Vol. 7, No.9 November 1980 National Sales "Convention'_'______-----, Sets $505 Million Goal For Year Some 175 marketing department Sunday with the first scheduled func­ wall rolled back to reveal "conven­ personnel whooped, hollered and tion being breakfast on Monday tion hall" in the adjacent ballroom. snake danced their way through the morning. They had been cautioned to As a Dixieland band played, the sales first day of this year's annual sales stay together in the room for some force moved into the room which was meeting. "announcements" that were to be divided into three sections ... for The two-day session, held at the made at 9 a.m. the Eastern, Central and Western re­ Marriott hotel in Sharonville, Ohio, At that instant, Gordon's voice gions. On the tables were straw hats near Cincinnati, took the form of a boomed into the room over the public and signs identifying the districts and political convention, complete with address system welcoming the dele­ regions. straw hats, badges, signs, a red, white gates to the convention as one entire Gordon gaveled the convention °to and blue bunting-bedecked "conven­ tion hall," and a band that swung in­ to "Happy Days Are Here Again" at every opportunity. The spirit-lifting fun comple­ mented the very serious side of the meeting, a determined effort to in­ crease Amtrak's business during the current fiscal year. Jack Gordon, assistant vice presi­ dent, transportation sales, and chair­ man of the convention, threw out a challenge to the assembled "dele­ gates," namely a goal of $505 million in sales, a hefty increase of $124 million, or 32.5 percent, from last year. The theme of the convention, "All For One in '81," was emphasized Tom McGinley, district manager, Washington, responds to the $505 million sales goal during the two days in a dramatic ar­ challenge. ray of visual and audio presentations. In greeting the sales people, Gor­ don said, "We are a team of profes­ sional marketing people with the combined capabilities of doing great things. That's why the national sales meeting theme is so appropriate. The year ahead is full of challenges that will put us to the ultimate test. "I know we will meet those chal­ lenges head-on because our ambition is unparalleled and the potential for achievement is overwhelming." Most of the procedures of the meeting, as well as its form, were well-kept secrets beforehand. The Clark Tyler, Bill Norman and Amtrak President Boyd react to the hoopla that ended the first sales people arrived at the hotel on day's "convention" session. Jerry Sheehan, director, national sales, leads the cheers. order and the serious side of the meet­ ment's 1981 plans for market plan­ pulling . . . . moving ahead. " ing began. ning and analysis; reservations; mar­ The second day was spent by dele­ In his keynote address, Gordon keting services requirements; adver­ gates attending a series of "cau­ told the convention, "The 'All For tising and sales promotions; and sales cuses," or workshops, that dealt with One' theme reinforces Amtrak's cor­ programs. specific areas of the marketing de­ porate commitment from now on. Other speakers on the first day in­ partment. "For you to fully appreciate this, cluded Clark Tyler, vice president, The large convention bloc was split you must understand that your ener­ passenger services and communica­ into six smaller groups and each spent gies are being supported and reinforc­ tions, and Bill Norman, vice presi­ nearly an hour at each caucus meeting ed by every level at Amtrak. Not by dent, marketing. before moving on to the next one. just some departments, but by all de­ Both enthusiastically reinforced the The six workshops dealt with ad­ partments. " department's plans for the year and vertising and sales promotion; agency Gordon pointed out that meeting strongly urged the sales force to and tour sales; route marketing; cen­ the sales goals would help make Am­ meet-and even surpass-the $505 tral reservations bureaus; interna­ trak 44 percent self-sufficient by the million goal for the year. tional, government, military, mail end of fiscal year 1982 and attain its Amtrak President Alan Boyd and express, commercial, interline goal of a 50 percent revenue-to-ex­ spoke at Monday night's dinner. and intermodal sales; and the Official pense ratio by the end of fiscal year "The future of Amtrak rests with Railway Guide's upcoming new for­ 1985. you, the people who make up the mat that will include city-to-city "I say that with a conviction in the marketing department," he said. "I listings much like those in the Official quality and importance of our pro­ feel very good because you are all Airline Guide. duct," he stressed. confident, competent, know what Workshop leaders included Tim The afternoon was devoted to pres­ you are doing and have pride and a Cronin, Joan Wheatley, Bob Gall, entation of the convention "plat­ belief in who we are. " Ira Silverman, Tim Aufmuth, Bob forms" by Gordon and Kathy Hartz, Continuing, Boyd said, "I like the Smith, Hubert Hanrahan, Phil Held, director, sales programs. These con­ idea of all of Amtrak pulling together Bob Hagopian and Joyce Greene. sisted of an overview of the depart- in '81. Amtrak is made up of people During the sales session, partie i-

(Left) Convention Chairman Gordon gavels the meeting to order. (Below) Amtrak's new line of merchandise-available for purchase-was introduced during a fashion show.

(Above) John Anderson, now district sales manager, New Orleans, studies the new Official Railway Guide. (Below) An ice cream break . . . . and a cone from President Boyd. Left to right are Joe Pollard and Bill Sprick, Minneapolis; and Russ Settell, Los Angeles. (Right) Bob Gall leads one of the "caucuses. " pants were introduced to several new "tools" that will be available to aid their sales efforts. An updated version of the former "Welcome Aboard" brochure will be available in January. A new travel poster is also available, one that al­ lows local sales messages to be in­ cluded in its design. A corporate standards manual, de­ tailing proper use of the company logo and other identification, is being distributed to each district sales of­ fice. Included is a set of 80 color slides for use in local sales presenta­ tions. These will be updated on a reg­ ular basis. Top sales and eRO winners pose with their bosses. Left to right, top row, are Ken Kar­ Also introduced was a new market­ chinski, Bob Hagopian, Roy Nyquist, Reg Bell, Bill Norman, Bill Smith, Jack Gordon and ing department newsletter that will be Jerry Sheehan, Bottom Row, left to right, are Gunther Settele, Bob Kujula, John Ander­ issued monthly. son, Bill Keim and Ron Rhodes. Backing the sales effort, too, will papers, magazines and the travel Also announced, at a special fash­ be an expanded advertising program trade press. Amtrak commercials will ion show, was a series of items that concentrating on spot announce­ now be seen on such programs as the are being made available for sale to ments on network television pro­ Tonight Show, Good Morning the public through Amtrak's new grams. These, in turn, will be backed America and all three network news merchandising programs. up with heavy use of radio, news- shows. Sales contest winners for both fis­ cal years 1979 and 1980 were an­ Mills Elected Board Chairman nounced at Tuesday's luncheon, at which Roger Staubach, former Dallas James R. Mills, of San Diego, was from San Diego State University. He Cowboy quarterback, was the fea­ elected chairman of Amtrak's board also did studies at the University of tured speaker. of directors at the London. Top sales districts for 1979 were board's regular Robert G. Dunlop, a member of Orlando, in the Eastern region; monthly meeting Amtrak's board of directors since Ju­ Houston, in the Central; and San on September 24. ly 1974, resigned from that post as of Francisco, in the Western. The tro­ Mills was first September 30. phies were accepted by Ron Rhodes, nominated to Am­ A long-time president of the Sun John Anderson and Bob Kujula, the trak 's board by Company, Dunlop was nominated respective district sales managers. President Jimmy for his seat on the board, in July The top region was the Eastern Carter in October 1974, by then President Richard M. with Bill Smith, regional sales direc­ 1977 and is current- James R. Mills Nixon. His four year term expired in tor, receiving the trophy. Los An­ ly serving a term that will expire in July 1978 but he continued to serve geles' Reservations Office Manager July 1982. pending his replacement. Roy Nyquist accepted the award for Prior to his nomination to Am­ President Jimmy Carter recently the top CRO. trak's board, Mills had been an active nominated William T. Cahill, former District winners for 1980 included supporter of improved rail service in governor of New Jersey, to replace Boston, in the Eastern region; Hous­ California. Dunlop. The President also nom­ ton, again, in the Central; and Los He was elected to public office in inated W. Howard Fort, an attorney Angeles, in the Western. The awards 1960 as a California State Assem­ from Akron, Ohio, to fill the vacancy were accepted by Bill Keim, Ander­ blyman. In 1966, he was elected to the created by the departure of former son and Gunther Settele, district sales State Senate and, since 1971, has Board Chairman Harry Edwards. managers. Top region was the served as President pro tempore of Also renominated was Charles Luna, Western, with Reg Bell, regional sales the Senate and as chairman of the vice chairman of the board. The director ,accepting the trophy, while Senate Committee on Rules. nominations of all three were sent to New York's Ken Karchinski, CRO Mills was born in San Diego on the Senate last month for confirma­ manager, accepted the trophy for the June 6, 1927, and received degrees tion. top reservations office. \

