National Association of Railroad Passengers September 2011 NARP NEWS Vol. 45, No. 9 www.narprail.org Trains: A Travel Choice Americans Want SHUTDOWN ADVANCES IN HOUSE Federal Grants For Key Texas Rail Projects Subcommitt ee Cuts Thanks to a $34 million investment A separate $15 million High-Speed and Operati ng Grant 60% from the federal Transportation Invest- Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) grant to ments Generating Economic Revocery Texas, announced simultaneously, will al- The House Appropriations Subcom- (TIGER II) grant program, work will begin low engineering and environmental work mittee on Transportation, Housing and soon to alleviate the notorious bottleneck (conti nued on p. 4) Urban Development passed a fi scal 2012 at Fort Worth’s Tower 55. spending bill Sept. 8 that would force an Texas Transportation Commissioner Amtrak shutdown. STAND UP FOR TRAINS! William Meadows said the Tower 55 im- There is $227 million for operations, Visit http://act.narprail.org to eas- provement “could not have happened down from $563 million this year and last. ily email your Representative, or without the unprecedented collaboration Capital is $899 million, down $25 million call 202-224-3121 and ask for your of a number of entities that supported this from 2011. The High-Speed and Intercity Representative’s offi ce. essential project.” Passenger Rail (HSIPR) capital grant program for states gets nothing. Historic St. Paul Depot Returns to Prominence In sharp contrast, President Obama on Sept. 8 unveiled his American Jobs Will Serve Amtrak, Light Rail and Act. It has $4 billion for HSIPR and $2 billion to bring Amtrak to a state of good repair, part of $50 billion for trans- portation. On top of that, a proposed Na- tional Infrastructure Bank would get $10 billion for loans to supplement private- sector transportation investment. Much has been made of the House bill’s prohibition against using Amtrak op- erating grants to support short-distance Photo: Ramsey County, Photo: Ramsey County, corridors. But our Sept. 9 release made clear that $227 million means a total shut- down—because of the overhead costs that would shift onto the Northeast Cor- ridor and overnight trains if the short dis- Rendering of the soon-to-be restored Saint Paul Union Depot, which will give Amtrak passen- tance lines disappeared. NARP’s Aug. 2 gers their fi rst-ever direct link to local rail and bus service in the Twin Cities. letter to House Appropriations Chairman St. Paul’s art-deco Union Depot, built Lines intercity buses. Tom Latham (R-IA) supported the highest in 1926 and featuring a large main hall An electric-car charging station, bi- possible Amtrak and HSIPR numbers. with vaulted glass ceiling, is nine months cycle shop, stores and restaurants are To begin Fiscal 2012 (which starts Oct. into a two-year, $243 million renovation planned. 1, 2011), a continuing resolution likely will that will make it a major transportation Crews are removing decades of grit govern funding to mid-November. None- hub. