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Volume 1, No. 11 September 15, 1974

delivered and are already in service. 5-year Financial Plan Thirty-five turbine- cars have been funded and are awaiting final approval. Sent to DOT & Congress The new cars are programmed to handle projected ridership growth A five-year financial plan for ance and improvement of such serv­ during the five-year period and per­ Am trak-incl uding proposals for ice is clearly in the public interest." mit the phasing out of worn out substantial new passenger car and "Our three years of operations," equipment, some of which is 30 years locomotive purchases, assumption of Lewis said, "have demonstrated that old. The new equipment will almost repair and maintenance functions a real demand for rail passenger serv­ double Amtrak's seat availability from the railroads and a major track ice exists, and is certain to grow, without a significant change in the improvement program-has been especially when viewed in context total number of cars in the Amtrak sent to the Congress and the Depart­ with the nation's continuing energy fleet. ment of Transportation, the Cor­ supply problems. A program of this The plan contemplates assumption poration announced today. magnitude is necessary to revitalize by Amtrak of many repair and Amtrak President Roger Lewis intercity train service." maintenance functions now per­ said the plan-approved by Amtrak's The capital program calls for im­ formed by the railroads. Funds are Board of Directors-would lead to mediate purchase of 235 double-deck requested for necessary facilities and fu nding the company's operating long distance passenger cars and 200 equipment. The corporation already plan through fiscal year 1976 and single level cars, as well as 25 diesel has taken over all key functions in capital program through fiscal year locomotives, at an estimated cost of the stations and on the and 1979. He said the plan is designed to $263 million. These are in addition to now has over 9,000 employees. carry out Amtrak's mandate from 257 -type cars, 75 turbine­ Perhaps the most fundamentally Congress that "modern, efficient, train cars, delivery of which will start important aspect of the program is intercity rail passenger service is a next year, and 201 diesel-electric the emphasis placed on the need to necessary part of a balanced trans­ locomotives, of which 150 3,000 hp. upgrade track and roadbed for better portation system" and that "continu- diesel-electric locomotives have been Continued on page 2, col. 1

Track Work Proposed For Route

Amtrak and the Boston & Maine III September of 1972, $390,000 in Railroad are considering additional start up costs were required on the repair work. on track between Boston & Maine portion of the route Springfield, MA and White River to permit restoration of passenger Junction, VT which could result in a operations. Amtrak paid approxi­ twenty minute reduction in the mately one-fourth of this total. Sub­ present Montrealer schedule. Last sequently the railroad embarked May 19 the Montrealer's schedule upon a general upgrading program was reduced thirty-four minutes due for the entire line, with Amtrak con­ to completion of repairs begun in the tributing at varying ratios on the sev­ Fall of 1972 on sections of Boston & eral segments involved, the ratio be­ Maine track. ing based upon the relative benefit to When Amtrak inaugurated service each party. Amtrak's overall contri- between and Montreal Continued on page 12, col. 1 Jerry Friedham, and international aspects of Depart­ United Press International and the ment of Defense public affairs, in­ Associated Press. He came to Wash" New VP Public cluding supervision of military and ington in 1962 as a Congressional civilian personnel and direct work Fellow of the American Political Sci­ & Gov't Affairs with Cabinet officers, the Joint Chiefs ence Association. Jerry W. Friedheim, Assistant of Staff, White House staff, members Pike, 33, began his Washington ca­ Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs), of Congress, industry and academic reer as a legislative consultant for the has been appointed Vice President, representatives, the news media, for­ Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Public and Government Affairs, for eign political and military officials Clerks in September, 1965, and in the National Railroad Passenger and foreign journalists. In 1973, he June, 1966, became Assistant Execu­ Corporation (Amtrak), the corpora­ received the Defense Department's tive Secretary-Treasurer for the Rail­ tion announced today. highest civilian award, the Distin­ way Labor Executives Association, Amtrak also named Bruce 0 . Pike, guished Service Medal. which consists of the 23 railroad formerly head of his own Washing­ Prior to joining the Defense De­ brotherhoods. ton-based counseling firm, as Direc­ partment, Friedheim had worked in From June, 1968, to February, tor of Congressional Affairs. Washington on both House and 1970, Pike was Executive Director of Friedheim, who assumes his new Senate staffs including positions as the Conference of Transportation post later thi~ month, has been with Press Secretary, Legislative Assistant Trades, AFL-CIO, consisting of 35 the Department of Defense since and Executive Assistant to Sen. John presidents of AFL-CIO transporta­ 1969 in Public Affairs positions. Tower of . Earlier in his career, tion unions. As Assistant Secretary of Defense, he held news positions with the Co­ From February, 1970, until now he his executive and administrative re­ lumbia Missourian, the Joplin (Mo.) has operated his own legislative sponsibilities involved all national Globe, the Neosho (Mo.) Daily News, counseling firm in Washington.