3 Indianapolis Hosts Family Days, ______I 12,000 Attend Equipment Show

Some 12,000 persons visited Indi­ trak's vice president and chief en­ line finally cleared the last car at 7: 15 anapolis' Union Station on Saturday gineer. p.m. and Sunday, October 4-5, to attend On display, on the upper level in Inside the station was a series of 16 the latest Family Days celebration. the train shed, were a Superliner exhibits including many offering a Following the pattern set at other diner, Superliner baggage-coach, a railroading theme. Included were a Family Days, Saturday's opening head-end-powered coach, a HEP display from the Museum of Trans­ hours, from 9 to 11 a.m., were re­ sleeping car, an Amcafe, an F40PH port in nearby Noblesville, a minia­ served solely for employees and their diesel locomotive and a Conrail ca­ ture working steam engines, an HO families and nearly 1,200 attended. boose. model train display, plus working ar­ At 11 a.m., official dedication At times, during Saturday after­ tists from the Art League of Indian­ ceremonies were held in front of the noon and Sunday, people were wait­ apolis and an exhibit from the Indian­ station. Speakers included Senator ing up to two hours in three-block­ apolis chamber of commerce. Birch Bayh, of Indiana; Indiana Con­ long lines to see the equipment dis­ Entertainment, including a mass gressman Dave Evans; State Repre­ play. At closing time it even took choir of Sweet Adelines, a Dixieland sentative Julia Carson; Tom Henry, longer. Shortly after 4 p.m., on Sun­ band, high school bands and several representing Indianapolis Mayor Wil­ day, no more persons were allowed vocal groups, during the two days liam Hudnut; and Bob Lawson, Am- into the line. The last person in the was supplied by the City of Indian­ apolis parks and recreation depart­ ment. The city was also cosponsor of the entire Family Days celebration. The two-day event also marked the reopening of the station for train ser­ vice. The previous Wednesday saw the inauguration of service of the Hoosier State, Amtrak's new Chica­ go-Indianapolis train. The city has had no train service since the demise of the National Limited in 1979. Door prizes were raffled off on an hourly basis. These included round­ trip tickets to Chicago, theatre tickets, gift certificates to local res­ Long lines were the rule on both Saturday and Sunday afternoons. taurants and Purdue University foot­ ball games, and Amtrak travel bags and drinking mugs. The grand door prize, awarded late Sunday afternoon, consisted of a trip for four to New Orleans. At the marketing department's large promotional display, sales per­ sonnel handed out brochures and timetables and answered questions about Amtrak service. One promotion that proved most successful was an advertisement in local newspapers offering a railroad spike ball point pen to anyone who presented a coupon from the ad at (Above) People wait to inspect the cars with Family Days. "We must have given patience and good humor. (Right) Visitors pour onto the station platform level to visit the away thousands," said one sales per­ equipment display. son. Public Safety Program ______---, I Pays Dividends In New England In 1977, ten people were killed or "No Second Chance." It has been line there is going to be electrified and injured while trespassing on railroad shown to over 100,000 persons on the that presents a new hazard. property on the Boston division. Half Boston division, most of them school "I doubt that many of the young were under 18 years of age. children. people are familiar with an electrified In 1979, trespassing incidents, re­ This past summer Amtrak Patrol­ railroad. The film deals with this sulting in injury or death, dropped to man Charles D. Walsh has been tak­ aspect and our police officers who only four and none involved children ing the program to summer camps, present the program are well qualified under 18. senior citizen meetings and local Ys as to discuss that subject." well as to any other group which is in­ Teague noted that in the lower half Captain Richard Teague, superin­ terested in hearing the railroad's of the Northeast Corridor trespassers tendent, police, of the Boston divi­ message. sometimes have unwittingly come in­ sion, which includes Massachusets, "We are very eager to get our story to contact with the electrified over­ Rhode Island and Connecticut, at­ across in the three New England head wires and suffered serious, and tributes the reduction to a four year states for two very important rea­ often fatal, burns. old school safety program. sons," says Teague. "First of all, our Amtrak employees in the Northeast That program, which is conducted trains will be operating at much hig­ who are interested in having the pro­ by Amtrak's police department, went her speeds when the Northeast Cor­ gram presented to a local group into full gear in 1978 and centers on a ridor Improvement Project is com­ should contact Patrolman Walsh III 12-minute color motion picture called pleted. But, more importantly, the Boston at ATS-8-571-2221. Hoosier State Begins Chicago-Indianapolis Run Service on Amtrak's new Chicago­ College Pep Band. The train riders one-year trial basis. If ridership con­ Indianapolis train, the Hoosier State, were greeted by Mayor Glen Knecht. tinues high, the train would become a was inaugurated on Wednesday, Oc­ No formal celebration was planned permanent one in Amtrak's system. tober 3, with the first northbound for Dyer, but nearly 100 persons The train is also used to shuttle cars run. came out to see the train. Senator to and from the Beech Grove shops The train, which serves Crawfords­ Bayh, who was aboard, detrained at where they are repaired. This elimin­ ville, Lafayette and Dyer enroute, left Dyer to speak to a Democratic ates using freight service for the Indianapolis Union Station at 7:30 Women's Club. moves thus saving the company con­ a.m. after ceremonies that included The Hoosier State is operating on a siderable money. Indiana Senator Birch Bayh and Indi­ anapolis Mayor William Hudnut as participants. Amtrak's Clark Tyler, group vice president, passenger services and communications, also spoke to the assembled crowd. Mayor Hudnut then smashed the traditional bottle of champagne against the train as it started on its first trip north. The special train consisted of two Amcoaches, an Amcafe and a head­ end-powered coach, plus Amtrak's inspection car, the No. 10000. Power was provided by two F40PH locomo­ tives. The normal consist will be two coaches plus the Amcafe and one locomotive. First stop on the inaugural run was Crawfordsville where a small crowd was waiting, including the Wabash The inaugural Hoosier State runs through Lansing, Illinois, on its way to Chicago.

