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Vol. 5, No. 8 August 1978 Board Approves Corridor Air /Rail Facility, I Beech Grove Program, St. Louis Station

At its luly 26 monthly meeting, elevators, will lead to the . various shops at Beech Grove to han­ 's board of directors ap­ Amtrak will be responsible for con­ dle all the present overhaul programs proved a $2.85 million appropriation struction of the building, platforms, of the fleet. tunnel and track. The State of Mary­ for the country's first interconnecting St. Louis Station land will provide the land, a parking air/rail passenger station, $1 million The new temporary station will be lot and road access. The operation for the next stage of the moderniza­ located between present Union Sta­ and maintenance of the facility will ti on program at Beech Grove, and tion and downtown St. Louis near the be jointly supported by Amtrak and $784,000 for a temporary station in site proposed for the future perma­ the state. St. Louis. nent station. The move to the tem­ The project is scheduled to begin porary building will allow the this fall and the target date for com­ Air /Rail Station developer to proceed with his plans pletion is luly 1979. Construction is scheduled to begin for renovation of Union Station. this fall on the facility near Bal­ Plans call for $670,000 of the ap­ timore-Washington International air­ Beech Grove Project propriated funds to be used for per­ port (BWI). The latest portion of the program manent improvements, including rail The site is adjacent to the North­ involves replacement of roofs and and track work which can be used as east Corridor mainline and about a windows on six maintenance shops part of the planned permanent facili­ half mile from the main terminal of and a warehouse. ty. the airport. Passengers will be trans­ Much of the work funded by this Amtrak estimates annual savings ported between the two faciJities by board action was originally scheduled of over $141,000 in reduced rents and shuttle buses. to be performed in later phases of the operating costs when the temporary The concept of the intermodal sta­ program. Severe tornado damage to station becomes operational this fall. tion was initiated by the the buildings this past lune led to the Construction of the temporary Department of Transportation and decision to complete part of the up­ facility will have no impact on pend­ the plan was supported in Congress grading now so that temparary repair ing litigation regarding the site by Maryland Senators costs of nearly $700,000 could be selected for the new permanent sta­ l. Glenn Beall and Charles McC. avoided. tion. The temporary structure will Mathias, and Representative Mar­ Phase 111 of the five-part/ five-year permit Amtrak to provide a safe and jorie Holt whose congressional dis­ $29 million modernization program comfortable facility for passengers trict includes both the airport and the was begun last December at an esti­ pending resolution of the litigation intermodal terminal site. mated cost of $6.4 million. It will in­ which has delayed construction of the Congress appropriated $3 million crease the productive capacity of the new permanent facility. specifically for the project. The 2,850-square-foot building is Conferees Agree On Amtrak Funds designed far projected passenger usage in the 1980s, incorparating House-Senate conferees reached The compromise bill also says the modern ticketing facilities, a pas­ agreement on August 3 on legislation final recommendations of the DOT's senger lounge and a vending area. that would guarantee the present restructuring proposals, due De­ The new faciltiy will include barrier­ Amtrak system until October 1, 1979. cember 31, could be invalidated by free access and special provisions for Congressman Harley Staggers, vote of either house of Congress. the handicapped. principal sponsor of the freeze, said it The bill also authorizes $600 Two 350-foot, high-level platforms would give Congress additional time million in operating funds and $130 with 50-foot canopy shelters will be to study the costs and benefits of each million in capital funds for Amtrak constructed at trackside. An under­ route the Department of Transporta­ for the next fiscal year which begins track tunnel, accessible via stairs and tion wants to eliminate. on Oetober 1. Rochester Gets New Station, ______I "Amtrak W eek" Proclaimed By Mayor

Amtrak dedicated its new provided by The Mighty Liberotors find a way to fund the extension" passenger station in Rochester , New brass band. The color guard came when the first phase was completed. York, with special ceremonies at from Headquarters, 209th Field Herman thanked the city and state noon, Wednesday, July 12. Artillery Brigade, Army for their contributions to the station This was the third new facility National Guard. project. opened in less than a month. Commissioner Hennessy, who The city provided the land for the Previously dedicated were stations at represented New York's Governor station, valued at $307,000, while , on June 20, and Canton, Hugh Carey, stressed the state's New York State contributed $557,560 Ohio, on June 30. interest in high speed rai! tran­ to construction costs. The remaining Speakers at the dedication included sportation in the New York-Albany­ $1.2 million was funded by Amtrak. Thomas Ryan, mayor, Rochester; Buffalo "." Herman noted, "Amtrak is making William Hennessy, commissioner of Hennessy pointed out that some history today by moving into a transportation, New York State; Bob $60 million in state rai! bond fund:; station that is perfect for rai! travelers Herman, Amtrak's vi ce president and are currently being used to improve now and in the future as we envision manager, national intercity passenger service, including it. Passenger trains have an important operations; and David Lovenheim, inauguration of high speed service future as petroleum resources administrative assistant to between and dwindle. Congressman Frank Horton. Schenectady. "We're grateful to the city of Rochester is in Congressman He explained, however, that Rochester for helping us plan for the Horton 's district. "funds are not available under the years ahead and congratulate New Master of ceremonies for the event current program to install the signal York as one of the most progressive was John Lombardi, Amtrak's system necesary to operate high speed states in preparing for the future of director, state and local services, trains the entire length of the corridor rai! travel. " Washington. (to Buffalo/Niagara Falls)." The new $2.1 million station ac­ Music for the occasion was He did note that Carey "would commodates 150 persons. The