ices will be included along with Am­ Corridor in April of 1973. It then was ARTS to Include trak services in ARTS computers and expanded incrementally until it now Southern RR-Info ticketing for Southern trains and provides 24-hour;--daily toll-free pub­ Amtrak trains and connections be­ lic telephone access for all Amtrak tween the two will be possible by 24- inter-city rail passenger services. A Amtrak and the Southern Railway hour, toll-free telephone. Southern single computer in Washington, D.C., have signed an agreement bringing will pay Amtrak for the cost of the serves five regional reservations and Sou thern into Amtrak's nationwide computer services plus all supplied informations centers. Additional toll-free computerized reservation equipment. Provision for expansion computer access terminals are lo­ and information system (ARTS). is included in the agreement. cated in stations and ticket offices The agreement became effective ARTS (Automatic Reservation and throughout the country. Currently September 1. Under its terms infor­ Ticketing System) was installed ini­ the system is handling about 65,000 mation about all Southern train serv- tially by Amtrak in the Northeast telephone calls a day.

PLAN-Continued from page 1 provement in the vided in the Amtrak act and assumes between New York City and Boston. there will be long distance routes and performance on some parts of the Amtrak officials said they based short-haul, state-subsidized routes system and the urgent need for sub­ the expansion and modernization added during each of the five years. stantial expenditures to maintain program on ridership trends which Losses per revenue dollar, which track utility, particularly on the fi­ indicate Amtrak will be furnishing have been moving downward since nancially troubled railroads. 8.3 billion passenger miles of travel to Amtrak took over rail passenger The FY 1976 program contem­ 37 million passengers in fiscal 1979 as service, will continue to fall, but, ac­ plates a capital grant of $200 million compared with 4.3 billion passenger cording to the company, higher costs for this purpose and $200 million for miles and 19 million passengers in for labor and material cannot be off­ each of the subsequent four years. A this current fiscal year. set by fare increases. For fiscal year previously authorized $21.6 million The plan contemplates a modest 1976, Amtrak estimates an operating has been committed to track im- expansion of route structure as pro- loss of $239.9 million.

2 Amtrak Employees -Free life insurance which pays loans up to a certain amount upon death. Eligible to Join -Free life insurance equal to the amount in savings, usually to a maxi­ mum of $20,000. Railroad Credit Unions -Savings insured up to $20,000 by the National Credit Union Adminis­ tration, an agency of the U.S. Gov­ Amtrak employees will soon be eli­ his local credit union for entry to his ernment. gible to join a credit union as a result account. An employee will deal di­ Credit Unions surveyed by Amtrak of contracts between Amtrak and rectly with the credit union with re­ NEWS indicate they encourage various credit unions throughout the spect to loans and savings accounts. members to invest regularly. From nation, according to Kenneth A. No employee is required to join a the accumulated capital, loans are Housman, Vice President-Person­ credit union. But if he so desires, he made to members at low interest. nel & Administration. must complete a payroll deduction The credit union's income is returned Employees will not be joining an form which will be available from a to the members in the form of divi" "Amtrak Credit Union." Instead, local credit union. dends on their shares. Savings are. authorization has been granted to Many cities have several railroad called "shares" in credit unions. join existing railroad credit unions. credit unions, but only one will be Members may borrow from a "Many people came to Amtrak under contract with Amtrak. An em­ credit union for personal reasons, from railroads and are used to doing ployee will learn which local credit which include paying old bills, taxes, business with railroad credit unions," union to join when the one with medical expenses, autos, vacations, said Housman. "Rather than start our jurisdiction in his district contacts home fu rnishings, 'education and own, and have to wait years to build him either in person or through a family emergencies. In some places, up fund reserves useful to members, posted notice. credit unions are permitted to make various railroad credit unions have While the rules and regulations of mortgage loans when surplus funds allowed Amtrak employees to parti­ individual credit unions vary, the fol­ are available. Credit unions' lower in­ cipate in their programs. Amtrak will lowing benefits are frequently of­ terest rates save money for members, permit payroll deductions to credit fered: and make more money available for unions for savings or to pay back -Low cost interest rates and other uses. loans." easier terms on loans as compared to Funds in credit unions are pro­ When an employee elects to join a commercial banks and savings & loan tected by government supervision, credit union, Amtrak will deduct institutions. regular audits, mandatory reserves from his salary an amount specified -Higher interest rates on savings and bonding of employees and offi­ by the employee. This will be sent to as compared to banks. cials.

