this region needs is cooperative have prohibited the southbound Starlight need to do is identify the root cause. It’s agreements to improve all transportation from proceeding until after the north- a lot higher up the ladder than the train options, and to do a lot of catch-up for bound had passed? I could go on, but dispatcher. the rail portion. What we need are the suffice it to say that there are many dif- (Mark, a member of All Aboard Washington and improvements in the East-West rail corri- ferent variables that affect the handling of several other rail advocacy organizations, cur- dor via Stampede Pass. What we need each and every Amtrak train operating on rently works for BNSF’s power management are the improvements in the North-South group.) freight railroads in this country, and only corridors via Sounder and Central Link. the train dispatcher in charge of that sec- What we need are improvements in tion of track knows what they all are. Cusick, from page 3 cross-lake corridors with ST2. With the volume of freight traffic being solution. What we need is Commuter Rail on handled on the routes used by Amtrak And if the MRCOG’s agreement with the Woodinville Subdivision. trains today, dispatching is certainly a BNSF seems a lot more favorable than challenge. In the case of Union Pacific, it where initial discussions appear to be is obvious that it is probably even more headed with this line, why does BNSF so if there are, as Jim describes in his ar- With the start of the fourth Seattle- want to abandon this line? Aside from Portland Amtrak Cascades round-trip and ticle, large areas of slow track and the appearing short-sighted, as was the case associated track work to remedy the through service to and from Bellingham with the Stampede Pass line, this again on July 1, ridership gains in July and situation. In other words, before we play doesn’t seem to pass the sniff test. the “poor dispatching” card with regard to August were 7.9% and 4.0%, respec- Does BNSF want the state to pay the tively. This translates into 64,249 pas- the one train we happened to be con- whole cost of upgrading Stampede cerned about at the time, it’s important to sengers in July and 66,598 passengers Pass? Sound Transit is still smarting from in August. consider the real possibility that given the cost of gaining access to the Seattle- that the poor UP dispatcher probably Everett mainline, and they don’t seem to WSDOT’s Public Transportation and Rail doesn’t have adequate resources to be in the mood to negotiate. Division has a monthly newsletter avail- properly perform the task at hand; he or You might think I’m being melodra- able at www.wsdot.wa.gov/transit/ she could be doing a very good job of matic by equating the existence of this ptr_newsletter/default.cfm. You can also dispatching, all things considered. And, rail line with the future of the health of the subscribe to receive it via email. page 5 Never to be. Déjà vu Eastside line? Kummant, from page 1 Changes, from page 1 ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ He continued, “It really needn't be, persistent efforts in completing this im- espe cially now. At a time of high oil portant documentation of our state rail Must finish this grumpy piece on a prices, growing highway and airport con- policies. The statement will be available brighter note: the on-time performances gestion and record rail freight volumes, to all members and friends of All Aboard of the Coast Starlight and the Amtrak problems which beset and constrain our Washington. You may have a copy by Cascades originating south of Portland transportation system, we should be em- simply requesting it or downloading it have improved in recent weeks! Uncer- bracing rail and developing it as quickly when it becomes available on our tain as to why, but rail passengers and and as responsibly as we can. We website. advocates are pleased. Thanks to what- should get beyond the debate of a few A new job description was approved ever and whomever is now beginning do hundred million dollars of operating costs for our executive director, Lloyd Flem, right by our West Coast trains. and begin to realize the potential rail whose new title is now Director, Govern- ment Affairs. His work will remain much passenger service has to offer with the NARP responds to critics of right level of investment and a clearly de- as it has been for the past twenty years, fined federal policy." which is to be our advocate for fair and Amtrak’s national network trains balanced transportation policies involving NARP has published two papers re- Congress adjourned for the November rail in the state legislature in Olympia. buking critics of Amtrak’s national net- election at the end of September, having Also, he will continue to work with state work trains who think Amtrak should offer passed only the military appropriations transportation agencies and transporta- no sleeping car service or food service. bill for 2007. The rest of the