AORTA Bulletin

A publication of the Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates Issue 157 Spring 2014 Since 1976

ODOT plans for Eugene stub tracks Eastern Oregon Report Jon Nuxoll Dr. David Arnold Planning for two stub tracks The current conceptual plan is that A proposal to build a trail along at the Eugene station is two tracks would come off of the the Wallowa-Union Railway came the focus of Oregon Department UPRR mainline and a new platform one step closer to reality with the of Transportation planning now placed between the stub tracks, signing of an agreement that gives underway. ODOT’s initial proposal according to John Schnaderbeck, the go-ahead for a feasibility study. will be reviewed for comment by ODOT project engineer. ODOT’s Members of the progressive-minded Union Pacifi c Railroad and the City proposal may include acquisition of Wallowa-Union Railroad Authority of Eugene, with ODOT hoping to additional right of way through this voted to sign a memorandum of have plans fi nalized by the end of area to allow the possibility for a understanding with the Oregon State 2014. future 2nd main track if UPRR ever Parks and Recreation Department needs that option through the area. and Eastern Oregon University to Presently, trains terminating in Due to the nature of the work and study the possibility of building a Eugene backtrack about two miles locations of turnouts, Lincoln Street, trail for biking and hiking alongside to rail yards for servicing. Those west of the Amtrak station, would the WURA right-of-way and transfers potentially delay trains have to be closed. adjacent to the rails. If the study owing to interference with mainline concludes that a trail on the 66 mile freight traffi c, and recent addition Schanderbeck said ODOT is route is indeed feasible it will have of midday -Eugene trains working with the City of Eugene to be built next to the railway since turning at Eugene has intensifi ed the to have their concerns addressed as the WURA board has stipulated need for this. plans move forward. that the rails will remain in place in perpetuity and preserved for future economic development.

In keeping with multi-model and inter-model goals for the railroad, the railroad board is discussing the Why has high-speed rail possibility of getting a designation for the depot as a Bike Friendly moved so slowly in the US? Business through Travel Oregon. The Wallowa-Union depot, located in Luncheon presentation by Dr. Anthony Perl Elgin, Oregon, the western terminus of the railroad, is located on a very Saturday, April 5, 2014 (11 am - 4:30 pm) popular route for touring cyclists and as such the designation and Embassy Suites (historic Multnomah Hotel) accompanying services will likely 319 SW Pine Street bring more vistors through the depot. Portland, Oregon 97204 convenient to light rail AORTA Vice-President David Arnold, a WURA board member See page 4. Register on-line or by mail today! and Engineer for the Railroad is currently a candidate for one of two Continued on pg 3

AORTA Bulletin Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 1 The AORTA Bulletin is published by the Duck game train specials proposed Association of Jon Nuxoll Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates The Oregon Ducks could join the A nonprofi t citizen advocate group working game-day buses from downtown to to educate the public about the need for safe, Seahawks and Thanksgiving the stadium. fi scally responsible, environmentally sound turkeys as the focus of special Amtrak representatives indicated transportation. Incorporated as the Northwest Amtrak trains. Oregon Association of Railway Passengers. developing game trains might take Portland Over a dozen representatives from time but a limited program could 800 NW 6th Avenue, Suite 253 Amtrak, the University of Oregon, be offered for the upcoming season, PO Box 2772, Portland, OR 97208-2772 tourism agencies and state and 503.241.7185 perhaps within the existing schedule local offi cials discussed potential of of trains or a chartered train for the President Dan McFarling 503.642.4077 Duck football specials in a meeting Oregon-Oregon State Civil War Vice President David Arnold 541.663.0776 coordinated by state Rep. Nancy Secretary Jon Nuxoll 541.684.8883 game in November, according to Treasurer Kenneth Peters 503.646.5034 Nathanson (D-Eugene). minutes of the August 23 meeting. Past President Donald Leap 503.789.2290 Portland-Eugene football specials Bulletin Editor Dan McFarling 503.642.4077 Preliminary Amtrak fare estimates have been proposed in past years, were $111 for a Portland-Eugene Also serving on the Board of Directors but limited equipment, maintenance Jim Howell, Dave Jannuzzi, Robert Krebs, round trip, compared with the current Mike Morrison and Brian Riley. needs and scheduling have made regular fare of $52. that prohibitive; addition of two The need to return any equipment PNW NARP Leaders Oregon-owned Talgo sets in 2013 to a Seattle base for heavy Art Poole, Vice-Chair Coos Bay, OR have prompted a new look at special Jim Hamre, NW Division Leader Puyallup, WA maintenance would add to costs. service. Stephanie Weber, Rep Coordinator Kirkland, WA Game times that sometimes change NARP State Representatives In addition to improved a week or two in advance and Robert Flint Alaska (Anchorage) Vacant Idaho transportation to Eugene, such accommodating freight needs of Barry Green Montana (Glendive) service could introduce more people track-owner Union Pacifi c are also Donald Leap Oregon (Portland) to train travel, Nathanson noted in Mike Morrison Oregon (Portland) considerations. Jim Hamre (Puyallup) remarks to the group. Depending on Robert Lawrence Washington (Mill Creek) schedules and game times, arriving Stephanie Weber Washington (Kirkland) passengers could visit Eugene’s Celebrate ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP Saturday Market, three blocks south of the Amtrak station. The Introductory, living lightly $ 18 National Train Day Regular 25 UO’s Autzen Stadium is about a Saturday, May 10 Family 30 mile northeast of the station, which Portland Union Station Steward 100 Amtrak passengers could reach 10 am - 4 pm Sponsor 250 by foot or by Lane Transit District Corporate/Government 500 E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: www.AORTArail.org