Amtrak Advises DC Tourists "Washington is a city which is not best visited by car. There is little You Don't Need A Car At All public parking space near any of the great attractions of the city, and Amtrak public relations and Am­ a strange city and to compound that Washington's physical layout of in­ trak's advertising have come up with problem, the places he wants to visit tersecting avenues and circles makes an idea which has begun to capture are the places everyone else wants to it particularly difficult for the auto the eye of the traveling pUblic. Hal visit. And there is usually too little visitor." His idea, for the tourist, was Graham, VP Marketing, has said parking anyhow. So Amtrak's city­ "if you want to visit Washington, ar­ many times that we should exploit center capability has the potential to range to travel by train, stay in one of Amtrak's ability to carry the passen­ solve the tourist's problem. the center-city hotels and forget the ger into the city center. One of the A short time ago, John McLeod, parking problem." most unpleasant tasks confronting Amtrak's Travel Editor, wrote a short Amtrak's advertising has picked up the tourist is finding a parking place article on "Washington is History in in the city center. First of all, he is in the Making." In this article he said, Continued on page 9, col. I

3 Just Passing Through

Chicago Union Station's vaulted Thompson's statement. In July, for General Supervisor. "We have to main waiting room is teeming with example, 170,000 passengers passed offer good service. Even when a pas­ passengers. Long lines form each day through the station, making Chicago senger misses a train because of Am­ as travelers are eager to board one of the fifth busiest terminal in the Am­ trak we can often recreate good will Amtrak's 24 departing trains. And trak system. by taking care of him. We start by lis­ Am trak personnel scurry around to One of the problems faced by the tening to his or her problem, and make sure everything runs smoothly. station services staff is that of passen­ each person has a different one." The rushed atmosphere is not un­ gers missing connections. With the W. Mark Miller, Regional Mana­ usual in Chicago. The city has long large number of Amtrak passengers ger of Station Services, North Cen­ been the railroad capital of the traveling through Chicago, any dis­ tral, said, "The Amtrak staff in the , a place where major ruption to train schedules (usually station is there to serve the passen­ trunk line railroads have historically the result of track work, floods, de­ gers. They have to look out for every interchanged passengers and freight. railments o r reroutings) causes. need of the public. When a passenger "Union Station is a busy place," Thompson's office to roll out the red misses a connection, we ask him, 'Do said Guy Thompson, Amtrak's new carpet and offer additional services you wish to stay in a hotel at Am­ Manager of Station Services, "and it to delayed or stranded travelers. trak's expense and take the next takes a dedicated staff to work a In July, 1,895 passengers missed train, or do you wish alternate trans­ place like this." connections in Chicago, only one portation?' Our Chicago staff does a Thompson was appointed Chicago percent of the 170,000 passing yeoman's job in public relations in Manager on September 1 after hav­ through the station. The highest keeping passengers satisfied and ing served Amtrak since mid-1972 as number of travelers missing connec­ keeping them moving to their ulti­ the City Manager. With 20 tions in one day was 186 on July 5; mate destination." years of experience in rail passenger the lowest was two on July 28, and Dorothy O'Kelley added: "Our service with the Santa Fe, Thompson the average for the month was 61 per most difficult situation arises when replaced Roy Noel who was ap­ day. cars are blanked and we must fly pointed Manager for "The important thing is that all people. You'd be amazed at the num­ area stations. these passengers require individual ber of people who balk, who don't There IS no exaggeration III attention," said Dorothy O'Kelley, want to fly under any circum­ stances." ____~ R_. Daly photo In addition to such day-to-day activity, Amtrak personnel are in­ volved in long-range improvements to the facility. A new ticket office opened in January, 1973, replacing a small facility which had been in the middle of the waiting room. It is equipped with the latest ARTS com­ puter consoles and staffed by highly trained agents. The station is beginning to look brighter as a result of an Amtrak contract to clean and paint the wait­ ing room. Workmen have moved in spider scaffolding and are restoring the sculptured plaster walls and ceil­ ing around the massive skylight in the original cream color. Eight stories above the benches and newsstands, the workers are la­ boring seven nights a week during the small hours to avoid disrupting com­ muters and Amtrak passengers. Also set for a scrubbing are the small waiting rooms near the com­ muter ticket offices, mezzanine areas, entry hallways leading from Clinton, Adams and Jackson Streets, and even the sculptures of the God­ dess of Night and the Goddess of Day which look down upon the waiting area. With the increase in the number of passengers using Union Station, Am- ' trak is planning to build a new pas­ senger lounge and baggage area at a $757,625 cost. Work began on Sep­ tern ber 3 to transform the area pres­ ently taken up by commuter ticket windows into the lounge with a capacity for 300 persons. Included in STATIO N the area will be facilities to provide SERVICES Amtrak passengers with coffee and OFFICE doughnuts. Adjacent to the lounge will be a modern baggage area. Temporary improvements have been made in baggage service in Chi­ cago. Because the present baggage room has become overcrowded, the room is now used only to check out­ going luggage. Incoming bags are placed in a curb-side area which ex­ pedites baggage claiming and gets passengers out of the building as fast as possible. Amtrak plans a permanent im­ provement in baggage service by in­ stalling a carousel, similar to that Pictured above: Guy Thompson, Manager­ found at major airports, next to the Chicago Station (top right); Rudy Peduzzi, new lounge. The baggage will be un­ -Mail, Baggage & Express (top left); loaded from a train, placed onto a Dorothy O'Kelley, General Supervisor, and Art Vogts, Duty Manager. mechanized chute, brought up to the waiting room level, and automa­ tically unloaded onto the carousel. Passengers can then pick up their bags, present claim checks, and leave the station. The public and Amtrak's handles 48 daily Amtrak trains (see list, pages 6 & baggage personnel should find it a 7) in addition to 154 commuter trains each weekday. godsend. operates 76 weekday trains, Burlington Northern 72, Penn Central 4, and Central Gulf (formerly GM&O trains) 2. Consequently Union Station Helping out in these baggage im­ hosts 202 scheduled train movements each weekday exclusive of related provements is Rudy Peduzzi, Am­ switching moves. trak's new Chief of Mail, Baggage and Express for the Central Region. Continued on page 8, col. I