5 Nation's First Air-Rail-Ground Terminal ___-----. Dedicated At Baltimore International Airport

Amtrak's new $3 million station and access to the airline terminal­ Some of that cooperation included serving Baltimore Washington Inter­ one mile away-is provided by free the construction of the station which national (BWI) airport was dedicated shuttle bus service. No baggage or was done by Amtrak while the access with a colorful ceremony on Thurs­ porter service is available at this time. road and parking lot were built by the day, October 23. The station opened for business the Maryland State Highway Administra­ The 3,OOO-square-foot modern following Sunday. Ten Amtrak and tion with Federal Highway Adminis­ stucco station, set in an attractive four Conrail commuter trains serve tration funds. Train schedules were wooded area 10 miles south of Balti­ the new station on weekdays with worked out between Amtrak, the more, features a large passenger wait­ modified schedules on weekends. State Aviation Administration and ing lounge, closed circuit security sys­ During the dedication ceremony, the State Railroad Administration. tem, automated vending machines, Maryland Senator Charles McC. Bill Norman, Amtrak's vice presi­ public phones, access for the handi­ Mathias, Jr., who took the initiative dent, marketing, echoed the senior capped and a 390-car illuminated and for the station project, lauded the Maryland senator's sentiments. He patroled parking lot. opening of the nation's first rail-air­ said, "The linking of rail passenger High level platforms are located on ground intermodal station. "This is service with this major international each side of the three-track mainline an excellent example of cooperation airport should significantly con­ with an overhead bridge connecting between the federal and state govern­ tribute toward increasing our train the two. ments and local agencies in pursuit of ridership not only in the Washington­ Two ticket clerks are on duty from an energy-efficient method for mov­ Baltimore corridor, but throughout early morning to early evening daily ing people," he said. the Atlantic seaboard as well." Pas-

(Left) Bill Norman, Amtrak's vice president, marketing, addresses the large crowd that attended the B WI station dedication. (Below) Working in the sales exhibit were, left to right, Renee Holloway, Sherman Hill, Lauren Havens, Oliver Jones and Linda Park.

(Left) Slated to work at the new station are Laurie Reese, ticket clerk; Paula Frankos, lead ticket clerk; Pat Magliano, supervisor, ticketing; and Sandi Mil/s, tickel clerk. (Below) Serving sweet rolls and coffee to early arrivals were On­ Board Services Employees Brenda Williams, Basim Muhammad, Brenda Johnson, Joyce Krenson, Harry Brown, Jr., and Dianne Bowie.

: REFRESHME NTS • cfJltJirf!lif

• I t{A ~ !il;~~~~ ' sengers from points outside the Cor­ crowd, airliners were landing at the champagne and pastries provided by ridor can transfer to trains that ser­ airport while Amtrak trains rolled the airlines serving the airport. vice the airport. past the station emphasizing the inter­ Ground was broken for the station Other speakers included Maryland modal nature of the new facility. four years ago, but actual construc­ Governor Harry Hughes; Maryland's About 400 people attended the tion didn't begin until August 1979. other senator, Paul Sarbanes; Con­ ceremonies on a cool but sunshiny The station, which is located on the gresswomen Gladys Spellman and day. After the dedication, they airport grounds 10 south of Balti­ Marjorie Holt; and Washington, crowded into two large striped tents more and 20 miles north of Washing­ D.C. Mayor Marion Barry. to enjoy a buffet of roast beef, ton, is expected to serve an average of As the speakers addressed the cheese, ham, turkey, wine, beer, 400 passengers a day. Mini-Family Day Celebrated At 16th Street

Nearly 1,200 persons-employees and their spouses and children-of Chicago's 16th Street locomotive maintenance facility came down on Sunday, September 21, to take part in a mini-family day celebration. The activity began at 1 p.m. and contin­ ued for three hours. On display were an F40PH loco­ motive and a head-end-powered coach and Slumbercoach. Both children and adults had an opportuni­ ty to have their pictures taken in the cab of the locomotive. Children received balloons and paper locomotive engineer's hats while adults were presented with drinking mugs and luggage tags. Nearly 1,200 employees, their spouses and children enjoy the mini-Family Day. Names were drawn each hour at a raf­ fle for special door prizes. Two clowns roamed through the crowd entertaining visitors. Music for the afternoon was furnished by a two­ piece combo, an organist and banjo player. Hot dogs, potato chips, ice cream and soft drinks were served in a con­ tinuous stream to the crowd by Joe Jackson, chef and assistant trainer; Derrick Johnson, food specialist; and Bob Schoeller, dining car steward. (Above) Kids received balloons and paper engineer A videotape player operated hats. (Right) A temporarily lost youngster looks for throughout the afternoon showing his parents. copies of Amtrak TV News and tapes of Beech Grove activities. The mini-family day, which was re­ Wanted: Amtrak News Correspondents stricted to employees of the 16th In an attempt to expand coverage, will be responsible for finding items Street facility, was held to allow Amtrak News is seeking cor­ of interest in his or her territory and families of employees there to see the respondents from major points on the relaying them to the editorial offices recently completed locomotive main­ system. of Amtrak News. tenance building which is part of the Qualifications for the voluntary Persons who are interested are $42 million, multi-year Chicago yards positions are a news sense and an asked to contact the editor at A TS upgrading program. ability to write. The correspondent (8) 733-3865, or 202-383-3865.

7 people come in to pick up their Hot Line To President Boyd tickets? A: Passengers are given their reser­ Question: I'm a kitchen employee FL9s on at Albany? vation number and told by the reser­ on dining cars and would like to A: At present we only have two vations agent that the station ticket know how long it's going to be before FL9 locomotives which operate be­ agent will need that number to locate we get electric kitchens and when we tween Grand Central and Harmon. their reservation in the computer be­ are going to get dormitory cars that When more FL9s are received from fore he or she can issue them their have some privacy. Morrison-Knudsen-which is re­ tickets. Answer: Head-end-powered cars building them-around the end of the Picking up tickets in advance on a and Superliners will be implemented year, we expect to operate them all "will call" basis was done once but on all long-distance trains by the end the way between Grand Central and the process caused some significant of 1981. That means, of course, that Albany. accounting problems. This practice the trains will have all-electric kit­ was discontinued several years ago chens. Q: I work on the Empire Builder for just that reason. The gang room dormitory is being and we never have any paper seat Q: Many people just ignore our eliminated on all new dormitory cars covers in the restrooms. Is it possible ticket windows and buy their tickets and will eventually disappear from to get some? on the train. One reason is the 25<1: the system as the older cars are refur­ A: It has never been Amtrak's penalty charge. In this day and age bished or replaced. We recently re­ policy to supply paper toilet seat that's entirely too low. Any chance of viewed dormitory car designs that are covers for various reasons. One is increasing this to, maybe, $1? planned or under construction with that retention type toilets would clog A: As of October 26, we increased 30 on-board services employees. with the additional paper. With ser­ the on-board purchase penalty for Recommendations for providing vice attendants keeping restrooms people boarding at manned stations more privacy, more lavatory facili­ clean, there also should be no health to 50<1: . This had been announced in a ties, security for personal items and hazard. previous Hot Line. -such amenities as mirrors, ash trays The reason for the delay was that and shelves are all being considered Q: Some people who come to our the 25<1: charge was printed on certain by the passenger services and equip­ station assume that their tickets will Amtrak stock and this had to be ex­ ment engineering departments. be waiting for them because people at hausted before the new policy could reservations offices tell them they can be put into effect. Since no mention Q: I've worked the Florida trains pick up tickets there. Is there any way of any specific amount is printed on since Amtrak came along. Early this that the bureaus could contact the in­ the new ticket stock, changes can be year it was announced that head-end­ dividual stations with information made relatively quickly in the future. powered cars would be used on the about passengers so that we could Silver Star. Then they said it would be have P&R cards filled out before the Q: I sell tickets at Pennsylvania the Silver Meteor. What's the truth? A: Head-end-powered equipment will be implemented on the Silver Thanks For Assistance Program Meteor first-with an estimated com­ pletion date of late April-because of Comment: I don't have any sug­ around, made me a finer person as the scheduled quick turnaround time gestions for improvement of service, well as a better employee. in New York, as contrasted to the but I do have a comment to make on Answer: Weare now in the pro­ overnight layover for the Star. HEP help I received through the Employee cess of conducting union-supervisory equipment is more reliable than the Assistance Program. training workshops throughout the steam cars, so we feel they should be I had a drinking problem and the system which should increase the visi­ used first on a train that needs a quick Employee Assistance Program helped bility of the program staff and bring turnaround. me turn my life around. to the attention of all employees that We should publicize the program a broadened Employee Assistance Q: There's a lot of time taken in more so that other employees can be­ Program is underway. Albany to break the Lake Shore come aware of the help they can get. We're also planning to include Limited into separate sections for They should know that if they have a some news articles about the program New York and Boston. Then, at Har­ problem like mine, drug troubles or in future issues of Amtrak News. mon, more time is taken to change whatever, they can turn to the com­ Anyone who may have an alcohol the diesel locomotives to an FL9 for pany and have it be on their side. or drug problem should contact Jo the remaining miles to Grand Central I can't thank the company enough Ann Anderson at 202-383-3136 or Station. Why don't we just put the because it certainly turned my life A TS 8-733-3136.

8 Station, New York. Could we rein­ field staff, your suggestion was dis­ lieve that we have a public address state some kind of pet policy here in cussed. It was agreed that we would system to be installed here. It's been the Northeast Corridor? Many stu­ test this concept in Los Angeles. Fur­ in stock for several months but no ef­ dents take their pets back to school. ther expansion would be dependent fort has been made to install it. With They use pet containers for small on the results of the test. winter coming on, I think it would be dogs and cats and I think we could al­ beneficial to have this tool, especially low that. Q: I'm an employee on the San in this brand new yard. Can you tell A: Our present pet policy was de­ Joaquin and we recently have been me what the problem is? veloped in response to the Depart­ experiencing a lot of locomotive trou­ A: The public address system is ment of Agriculture's administration ble. Engine 230 broke down one day awaiting delivery from the vendor of of rules and regulations in the "An­ with train 710 causing a one-hour de­ amplifier and electronic control sys­ imal Welfare Act," which took effect lay. The same locomotive broke tems before the final installation can on June 17,1977. down again a week later causing an­ be completed. Speakers have already To comply with the Act, Amtrak other delay. There were other break­ been installed and underground wir­ would have to take some passenger downs too. Is this the result of lack of ing laid. Installation is proceeding on revenue space for an on-board carry­ maintenance? schedule and we hope to have the job ing area. This space would require ex­ A: Locomotive 230 caused three of completed before winter hits Chica­ tensive modification to provide odor, the four major delays incurred in a go. noise, sanitation and access control. one-month period. A module failure The expense to do this is prohibitive. was found to be the cause. It was re­ Q: Does Amtrak have a policy on Aside from that, it would appear solved by the locomotive's manufac­ inventions that employees might unfair to discriminate against stu­ turer. make to benefit the company in some dents who have larger animals by car­ way? rying the smaller ones. A: No, we have no formal cor­ New Uniforms Coming porate policy regarding employee in­ Q: I work at Sunnyside yard and ventions. Furthermore, it is a com­ We:: have a complaint about the old Y Question: I'm a train atten­ plex legal question as to who might here. There's no hot food available dant and have heard that we're claim ownership of such inventions. and the only thing we get to eat comes going to get new uniforms next Off the top of my head, I would in on a truck five days a week. year. Is this true and when are we think that the company position Nothing's been done about fixing up going to get them? would be that if an invention was the Y to get somebody in there to Answer: New uniforms will be developed on company time and/or serve hot meals again. issued next spring. Photographs with company materials, it would be A: The YMCA in New York has and samples of the new uniforms Amtrak's property. will be available at crew bases in gone out of business and the building However, I think that this might the near future for your review. has been transferred to our mainten­ just be the time for developing a for­ They will also be published in a ance of way department. mal policy to protect Amtrak and to A contract was awarded recently to future issue of Amtrak News. stimulate employee inventiveness. We a vendor to have automated hot food will pursue this further. dispensing machines installed in the Q: I'm a train attendant on the Q: We keep hearing that Amtrak is old Pullman building there at Sunny­ Coast Starlight and would like to going to be buying the yard facilities side. Target date for operation of the know when the equipment will be re­ here in Seattle. Any truth to that? new lunch room is November 30. placed and with what. Also, we're wondering if there's A word of warning, however. The A: We'll begin phasing Superliner any thought of extending service here vendor has stipulated rather strongly equipment on the Starlight about in Oregon down to Roseburg, Grants that if the machines are vandalized or mid-March of next year with a com­ Pass or Ashland. damaged, in any way, he will remove pletion date projected by the end of A: First, Amtrak continually re­ them. June. We hope to attain this goal so views railroad sites where mainten­ that the train can operate with Super­ ance is performed on our cars and lo­ Q: I'm a steward on the Coast liners during next summer's busy sea­ comotives. We're interested in seeing Starlight. Why don't we print on the son. if we can reduce our costs and get bet­ back of the meal check some ques­ The present conventional equip­ ter control. Seattle is on the list of tions about the quality of both the ment will be used until the phase-in such facilities set up for review but no food and the service? We could begins. final decision regarding this has yet monitor our service and pinpoint been made. where any problems might exist. Q: I work at Chicago's 14th Street We are not actively considering any A: During a recent meeting of our coach yard and have been led to be- extension of service in the Oregon

