Vol. 7, No.8 September-October 1980 Record Crowds Jam Station ______-----, I For Los Angeles Family Days Nearly 45,000 persons came to Los Angeles Union Station on Saturday and Sunday, September 13-14, to help local Amtrak employees cele brate Family Days, a festive gathering of employees and the general public to inspect the latest equipment Am trak has to offer the traveling public. Some 900 area employees and their families attended the employee-only preview session on Saturday morn ing. Two special excursion train rides aboard Superliner-equipped trains were offered free to the employees. The trains-operated push-pull fashion to Glendale and back with an F40PH locomotive on one end and an (Abo ve) Lines of SDP40F on the other-were made crowds were long virlUally the entire available to the general public later in t wo days. By mid the day and on Sunday. Four public afternoon Sunday, rides were offer on Saturday after waits of up to an hour were common. noon, five on Sunday. All were sold (L eft) Mayor Tom out. Two extra Superliner cars even Bradley participates had to be added to the last two Sun in the opening cere monies. At left is day trains because of the excessive de A mtrak President mand. A lan Boyd. Adults paid $3 to ride the train, but were allowed to bring one child along free. Extra and unescorted children paid $2. Following the official ceremonies, which began at noon on Saturday, the doors of the station were opened to Passengers, presented the terminal the facility before the first visitor the general public. with a Golden Spike award for its would come through the doors. Speaking at the ceremonies were long history of accommodating the Before getting to the trackside Amtrak President Alan Boyd; Los traveling public. Mayor Bradley ac equipment display, visitors first Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley; Bill cepted the plaque. passed through the main waltlllg Toohey, president, Travel Industry The station virtually sparkled as a room where special exhibits were set Association of America, which was result of a major pre-party cleanup. up. Included in the array were dis holding a trade show in the city; Headed by Bruce Gaughan, ticket plays from the National Association Heinz Heckeroth, representing Cali clerk, Glendale, and Lowell Majors, of Railroad Passengers; Citizens for fornia's Department of Transporta a temporarily unassigned employee, Rail California; California's Depart tion; and Ed Bosley, regional vice the cleanup crew worked, literally, ment of Transportation; and the San president, Trailways Bus Lines, day and night to get the station ready Diego Metropolitan Transit District, which shares space with Amtrak in for the weekend event. The engineer which featured its upcoming "Ti Union Station. ing department, on its part, painted juana Trolley" transit line to the George Falcon, regional director of the restrooms completely and ar Mexican border town. the National Association of Railroad ranged for a thorough sanitization of Of particular note was a display set (Upper Left) Crowds peaked at mid-Sunday afternoon. (Above) The Superliners, entered through a high-level transition car, were the highlight for visitors. (Far Left) A steady stream of people went through the F40PH lo comotive's cab. (Left) CRG personnel manned their booth answering questions and making reservations for passengers.
upby personnel from the Los Angeles which had the best exposure III the ing what they were about to see. Reservations office. Spearheaded by crowd. At trackside, they fir"5t viewed a Bob Hibbard, R&I agent, an ·'-'R"o-y---A-'-m~frak's SafelY departmeIlfOis- lineup of non-Amtrak equipment that Nyquist, CRO manager, the reserva- played work equipment and safety included a modern Trailways bus, a tions personnel assembled an eye- devices used on the railroad. Children double-deck 1929 Gray Lines sight catching booth in just one day using had an opportunity to tryon safety seeing bus, a new Grumman Flxible large display boards that were glasses, hard hats and linemen's transit bus, a Los Angeles Regional decorated with posters, signs and pro- heavy work gloves. Transit District articulated city bus, motional materials. While waiting, visitors could watch and an old interurban car that now The booth was stocked with a a safety film or a videotape presenta- rides on rubber tires and is equipped tariff, timetables and other literature. tion of Amtrak highlights, including with a gasoline engine for movement At least three persons worked the pieces on Los Angeles Eighth Street to such special exhibits. booth answering visitors' questions. yard, Beech Grove and Superliner Visitors then moved to two parallel Personnel on duty even took train trains. tracks where they inspected, on the reservations which were later shuttled Live entertainment-Dixieland first track, an ex-Santa Fe railroad to the CRO for insertion into the bands, drill teams, drum corps, stroll- cafe-lounge-observation car now computer. ing musicians, other bands and an art owned by the Pacific Southwest Rail Nearby was the marketing depart- exhibition-were presented through- way Museum of San Diego; an old ment's display where sales personnel out the two days in the courtyard im- and well-worn steam heated Amtrak distributed travel literature, en- mediately south of the main waiting coach that provided a contrast to gineers' hats to children and an- room. The entertainment was ar- what was to come; an Amdinette and swered questions about Amtrak ser- ranged and coordinated by Darrell a head-end-powered coach, diner and vice. Brewer, a professional music coor- sleeping car. At the end was an Trailways had a large booth in dinator and long-time Amtrak friend. SDP40F locomotive. which its employees distributed shop- Once past the exhibits and enter- Across the platform, people were ping bags, frisbees, travel literature tainment, visitors followed a weil- guided to the Santa Fe railway's ex and balloons. The Amtrak and Trail- marked trail through the outdoor ex- hibit car which was crammed with ways balloons and engineers' caps hibits. At the entry to the station tun- historical railroad equipment, model distributed by the Santa Fe led to a nel, they first registered for door trains and a large collection of rail friendly rivalry between all three as to prizes and received a program detail- roadiana.