government, tion companies to improve and expand The claim is that the trains need to serve including the Transportation Dept. and public transportation. Two new positions only those in rural areas with coach ser- Amtrak are funded by continuing resolu- were approved – one for administration vice and food can be brought along or tion through Nov. 17. Amtrak is currently and the other for fund raising – both po- purchased at station stops. (Isn’t that receiving funding at last year’s level of sitions presently unfilled. The board also where passenger rail service was 150 $1.1 bill. This should not be a problem as approved an action plan that anticipates years ago?!) agencies normally are made whole once setting up a Seattle office to facilitate The first report, Sleeping Car Service, final funding is adopted. volunteer work efforts and to coordinate shows that not only is sleeper service an The six-year Amtrak reauthorization, advocacy activities with other Seattle important amenity that helps attract rid- S. 1516, is also still pending before the based pro-rail, environmental and public ers, it had a gross profit of $40.9 mill. in full Senate. transportation advocacy organizations. FY 2004, with a profit margin of 32%. Most House members and many Our goal is to broaden our activities to The second report, The Economics of Senators are home campaigning. This is attract more grass roots participation and Passenger Train Food & Beverage Ser- a good time to make contact with them, to increase membership. vice, shows that food and beverage ser- asking support for the fiscal 2007 Amtrak The board of directors firmly believes vice on most, if not all, trains generates funding level of $1.4 billion passed by the these changes will greatly enhance our more in revenue that it costs to provide; it Senate Appropriations Committee, but efforts in educating the public about the is incrementally profitable. without misguided, micromanaging lan- benefits of improving environmentally Combined, the two reports clearly guage – differing versions of which are in friendly, energy and land efficient, and show, despite an unending stream of both the Senate committee’s bill and the more economically endowed rail services misinformation generated by the USDOT House-passed bill. Also, tell your Sena- to help solve worsening traffic congestion Inspector General, the federal cost to op- tors to press for passage of S.1516 with- in Washington State. erate coach only trains with no food ser- out the bad amendments to be offered by vice would be far greater than continua- Sens. Sunnunu and Sessions. You tion of the existing full-service long should also ask the challengers of the in- Flem, from page 2 distance trains. cumbents where they stand on support the way of highways on steroids! The Both reports are available at for balanced transportation and rail. Al- long-gone rail corridor is now seen as an www.narprail.org. Click on “What’s ways check NARP’s hotline and action ideal means by which regional commuter New?” The food service report is under alerts for the latest details on pending rail could have connected the Capital August 15 and the sleeping car report is legislation: www.narprail.org. community with Central Puget Sound. under June 22.

All Aboard Washington Officers Important Addresses and Phone Numbers Chuck Mott, Mukilteo..Chairman ...... 425 710-9665 [email protected] U. S. House of Representatives: Tony Trifiletti, Shoreline..President ...... 206 440-9451 [email protected] Washington, DC 20515 James Neal, Ephrata..VP-East ...... 509 754-3114 [email protected] U. S. Senate: Washington, DC 20510 Rocky Shay, Federal Way..Secretary ...... 253 925-2085 .... [email protected] Capitol Switchboard (all members): 202 224-3121 John Carlin, Edmonds..Treasurer ...... 425 778-4529 [email protected] State Legislature: State Capitol, Olympia 98504 Jim Cusick, Bothell..VP-Commuter Rail ...... 425 481-2322 [email protected] Hotline for leaving messages: 800 562-6000 Jim Hamre, Puyallup..Newsletter Editor.....253 848-2473 [email protected] Warren Yee, Seattle..E-newsletter...... 206 723-0259 [email protected] Amtrak Reservations/Information: 800 872-7245 Brandon Swalley, Lakewood..Communications Dir. ..253 906-0932 [email protected] Lloyd Flem, Olympia.. Gov. Affairs Director ...... 360 943-8333 [email protected] All Aboard Washington: www.washarp.org Office FAX...... 360 943-0136 NARP: www.narprail.org Address...... 3704 22 nd Ave SE, Olympia 98501 NARP Hotline: www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/hotline/ Amtrak: www.amtrak.com All are evening numbers, except Lloyd's, which is available 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Amtrak Cascades: www.amtrakcascades.com Sound Transit: www.soundtransit.org