(Above Lefl) The Mighty Liberators play at station opening. (Above) Cutling the traditional ribbon are, left to right, Mayor Ryan, Commissioner Hennessy and Bob Herman, Amtrak's vice president, national operations. (Righl) The new station accommodates 150 persons at present but can be expanded if needed. (Left) A large crowd participated in the open house that followed the ribbon cutting. Cake, soft drinks and coffee were served. (Below) Ticket Clerk Bud Raymond has a brightly lit and large office. structural steel and masonry bui!ding project 's architect, Lozier-Architects, were served. features modern ticketing faci!ities Engineers, and the general con­ Rochester is a busy point on and a spacious, carpeted waiting tractor, Raymond LeChase, Inc., Amtrak. Some 5,600 passengers now room with vending area. both of Rochester . board or leave Amtrak trains every Canopies protecting the 1,200- The conceptual design and con­ month, a 20 per cent increase over foot-long platform have been struction management for the new last year's ridership. This upward renovated. A circular entrance leads station was done by Amtrak's ar­ trend is expected to continue with the to the station with access to a 75-car chitects and engineers. opening of the new station. parking lot. Interestingly, the three new As part of the festivities marking The new barrier-free facility was stations-Miami with a capacity of the opening of the station, a rai!road designed to make rai! travel more 300-350 persons, Rochester with 150 exhibit was held in Midtown Plaza, convenient and attractive to han­ and Cant on with 50-represent the one of the city's major shopping dicapped and elderly passengers. three basic stations designed by the areas. In cooperation with local Two plaques were placed in the engineering department. Each can be merchants, Amtrak sponsored a new station to serve as reminders of expanded to handle substantially drawing for two free trips for two to west'ern New York's rail history. One more passengers should future needs Boston and Walt Disney World. was taken from the old New York warrant. Additionally, in honor of the Central station wh ich was dedicated Working in the new facility are occasion, Mayor Ryan proclaimed in 1882. The other came from the Mike Cerone, Peter Tarana, Tom the time as "Amtrak Week in following station on the site, designed Chudoba, Larry Jehle and "Bud" Rochester. " by architect Claude Bragdon, which Raymond, ticket clerks. Rochester is presently served by began operation in 1914. Following the speeches and official three trains daily in each direction. A third marker is being designed to ribbon cutting, the visiting public was They are the Limited, the commemorate the new Amtrak invited into the station for an open Empire Slale Express and the Niagara building. It will be a gift from the house. Cake, soft drinks and coffee Rainbow. Hearings On DOT Restructuring Completed

The Interstate Commerce Com­ The DOT report was criticized by must submit its revised plan to mission virtually completed its more many of the witnesses as having been Congress by December 31. than 50 hearings on the Department too hastily conceived and being based Congress, in turn, will review the of Transportation 's restructuring only on budget considerations recommendations and ultimately plan of Amtrak with a major session without really seriously addressing determine what changes might be in Washington on Monday, July 24. Amtrak's problems. made in Amtrak's current system. Only one last late-scheduled meeting Many of the witnesses were of­ was held in Columbia, South ficials from various levels of govern­ Carolina, on August 3. ment. Numerous states supported in­ Board Officers The series of hearings, which began creased Amtrak service, offering, in on June 26 in Washington, was set in many cases, specific plans. Amtrak 's board of directors various ci ti es along the routes of Virtually all opposition to Amtrak, reelected Donald P. Jacobs as its trains proposed for discontinuance in both on the specific routes involved chairman for another year. Jacobs, DOT's report. and as anational rai! passenger who was named to the board in 1974, Each meeting was presided over by system, came from the bus li ne in­ is dean of the Graduate School of an I CC hearing officer, aided by a dustry and, to a lesser extent, the Management of Northwestern Uni­ representative of the ICC's Rail National Taxpayers' Union. versity, Evanston, Illinois. Services Planning Office. Anyone News coverage of the hearings was The board also elected Charles could testify, pro or con, on the heavy, although many of the stories Luna, of Dallas, for a one year term proposed restructuring. tended to feature only the negative as vice chairman. He replaces Mrs. Witnesses, generally , were over­ side of Amtrak rat her than the ac tu al Mary J. Head, ofNorfolk. whelmingly in favor of keeping the heavy support given it by witnesses. Luna, a former president of the present system. Many even advocated The ICC will now formulate a Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen expanding it. Public interest in report of the hearings and submit it to and the United Transportation Amtrak 's future was evidenced by the the Department of Transportation. Union, was first appointed to the large crowds that attended many of DOT will use the material to adjust its board in 1971. He was reappointed by the meetings. preliminary restructuring report. I t President Carter last year.