2 Next Month Board Approves Diesel Shop ______What happens to Amtrak's I For Beech Grove Facility trains when they arrive in Los Angeles? Construction of a one million dol present are the many in-place support Cars are moved to Eighth lar diesel overhaul shop at Beech facilities as well as an overhead crane. Street yard and locomotives to Grove was approved by Amtrak's Other projects acted on by the Redondo Junction roundhouse board of directors at its regular board include: for servicing for their outbound monthly meeting in Washington on New Orleans: Approval to spend trips. Wednesday, August 27. $150,000 to modernize and rehabili The next issue of Amtrak News The project, which should save as tate the car washer. Included in the will tell the full story about the much as $25,000 per unit for the 10- project will be new brushes and two facilities and the people who plus locomotives it will overhaul an equipment buildings for pumps, make them work. nually, will be financed through a re tanks and controls. allocation of existing uncommitted Hialeah/ St. Petersburg: Approval Lined up behind the display car funds. for $340,000 to install 480 volt stand was a Santa Fe-converted hi-level Actual construction of the facility by power in yards at both locations to transition coach-dormitory car, fol could start as early as October, with service and maintain head-end-pow lowed by a Superliner coach, diner completion slated for July 1981. The ered equipment which will be as and sleeping car. An F40PH locomo facility will employ 36 persons. signed to both New York-Florida tive, open for display so people could At the present time, Amtrak relies trains beginning next spring. walk through the cab, brought up the on outside contract shops to perform Chicago: Approval to buy Con end of the line. about 25 percent of its heavy diesel rail's half interest in joint track be The lines of people to view the cars overhauls with the remaining 75 per tween Union Station and the South grew as the days wore on. At mid cent being done at its own shops in Branch bridge for a cost of $200,000. Sunday afternoon, waits of up to an New Haven, which are at full capaci The tracks provide access to Union hour were not uncommon. ty. Station from the 12th Street yards Helping swell the attendance was a Construction of an entirely new fa and to all mainline routes except Mexican Independence Day celebra cility would cost about $12 million. those used by trains operating from tion directly across the street from the Development of the shop at Beech the north side of the station. station. The Los Angeles sales office Grove can be done for less than 10 Wilmington: Approval to retire had distributed posters through the percent of that figure because of the and sell five GGI locomotives. The area, printed in Spansih, inviting par availability of a building which had five are inoperable, average 39 years ticipants there to join the Amtrak once been used by the New York Cen of age and would require $750,000 to party. tral for locomotive repair work. Also upgrade and repair. Radio, television and the printed press covered the Amtrak gala thoroughly. A special contingent of Air -Rail Station To Open travel writers was hosted to breakfast aboard the Superliner diner on Sun Operations at the new Baltimore termodal station concept and, as a day morning after they had toured Washington International (BWI) pas member of the Senate Appropriations the equipment display. senger station will begin on October Committee, helped secure passage of Other Family Days visitors in 26. legislation that provided construction cluded people attending the TIA The station, the first of its kind in funds. show which was being held at the the country, is located on the North Said Mathias, "This unique station same time. Trailways operated com east Corridor, near Baltimore and adds a totally new dimension to inter plimentary shuttle bus service for the just one mile from the BWI passenger city travel. People will now be able to TIA participants between the major terminal. Shuttle bus service will be transfer easily between the various hotels, the convention center and provided by the Maryland Depart modes of transportation. " Union Station. ment of Transportation. A preliminary schedule of service The trackside display of equipment Construction of the 3,000-square for the station includes stops by Am was "held over" to Monday and foot station began last October and trak's intercity trains and Conrail's Tuesday so agents from the reserva the facility includes a 392-car parking commuter trains. Final schedules will tions center could come to the station lot. be announced prior to the station's and see the various cars. Shuttle buses Maryland Senator Charles McC. opening. transported people between the two Mathias, Jr., (R-Md.) led the drive Formal dedication of the station locations. for Congressional approval of the in- will take place on October 23.
3 Preview Run Heralds----______-. I New Willamette Valley Trains
New Amtrak service between Port After the ceremony was completed, Normal revenue service began the land and Eugene, Oregon, was in Dolores Atiyeh, wife of the governor, next day. Two daily southbound and augurated on Saturday, August 2, cracked the traditional bottle of two daily northbound trains comprise with the special preview run of the champagne on the rear car's coupler the Willamette Valley. Fares range new train, the Willamette Valley . and the train moved forward to from a 30-day, round-trip excursion The train stopped at all stations it was smash through a large banner hailing of $22, between Portland and going to serve to greet people who the start of the service that was Eugene, to a one-way $14.50 regular had come out to see it. stretched across the tracks. fare. Prior to the official ceremonies at Whistlestops were made at Milwau Portland, the train, consisting of five kie, Woodburn, Salem and Albany to The Willamette Valley service con Superliner coaches, a transition car, respond to civic officials and the pub nects with the Pioneer for points east an Amdinette and the Southern Pa lic that came out to see the new train. of Portland. The Coast Starlight op cific railroad's business car, the The Transtooters entertained at each erates between Portland and Eugene Airslie, was open for inspection by stop when the speeches were com but does not serve Milwaukie or visitors to the station and participants pleted. Woodburn. in the ceremony. At Salem, Jackie Winters, oms The new trains are experimental Master of ceremonies for the in bundsman for the state, presented the and will be rated at the end of 12 augural was Keith Burbridge, state governor with a large brass belt months. They are a 403(b) service senator from Salem. Speakers in buckle engraved with a locomotive. with the state of Oregon paying for a cluded Frank Invancie, mayor, Port At Eugene, the final destination, the portion of the losses sustained in the land; Benjamin F. Biaggini, chair train was again opened up for operation. man, Southern Pacific; and Victor display. Atiyeh, governor of Oregon. Music Some 532 persons rode the in Although the present service con was provided by the Transtooters, the augural train with up to 400 persons sists of Superliner equipment, the Oregon Department of TThnsporta- attenamg eac of- the-staiion cere --train wlIl e convertea to Amfleet at a tion's band. monies along the way. future date. (Left) Dolores Atiyeh, the governor's wife, cracks a bottle of cham· pagne to christen the train . (Below) The new train smashes through a paper barrier to officially begin Willamette Valley service.
(Above) Keith Burbridge, state senator, Salem, greets the crowd at Albany. (Right) Music was provided by the Transtooters. (Above) Despite an extremely hot weekend, many Peorians came OUI to see the Prairie State's equipment. (Right) The special inaugural train ar rives in East Peoria.
Peoria Service Begins ______------, I With First Run Of Prairie Marksman Train service to and from Peoria, The new train's name is steeped in train service since December 31, 1978, Illinois, began on Sunday, August 10, TP&W history which was long pro when the bankrupt Rock Island ter with the first run of the Prairie moted as the "Route of the Prairie minated its last two trains, the Peoria Marksman. Marksman. " and Quad Cities Rockets. The train operates with two 84-seat In a speech made to Peoria's A special inaugural train was Amcoaches and an Amcafe pulled by Rotary club in July, Amtrak Presi operated on Friday, August 8, carry an F40PH locomotive. The train dent Alan Boyd told the group, "We ing civic and railroad officials to East makes only one intermediate stop at are going to provide you with the best Peoria. The equipment was on public Joliet. trains we can and I hope many of you display on Saturday and was visited The actual station is located in East will take advantage of this service, by nearly 2,000 persons. Peoria, across the Illinois river from not only to travel to Chicago but to Facilities at East Peoria include a Peoria. The new train operates 48 other destinations all over the coun small metal station building, a three miles over the Toledo, Peoria and try. " car platform and parking for passen Western railroad to Chenoa, where it Peoria has been without passenger gers. switches to the Illinois Central Gulf line currently used by Amtrak's Chicago-St. Louis trains for the re Safety Council Award To Amtrak maining miles to Union Station, Amtrak was one of 18 railroads in needless suffering. " Chicago. the United States and Canada cited Tofany pointed out that, while by the National Safety Council and Passengers from the Peoria area deaths in all modes of transportation can now make one-day round trips to presented with a Golden Spike award increased by one percent in 1979 over for its public safety activities in 1979. Chicago to conduct business or shop. the previous year, grade crossing fa Wrote Vincent L. Tofany, presi The northbound train leaves East talities had decreased by 17.5 percent. Peoria at 6: 15 a.m., arriving at dent, NSC, to Bob Herman, vice \ Chicago at 9:55 a.m. The Prairie president, operations, "Your com "It is obvious," wrote Tofany, Marksman is Illinois' fifth 403(b) pany, by participating in a variety of "that the management and employees train. The cost to Illinois for the first public service programs, has con of your company have played leading fiscal year of operation is estimated at tributed toward the cause of safety by roles in promoting public safety in $295,000. preventing accidents and avoiding your communities."