9 area. We also do not know of any Seattle; and at some other locations. system is being planned as part of the other study being undertaken by any However, not all large stations lend system that will replace ARTS in Oc­ outside group along that matter. themselves to this concept because of tober 1981. This is one of our priority lack of adequate space for a staging areas. Q: Why don't we adopt a single area. Unfortunately, the limitations of line waiting line system at our sta­ the present system do not allow us to tions? That's whe~e everybody stands Q: A couple of quick questions, consider immediate application to in one line and, as each person please. (1) When are we going to start ARTS. reaches the end, he or she is directed stringing wire between New Haven to the next available clerk. and Boston? (2) Any plans to have Q: Now that we have the San A: The single line system, using dome cars equipped with head-end­ Francisco Zephyr outfitted with stanchions for crowd control, was in­ power? Superliners, we have a lounge prob­ troduced to Philadelphia's 30th Street A: Electrification of the New lem. They're using a part of the diner station last January and has been Haven-Boston line is scheduled to be­ as the lounge area and this is totally working there rather well. gin in April 1981 with catenary work inadequate. Can we get the Am­ Since then, we've installed similar actually starting in June 1982. Com­ dinette cars back on the train so they systems in South Station, Boston; in pletion is tentatively planned for De­ can be used as lounges? People need cember 1983. someplace to smoke, have a drink President's Hot Line Our marketing department is and relax. You can't do that in the studying a proposal to convert dome middle of a dining car. U.S.A. 800-424-5191 cars to HEP. Their findings, plus en­ A: By the end of the year a coach­ D.C. only 383-2027 gineering estimates of the costs to do lounge Superliner car will be made so, will bear heavily on a decision to available to operate on each train set convert this type of equipment. of the Zephyr. The necessary equip­ Personnel Hot Line It should be noted that delivery of ment has been ordered. The food ser­ Superliner lounge cars will provide vice equipment is being installed right U.S.A. 800-424-5190 passengers with the same attractive now in our Chicago yards. This facili­ D.C. only 383-3636 features found on dome cars. ty will provide beverage and hot snack service. Q: I'm a supervisor in the Los An­ This type of car will just be an in­ Payroll Hot Line geles CRO and we get a lot of calls terim measure until the Superliner here about lost baggage. That's really cafe/lounge cars are delivered and go U.S.A. 800-424-5067 not our department but we try to help into service. D.C. only 383-3517 the customer anyway. We can't operate an Amdinette or I would like to suggest that a field HEP lounge car on the train because Payroll personnel will answer calls live be entered into the ARTS system for we would need to outfit the six con­ during day shift hours, Monday through baggage check numbers so we could sists and there is a shortage of these Friday. At all other times calls will be have a record of them. types of cars. They are needed on our handled by an answering machine. A: A complete baggage tracing prime single-level trains.

Jobs Hot Line U.S.A. only 800-424-5196

All Hot Lines are in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Callers to the President's Hot Line can either identify themselves or remain anonymous. Personnel Hot Line callers, obviously, must identify themselves if they wish a reply to their questions. o .co Employees also have the option of writ­ 0.. ing instead of calling. Write the specific ~ Hot Line you want. c/ o Amtrak, 400 N. >(" Capitol St., NW, Washington, D.C. .c" 2000 I. ~ ...... The first cafe/ lounge Superliner poses for its ''portrait'' in Chicagu.