3 Track Laying System Operational, Demonstration Set For Press, Civic Officials So me 30 reporters from news­ rai! and ties in one continuous auto­ Next in line, and coupled to the papers, television stations and the mated operation. P -811, are 15 special rai! cars holding trade magazines, plus civic and The huge machine - 222 feet long enough concrete ties to cover one mile. government officials, came to and weighing 168 tons - is capable Three small gantry cranes trundle Kingston, Rhode Island, on Monday, of putting down new track at a rate of back and forth, on special rails at­ July 25, to witness the first official 1,200 feet per hour. Thirty-six track tached to the side of the cars, to and demonstration of Amtrak's new workers are assigned to the P-811 . from the P-811 carrying new concrete Track Laying System, the TLS. Before being transported to the ties forward to the machine and the The system is comprised of aseries work site, five miles west of town, the old wooden ones back to the empty­ of machines, stretching one-and-one­ press assembled at the Kingston sta­ ing cars for later shipment to a half miles down the track, and a team tion to be briefed by Bob Lawson, disposal site. of 160 workers, that can renew track Amtrak's vice president and As the P-811 keeps moving for­ three-and-one-half times faster than engineer, and Senator Claiborne Pell, ward, aseries of operations begins. conventional methods. of Rhode Island. Pell is generally The old rai! is pushed to the side of The new system is being used for conceded to be the moving force, in the roadbed and the old ties picked the first time in the Uni ted States on pre-Amtrak days, for the establish­ up and conveyed to the tie exchange the . ment of high speed rai! service in the car in front of the machine for pickup The TLS incorporates 15 major Northeast Corridor. by the gantry crane. At the same kinds of machines, from undercutters Working ahead of the P-811 are an time, the new concrete ties are fed and ballast regulators to track liners undercutter I ballast cleaner, plus men down another conveyor to the road­ and tampers, but the major unit is the and other machines that pull spikes bed and set in place. Simultaneously, Track Laying Machine, the P-811, and rai! anchors and load the sc rap the new welded rail is threaded into costing $1.5 million, which replaces metal into rai! cars. place.

(Below) Bob Lawson, Amtrak's vice president and chief engineer, right, points out speeific operations of the P-81J 10 Rhode Jsland's Senalor Claiborne Pell.

(Above) Ties come down the ramp to be inserted in pre- eise order on the smooth road bed. (Right) Members of the press and civic and government of­ fieials crowd the tracks to watch the P-8J J operate. As the machine progresses, the wooden ties. The difference in the Kingston on the westbound mainline front of the P-811 rides on the old projected life expectancy of wooden and had completed about four miles track, while the rear end rides on the ties depends on the type of wood, the of tie replacement up to the day of the new. chemical treatment of the tie, track press demonstration. One environmental note-since the maintenance, climate, track con­ Numerous adjustments and modi­ machine removes the old ties from the figuration and traffic density. fications are constantly being made as site, there are no unsightly piles of old Track using concrete ties also pro­ the machine and crews experience dif­ ties left on the shoulders of the right vides better vertical and lateral track ferent track conditions such as of way to be removed later. stiffness because of the greater weight straight track, curves and bridges. Amtrak's Track Laying System is of concrete ties and the more rigid "We expected progress to be slow expected to lay 424 miles of ties and fasteners and support structure. at first," said Lawson. "But, now we 219 miles of new rai! during the next Rai! is held onto the concrete ties are up to about four-tenths of a mile four years. with special clips rather than conven­ each day and expect to be at full pro­ The end result will be a smoother tional spikes. duction of a mile a day within the ride for the passenger. Also, track with concrete ties set­ next few weeks." Concrete ties were chosen für por­ tles more uniformly, providing the The press demonstration was a co­ tions of the Northeast Corridor smoother, more comfortable ride for operative project of Amtrak and the because they are estimated to have a high speed passenger traffic. Department of Transportation, service Iife of about 50 years com­ The Track Laying Machine began which administers the Northeast Cor­ pa red to a 15-35 year Iife span for operation on lune 26 south of ridor Improvement Project. Marketing Department Photo Contest Announced