Ross Capon Transitions from His 39-Year Tenure at National Association of Railroad Passengers Dr. Larry Scott to Take Over as Acting President Washington, D.C.—The National advocate for a national passenger infl uence signifi cantly increased. Association of Railroad Passengers rail system that provides America’s That’s refl ected not only in the announced in late February that Ross passengers with a safe, reliable, recognition he has received in Capon will be transitioning from his convenient travel choice. the industry, but in the growth of 39-year career with the organization. “Ross has served America’s passenger rail across the nation.” Dr. Larry Scott will take over as passengers with great distinction “I am confi dent that the top-notch Acting President. during his 39 year tenure,” said staff I have assembled will continue to Capon has worked for NARP since NARP Chairman Bob Stewart. strengthen the Association’s ability to 1975, becoming Executive Director “During Ross’s time at NARP, press for the improvement and growth in 1976. He has been a tireless the Association’s recognition and Contd on pg 3 ... see Capon

2 Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 AORTA Bulletin Capon... Continued from pg 2 transit. NARP has worked since 1967 Eastern Oregon Report contd from pg 1 to expand the quality and quantity of our nation’s passenger train network of passenger rail in the U.S. Their NARP regional Representitives-at- and to grow membership,” said Capon. mission is to work towards a modern, Large positions to be decided at the “I will be working closely with Acting customer-focused national passenger NARP convention in Silver Spring, President Larry Scott, and I’m pleased train network that provides a travel Maryland, April 28 - 30. As such, Dr. to be able to assist Larry in ensuring choice Americans want. The work is Arnold would represent the Eastern the smoothest possible transition in supported by over 22,000 individual Oregon and Idaho region.Arnold leadership and the continued growth of members. Join NARP today! has also represented AORTA as a NARP.” contributing member of the Oregon NARPrail.org For his longstanding support of Department of Transportation State trains, Capon has been recognized with Rail Plan Committee and continues the Robert K. Pattison Partnership efforts to bring passenger rail service Award from the Intermodal Passenger IMPORTANT NOTICE back through Eastern Oregon. Institute in 2000, and the W. Graham AORTA needs your help. Many of the Claytor Jr. Award for Distinguished email addresses we have on fi le are Visit the Service to Passenger Transportation out-of-date. In order to help ensure we Oregon Rail Heritage Center from Railway Age Magazine in 2007. have your correct email address, please Now Open! In addition, Capon received NARP’s send an email to [email protected] Thu-Fri-Sat-Sun, 1-5 pm own Golden Spike Award in 1985. and include “My Email Address” in the 2250 SE Water Avenue subject line. In the text, please include NARP is the only national Portland, Oregon your name, and if you wish, any organization in the U.S. speaking for Near OMSI the users of passenger trains and rail comments or suggestions to AORTA.