5 Sightless Pair Works Cornpetently______----, I In Los Angeles Reservations Center Being a full time reservations agent the face of the scope, (2) identify the employment opportunities for visual at a CRO can be demanding, but individual raised impressions, and (3) ly handicapped persons. Amtrak said those demands are even more extenu most importantly, unify the letters in yes and TSI proceeded to recruit ating if one is blind. to words and the words into phrases Ungar and Carter. Yet, two young persons, Nancy or sentences. One must learn to read, Both first had to be evaluated by Ungar, 26, and Randy Carter, 22, for example, the word "train" as TSI to see if they were capable of come to work at Los Angeles' reser "train" and not as "t-r-a-i-n," exact adapting to the Optacon. Carter al vations office on south Figueroa ly as a sighted person would assemble ready had been using a unit for sever a collection of letters into a word. al years and Ungar's tests proved The two agents were hired by Am positive. trak in early April and began their Amtrak then interviewed the two training, alongside sighted new hires, and hired them. on April 14. The training period Ungar, a native of Cincinnati, has ended on May 18 and the two, along been blind since birth. After receiving with the rest of their class, were a degree in psychology from the Uni placed on probation until June 12. At versity of Cincinnati, she worked for that point, they became permanent nearly four years for the social securi employees, although their seniority ty agency as a teleservices representa goes back to their hiring date. tive. Both were introduced to Amtrak "But, I wanted a better career," by Telesensory Systems, Inc., a com she says. "I wanted a better social pany located in Palo Alto, Califor life, better climate and more career nia, which manufactures electronic opportunities. So, I decided to move devices for the blind. to Los Angeles, to what you might Ungar was introduced- t-O- TSI b}' - call-the-Iand oJ opportunity. " Adept, Inc., an agency that helps Her mother supported the move Nancy Un gar requests information from handicapped persons find jobs. while her father was neutral. her video terminal. Carter already had an Optacon of his However, her mind was made up, and street five days a week and do their own and contacts with TSI. a friend moved her west, where she jobs competently right alongside fully TSI approached Amtrak to see if arrived last December 7. She does sighted coworkers. the company was interested in pur have a twin brother and a younger The secret to their ability to do the chasing Optacon units and thus open sister living in southern California. job is a machine, called an Optacon, which transcribes type into tactile im pressions that can be "read" with a fingertip. The Optacon uses a scanning lens that is guided across the face of the CRT. The left hand, in the meantime, is inserted into a device that trans cribes the visual letter being scanned into a raised impression that is "read" by the operator's index finger, much in the way one would read braille. The raised impression, however, is not the normal series of dots that characterizes braille, but is in the shape of the letter being scanned. One can identify the dot above an i, the crossed serif of a t. The key to operating the Optacon Randy Carter scans the face of his video terminal with the special lens. The Optacon is to be able to (1) track the lines on transforms the visual image into a tactile signal that is "read" with his index finger.
6 "I just love my job," she says. "Its geles after he graduated from high challenging and I feel like a pioneer school five years ago. "My parents leading the way for others. I always weren't too happy about my deci had fantasies about getting into the sion," he says, "but they accepted travel business and here I am." it. " Her ambition is to become more Carter has some health problems, proficient in her job so she can even which have resulted in a spotty at tually work on special services or the tendance record. However, he fully tour desk. expects to be treated as any other Ungar lives about 25 minutes away employee. from the office. She usually rides city "I enjoy the work," he says. "The buses to and from work and gets rides only problem is my frustration when she can. If she misses the bus because of the limited reading speed. and can't get a ride, she takes a cab. I scan at about 40 words per minute, The scanning lens is moved horizontally It took Ungar two weeks to learn to but would like to be able to read along the line of type. use the Optacon. She keeps improv faster. " "Business, both private and gov ing her skills but her biggest challenge Carter lives at Santa Monica Beach ernment," he says, "has an obliga is when the computer goes down and and gets to work using the local bus tion to present job opportunities for she has to resort to the reservations system, taking about 40-60 minutes to handicapped persons such as the manual and timetables. To read make the 16 miles from home to of blind. " those, she must use a different lens. fice. Held also notes that the results of In reading the scope, the letters are To help the two do their jobs, Am Ungar's and Carter's work will be self-illuminated. In reading books, trak has also purchased two other fully evaluated to see if the program the reading lens must also have a pieces of equipment, a VersaBrailie should be expanded to other CROs. built-in light to illuminate the line of microprocessor braille machine that Both Ungar and Carter take pride type. allows them to read and write braille in the fact that no phone caller has yet Before coming to Amtrak, Carter on regular tape cassettes, and a guessed that they are blind. worked for several hospitals in the Speech Plus calculator that gives Ungar has been questioned once or Los Angeles area as a medical trans voice verification of entries. twice about the "insects" that seem criber. He had an Optacon of his own Phil Held, director of reservations, to be plaguing her desk. The Optacon and some of his work included experi points out that Amtrak had wanted to emits a droning sound as the letters ence with a CRT. employ blind persons as telephone are being formed in the unit. A native of St. Louis, he simply sales agents for several years but that Carter puts it more casually. "I packed a suitcase and headed for the necessary technology had not been just like to keep them in the dark," he airport to catch a flight to Los An- available until recently. says. Over Two Million Riders Carried in July Amtrak trains carried over two mil Wind combination registered an 80.2 Fiscal-year-to-date ridership indi lion passengers in July, a record percent increase over July 1979 when cates a steadily increasing trend on equalled only during energy-short the Desert Wind section did not both short and long distance routes. June, July and August 1979. operate. However, because of delays caused The Shenandoah continued to lead by the on-going Northeast Corridor Ridership for the month is particu the short-distance category with a Improvement Project, corridor trains larly significant because even though 63.7 percent increase over July 1979. showed a slight drop in ridership. fuel supplies are much more plentiful this summer, Amtrak continues to at tract record numbers of riders. San Diegan Ridership Stays Up Both long and short distance routes Ridership on the San Diegans set a when long lines at service stations showed increases compared to the new record in August with a total of were the rule. same period last year. 150,260 passenger carried aboard the Several factors are responsible for The Empire Builder, now equipped six daily round-trip trains, an increase the continued surge in rail travel on with Superliners, showed the best im of five percent over August 1979. the San Diegans including the high provement in the long-distance cate The previous high of 149,230 pas cost of gasoline, the reduction of gory with an 81.1 percent increase. sengers was reached in May 1979 dur short distance air service and the The San Francisco Zephyr-Desert ing the peak of the gasoline crisis comfort of rail travel.