page 6 All Aboard News NOTICE OF ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF RAIL PASSENGERS November 11 : All Abroad Washing- THE WASHINGTON ASSOCIATION OF RAIL PASSENGERS will elect a new Board ton meeting at 12:30 p.m. at the of Directors consisting of fifteen members. Each member of Washington Association Phoenix Room, Freighthouse of Rail Passengers whose dues are current and who is a resident of this state is enti- Square , 430 E. 25 th St., Tacoma (adja- tled to run for the office of Director and file a Declaration of Candidacy by November cent to Tacoma Dome Station, served 4, 2006. The Declaration of Candidacy shall be in writing and shall include the full by Sound Transit routes 574 and 594). name of the candidate, the mailing address and the county of residence of the candi- date, and must be delivered by mail, email or otherwise to Rocky Shay, Secretary, Andrew Johnsen, of BNSF’s govern- 820 SW 356th Street, Federal Way, WA 98023. Telephone number and email ad- ment affairs office, is our scheduled dress: see p. 5. If not m ore than fifteen candidates have duly filed for Director by 8 speaker. Lunch will be available from p.m. November 4, 2006, all candidates who have filed Declarations of Candidacy will the adjacent food court. be deemed elected and the election will be canceled. If an election is required, such November 16: Commuter Rail Group election shall occur at a meeting of members commencing at 12:30 p.m. at the th meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Andy’s Diner, Phoenix Room, Freighthouse Square, 430 E. 25 St., Tacoma, on November 11, 2963 4 th Ave. S., Seattle (just north of 2006. All members of Washington Association of Rail Passengers whose dues are Spokane St. and on Metro routes 23 current and who are residents of this state are entitled to be present at the member- and 174). ship meeting and vote for up to fifteen candidates for Director. All the votes for East- ern Washington candidates will be counted first. Candidates from Eastern Wash- December 9: All Aboard Washington ington, but not more than three, who have the largest number of votes shall be meeting and silent auction at 11:45 deemed elected to the Board. The votes for all remaining candidates will be counted, a.m. at Centennial Station, 6600 Yelm including any additional Eastern Washington candidates, and the twelve candidates Hwy SE, Lacey. Meeting is timed be- who receive the largest number of votes shall be deemed elected to the Board. The tween the arrival of southbound train 11 new Board shall take office on January 1, 2007. and departure of northbound train 516. Limited Saturday bus service is avail- Start saving your goodies for the second Featured speaker at our able on Intercity Transit route 94. Cost annual All Aboard Washington silent June meeting in Cle auction! It will be held at our Dec. 9 Elum was Donovan Gray is $12 cash or check for subs, pizza, of the Cascade Rail salads, desserts & beverages. meeting at the Olympia-Lacey Centennial Station. Your donations surely can, but Foundation. Donovan discussed the South Cle All Aboard Washington welcomed the need not be railroad paraphernalia. You following new members in August and Elum Rail Yard National can also donate services that you can Historic Site, Iron Horse State Park and the September: Lewis County Historical provide. Or go out and solicit items or Museum, Chehalis; Denny Hollander, history of the Milwaukee Road in South Cle give certificates from your local mer- Elum. The restored station, including the Portland, OR; Dan Gadman, Olympia; Irene chants. And save your dollars to bid on Bowen, Seattle; Claire Bowen, Seattle; Bill restaurant opened July 1, a joint project of all the great items. This is a good place Karf, Olympia; Barbara Henkle, La Conner. the foundation and state parks. There is an to do your Christmas shopping! We re- interpretive walk through the old rail yard All Aboard Washington members contrib- quest that if you have items to donate site. They plan to build a museum about uting to this newsletter include Darleen please call or email Darleen Flem the Milwaukee Road’s electrification in the Flem, Lloyd Flem, Mark Meyer, Jim Cusick, (through Lloyd) or Jim Hamre (see con- adjacent substation. A restored caboose is Chuck Mott, Rocky Shay, Donovan Gray tact information on p. 5) so we have an on site and the Foundation hopes to also and Tony Trifiletti. idea what we will have for the auction. acquire Milwaukee Road passenger cars.

Washington Association of Rail Passengers NONPROFIT P. O. Box 70381 ORGANIZATION Seattle, WA 98127 U. S. POSTAGE PAID PUYALLUP WA 98371 Return Service Req uested PERMIT NO. 468

O/N MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION RENEWAL FORM ADDRESS CHANGE Basic Membership ...... $25.00 per year Name______Student/Fixed Income ...... $18.00 per year Address______Family Membership ...... $50.00 per year Patron...... $75.00 per year City/State/Zip______Leadership or Business Circle.....$100.00 per year Phone______Extra Contribution ...... $ (always welcome and appreciated) Note: if you move, let us know in advance and save WashARP 75¢ for address correction service.