Amtrak employees now have a prints are acceptable. In the color • A 16-by-20 enlargement of the chance to show off their photo­ category, only color slides mounted Grand Prize photo. graphic talent by entering the mar­ in 2-by-2-inch mounts are eligible. • Publication of the photo in Am­ keting department's first photo con­ Rutes: trak literature, with the by-Iine of the test. Titled "Next Stop, F Stop," the • Each entry must be clearly winning photographer. competition seeks to uncover the hid­ marked with contestant's name and First Prize (One in each category) den photographers in Amtrak's em­ address. • Copy of "The Book of Photo­ ployee force. • Each picture/ slide must be ac­ graphy. " Subject matter for the contest are companied with the proper identifica­ • An II-by-14 enlargement of the pictures that capture the f1avor of rai! tion as to name of , location, winning photo. trave!. The marketing department date, and all other pertinent data. • Publication of photo, with by­ would like to see interior and exterior • Original color slides must be sub­ line credit. shots of Amtrak equipment, various mitted. Black and white prints only. Second Prize (Two in each cate­ Amtrak trains, as weil as scenic loca­ 00 not send negatives. They will be gory) tion shots of sites either served direct­ requested of the winning pictures. • An II-by-14 enlargement of the Iy by Amtrak or used in Amtrak tour • Contestants wanting the return winning photo. packages. of non-winning entries must enclose a • An Amtrak coffee mug. Submitted photos can be recent stamped self -addressed envelope • Publication of photo, with by- ones or from an employee's file. along with their entries. line credit. There is no time limit on when the • Release forms must accompany Honorable Mentions (Unlimited) pictures were taken but all equipment any pictures or slides that show iden­ • An Amtrak coffee mug. pictures must show equipment that is tifiable persons. • Publication of photo with by-line still in use at the location in the • All winning entries become the credit. photograph. sole property of Amtrak. Entries should be submitted to For example, an otherwise ex­ Prizes: "Next Stop, F Stop, "c/ o Amtrak cellent picture of the in Grand Prize (for the top picture Marketing Services, 400 N. Capitol its old conventional equipment would selected from both categories) St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. not be eligible. • A four-car, electric, French­ Entries must be received no later Categories: manufactured HO model of an Am­ than September 29. Winners will be Two separate categories, black and trak . notified by October 15. white and color. In the black and • A copy of "The Book of Pho­ Further information can also be white category, only 8-by-lO-inch tography. " received from the above address.

5 Goal Of Operation Lifesaver:------I Greater Rail-Highway Safety J Amtrak's board of directors has There are several ways to improve visibility for vehicle drivers. authorized spending $404,000 to im­ safety at grade crossings, such as: • Improve the road surface over prove rail-highway safety and train • Close the crossing. Public and the tracks for smoother, skid-re­ operating efficiencies between Lake­ private roads that cross the rail­ sistant movement of vehicles . land and Tampa, . road may be closed to through • Provide illumination, such as The funding was contingent upon traffic if alternate access is avail­ street lamps, for better visibility the route being included in the U .S. able or provided and if there is at night. Department of Transportation's re­ evidence of little or no use. One or more of these improve­ structured rail passenger system and • Separate the grades by con­ ments will be considered at each upon a final agreement between Am­ structing an over or underpass. grade crossing. trak, the Florida Department of • Install traffic control devices Physical improvements at crossings Transportation and the Seaboard such as gates, flashing lights, are part of a bigger Amtrak-adopted Co ast Line railroad for additional highway traffic signals, beils, programcalled Operation Lifesaver. funding. crossbucks or stop signs. That program, developed originally by This project also includes financial • Eliminate, remove or relocate the Union Pacific Railroad in 1971, participation by the Federal Highway physical obstructions within the takes a three pronged approach to Administration and the affected crossing quadrants to improve grade crossing safety: Education, counties and cities. Total cost of the Lakeland-Tampa program is esti­ mated to be $1.4 million. So me 44 grade-crossings between the two cities will be closed, improved or upgraded. Applying the findings contained in a 1974 study by the California Public Utilities Commission, it is estimated that such improvements can reduce the number of rail-highway accidents by up to 70 per cent. Not only are the grade crossing im­ provements expected to reduce the number of accidents, fatalities and in­ juries, they are expected to also re­ duce claims expense and equipment and property damage costs by about Each time I approach a crossing, I signalloud and dear that my train is coming. I $385,000 per year. When safety im­ only hope that the drivers see and hear me in advance. provements have been made, train At most crossings there are other warnings-lights, gates, bells-of my approach speeds are expected to be increased which alm ost always is at high speed. One should always exercise the utmost caution when approaching any railroad through the elimination or alteration crossing. One owes it to him or herself and their loved ones to stay alert, use good of city-imposed (state-regulated) sense and stay alive. speed restrictions and improved track In my job I see too many drivers trying to beat the odds just to save a few banking of certain specified curves. seconds. To most people, unfortunately, crossing accidents are something they read Amtrak trains have been involved about in the paper. It 's something that might happen to 'the other guy' but not to them. in 129 grade crossing accidents in the But, that's exactly what 'the other guy' was thinking too. state of Florida during the past three I don 't understand what gets into people. I've seen them ignore warning lights, years-almost 18 per cent of Am­ drive right through stop signs, zoom around lowered crossing gates and drive right trak's total grade crossing accidents onto the tracks directly in back of another stopped car with no chance to get out of systemwide. Almost half of all the way if a train came along. I certainly can 't explain their actions, but I can tell you one thing. Florida accidents have occurred in the I've never seen a grade crossin'g accident that couldn 't have been avoided if 30 mile stretch between Lakeland and somebody just took a moment to think and then avoided doing a foolish thing. Tampa.

6 Engineering and Enforcement. perience in Operation Lifesaver pro­ bilities at crossings and enforce the The educational phase focuses on a grams, the Seaboard Coast Line pro­ laws and regulations regarding grade multi-faceted public awareness cam­ vided program leadership, guidance crossing safety. paign to instill in the public the need and direction in Florida. All states qualify for federal fund­ to approach and cross rail-highway This program was launched on Oc­ ing assistance in the installation of crossings with caution. This phase in­ tober 1, 1976, with a proclamation by improved crossing signs and signals volves TV public service announce­ Governor Askew. After the first year, under the Federal Aid Highway Acts ments, radio spots, news paper ads the number of Amtrak rail-highway of 1973 and 1976. Amtrak acts as a and instructional presentations to or­ crossing accidents had decreased by catalyst to get the states and railroads ganized groups. 52 per cent, with a comparable de­ actively and vigorously involved in The engineering phase involves an crease in fatalities. In the year prior the program. assessment of the necessity and/or to the start of the program there The National Transportation adequacy of an individual crossing were 55 accidents and 25 fatalities, Safety Board has recommended and then a recommendation to either and in the first year of the program 's Operation Lifesaver programs, with eliminate the crossing entirely or to implementation there were 26 acci­ support from the AAR, International design an adequate warning system dents and 12 fatalities. Chiefs of Police and federal agencies for installation at the site. The enforcement phase, first, in­ Federal, state and local govern­ involved in transportation and safety. volves the recognition by appropriate ments, safety associations, as weil as Florida is not the only state par­ law enforcement agencies of the need the operating railroads, are the essen­ ticipating in an Operation Lifesaver to apply uniform and consistent en­ tial elements needed to achieve maxi­ program. Thus far, Amtrak is work­ forcement of laws regarding rail­ mum results. Although the railroads ing with ten other states which are highway crossings. Such agencies ownand maintain the rail property, now participating in the program. then must be committed to issuing the states, counties and cities own and These are IIIinois, Texas, Colorado, warning tickets and traffic citations maintain the roadways. Therefore, if Oregon, Missouri, , to violators who ignore state laws re­ the program is to be successful, all Kentucky, , Ohio and garding signs and signals at rail inter­ parties must cooperate to engineer Arizona. Eleven other states are con­ sections. adequate warning systems, assist in sidering implementing the program in Since Amtrak had no previous ex- educating the public of their responsi- the near future. On Board Services Training Includes First Aid

Each year Amtrak hires additional These were Washington, Miami, on board services employees to staff Chicago, Seattle, Oakland and Los trains for the increased ridership of Angeles. the summer. Says lohn Lindinger, manager, Before being put into service, all national operations training, "First are given extensive training designed aid training is a vital part of our to provide them with an orientation continuing effort to provide quality to the company and a comprehensive service to our passengers. introduction to on board services "After this initial phase, we plan to duties. Demonstrated are various include CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary customer service skills, understanding Resuscitation) training as weil. Our of safe working procedures and intention is to give on board services sanitation, as weil as the basic personnel the best training possible so technical skills that each one needs they can be confident in their abilities for his or her particular job category. to handle any major first aid This year, for the first time, along emergency situation that might occur with their regular training, all of the on their trains." 180 new employees were put through Plans are being formulated to an eight-hour American Red Cross extend the first aid training, after first aid course. Labor Day, to all on board services Dan Votava, then a trainer, supervises proper The first aid training was ad­ employees, beginning with super­ application 0/ a splint during the session in ministered at the six crew bases par­ visors, stewards, chefs and lead . Votava recently returned to ticipating in the new hire program. service attendants. ticket selling at Spokane.

7 Petersburg, Trenton Employees Win Amblitz Competition

Personnel at two Amtrak Gilbert and Michael Ages, portable baggageman/ cleaner, and Mary stations-Petersburg, , and radios; and Robert Reid, digital clock Milius and Steve Chicosky, ticket Trenton, -were recently radio. clerks, portable radios. rewarded for outstanding per­ In the Northeast Corridor division, The employee incentive program formance in an incentive program in Trenton won first place, with New was just one portion of the inaugural connection with the Champion York City's Penn Station a very close Amblitz. Other campaign programs Amblitz. New York's Penn Station second. Employees at both facilities included a consumer sweepstakes, placed a close second in the Corridor received the certificates of apprecia­ special dollar day fares and various division of the contest. The contest tion. other promotional drives. was divided into two categories; Trenton personnei, in addition, The sweepstakes, also called the Corridor stations and national were treated, on July 13, to a sm all "Return of the Champ" contest, of­ operations department stations. party at the station. Mark Miller, fered vacation package trips to con­ The Amblitz, Amtrak's newest assistant division manager of testants who merely filled out an promotional campaign, seeks to stations, New York, then picked entry blank and placed it in a box. boost ridership along selected rai! names from a hat for the seven Frank Popoli, of the Bronx, New routes by informing consumers there available prizes. York, won the grand prize, a choice about Amtrak's various services and Winners included Jim Chapman, of five-day vacations for a family of how Amtrak is making rai! travel lead ticket clerk, blender; Fred four in either Florida or New York. more attractive to its riders. Hodges, ticket clerk, digital wrist Popoli picked Florida and while there To initiat~, this new promotion, watch; Sandy Cowell, ticket clerk, will be able to take advantage of some Amtrak chose to Amblitz the route of digital clock radio; and Vince Mc­ extras that Amtrak included in his the Champion, one of Amtrak's three Coy, stationmaster , Wheeler Miles, tour. He will also receive admissions New York-Florida trains. The Cham­ pion had been suspended at times be­ (Lejt) Trenton prize cause of seasonal fluctuations in winners included ridership, therefore this particular Vince McCoy, sta­ tionmaster; Sandy Amblitz was staged to increase public Cowell and Mary awareness of the train's restoration to Milius, ticket clerks; year-round service. and fim Chapman, For aperiod of one month-April lead ticket clerk. 17 to May 15-stations along the (Below) Petersburg entire Champion route participated in winners were Dan­ ny Best, lead ticket the incentive program during wh ich clerk; and Bob they competed with each other. Nugent, Michael When the results were finally Ages and Tom Gi/­ tabulated, Petersburg was designated bert, ticket clerks. the national operations winner. Hence, on July 10, Phi! Weck, district manager, presented congratulatory certificates. to all of the five Petersburg employees. Each certificate was signed by Martin Garelick, executive vi ce president and chief operating officer; Al Michaud, vi ce president, marketing; and Bob Herman, vice president and general manager, national operations. A drawing was held for awards for the ticket seilers. Winners included Danny Best, a stereo radio; Bob Nugent, Kodak Handle camera; Tom