7 working the trains. And, most im portantly, it's good pay for summer Amtrak People work. "My favorite is the 10-6 sleeper" Trio Works _____-----, Chicago, I just hated it. she says . "People are nicer there since "You could always be sure that the they're traveling first class. They're I Lake Shore Limited old cars would get hot in one direc usually up early so you can get your For years the on-board services at tion and making up 38 beds in a hot work done fast. tendant in the railroad industry, whether he was a Pullman car porter, waiter or chair car attendant was tra ditionally a black male. With the arrival of Amtrak and current trends in equal employment opportunities, that attendant now can be a white male, or even a female, black or white. What are the odds of having three adjacent cars on a train served by three females? Quite high, but that's exactly what happened on the Lake Shore Limited that left Chicago on Sunday, August 3. Working the sleeping car, slumber coach and a coach on the New York Lake Shore Limited Altendants Anne Marie Martin, Margaret Mathesen and Erin Devine. section of the train were Anne Marie slumbercoach is very hard work. The "In the slumbercoach there's Martin, Margaret Mathesen and Erin head-end-power cars are much appre always somebody who wants to sleep Devine. ciated. " until the train gets to New York so Two were summer workers earning At 130 pounds, she normally then you h~e to really hurry the last money to pay for their college educa doesn't have problems handling pas few minutes to get your work done." tion, while the third is making Am senger luggage. "But," she says, After graduation from high school, trak a full time career. "about two weeks ago, when I was Matheson worked for four years, Anne Marie Martin, 25 years old, working the slumbercoach, a woman three of them in Hawaii and one in and working the sleeping car this par came aboard with a trunk that was as New Orleans as a waitress. After ticular trip has been with Amtrak for big as me. And she also had a big suit graduation next June, she hopes to four years. She began in the Bensalem case. come back and work for Amtrak reservations center and worked there "Thank goodness there was a again, go to Europe for a short time for 11 months before transferring to strong attendant working in the next and then find herself a job in the pur 30th Street Station as a redcap. She car who helped me." chasing field, putting her economics then held an usher's job for about a Her plans for the future? "I'd like degree to good use. year before coming to New York and to get into advertising at Amtrak." At 20, Erin Devine is the youngest beginning as an on-board services at Twenty-four year old Margaret of the three and was working the tendant. Matheson, who was working the coaches. She, too, has worked for Born in New York, she moved to slumbercoach on this trip, came to Amtrak the past two summers, while California in 1965, then spent alter Amtrak last year when her sister, she attends Mary Washington College nate years living in New York and Mary Stanley, a lead service atten in Fredericksburg, Virginia. She is California. Before coming to Amtrak dant working out of New York, sug majoring in psychology and English. she was a teacher's assistant for pre gested it as a good place for a summer Devine also followed her sister's schoolers and kindergarten children job. advice in coming to Amtrak for in New York City. She has an asso She was attending Albertus Mag work. Sister Mara also works sum ciate's degree in music from Los An nus College in New Haven, majoring mers. geles City College. in economics where she will be a sen "I love the job," she says. "I like On the job, her favorite Amtrak ior this coming fall term. to travel and work with people. Psy equipment are the refurbished head This was Matheson's second sum chology is one of my college majors end-power cars. "Before we had mer with Amtrak. and here I get to wdrk with all kinds these cars," she said, "whenever they "This is a good job," she says. "I of people. It's good experience." asked me to work the train to love to travel and it's a lot of fun Devine also filled in last Christmas
8 season, working two and a half weeks while her sister is al so an engineer, engineering studies under the direc in the Grand Central commissary. working out of Taylor yard, Los tion of her supervisor, Paul M. She hopes to continue working Angeles. Henry, engineer, bridge and tunnel summers for Amtrak while she moves Which does she prefer? Freight or design . toward her Ph.D. passenger work? "Both," she replies. Born in Manila, Sunderland earned "But I enjoy talking to people so the Lamia Porche, _ ___~ Amtrak runs are a little more fun." I Lady Trainman As a yard switchman she remem bers one bad experience. "I threw a There aren't too many lady train switch before the engine was com men around so passengers on the pletely over it and derailed the loco Desert Wind that left Barstow for Los motive. Angeles on Wednesday, August 27, "Y ou can bet I never did that were pleasantly surprised to see the again. " Santa Fe's Lomia Porche climb Porche plans to stay in the railroad aboard the rear coach with her red business as a career. "Where else can flag and case of torpedoes and fusees. I get all of this fresh air and exercise? Porche, an attractive 28-year-old, It's good for a lady's figure ." has been working for the Santa Fe for the past three years. Most of her time Structural Engineer __-----, is spent in Hobart yard, Los Angeles, switching freight cars, but occasional I For NECIP Program ly she draws an assignment to work A key member of Amtrak's engin one of the San Diegans. This was her eering department in Philadelphia is Nenita Santos Sunderland, NEe!p first trip on the Desert Wind. Nenita Santos Sunderland, structural Structural Engineer Before starting her job on the rail engineer in charge of in-house bridge her bachelor of science degree in civil road, Porche attended Oakwood Col design for the Northeast Corridor Im engineering at the University of Santo lege, Huntsville, Alabama, then provement Project. Tomas in 1968. She came to the worked as a teacher's assistant at Sunderland is supervisor of three United States two years later and then Markham Junior High School, Los draftsmen and is responsible for field joined Amtrak, in 1977, as a struc Angeles. inspection of program bridges. She tural design engineer. Prior to that "But, I don't like being confined in also conducts engineering analysis, she had worked six years as a struc an office," she says. "I just don't like determines requirements for repair tural designer for an engineering con a desk job." work and supervises development of sulting firm working on highway and Both her husand and sister had the detailed plans. railroad bridges. been working for the Southern Pacif In addition, she assists in conduct Sunderland sees herself as a career ic so she decided to sample some rail ing reviews of designs and design person. "I like the challenge that Am roading on her own. She applied to plans provided Amtrak by Federal trak provides," she says. "I look for the Santa Fe for a job and was hired. Railroad Administration engineering ward to continuing professional Her husband now is an engineer on a consultants. growth in both engineering and man road switching job out of San Pedro, Sunderland also executes special agement." She sees her contribution to Amtrak both as a woman in a tra ditionally male profession as well as someone with the perspective of an other culture and environment. "I have to like the work I'm do ing," she says. She likes her job so well, that she hopes to stay on with Amtrak when the NECIP program officially ends in 1985. W.P. Houwen, director of engin eer, NECIP, thinks highly of the woman engineer. "She's definitely a contributing member of the organiza tion," he says. "She does her job ef ficiently and she does it with a whim sical sense of humor and a quiet Trainman Lomia Porche, First Desert Wind Run way."