10 Train Electrification Continues; ______----, Superliners On Zephyr, Southwest Limited

The San Francisco Zephyr began training railroad personnel in opera­ operation. all-Superliner service on Saturday, tion of head-end-powered equipment Training stops included Fort Madi­ September 27, when the sixth set of made its way between Chicago and son, Kansas City, Newton, La Junta, bi-Ievel cars assigned to it left Los Angeles along the route of the Albuquerque, Winslow and Barstow. Chicago at 6:15 p.m. Southwest Limited. Training of railroad personnel is Each of the six consists has two The four car special consisted of a one facet of Amtrak's policy to ac­ F40PH locomotives, two 70-foot Superliner coach, a Superliner bag­ quaint its own, as well as railroad, single-level baggage-mail cars, one bi­ gage-coach, a hi-level ex-Santa Fe employees in operating equipment level transition dormitory-coach; one transition dormitory-coach and one with Superliner and head-end-power Superliner coach modified for lounge of the training cars from Beech capabilities. service; a Superliner diner and a Grove. Also included was an F40PH The LRC train, after a series of Superliner sleeping car. locomotive which will replace tests in the Northeast Corridor, was Other train developments include SDP40Fs on the route. put into service on the Beacon Hill completion of conversion of the Cres­ The consist was carried along on between New Haven and Boston. cent to head-end-powered equipment, the regular Southwest Limited but, at After a few weeks in this service, the the start of conversion of the South­ major division points, the locomotive cars were sent to the Corridor, south west Limited to Superliners and the and four cars were taken off and of New York, for more cant deficien­ placement into service of the LRC parked. Twenty-four hours later, cy tests. The locomotive continued on train. when the next Southwest Limited the run hauling Amfleet cars. The se­ The Crescent was completely con­ came along, the equipment was added cond LRC train set was received in verted to head-end-powered cars to the train for movement to the next early October and was immediately when the southbound train left New stop. In the interim, local Santa Fe scheduled into its own testing pro­ York on Monday, September 29. personnel were trained in the car's gram. Conversion began on July 22. Four separate sets of equipment are All-Electric Fleet In Sight required to provide daily service be­ tween New York and New Orleans Amtrak's board of directors, at its long-distance Amfleet II equipment. and the equipment was phased in one regular monthly meeting on Wednes­ The 232 all-electric cars are destined consist at a time as it became avail­ day, October 29, approved an invest­ for service on the Silver Star, Panama able from the Beech Grove shops. ment of $59 million towards convert­ Limited, Inter-American and Mon­ Each Crescent now averages 11 ing the entire locomotive and passen­ treater. The Silver Meteor is already cars in length, including five coaches, ger car fleet to all-electric service in scheduled to receive head-end­ two sleeping cars, a diner, a cafeteria­ 1981. powered equipment now being refur­ lounge, and two cars for baggage and The bulk of the allocation-$32.5 bished at Beech Grove. dormitory use. million-is earmarked for the Beech Seven million dollars of the fund­ The Crescent is the first of three Grove shops for conversion of 109 ing will be spent on converting 28 routes in the South to get the up­ steam-heated cars into head-end­ more hi-level ex-Santa Fe cars, by the graded equipment. The Silver Meteor powered, or Heritage Fleet, cars. Santa Fe at its Topeka, Kansas, will begin its conversion early next Twenty-seven coaches from the shops. They will be compatible with year, while the Silver Star is sched­ 109-car batch will be put into service Superliner equipment for service on uled to receive new Amfleet II long­ between Philadelphia and New York western routes. A previously-ap­ distance cars now being built by the as replacements for the self-propelled proved conversion of 45 hi-level cars Budd Company. "Jersey Arrows," which will be re­ is already underway. Southwest Limited began its con­ turned to New Jersey's Department The remaining $19.5 million will be version to Superliners on Monday, of Transportation when their leases used to convert 30 SDP40F locomo­ October 27, when the first Superliner expire. tives to lighter-weight F40PHs which consist left Chicago. Five sets of cars The remaining cars-33 sleepers, are needed to operate head-end­ are needed to completely outfit the 24 baggage cars, 10 baggage-dormi­ powered cars. The conversions train. tories, 10 diners and five Slumber­ should be completed by mid-1981. Before the first consist left Chica­ coaches-will be used to complement SDP40Fs do not have electrical gener­ go, a mini-train of cars dedicated to the 150 car Budd Company order for ating capability.

11 which was being pulled, of course, by Amtrak People No. 4913 . Then, in 1971, Vibbert moved to GG 1 Guardian Angel_---, fares, travel times and facilities avail­ Pennsylvania Station to work for the able in the huge Pennsylvania Station Penn Central. She monitored freight I Saves No. 4913 complex. and passenger trains and, in this ca­ When Amtrak's board of directors Her love of the railroad industry pacity, frequently saw No. 4913 and approved the sale of the GG 1 loco­ was inherited. Born into a railroad even actually chartered the locomo­ motives at a recent meeting, one of family, she says railroad fever is in tive's daily course. the units, No. 4913, already had a her blood. After several jobs with Amtrak, prospective home, the new Rail­ As a youngster in New Jersey, she which took over her position in 1973, roaders' Memorial Museum, in Al­ often rode the North Jersey coast Vibbert found herself again, in 1978, toona. trains from Rahway to New York. On ushering in Pennsylvania Station. She Andrea Vibbert, an usher in Penn­ many of the runs, she found herself had come full circle. sylvania Station, New York, and also aboard a train pulled by GGI No. Vibbert works the 4 p.m. to mid­ called "the guardian angel of 4913," 4913. This locomotive became very night shift and takes advantage of heard about the locomotive's retire­ important to her and she has been in Amtrak's educational assistance pro­ ment and went to the museum to see contact with it during most of her gram by attending college during the if the people there were inters ted in adult life. day. She hopes to get a degree in acquiring the unit. In 1969, Vibbert began her railroad management operations and find an They were and a fund drive was career as a clerk for the Central of appropriate job in Amtrak's opera­ New Jersey railroad. In her daily tions department in New York. commuting trips to work she often "Love a train," she says . "That's saw her old friend, No. 4913 . my motto." One weekend, in 1969, on her way to New York, she met Robert Vibbert The Railroaders' Memorial Muse­ aboard the train. The two struck up a um, which is dedicated to "past, pres­ conversation and soon discovered ent and future railroad employees, " they were both railroaders and that was just completed this past summer. both were equally interested in rail­ No. 4913 is presently displayed as roading as a hobby. is, but the museum hopes to return it A year later the couple was mar­ to its original tuscan red paint scheme ried, aboard the Broadway Limited, complete with five gold pin stripes. g , .co 0.. E Appointments .0,e > David R. Smail has been named Corridor maintenance of way source t: ~ o assistant vice president, admin­ reporting and the Beech Grove head­ GGl "Guardian Angel" Andrea Vibbert '" istrative services, in the operations end-power productivity improvement and the locomotive she "saved " for the Al­ and maintenance department. As project. toona museum. such, he will be responsible for decen­ John Stafford has been promoted quickly begun. tralization, distributed data process­ to personnel manager, Eastern Stressing the theme-" Y ou Can ing and strategic planning programs region, and will be responsible for all Go Home again 4913," the project .... Richard C. Ambelang was ap­ personnel operations in that region. was a success. The locomotive was pointed senior director operations With Amtrak since December 1973, purchased and shipped to Altoona and maintenance controls. He will be he has held various positions in the where it arrived just in time for the responsible for coordination of personnel department, the latest be­ museum's grand opening on Septem­ budget activity, performance and ing personnel supervisor, Central ber 21. productivity controls. region . . .. Richard Paulin has been Vibbert isn 't an employee who just Jeffery L. Dudley has been pro­ promoted to manager, corporate per­ loves her job. She's an employee moted to director, productivity im­ sonnel. He joined Amtrak this past whose vocation and avocation are provement programs, in the cor­ Mayas a senior employment completely intermingled. porate planning department. As such, representative. Prior to that, he held As an usher, she meets assigned he will lead the group in assisting various human resource positions trains to help passengers. She directs departments to increase efficiency with various organization as well as travelers to their trains and answers and improve service levels. Current spending 17 years with a California questions about accommodations, projects include improving Northeast law firm.

12 Kawasaki, Thrall To Study______~ Passenger Car Manufacturing Possibility Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), American rail passenger car market. high priority on introducing such a of Japan, and the Thrall Car Manu­ In its recently released "Transporta­ manufacturer into the United States facturing Company, Chicago tion Agenda for the '80s," the De­ to serve the growing market for inter­ Heights, Illinois, have agreed to con­ partment of Transportation placed a city and transit cars. duct a feasibility study regarding the creation of a joint venture to manu­ facture rail passenger cars in the Conductor Pens Retirement Poem United States. Harold McGraw, conductor on Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis The venture would place a priority trains, retired on Wednesday, November 12, after 60 years ofservice . on acquisition of the Pullman Stan­ McGraw worked nine years as a clerk and 51 as a trainman and con­ dard passenger car facility in Ham­ ductor. He has worked for the Alton, Baltimore and Ohio, GM&O mond, Indiana, if the two decide to and I/Iinois Central Gulf railroads as well as Amtrak. enter the business. Pullman has previ­ Describing himself "as Irish as Paddy's pig," McGraw celebrates ously announced that it will discon­ each St. Patrick's day by passing out green lollipops to children on his tinue rail passenger car building once trains. Uniform regulations are also "stretched" that day to allow him it completes the current order of to wear a green hat, green tie and plenty ofshamrocks. McGraw wrote Superliners for Amtrak. the accompanying poem as a tribute to his retirement. KHI, the largest manufacturer of How do I know, that my youth is all spent? passenger rail cars in Japan, has de­ Well, my get up and go, has got up and went! signed and built passenger cars for But, in spite of it all, I am able to grin, both Japanese and foreign markets, When I can recall, where my get up has been. ranging from commuter rail cars to the famous "Bullet Trains." Thrall, a Old age is golden, so I've heard it said, wholly-owned subsidiary of the But, sometimes I wonder, when I get into bed, Duchossois/ Thrali Group, is one of With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup, this nation's major manufacturers of And my eyes on a table, until I wake up. freight cars. Amtrak has been working for Ere sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself, many months with government lead­ Is there anything else, I should lay on the shelf? ers and potential entrants into the And I'm happy to say, as I close the room's door, My friends are the same, perhaps even more! Harold McGraw

Gifts Available When I was young, my slippers were red, I could kick up my heels, right over my head. Enclosed with this issue of Amtrak But, as I grew older, my slippers turned blue, News is a catalog of gift items that are But, I still could dance, the whole night through. available for purchase. Included in the array of gifts are Now I am old, my slippers are black, coffee and thermal mugs, beach I walk to the store . . .. and puff my way back. towels, ski hat and scarf sets, um­ The reason I know, my youth has been spent, brellas, T -shirts and many other Is that my get up and go . . . has got up and went! items. This is the initial step in an ever- ex­ But, I really don't mind, when I think with a grin, panding collection of gifts that Am­ Of all the grand places, my get up has been. trak will be making available to the Since I retired from life's competition, public. I busy myself with complete repetition. The folder includes a self-con­ tained order blank which employees I get up each morning and dust off my wits, and other subscribers to Amtrak Pick up the newspaper and read the "Obits." News can use to order the items they If my name is still missing, I know I'm not dead, want. Purchases can be paid for by So, I eat a good breakfast and go back to bed! check, money order or credit card.

13 Ridership Sets Record In August; Credit Better Service, Rising Fuel Costs

A new ridership record was set in than 85 percent. These included the cent; the Northeast Corridor (operat­ August when Amtrak trains carried Toledo, Peoria and Western, at 100 ed by Amtrak), at 64.7; Conrail, at 2.2 million passengers, the highest percent; the Union Pacific, at 96.2; 63.5; Central Vermont, at 62.3; the number of riders carried in one the Grand Trunk Western, at 90.3; Canadian National, at 52.5; the Mis­ month since the company began oper­ the Southern Pacific, at 89.4; the souri-Kansas-Texas, at 43.5; the Mil­ ating the nation's intercity passenger Boston and Maine, at 88.5; the Rich­ waukee Road, at 29.6; and the Dela­ trains in 1971. mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac, ware and Hudson, at 29. In noting the increase, Amtrak at 87.5; and the Seaboard Coast Line, Twenty-two of the 23 late train on President Alan Boyd said, "This is a at 85.2. the Central Vermont, and ten of the clear indication that the nation is con­ Eight railroads slipped below 70 44 late trains on the Delaware and tinuing its trend toward more energy­ percent for August. These included Hudson were due to U.S. Customs efficient public transport for intercity the Illinois Central Gulf, at 67 per- and Immigration delays. travel. "We'll be getting even more riders in the years ahead as our service con­ Old Material Control Building Razed tinues to improve and rising fuel costs Demolition of the former Pennsylvania Railroad's material control make train travel an even more at­ building, the last old structure standing in the Chicago yards, began tractive bargain. " on Monday, September 22, with a symbolic bashing of the walls by Travel on long-distance trains, dur­ Winnie Buitenwerf, inventory control clerk, and Merrill Jackson, ing August, increased by 12.2 percent material control clerk. over the same period of last year. The The two sledge hammer wielders were chosen for the job because . Superliner-equipped Empire Builder, they were the two employees who had worked in the building for the which ran daily this summer com­ longest time. pared to only four times a week last As part of the multi-year, $42 million upgrading program of the year, led the long-distance category Chicago terminal, all of the old buildings have been razed to make with a 103.1 percent increase. Signifi­ room for new yard tracks, shops and other specialty buildings for Am­ cant increases were also registered on trak's use. the Broadway Limited and the Lake The material control building, the last to go, had been used only for Shore Limited, two routes where storage during the past 18 months. trains were reequipped with totally Both hammer wielders well remember the many changes undergone refurbished head-end-powered cars. at the Chicago yards over the years. Buitenwerf, in fact, commented, Travel on short-distance trains, in "I was working here before Amtrak was even invented." August, increase by 9.2 percent over Two days after the symbolic smashing of the building walls, a de­ August 1979. The Shenandoah con­ molition contractor arrived to level the old structure. tinued to show extraordinary growth Employees who had been working in the complex of old buildings with an increase of 57.5 percent over have been relocated to quarters in new structures on the property, the same period last year. such as the recently completed car maintenance facility. While carrying more passengers than ever, the trains were on time 63.4 percent of the time during the month, compared to 49.4 percent for August 1979. Trains operating over short­ distance routes during August were on time 65.2 percent of the time com­ pared to August 1979 when they ran 53.1 percent on time. Long-distance trains had a 56.5 percent on time per­ formance this August compared to 39.3 percent for August 1979. Seven contracting railroads provid­ Merrill Jackson and Winnie Buitenwerf wield their symbolic sledge hammers. ed on-time performance levels better

14 ceedings between Amtrak and the Keeping Track Of Amtrak Southern pacific regarding the cost of the rerouting. Seventh San Diegan Amtrak excursion fare discounts, Rail Pass Continued which were scheduled to expire on Service on the San Diegan line, be­ October 26, have been extended The unlimited-travel U.S.A. Rail tween Los Angeles and San Diego, through next May 22. Discounts ap­ Pass, which was scheduled to expire was expanded on October 26 with the ply to many medium and long­ on October 26, has been extended addition of a seventh daily train in distance services and generally range through next April 25 with no in­ each direction. from 15 to 35 percent off regular crease in price. The new train will operate as part round-trip fares. Fares for the rail pass, which is sold of the basic system. Amtrak had this only outside the United States to seventh train under consideration as Calendars Coming residents of other countries, will con­ well as a possible eighth train for Amtrak's 1981 calendar will be is­ tinue at $200 for a seven-day pass; sometime. An analysis of demand in sued in early or mid-December. The $300 for 14 days; $400 for 21 days; the mini-corridor and the favorable subject will be a stylized montage-like and $500 for 30 days. financial impact on the company led rendition saluting Los Angeles Union Amtrak will also continue to sell to Amtrak's decision to operate the Station as an intermodal facility and the pass to children two through 11 at train. the City of Los Angeles on its 200th half fare and will also continue the California aids in funding three of birthday. Family U.S.A. Rail Pass offering fur­ the trains under 403(b) provisions. Price of the calendar and details on ther savings. San Joaquin Bus Link its availability will be printed in the Amtrak In Japan Through the efforts of the Califor­ next issue of Amtrak News. nia's Department of Transportation, An exhibit of Amtrak photos, Caltrans, and funded by that agency, Superliners For Starlight posters and other passenger-related Amtrak's San Joaquin trains now Plans have been announced to materials drew nearly 40,000 persons have guaranteed bus connections be­ completely reequip the Coast Star­ at the Kanagawa Prefectural Youth tween Stockton and Sacramento. light with Superliner cars and to re­ Center in Yokohama, Japan, in late Through one-way and round-trip route the train through the east side summer. Similar large crowds came fares have also been put into effect of the Sacramento Valley in northern to see the Amtrak display when it was between Sacramento and San Joa­ California. shown at Tokyo and Osaka. quin Valley cities served by the trains. New bi-Ievel Superliners will be Coordinating the exhibit with the These include Riverbank, Merced, phased in beginning next March. This Transportation Museum, in Tokyo, Madera, Fresno, Hanford, Wasco is seven months earlier than the which sponsored the display, was and Bakersfield. previously announced date of Oc­ John McLeod, travel editor, in Am­ tober 1981. The Superliners will be trak's public affairs department. Fares Go Up phased in-just as they were on the Most regular fares and accom­ Empire Builder and San Francisco modations charges were increased by Zephyr-as they become available. AMTRAK NEWS 10 percent as of October 26. The conversion, hopefully, will be Published once a month for em­ The increase follows Amtrak's fare completed by mid-June. ployees of the National Railroad policy, approved by the board of Daily service with Superliners on Passenger Corporation and those directors, and responds to guidelines the Starlight route will require four of participating railroads engaged established by both Congress and the complete sets of equipment. in rail passenger service. United States Department of Trans­ The proposed new route of the STAFF portation that direct Amtrak to in­ Starlight in northern California Editor crease its ratio of revenues to ex­ would take the train through the east Ed Wojtas penses over the next several years. side of the Sacramento Valley. From Circulation The increase also reflects the severe Davis, the train would operate via Ma rguerite Broyhill inflationary pressure that has con­ Sacramento, Marysville and Chico, 400 N. Capitol St. , NW, tinued to place economic burdens on and rejoin the present route at Washington, D.C. 20001 Amtrak as well as all passenger car­ Gerber. The only present station riers. missed by the rerouting would be 1m Amt rak News is a'member o f the Amtrak last raised fares on April Orland which would be served Associa ti on of Railroad Edi tors. 27 with a seven percent increase on liJiiiI through Chico, 20 miles east. Materi a l in Amtra k News is not copyrighted . most regular fares and accommoda­ Rerouting of the train is contingent Readers may use what they wish with proper at· tion charges. on the outcome of arbitration pro- tribut ion to Amtrak News.

15 Boyd Restates Company ______----, complacent because we know that af­ firmative action means good business I Affirmative Action Policy management. " Since 1978, Amtrak's program has Amtrak President Alan Boyd, last and I believe we can do that. Amtrak resulted in an overall eight percent in­ summer, reissued the company's will be a model in affirmative action crease in the number of minority em­ Policy Statement on Affirmative Ac­ not only for the railroad industry but ployees and a nine percent increase in tion to reinforce management's for other industries as well." women. Amtrak set the pace, in July responsibilities and commitment to Boyd pointed out that the number 1979, in opening up opportunities equal employment opportunity for all of minorities and women in manag­ when it became the first railroad to employees. erial positions has increased from introduce open posting for manage­ Not only does the statement em­ eight to 14 percent during the 18 mentjobs. phasize the importance of each super­ month period ending this past June. "We have some of the best quali­ visor's and manager's contribution, In professional positions, minorities fied people in railroading working for but also means a careful review of and women increased from 25 to 32 us," says Boyd. "What we are now each department's performance and percent. doing is concentrating on affirmative promises to resolve those areas where "We are proud of our program," efforts to train, develop, improve and a breach of commitment might be he said, "but we will not become utilize our human resource talents." found. Boyd first issued an affirmative ac­ tion statement shortly after joining Board Approves Training Center Amtrak in 1978. At that time he spelled out the company's commit­ Amtrak's board of directors, cago, was picked because of its ment to an aggressive program. The has approved an allocation of $2.8 spaciousness, the presence of policy statement was followed by the million to create a Gentral training suitable buildings on the site, development-and subsequent adop- facility at Donaldson, Indiana. proximity to Chicago and its avail­ , tion by the board of directors-of The money will permit acquisi­ ability at a reasonable price. The Amtrak's first comprehensive written tion of the property, rehabilitation ex-seminary offers an opportunity affirmative action program that of several buildings on the site for an early start at moderate cost delineated equal access to all op­ and provide furnishings and train­ plus room for considerable ex­ portunities for every employee. ing equipment. Acquisition of the pansion for future needs. Says Boyd, "I expect each manager site and authorization to proceed The proposed trammg center, and supervisor to understand that it is with its development is contin­ which would house and feed be­ each one's individual responsibility to gent on Department of Labor tween 200 and 250 trainees at a implement and maintain the company funding for a portion of the train­ time, is tentatively titled the Am­ commitment. ing program. trak Institute for Rail Services. "I want to see Amtrak build a The selected property, a vacant More details on the training reputation for professionalism and seminary located on 134 rural center in the next issue of Amtrak sound management in the industry acres about 70 miles east of Chi- News.

Bulk Rate U,S, POSTAGE PAID Permit 1911 Merrifield, VA

Passenger Corporation 400 N. Capitol Sf.. NW Washington. D.C. 2000] /' Thlsillue:

Marketing " Convention"" " , ... ,Page 1 Indianapolis Family Days""""",Page 4 , I Airport Station Dedicated"" " Page 6

Hot line" """""""."""""" .. " Page 8

HEP , Superliner Progress""" " Page 11

Record August Ridership"""Page 14

Next Month: LA's Eighth Street Yard. (Postponed from this issue because of space limitations,)