8 to Walt Disney World and other Pollution Control Aided Disney attractions in the complex, a visit to Sea World and admission to I By Environmental Randbook the Kennedy Space Center. In continuing efforts to be good classes will supplement its contents. Ten sweepstakes first place winners neighbors to the community, Amtrak The book will then serve, in effect, as will receive 14-day unlimited travel has launched a campaign designed to a textbook. U.S.A. Rail Passes and pairs of curb pollution through employee GaU, Noonan and Smink, who will round-trip coach tickets to various education. teach the classes, hope to begin western cities will be given to 25 The program, developed by scheduling them for late summer or second place winners. Some 3,000 Amtrak's office of environment and early fall. They have received third place winners will each receive pollution control, consists of a 70- favorable responses from recent let­ Amtrak travel bags. page employee manual which will ters of inquiry to regional vice presi­ A third component of the later be supplemented with aseries of dents. Champion Amblitz included special classes. The two-day classes will consist of dollar day fares-on April 17-18- The manual, entitled the "En­ lectures supplemented by movie and when passengers could ride selected vironmental Control Handbook," slide programs, posters, flyers and segments of the Champion 's route for was released after 16 months of writ­ visits to pollution sites. only $1. ing and editing by three members of Although only a limited number of Amtrak also produced and dis­ the engineering design and construc­ employees will directly participate in tributed promotion al material to ad­ ti on department. the pro gram , Noonan stressed a vertise the various scheduled events. Herb Gall, assistant chief engineer, des ire for total personnel involvement Posters, counter cards, press releases design and construction; Bob in pollution control. and local advertising effectively Noonan, manager, environmental Therefore, the campaign is geared spread the word that the Champion and pollution control engineering; to all levels of employees because was back in service. and Carl Smink, environmental "everyone has a role in pollution engineer, combined their knowledge control" and "every kind of to come up with a handbook which pollution hurts," according to I I Ronor MacDonald describes various forms of pollution Noonan. Amtrak's board of directors, at its common to railroads and then out­ The combination of this new in­ July meeting, ordered that a sleeping lines step-by-step directions for their structional package, together with car used on the be named cure. other aspects of Amtrak 's "Good in honor of their fellow board mem­ According to the authors, this is Neighbor Policy," has led the trio to ber, J oseph V. MacDonald, who the first such handbook in the rail­ unequivocably declare that the com­ recently died. Another car will be road industry that targets problems pany has "the best environmental named in honor of his wife, Beatrice. peculiar to railroads and says what policy of any corporation of com­ MacDonald was a member of the must be done to control them. par?tive size in the world." board from his appointment by Presi­ Written in terms to cover a broad dent Nixon in 1974 until almost the spectrum of employees, the manual Back To Normal time of his death this past June. also contains some useful advice on The Montrealer was one of Mac­ legal affairs concerning pollution The returned to its Donald's favorite Amtrak trains. He, along with a glossary of pollution normal route between Spokane and with a handful of fellow Vermonters, terms. Seattle, serving Ellensburg, Yakima organized the campaign in 1972 that To allow information to be added or and Pasco, beginning July 23 . resulted in Amtrak picking the route deleted as necessary, the manual has The train had not operated over its through Ver mo nt for its new U.S.­ been produced in looseleaf style. normal route over the Burlington Canadian service. Noonan refers to it as a "Iiving note­ Northern 's Stampede Pass because of MacDonald's concern for "his" book" as technical briefs concerning severe washouts that occurred last Montrealer never flagged. He cam­ legal, governmental and scientific December. For a while, it had run paigned for better service and equip­ affairs will be produced and dis­ over the Milwaukee Road 's ment and just a few days before his .tributed quarterly to keep districts Snoqualmie Pass route but because of death, after he had been succeeded on informed of advancements and deteriorated track conditions there the Amtrak board, he wrote a long changes in the field of pollution the train was rerouted via Wenatchee letter to a fellow rail supporter in control. (the 's nor­ which he set down in detail arguments Because the book alone is not thern Washington route) pending he thought would be most effective if enough to instruct employees suf­ completion of track work on the BN's his favorite train was ever threatened. ficiently about pollution, regional route over Stampede Pass.