5 Chicago's Still Arrivals Chicago Departures No. 53, 7:00 a Union Station No. 320, Service 7:37 a "The Hub" 7:45 a No. 360, 8:10 a No. 301 , 8:30 a No. 321, No. 322, Hiawatha Service 8:52 a No. 41 , 9:00 a No. 391, No. 58, 9:30 a No. 300, 9:50 a No. 380, IIIini 10:00 a No. 370, Black Hawk 10: 10 a No. 348, Illinois Zephyr 10:30 a No. 9, No. 6, 11:55 a No. 365, 12: 10 p No. 302, Turboliner 12:24 p 12:40 p No. 323, Hiawatha Service No. 16, 12:45 p No. 324, Hiawatha Service 12:52 p No.4, Southwest Limited 1:35 p No. 361, Wolverine 1:45 p 2:05 p No. 50, James Whitcomb Riley No. 51, James Whitcomb Riley 2:20 p 2:30 p No.7, No. 8, Ii:mpire~ Build e r 2:50 p 3: 15 p No. 364, Blue Water 3:45 p No.5, San Francisco Zephyr 3:50 p No. 381, IIIini 4:00 p No. 40, Broadway Limited 4: 15 p No. 362, St. Clair 4:30 p No. 325, Hiawatha Service No. 326, Hiawatha Service 4:52 p 5:00 p No. 15, Lone Star 5:10 p No. 303 , Turboliner 6:00 p No. 347, Illinois Zephyr 6.:10 p No. 59, Panama Limited 6:15 p No. 305 , State House 6:20 p No. 371, Black Hawk 6:30 p No. 327, Hiawatha Service 6:30 p No.3, Southwest Limited No. 10, North Coast Hiawatha 8:20 p 8:30 p No. 52, Floridian No. 304, Turboliner 9:24 p No. 392, Shawnee 9:40 p No. 328, Hiawatha Service 9:50 p 10:00 p No. 331, Hiawatha Service No. 363, St. Clair 10:30 p