Coast Starlight Bus Connector for Rogue Valley 2-16-14 dlm

Miles Northbound Destination Miles READ UP Southbound READ UP morning mid-day evening morning mid-day evening 0 8:00 am 11:25 am 6:30 pm Ashland 186 1:10 pm 5:55 pm 10:20 pm 14 8:30 am 11:45 am 6:50 pm Medford 172 12:50 pm 5:35 pm 9:50 pm 44 9:20 am 12:30 pm 7:40 pm Grants Pass 142 12:05 pm 4:50 pm 9:00 pm 114 11:00 am 2:10 pm 9:20 pm Roseburg 72 10:25 am 3:10 pm 7:20 pm 164 12 pm 3:20 pm 10:30 pm Cottage Grove 22 9:15 am 2:00 pm 6:10 pm 186 12:30 pm 3:50 pm 10:50 pm Eugene 0 8:45 am 1:30 pm 5:40 pm

Delivers passengers Delivers passengers No rail connection Picks up passengers Picks up passengers Picks up passengers to 12:36pm N-bound to 5:10 pm S-bound from 8:35 am #503 from 12:36 pm N- from 5:10 pm S- Coast Starlight NOTE Both bus and bound Coast Starlight bound Coast Starlight or 4 pm N-bound train should be at least DRAFT#508 DRAFTone hour later

Mileage From To Mileage Travel Time Oregon’s beautiful Rogue Valley needs to be connected (45 mph) to our intercity rail system. Ideally that connection would Eugene Cottage Grove 21.2 mi 28.3 min be a rail connection. But because signifi cant and very Cottage Grove Roseburg 50.1 mi 66.8 min expensive rail line improvements are needed before Roseburg Grants Pass 69.0 mi 92 min implementing passenger service, an interim solution must Grants Pass Medford 29.4 mi 39.2 min be implemented. This draft schedule could be an important fi rst step in moving toward that vision. If you have Medford Ashland 13.2 mi 17.6 min suggestions, please send them to [email protected]. Ashland Redding, CA 135 mi 180 min

This is a roughDRAFT draft and does not take into consideration specific traffic issues related to local bus stops. AORTA Bulletin Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 3 You are invited to join us on April 5 to investigate ... Why has high-speed rail moved so slowly in the US? Luncheon presentation by Dr. Anthony Perl Saturday, April 5, 2014 (11:00 am - 4:30 pm)

Embassy Suites (historic Multnomah Hotel) 319 SW Pine Street Portland, Oregon 97204 convenient to light rail Anthony Perl Director of Urban Studies Program Simon Fraser University, British Columbia Dr. Perl also served at City University of New York, University of Calgary, and Université Lumière in Lyon, France. He has authored or co-authored four books, most recently Transport Revolutions: Moving People and Freight Without Oil (2008). Anthony’s research crosses disciplinary and national boundaries, exploring policy decisions affecting transportation and the environment. He is published in scholarly journals such as Energy Policy, Transportation Research, Transportation Quarterly, World Transport Policy and Practice, and 6FLHQWL¿F$PHULFDQ served on the Board of Directors for Via Rail Canada, and received the 2013 NARP Academic Award. Robert J. Stewart Chair, National Association of Railroad Passengers Previously served as Vice Chairman—Mission Accomplishment. He has been a member of the association since 1970, joining the board in 2002 and becoming vice-president (later vice-chairman) in 2004. “I am particularly interested in growing the association’s membership, continuing to expand strong grass roots efforts across the country, developing future leaders for our association and getting a greater diversity of members on our council.” A native of New Jersey, Stewart holds a bachelor of business administration from Baldwin-Wallace College (Berea, Ohio). He served in the U.S. Marine Corps 1962-68. Stewart resides in Franklin, Tennessee.

Northwest Division, National Association of Railroad Passengers (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon & Washington) Cosponsored by AORTA (Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates) and AAWA (All-Aboard Washington).

More information and AORTA registration online at Association of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates AORTArail.org Portland Union Station, 800 NW 6th Avenue, Suite 253 Portland, Oregon 97209-3715

Register On-Line or by mailing this form to AORTA, Post Office Box 2772, Portland, Oregon 97208-2772 Name(s) Registration @ $39 Patron @ $59 Enclose Address, City, State/Province, Zip Code check payable Donation to “AORTA” Total Enclosed Phone Email (optional) Includes Italian buffet luncheon with Antipasti Tray, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Cacciatore, Fussili Pasta (seafood), Tiramisu

4 Working for Balanced Transportation in Oregon Since 1976 AORTA Bulletin