9 City, Minneapolis, Detroit, Jack­ Keeping Track of Amtrak sonville and Buffalo-had no injuries to be able to achieve the coveted zero They will continue the public service injury ratio figure. Faster Montrealer through the fall. The Western led the regions for the Beginning July 30, the schedule far The park rangers distribute bro­ month with a 9.55 ratio, while Beech the Montrealer was speeded up by chures describing Harpers Ferry Grove lead the shops with a 5.4. almost an hour southbound between National Historical Park which For the year to date, leaders in the and Washington. preserves the atmosphere of the mid- various categories are: As a result of a new operating 19th century village. They also an­ Distriet: Empire, with a zero ratio, contract with the Central swer questions about the route of the meaning no injuries since January 1. Railway, departure time from train which stops at Silver Spring, Three districts-Northwest with Montreal is now 55 minutes later and Rockville, Gaithersburg and Bruns­ 1. 3, Chicago Terminal with 1.4, and the running time shortened by ap­ wick, Maryland, and paralleis both St. Louis with 1.55-are dose proximately 20 minutes. Time the and the behind. required for customs inspection at St. and Ohio canal for most Region: Central, with an 8.8 ratio. Albans was also reduced from 35 to ofthe run. Shops: Beech Grove, with a 13 .35, 10 minutes and some other time Safety Results and Mechanical Facilities: Three tied savings also made. Leaders in the four categories, for The trip from Montreal to White with a zero ratio. They are Dallas­ the year to date, in the President's Fort Worth, Kansas City and Detroit. River Junction was reduced in total Safety Contest did not change with The injury ratio is a figure denoting by 55 minutes, while the schedule the June safety results, except for the number of injuries per 200;000 from White River Junction to . That mechanical fa­ man-hours of work. All injuries or Washington remains the same. cility was toppled from the ranks of on-the-job iIlnesses that require more those that had no injuries since the than mere first aid counted in the Rangers beginning of the year. Following the lead of their western The June report showed that, for statistics. brothers who are riding on the the month, four districts-Empire, Empire Builder, uniformed rangers Southern, St. Louis and Chicago Fahey Dies of the National Park Service's Terminal-had no injuries with a Richard E. Fahey, manager of the National Capital region are riding the resultant zero injury ratio. recently expanded St. Louis division, Blue Ridge between Washington and In the mechanical facilities cate­ died of a heart attack on Saturday, Harpers Ferry, , every gory, eight locations-Houston, July 15. Saturday and Sunday as of August 5. Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Kansas Fahey was born in Port Jervis, New York, and began his railroad career ICC Says Must Continue as a fireman on the Erie Railroad in 1947. He was promoted to engineer in The Interstate Commerce Com­ operation of the Crescent sometime 1961 and to road foreman of engines mission, on Thursday, August 3, in a during the coming year. in 1967. 4-3 decision, ruled that the Southern Amtrak rejected one bid from He joined Amtrak in September Railway must operate the Southern Southern earlier this year. Southern 1974 as assistant superintendent of Crescent until at least August 4, 1979. had offered Amtrak 81 of its cars, the Central region. He then became The Crescent, the last long-distance several locomotives and up to $2.7 superintendent of the North Central train operated by a private railroad, million in cash. Other conditions district in June 1975, and of the St. traces a great arc from Washington made the offer unacceptable. Louis district, when it absorbed the through Lynchburg, Charlotte, At­ Amtrak has not acted on a second North Central district, in April 1977. lanta and Birmingham to the offer und er which Southern would Fahey is survived by his wife, Kay, "Crescent City" of New Orleans. keep the equipment but pay Amtrak and one son, Edward. The Rock Island, Denver and Rio $4 milliot:} in cash. Further talks are Grande Western and expected. Railroad still operate some intercity About 165,000 passengers rode the GambIers' Specials trains but those are much shorter Crescent during 1977. Southern says Amtrak passengers who want to runs. it lost $6.6 million on the train last take advantage of the sudden appeal The Commission expressed ho pe year in "avoidable costs," losses of Atlantic City, New Jersey, as a that the Southern can reach agree­ which would be eliminated if the tourist resorf because of legalized ment with Amtrak to take over service was dropped. casino gambling, can now purchase