~ - -- ~ - ---.--""'~ Continued from page 5 store or increase regional train serv­ Chicago Union Station Company em­ "Right now I'm spending a great ices to Quincy, Springfield and ployees. amount of time at the station to see Champaign, IL, Dubuque, lA, and "We've found that the cooperation how everything works," said Peduzzi. Port Huron, MI. More trains, of afforded by Chicago Union Station "So far, I'm impressed. Everyone course, mean more passengers. personnel is just tremendous," said here is doing a great job." R. F. Ringnald, Regional Manager, Another boost to patronage has re­ Peduzzi is an expert in the field, Station Services-South Central. sulted as the type of equipment used having held a similar post with the "Bill Freund, General Manager, on the Chicago-St. Louis line has im­ Union Terminal Company. Elmer Fries, Operations, and Frank proved. The Amtrak program to test He has also been a Customer Service Nugent, Mail & Baggage, perform the French on that route Representative for Amtrak in jobs which encompass not only Am­ has cut the running time and in­ Denver. trak but big commuter operations of creased business. Four additional Another improvement that has the Burlington, Milwaukee Road and Turboliners are scheduled to serve a been made in Chicago is in getting Penn Central Railroads. Even with all route out of Chicago in the spring of accurate train information to the the demands on their time, they've 1975. throngs in the station. Previously dedicated themselves to helping there was only one location in the Amtrak's program to modernize Amtrak." ticketing area where the public could the station has also benefitted on­ One of Amtrak's first major ac­ find track numbers and times for ar­ board service employees. The Remit­ complishments was to consolidate all riving and departing trains. tance Office where on-board em­ its Chicago intercity train operations In early July that changed with in­ ployees turn in their cash receipts in Union Station. That was in 1972. stalla tion of television screens lo­ was formerly a modified ticket win­ Now Chicago is an easier place for a cated throughout the station. The dow. The location was less than de­ passenger to transfer between trains, strategically-placed screens show sirable from a security standpoint be­ and while doing so he'll find a capa­ train arrivals and departures, track cause large monetary transactions ble, experienced staff to help him numbers and the reason for delays, if were carried out in a public area. with any problem; a new ticket office any. Therefore, passengers in any equipped with the latest in reserva­ In early July the office was moved part of the station can glance at the tion equipment; a cleaner, brighter, to a modern room adjacent to the screen, find the needed information, freshly-painted station; a curb-side ticket office. The room is securely and proceed to the proper train gate. baggage claim area; a new televised locked and access to it is controlled, These improvements are especially information system; more trains to increasing the security of the office vital as the number of travelers using more places, and modern Turbo­ and safety of employees. Instru­ the terminal continues to increase. liners on the run to St. Louis. mental in establishing the new office Traffic has risen on existing routes In the future he'll find a new was Steve Lombardo, Chief of Secur­ into the station because of Amtrak lounge and baggage area superior to ity for the Central Region. service improvements, advertising, what is found at many airports. Com­ and the energy shortage. These achievements in the Chicago pared to those five different stations Furthermore, Chicago is a busier terminal are the result of hard work in five parts of Chicago, it is obvious place because of programs by the and careful planning by Amtrak em­ that Amtrak has made significant S ta tes of Illinois and Michigan to re- ployees, and the responsive spirit of progress.

R. Daly photo Washington, DC to New York City to Celebrity tape his broadcast. Martha Mitchell has been a frequent Metroliner pas­ Watching senger, also New York Congress­ woman Bella Abzug. On The Train Amtrak's Florida trains are equally star-studded, particularly the Silver Although many of the famous Meteor. Carol O'Connor, star of "All "glamour" trains are gone, the 20th in the Family" television show, made Century Limited and the Florida Spe­ the trip recently and proved to be cial to name two, today's trains still more of an attraction for passengers attract the rich and famous. than the scheduled on-board enter­ According to General Supervisor tainment. Specialist Passenger Han­ of Special Services Christie Koontz, dling Debbie Dews, a former PSR, proud winner of two horse race celebrities are a common sight on remembers Count Pierre de Mont­ games aboard the Meteor. West Coast trains, particularly on the marin, past president of Peugeot Christie Koontz's most exciting ex­ Coast StariightlDaylight. Pearl Bailey automobile corporation, who im­ perience as a PSR occurred when is a frequent Southwest Limited pas­ mensely enjoyed the Meteor's bingo Eleanor McGovern rode the Metro­ senger and an outspoken train en­ game. Count Montmarin also was the liner during the 1972 presidential thusiast. Author Irving Wallace campaign. Christie keeps Mrs. Mc­ chose the to transport Govern's thank you letter on her of­ him from to P hoenix to fice wall as a reminder of "the most ' make a speech recently and Attorney gracious and charming woman I've Melvin Belli rode from San Francisco ever met." to Washington, DC on the San Fran­ PSR Carol Hoyem was the envy of cisco Zephyr and the Broadway the other PSRs when she had Paul Limited. Newman, his wife Joanne Woodward Some celebrities even own their and their three daughters as passen­ own private rail cars, among them gers on the . The New­ Comedian Jackie Gleason and Sam mans were traveling from Los Wiley, owner of the Astro­ Angeles to San Luis Obispo. dome. East Coast trains are not without their famous riders. Twice each Left, Former A ttorney General Ramsey Clark on the inaugural. Above, week, Newsman John Chancellor Johnny Cash filming a TV special on the commutes on the Metroliner from SF Zephyr. J, Bryant photo

TOURIST-Continued from page 3 In Washington, Radio Station And they will come whether we are WMAL-the ABC affiliate, and a prepared for them or not. member of the Washington Star Sta­ They will come driving into down­ this theme with a "History in the tion Group, picked this up for its town Washington during rush Making" brochure which states, weekly editorial theme on the subject hours ... . " "Y ou don't need a car at all. With of "The Bicentennial-Festival or And then developing this theme, your Tourmobile ticket, just climb Fiasco." WMAL went on to say, aboard and ride in comfort to the WMAL outlined its series by say­ "We must convince our out-of­ Washington Monument ... etc." ing, town visitors that they absolutely do Not long after McLeod's article " The Bicentennial is com­ not want to try to drive into this had been released, it was picked up ing ... whether we're ready or not. city-no way. by news services and flashed around In just two years ... Washing­ Now it is not easy to separate the the country. This caught the eye of ton's tourism is expected to double. average American tourist from his people who were planning ahead for The nineteen million visitors we now car. Doing it will require a massive the Bicentennial year in Washington receive every year will grow to thirty­ un-selling job. Instead of encourag­ and in many other tourist attractions five or forty million. ing tourists to drive to their nation's in this country. They began relaying They will come from all across the capital . .. we've got to layout the the theme, "You don't need a car at Nation. They will come from Over­ facts for them in a way they'll under­ all." seas. stand.

9 Progress Report: ,SOFTBALL SCORES A mtrak 6 Sen , Mo ntoya's staff 4 A mtrak 9 Cong, C ra ne's sta ff 8 Station Repair & Rehabilitation Amtra k 17 Sen, Jackson's staff 8 Am tra k 20 G SA 4 September is proving to be a Jackson and Niles will consist pri­ A mt ra k 20 W hite Ho use 15 particularly productive month for marily of interior and exterior paint, Am trak 17 Sen , Eagleton 'S staff 6 Am trak 12 Sen, Mo nt oya's staff 2 Amtrak's facility repair and rehabili­ installation of additional lighting and Amtra k 15 Lucky Pierre Resta ura nt 14 A mtra k 29 Lucky Pi erre Res ta ura nt 5 tation program. In addition to the platform and parking lot repairs. Amtra k 17 Sen , Brock's staff II ongoing station repair effort, renova­ A mtrak 9 Sen, Buckley's staff 8 Ja ckson ville, FL Amtra k 14 Merl e Lynch Corp , 10 tion began this month at the new Am trak 10 Federa l Reserve Board II Major expansion of the Jackson­ Hialeah, FL commissary and ap­ Amtra k 12 Nat. Assoc, of Security D ealers II ville station has been approved in­ A mtrak 20 Wash , Service Bu rea u 9 proval was given for several major A mtra k 22 Public Broadcasting Sys, 12 cluding enlargement of the parking A mtra k 15 Blyth-Eastm a n (Bro kerage) 10 construction projects incJuding new Amtra k won by fo rfei t-Cong, Cranes sta ff area and construction of a separate stations for Roanoke and Bluefield, A mtrak 7 A ut oTrai n II track area for mail handling and train Amtra k 26 Bensale m CRO 27 V A, stops on Amtrak's planned Nor­ Am tra k 23 New Yo rk C RO 10 servicing. Bids will be taken in octo­ Amtrak I Merle Lynch Corp, 8 folk-Cincinnati route. A mtra k 16 Sen , Jackson's sta ff I I ber and work should be completed by Amtrak 14 British Embassy 8 Hialeah spring. Amtrak is leasing a building at Poinciana, FL Hialeah for its new commis­ Poinciana, FL will become a stop sary. Renovation and installation of R , Daly p~oto s on the and Silver Star, commissary equipment have begun. September 15, offering passengers Norfolk-Cincinnati route convenient access to Walt Disney Designs were approved recently World. A temporary terminal build­ for new stations at Roanoke and ing has been constructed with a 900 Bluefield, VA. In addition, repair ft. track side canopy and 1800 ft. sta­ work will begin later this month at tion platform. Parking has been pro­ the following stations also on the new vided for 150 cars. Amtrak route: Norfolk, Petersburg, Detroit, MI Suffolk, Crewe, Farmville, Lynch­ Amtrak and the P enn Central met burg, Christiansburg and Narrows, September 11 to finalize plans for re­ VA; Welch and Williamson, WV and opening the main entrance to the De­ South Portsmouth, KY. troit station. The State of Michigan Boston-Chicago route has agreed to partially finance repairs Field surveys have been made and which would give passengers direct preliminary planning is underway for entry to the waiting room and ticket repair and rehabilitation of stations area. along this second planned Amtrak Kingston, RI route. This month a Penn Central crew is September 11 Manning of Several completing repairs begun by volun­ Stations teers at the Kingston, RI station. The Ticket clerks were added to sev­ interior is being painted and floors eral previously unmanned stations sanded and re-varnished. Volunteers this month necessitating various de­ previously painted the exterior a grees of station repairs: Lima and striking "Newport blue" with white Canton, OH and Battle Creek, Jack­ trim and refinished interior benches son and Niles, MI. Repair work at and woodwork. Lima included interior and exterior Chicago Union Station painting, upgrading of the ticket Part one of a major renovation of counter, floor repair and resurfacing Union Station Chicago has been of the platform and parking area. completed. The main waiting room Amtrak and the City of Canton are and entrance have been cleaned and considering razing the old Canton painted. Now work has begun on the station and replacing it with a relocation of commuter ticket count­ smaller, modern structure. Amtrak­ ers to make room for a new lounge financed repairs at Battle Creek, and baggage handling facility.

10 Amtrak Headquarters Softball Team-A Winning Season

11 Amtrak Says Farewell To First Employee

Amtrak said good by to its first em­ ployee, Public Relations Assistant ~il2lt .\)\~~\t)n~os\ Barbara Morris, August 23 . Ms. Mor­ ris, Amtrak's receptionist for the .Ft\\~~t"Z.~. \91~ corporation's first year and a half of AmTRP-'r' fG-'R1l:...~"t:..'& existence, left to become secretary to P\S a.t"'\,..LtJ\'1t.~ Amtrak board member Gerald Mor­ gan. Her farewell cake (left) was in the shape of a gigantic Washington

~ ~-~ Post front page, commemorating her ~-.:::------. responsibility for gathering and dis­ ~ tributing media clippings on Amtrak. ~-­ ~ President Roger Lewis and most of .~ .------===:--== Amtrak's vice-presidents were among those attending her fa rewell party at headquarters, Washington, DC.

T R AC~onfi .. ued frofn page I ~tior to this repair work, the Mont­ proximately $186,000 as its share of realer was forced to operate at the upgrading costs. bu tIOn to date has been approxi­ speeds as low as 20 mph over some According to H. F. LongheJt, Am­ mately 20 percent. segments. Repairs have 'consisted trak's Chief Engineer, if this program Repairs, completed in ti me for primarily of tie and ballast renewal is accepted by Amtrak, it will result Am trak's May 19 timetable change, and resurfacing. in a further reductIon of 20 minutes have resulted in an average speed of Boston & Maine is proposing to in the Montrealer's running time, or 40 mph ~ tW"e en Springfield ..rct budget $1,385,000 in 1974 for track an overall schedule of 3 hr. and 10 White River Junctie n. with a ·'50 IT\ph maintenance and upgrading on this min. between Springfield, MA and limit on some stre~hes of th.e. liae. li ne. Amtrak would contribute ap- White River Junction, VT.

First C lass Mail U.S. POSTAGE PA ID 1 oz. Permi t 44651 Washington, D.C. National Railroad Passenger Corporation 955 L'Enfant Plaza North, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20024

ADDR ESS CORRECT IO N REQ UESTED