9 Hot Line To President Boyd Call No. 2,500 The Hot Line to President Question: Why have stripes on timate and the outlook isn't very Boyd received its 2,500th call on cars and locomotives been changed promising. Thursday, September 11. Since from the old wide red and blue to the At this point the matter rests with going into operation on May 16, equal-sized red, white and blue? the states involved to see if they are 1979, the Hot Line has received Answer: For safety, graphic aid willing to contribute the necessary from employees many worth and saving money. The new markings funding. Even so, we'd still have to while suggestions on service im are reflective with white area rated at decide whether the operation would provements that have since been 90 percent, so the cars are more visi be in our best interests, both eco implemented. ble at night at crossing. nomically and in equipment util The white area also gives us a per ization. Amtrak appreciates employ fect location to apply the car designa ees' continued interest in the pro tion and number. And, finally, the Q: What's happened to the 800- gram and hopes they keep their old stripes came in four different series telephone line that told about good suggestion ideas coming in. widths because of varied window Northeast Corridor tie-ups and sizes on Amtrak equipment. The new delays? ployee qualifies goes without bid, re ones are 24 inches wide which reduces A: It has been disconnected and calls are made in seniority order. our inventory. The manufacturer's we don't offer this service anymore Employees who wish to be consid raw material comes in 48 inch widths because it wasn't as effective as we ered for positions covered under so we have no waste. The old sizes did had hoped it might be. We are work other union agreements should send a have waste for which we had to pay. ing on other alternatives to keep the written transfer request to their near The new stripes are being applied public informed of delays. est personnel office. to conventional equipment as it is modified as well as to all new cars and Q: I work at Bensalem. We've Q: Why don't we put our logo on 'locomotives. been hearing that we're going to the many bridges we use so motorists move to either Fort Washington or a can see it? Q: I am a new reservations clerk location in downtownJ>-11iladelphia. and sometimes g-et-caUs about- irems A:- Not a bad idea. We'll consider I'm handicapped and Fort Wash that have been left on the train. What it as part of the NECIP program. ington doesn't bother me, but down procedure should I follow? Amtrak-owned bridges in the North town would be a problem because A: R&I agents should get the pas east Corridor require annual main there isn't any parking there. senger's train, date of travel, origin tenance, including painting. The cost A: The increase in calls has made and destination, what specifically was of this sometimes is offset by leasing several reservations offices reach the left behind, name, address and phone sign space on the bridge to adver point where there is no room for ex number. A telephone call to the desti tisers. We may as well advertise our pansion. Bensalem is one of these and nation baggage room or lost and selves. we are looking for new locations. found should then be made giving all The two sites you mention are only Q: When we received the July Am details. Phone numbers are on CTY two of several being looked at. trak News, we also received a record (City Code) interaction page 5. It must be stressed that whichever and two round stickers. Are those for If the item is found it will be re site is chosen, it must be accessible to parking purposes? We've been told turned to the passenger. If not, the the handicapped. our cars would be towed away and passenger will be so notified. Please wonder if these stickers are to identify remember, Amtrak is not responsible Q: Will the laid-off employees at us so we won't be towed. for carry-on items. the commissary in South Station, A: No, they are not parking Q: When was the activity for the Boston, ever be rehired? Are there stickers. They are advertising stickers North Carolina, Tennessee and Vir any other options there? distributed by the marketing depart ginia 403(b) train started? And will A: Five extra-board commissary ment and we thought you'd like to the service go through Suffolk or workers were furloughed last Janu have them. I can't respond to your Elizabeth City? ary. As of August 20, four have been parking problem because your phone A: It's hard to say when it started recalled. call was anonymous. but it formalized this past July when Under the clerk's (BRAC) union we were asked to estimate the poten agreement, employees are eligible for Q: I like the record that was en tial for such service which would go recall to a position that is advertised closed with Amtrak News. I'd like to through Suffolk and Elizabeth City. by bulletin but gets no bids. When have another one, this time with the We've completed our marketing es- such a position, for which an em- "We've been working on the rail-
10 road" jingle. gage that are long overdue. One thing manifest. So, the fact that the station A: Sorry but there is no such sec we should do quickly is to have some record stub might still be attached ond record. The record that was blanket policy regarding luggage that does not mean they don't have a mailed to employees was specially is transferred enroute. People who record. produced for that purpose. may be holding those bags should Depending on the results of this rush them on to destination. survey, the new system, or an adapta Q. How much did it cost to mail us A: A checked baggaged connec tion of it, may be incorporated sys that record? I think the money might tion policy has been written and will temwide in the near future. have been put to a better purpose. be included in the new tariff. A: The cost of the mailing was free Q: A lot of the baggage that comes Q: I work in a ticket office and we because the record piggybacked on to me doesn't have the origin point just received some rubber stamps that the regular mailing of Amtrak News. stamped on it. It makes it hard for us say "Good For Seat Only-Additional However, there was a cost for enve to track down missing bags. Charge Must Be Paid If Bed Is lopes and the labor for stuffing. That Also, baggage coming from Penn Used." I assume that's for day ser amounted to slightly over $2,000-or sylvania Station, New York, often vice in a sleeping car room. about 10 cents per employee-and still has the station record portion of What we could really use is a rub was paid for by the market depart the check attached. They obviously ber stamp to endorse family plan ment. are not keeping a record of the bags ARTS computer-issued tickets with a Your comment on money spent for they forward. "Not Valid Friday or Sunday" im "a better purpose" is often asked print. about any public relations or sales A: We've sent out a baggage and A: The stamp for sleeping car use promotion activity. I should point express advisory to all field locations resulted from a field request. We've out that many employees were quite emphasizing the need for having the arranged for all family plan ARTS happy to receive the record. origin station codes on all checked bags. tickets to be preprinted with "Family Q: Now that you've sent us a rec Pennsylvania Station, however, is Plan Disc. Not Valid Fri./Sun." This . ord, how about decent wages so that working on a special survey that rec should be done by mid-September. we can afford a record player? ords check numbers, destination, We think this is more feasible than A: My initial reaction to this ques train and date of dispatch, as well as using a rubber stamp. tion Was to ignore it, but I think a initialing all pieces on a separate A stamp for use on hand-written statement should be made. Accepting the premise that we all would like to make more money, I Job Opportunity Posting Explained can't believe that there is any Amtrak Question: I wish you would print work. Locations with printout capa employee who isn't making a "de in Amtrak News how the posting of bility can provide copies of the notice cent" wage. job opportunities works. to employees. No one seems to know the story on In addition, employees can call the Q: Some time back I bought, what Amtrak procedures are. "Dial-A-Job," toll-free, seven-day-a through Western Folder, a necktie Answer: Our policy is to announce week, 24-hour-a-day Hot Line for in decorated with the Amtrak logo. It's job openings, together with the re formation on opportunities. The gotten a little ratty and I'd like to buy quired qualifications, to ensure that number-outside of Washington-is a new one. Are they still av-ai'lable? all employees have equal access to job 800-424-5196. The number is listed in A: No. It's out of stock. The tie opportunities, as well as providing a every issue of Amtrak News along was considered for future promotions way employees can express their de with other Hot Line numbers. but, because it didn't sell and had sires and interests in changing posi If an employee wants to be consid limited appeal, we did not reorder it. tions and for self-development to ered for a particular opening, he or Our marketing department is final provide better career mobility. she should: izing a new merchandising program Job notices are posted for five cal 1. Notify their supervisor of their for the immediate future. We'll pass endar days and can be found at the interest. on the information when it's avail following locations. 2. Complete and submit a "Trans able. We may even include the bro 1. Corporate Headquarters: On all fer Application" form to the local chure, or catalog, in a future Amtrak company bulletin boards. personnel office within the five-day News mailing. 2. Field Personnel Offices: On bul ~osting period. Please note, a separ letin boards at the personnel office. ate application must be completed for Q: I work in a baggage room in 3. Field Locations Without Per each job. New England and have been looking sonnel Offices: Notices are inserted Contact your local personnel office for no less than seven pieces of lug- into the ARTS computer system net- if you have additional questions.
11 book tickets is available. Contact Q: I work at Chicago's Union Sta working to alleviate the situation un your district supervisor for one. tion and we have a continual problem til adequate long-distance equipment with the Panama Limited, specifically is in service. Q: Why did they only air condition the Amfleet toilets. It seems that a lot half of the Baltimore station? The of the toilets not only don't work en Q: I work on the San Francisco stationmaster used to wire the doors route, but in many cases, are missing Zephyr which now has two Superliner open so we could get some cool air, and the toilets aren't even locked off. sets running. We often have the con but this has been stopped. Why? The train has heavy ridership and I'd ventional cars bad ordered with no re A: The area presently air condi like to see the situation corrected. placements for them. Also, we are constantly oversold and don't have tioned was done in 1979 so passengers A: Present Amfleet equipment was could have some temporary relief un enough space for passengers, espe never intended for long distance ser cially west of Denver. Can you please til NECIP could start completely vice but has been pressed into such renovating the station. Contract sign tell me: use because of failures of convention 1. What's happened to the old cars ing for that is set for October 9 and al cars and shortage of cars. All work should begin shortly after that. that Superliners replaced? Superliner and future Amfleet cars 2. Why don't we have extra Keeping those doors open is not designed for long distance travel are coaches at Denver so we can ac feasible because the units cannot cool being equipped with proper retention commodate our passengers? the entire station without being toilets. Present equipment that will 3. What happened to the two strained beyond their capacity. continue in long distance use will also lounge cars from the trains the Super The good side of the situation is be converted. liners replaced? that, at present, we at least can have a Interim measures to offset the 4. Why don't we keep a lounge car small area for passengers to escape problem have been taken and the me on the west coast so it can protect bad the heat and humidity. chanical department is continuously ordered cars? 5. Also a dining car? ,I Why TOPS Disruptions? A: First, cars replaced by Super liners have been sent to Beech Grove Comment: As a member of the work problems that have actually for conversion to head-end- power TOPS (the new network S!U2P_Qrt sys been present for years. Incidentally, operation or been assigned to other tem) development team, some past we do appreciate feedback from the trains replacing cars that are Hot Line comments have been people in the field. unrepairable. brought to my attention regarding the The six members of the TOPS team 2. We aren't aware that there is ARTS system's reliability. TOPS has have had a tough job. Not only do any over-selling or standee problem entered its final testing and agents are they have to develop and implement a because we have had no reports by having more frequent service inter new system, but they have to correct station or crew personnel regarding ruptions because of ARTS failures longstanding problems of the existing this. Because of passenger demand and TOPS testing. system. They are in the crossfire of throughout our system, it isn't feasi Since we cannot duplicate a live, disgruntled agents and anxious ble to keep Superliner or convention full network, we try to test live at a bosses. al coaches idle in Denver just in case time of minimum disruption of ser I hope thi§ statement will make our they're needed. vice for our users. When completed, field people aware of just what we are 3. The two cars are still in service TOPS will increase customer service trying to do. The service will be much operating and protecting other con by making scopes and ticket printers improved in the future because of our ventional train sets. communicate faster and more re efforts now. I hope the field people 4 & 5. We do keep protection liably. will be patient when they know TOPS equipment stored and use it when Another function of TOPS is to lo is running. We're working hard to fix needed. However, reliability of much cate and isolate problems with the the problems. of the remaining conventional equip equipment out in the field. Machine Answer: You have a valid point ment isn't very good so we have a problems that weren't detected before and I hope this helps explain the work higher bad order ratio in those assign by ARTS are now quickly found by you are doing. ed pools. This makes it very difficult TOPS .... which is why some users Please keep in mind, however, as to protect every individual need for are having difficulties when TOPS is you progress with TOPS that any substitute cars. operating. ARTS outage-even a few minutes Because problems are expected causes reservations and ticketing agents Q:What's being done regarding the during TOPS testing and because of serious problems in dealing with cus bad performance of the Niagara the opportunity for the field to com tomers who are waiting in lines or on the Rainbow/Adirondack? Since the ment, TOPS is blamed for many net- phones, or trying to catch trains. timetable changes of August 3,
12 they're hardly ever on time. Any talk Birch Bayh Breaks Ground ______--, with the state about operating the trains again as separate units? I F or Beech Grove Building A: Mechanical personnel have been assigned to the Montreal portion Ground was broken for the new to eliminate Amtrak-caused delays. Beech Grove administration building We're continuing to press Conrail on Friday, August 8, with the first and the Delaware and Hudson rail shovel of dirt being turned over by roads for improvements in their oper Senator Birch Bayh (D-Ind). ations. Also participating in the ceremony near the main gate were Elton Gesh We're also talking to New York wiler, mayor, Beech Grove; and state's DOT but it 's unlikely that they Walter Barrick, general manager of will subsidize the service south of Al the maintenance base. bany negating any possible separation The new administration building of the two trains. will be a one-story, cinder block, brick veneer structure, 190-by-66 feet President's Hot Line in size, and topped with a mansard roof. Work is expected to be com U.S.A. 800-424-5191 pleted by next summer. The new building will replace the D.C. only 383-2027 complex of mobile structures being used currently to house the various administrative offices. Personnel Hot Line When completed, the new adminis- ~ U.S.A. 800-424-5190 tration center will provide offices for ~ the general manager and his staff, in- ..:~ D.C. only 383-3636 eluding labor relations, personnel, fi- ~ o nance, accounting and a data process- 0 5: ing center. Senator Birch Bayh digs out the first Payroll Hot Line Also housed in the building will be shovel of earth. At left is Beech Grove Mayor Elton Geshwiler. U.S.A. 800-424-5067 the rules and safety officer, elaims de partment, an estimator, material co ence, Beech Grove will continue to D.C. only 383-3517 ordinator and procurement person grow." nel. Bayh was also instrumental in initi Payroll personnel will answer calls live during day shift hours, Monday through Bayh, the chairman of the Senate ating daily train service between Chi Friday. At all other times calls will be Appropriations Subcommittee on cago and Indianapolis. That train handled by an answering machine. Transportation, pledged to attending began service on October 1. employees that as long as he is in a position to influence decisions at Am Jobs Hot Line trak, that the Beech Grove facility Gates Promoted will continue to playa major role in H. Peter Gates has been named as U.S.A. only 800-424-5196 maintaining Amtrak's car fleet. sistant controller, accounting and "This facility is contributing in a contract audit, effective August 1. significant way toward making the Gates has been employed at Amtrak All Hot Lines are in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week . taxpayers' investment in Amtrak a since August 1971 serving most re good one," he stressed. cently as director, contract and joint Bayh was successful in earmarking facility audit. He holds a CPA certifi Callers to the President's Hot Line can $l3 million in fiscal year 1978 appro cate in the District of Columbia. either identify themselves or remain priations to upgrade the Beech Grove At the same time, Charles E. Mos anonymous. Personnel Hot Line callers, shops. The facility now employs bet by was named director, contract and obviously, must identify themselves if they wish a reply to their questions. ween 1,250 and 1,300 persons and has joint facility audit. Mosby has been Employees also have the option of writ added about 50 since the beginning of an Amtrak employee since February ing instead of calling. Write the specific the year. 1974 and most recently served as Hot Line you want. c/o Amtrak, 400 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, D.C. "There is no recession at Beech manager, property taxes. He holds a 20001. Grove," said Bayh. "And, as long as CPA certificate in the state of I am in a position to have an influ- Maryland.
13 bright because the injury rate for the Keeping Track Of Amtrak entire company rose for the second consecutive month to a high of 11.9. Depew Station Opens in its entirety as well as providing a (July 1979's figure was 12.6.) Ratios 139-car parking lot that includes for every department also increased Amtrak's new suburban Buffalo, with the single exception of mainten New York, station at Depew opened spaces for both handicapped and buses. ance of way. for business on Friday, August 29. For July, all non-Northeast Cor The new facility serves all three Safety Standings ridor divisions reported higher em Amtrak trains operating to and from ployee injury ratios than they did in the Buffalo/ Niagara Falls area, The Southern division led the other July of last year. namely the Lake Shore Limited, the eight in the July ratings of the Presi Albany/ Rensselaer and New Niagara Rainbow and the Empire dent's Safety Contest with a 5.9 ratio. Haven shops re"ported increased in State Express. Philadelphia and St. Louis followed jury ratios compared to last year, The air-conditioned station fea closely behind with figures of 6.8 and while Beech Grove and Wilmington tures a ticket counter and 50-passen 6.9, respectively. had fewer injuries causing the shop ger waiting lounge plus office space. Wilmington led the other three . overall total to decline to an 8.9 fig The station has been designed to al shops with a 6.5 ratio, while eight me ure compared to 13.0 for July 1979. low handicapped passengers direct chanical facilities went through July The Corridor divisions, while im access to trains without any barriers. with no injuries, thus earning zero proving from July of last year and It can also be easily expanded, if nec- ratios. The eight were Minneapolis, with the exception of Philadelphia, . essary, in the future to accommodate Detroit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Dal continue to have the highest ratio of increased ridership. las-Fort Worth, Houston, New Or reportable injuries on the system. The state of New York funded the leans and Niagara Falls. $565,000 one-story modular station The overall picture, however, is not Off To Las Vegas Some 52 Los Angeles employees Quarterly On-Board Winners Named from the mechanical, claim and pas senger services departments, plus per Winners have been named in the Hursey, with second runners-up Rob sonnel from the central reservations second quarter of Amtrak's On ert Martin and James Jordan. All are and division offices went to Las Board Services Incentive Program. based in Jacksonville. Vegas for a weekend of fun on The quarter included April, May and August 18-20. Central Region: A tie between June of this year. About half of the group went up Charles Nicholson and Hiawatha Friday, the other half on Saturday, Allen. First runner-up is Abraham Category I but all returned on Sunday occupying Reeves, with William Cochrane Winners in Category I, employees one car on the Desert Wind. Rooms, named second runner-up. All are who deal directly with the public, are: at a special rate, were reserved at the based in Chicago. Eastern Region: A tie between Lin Union Plaza hotel, which is the site of da Duffany, Boston, and Arthur Western Region: Winner is Ronald the Amtrak station. Richardson, Jacksonville. Harris, Oakland. First runners-up are The trip came about as a result of a Western Region: A tie between John Henderson, Oakland, and Lind casual conversation between Dave Deborah May and Charles F. Walker, berg Talley and Harvey Williams, Simpson, lead timekeeper, and Ann both of Los Angeles. both of Los Angeles. Ramirez, timekeeper, in the division First runners-up in the Western re Second runners-up are Joseph offices. Words progressed to action gion were Edward Lemons, Seattle, Guillory, Oakland, and Clarence and the two, along with Juanita and Sigbjorn Askvik, Los Angeles. Whiting, Los Angeles. Jones, claims department, organized No winners were declared in the Top regional winners will each be the weekend venture. Fliers were Central region and there were no treated to a dinner for two at a quali printed and pinned on bulletin boards other runners-up in any region. ty restaurant at their location, while at all facilities in Los Angeles. all, including runners-up, will have Says Simpson, "We had a fine Category II commendatory letters placed in their time. In Las Vegas, some of the peo Winners in Category II, employees personal files. ple had parties in their rooms before who do not deal directly with the pub Category I winners are "elected" going to dinner and the shows. I twas lic such as chefs or pantry personnel, by the number of unsolicited letters a good way for us to get together and are: received from passengers praising get to know each other a little bit bet Eastern Region: Winner is Jack L. their service. Category II winners are ter. We hope to do it again." Bell. First runner-up is Randolph picked by their supervisors. Friends of employees were allowed
14 to come along, paying for their own from the four locations for a day of The tournament was invitational with train fare. sport and socializing. all persons paying their own way to Simpson was highly complimtlntary Over 100 p~rsons-players and Washington. Out of towners used to Las Vegas station personnel. spectators-attended the tournament Amtrak service for their trip to the "They really gave us the red carpet at West Potomac Park, Washington. nation's capital. treatment when we arrived," he noted. Letters New Carrollton Station To the Editor: for long-distance trains, with only Amtrak has received assurance of I'm writing regarding your review minimal provisions for commuter matching local funds for parking fa in the July issue of Amtrak News trains which were to be handled in cilities at a proposed intermodal pas about Fred Westing's book, Penn other terminals. senger station in suburban Maryland Though as delay clerk, I must write and is proceeding with plans that will Station, Its Tunnels and Side Rod ders. up our dreadful rush hours day after lead to construction of a station at It was a long time after Pennsyl day, I am actually surprised that New Carrollton. vania Station, New York, opened un Pennsylvania Station manages so well Without ample parking space for til the day came when the Pennsyl in handling the floods of commuter its passengers, Amtrak had been re vania Railroad abandoned all of its trains that it was never meant to luctant to build the new facility. trans-Hudson ferries. True, the Penn serve. The new station will be next to New sylvania abandoned its Brooklyn and I hope that future material in Am Carrollton's Metro transit rail station 23rd Street ferry services immediately and will replace Amtrak's present trak News about Pennsylvania Sta or soon after the opening of Pennsyl Capitol Beltway station at Lanham. tion will clearly and accurately indi vania Station. The Desbrosses St. The project is part of the $2.5 billion cate how different the station's pres ferry service, though, lasted into the Northeast Corridor Improvement ent function is from its original pur '20s or '30s. And the original ferry pose as a long-distance travelers' and Project. service between Cortlandt Street, in Federal Railroad Administrator mail depot. New York, and Exchange Place, in John Sullivan said, "The commit Sincerely, Jersey City, was not abandoned until Jeremy Mott ment by Prince Georges county to c Ontfi lJute- fun s for the parking fa 1950. Even after this, old Penn Station, cility will now permit Amtrak to pro Editor's Note: Thanks to reader Mott ceed on station-related track work at the foot of Exchange Place in Jer sey City, continued in use with trans for his update on Pennsylvania Sta without interruption." The FRA is tion's past. It looks like Ne.w York responsible for the NECIP program. Hudson connections via the Hudson tubes. About half of the Pennsyl Amtrak employees are doing a superb On Augu ~ t 21, Amtrak awarded an job in moving trains despite some $11.2 million contract to Peter Kiewit vania's rush-hour commuter trains used Exchange Place until it closed in substantial problems. Sons' Co., of Omaha, to begin sta tion-related track, platform and pe November 1961. The closing of Exchange Place and AMTRAK NEWS destrian tunnel work for the project. Work on the initial contract is ex abandonment of the Pennsylvania Published once a month for em pected to begin this fall. ferries, along with the great increase ployees of the National Railroad of commuter train travel in recent Passenger Corporation and those years and the parallel increase in of participating railroads engaged Amtrak's "World Series" number of trains operated, plus the in rail passenger service. Philadelphia's combined CRO- closing of the Jersey Central's Jersey STAFF 30th Street Station team won Am Cit,· terminal and its ferries to New Editor trak's third annual eastern softball Y ,C, are a major factor in the con Ed Wojtas tournament on Saturday, September gestion and delays that beset Pennsyl Circulation 13, by beating, first, the Jacksonville vania Station in New York; Penn Sta Marguerite Broyhill CRO, 11-4, and then Washington tion, Newark; and the "high line" be 400 N. Capitol St., NW, corporate headquarters, 13-10, in the tween them every rush hour. Washington, D.C. 20001 final game. I don't know if the error was yours Washington had beaten New or Westing's, as I have no copy of his Amtrak News is a member of the York's CRO, 10-9, in the preliminary book. Regardless, it cannot be I_In liIii1 As sociation of Railroad Editors. game to gain the championship game. stressed too strongly that Penn Material in Amtrak News is not copyrighted. The softball event is an annual af sylvania Station was designed and Readers may use what they wish with proper at fair that brings together employees built as a terminal (and way station) tribution to Amtrak News.
15 Super Bath fire fighters proceeded to scour down the station facade and driveway. I For Detroit Station Three hours after they began, the sta tion, cleansed of years of grime, to the use of one of his engines and Before Detroit's Family Days looked as trim as when it was com opened for business, the station got a even called some friends, including a pleted in 1913. thorough bath, courtesy of some Highland Park fire lieutenant and a friends of Amtrak. Hamtramck fire captain, to help. Volunteers from the Michigan As It all began when John De Lora, One week before Family Days, the sociation of Railroad Passengers ar head of the Michigan Passenger Ser group of seven rolled up to the station rived later to wash windows, carry vice Aide program and a regional di in Noland's 1948 American La away accumulated trash and weed the rector of the National Association of France pumper and went to work. flower garden they had planted Railroad Passengers, approached Bill Using an eductor-a device normally earlier in the spring. Duggan, director, passenger services, used to add fire-fighting agents into On Saturday, in time for the open Detroit, and suggested that the old the hoses but for this occasion used to ing of the festivities, the station building could use a washing. inject a special soap solution-the gleamed brighter than it had in years. Duggan agreed but noted there was no money in his budget for such a job. De Lora asked if Amtrak would object if he could get the job done at no cost. Duggan said no and De Lora went to work. De Lora, who works as a full-time public safety officer in a Detroit suburb, began scouring various fire departments to see if he could borrow 'a pumper. Red tape snarls kept him from acquiring an official truck. He--- djd, however, know a friend , Fred Noland, of West Bloomfield, who was a fire buff and owned three Amtrak's Detroit station gets a thorough bath just one week prior to its hosting of restored fire engines. Noland agreed Family Days.
Bulk Rate U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 1911 Merrifield, VA
Passenger Corporation 400 N. Capitol Sf.. NW Washington. D.C. 20001