10 through rail-bus tickets as a result of that on Sundays and holidays the The discounts schedule is as an agreement between Amtrak and train, formerly the Senator and now folIows: Transport of New Jersey bus line. named the Tidewater, leaves Seven daily round trips are sched­ Williamsburg at 2:05 p.m., arriving Regular Price Discount Price uled between 's 30th in Washington at 5:40 p.m., $19.50 $14.00 Street station and the seashore resort. Philadelphia at 8:20 p.m;, and New 16.50 12.00 Buses pick up Amtrak passengers at York City at 9:57 p.m. 14.50 10.00 the station, then depart for a non­ In addition, travel time over the 11.00 7.00 stop run to Atlantic City. route of the Tidewater and the Fare from Philadelphia to Atlantic Monday -through -Saturday The employee discount is available City is $3.45 one way, $6.60 round has been reduced by 10 minutes for all evening performances, Mon­ trip. Bus tickets can be purchased at because of an improved track con­ day through Friday, and for Saturday any Amtrak ticket office or Amtrak­ nection in Richmond. matinees. Each employee can pur­ appointed travel agency at the time a Construction of the connection, chase up to four tickets, or for the passenger buys his rail ticket. financed by Amtrak, allows the train number of dependents listed on the The new agreement was negotiated to bypass congested freight tracks. back of his pass. by Joe Bellino, manager, 10- Tickets are subject to availability terline/intermodal sales. while the offer remains in effecL Theatre Discounts Tickets must be purchased at the box Williamsburg Change Amtrak employees can receive a office but do not have to be for that Amtrak customers who travel to substantial discount on tickets to evening's performance. No sales can Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, on Broadway's top production, "On be made over the telephone or weekends now can spend more time The Twentieth Century," by merely through the mail. there, or at nearby Busch Gardens, showing their Rail Travel Privilege "On The Twentieth Century" is because of the later departure on Card when they purchase their showing at the SL James theatre, 246 Sundays and holidays of the north­ tickets. West 44th Street, New York. The bound train that serves Tidewater The hit show won five Tony awards story details events on board the Virginia. - Broadway's equivalent of the Os­ train's run from Chicago to New The schedule has been revised so cars - this past spring. York during the 1930s.

[ Equipment Assigned To National Limited I Amtrak began using Amfleet Indianapolis. It will be restored to Station, Philadelphia. There they will equipment on the National Limited in Kansas City in November as more be added to the New York section for mid-August in place of the older cars are converted to be compatible the trip west, and taken off the conventional passenger cars. This is with the electrical systems used on eastbound train for Washington and the first use of new equipment on this Am fleet trains for heating and air . route in a quarter of a century. conditioning. AMTRAKNEWS National Limited ridership is Coach passengers are traveling in expected to increase because of the 60-seat long-distance Amcoaches Published once a month for em­ greater comfort of Amfleet compared equipped with leg rests, reclining ployees of the National Railroad to the older cars which have an seats, individual tables and reading Passenger Corpora ti on and those average age of 28 years. lights. of participating railroads engaged in rail passenger service. The first westbound National The Washington-Harrisburg STAFF Limited, equipped with Amfleet, left portion of the train, operating three Editor New York on Sunday, August 13. days a week in each direction, will Ed Wojtas The first eastbound trip left Kansas continue to operate with older Circulation City on Tuesday, August 15. equipment untillate October. For the Marguerite Broyhill Reporter Sit-down dining, complete with time being, Washington and Debbie Marciniak waiter service, table cloths and Baltimore passengers will make an flowers on every table, is provided to across-the-platform change in passengers. Harrisburg. I_In Amtrak News is a member of the Association of Railroad Editors. service, using On October 29, the Washington liJii1 Material in Amtrak News is not copyrighted. refurbis_hed cars, is being offered at section will go into service daily with Readers may use what they wish with proper at­ first only between New York and through cars operating via 30th Street tribution to Amtrak News.

11 Rhode Island Amtrak Station Honored, I Kingston Entered In National Register

Amtrak's Kingston, Rhode Island, 103-year-old station was entered earlier this year in the National Register of Historie Places. The building is the only surviving station erected by the New York, Providence and Boston railroad and was a campaign stop for every Ameriean president from V.S. Grant to Herbert Hoover. The station played an important part in the travel plans of Amerieans at the turn of the century. One of the major attractions of the lower area was nearby Narraganset Pier and thousands used the station weekly to reach the pier. After the automobile replaced The station still has its honey (Above) Amtrak's trains in American travel habits, the colored woodwork, carved benches KingsIOn station station was left in disrepair. and frosted glass ticket windows. opened in 1875 to In spring 1973, a group of local When it opened on June I, 1875, serve the New York, the Narraganset Times described it as Providence and citizens organized themselves into the Boston railroad. "Friends of the Kingston Railroad "tasty in style and architecture" with (Lejt) The station 's Station" and were able to get money its "Iong spacious platforms and jrosted glass ticket from the Penn Central railroad for graveled carriage drives. " windows receive re pair of the structure. Amtrak added Today, the station is a dramatic many compliments its share later by patching the roof reminder of the wooden architecture jrom passen gers using the jacility. and replacing rotting wood. of railroading's early days.

First Class Mail V .S. POSTAGE PAID Permit 1911 Merrifie1d, VA

Passen ger Corporation 400 N. Capitol St.. NW Washington. D.C. 20001

FIRSTCLASS ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED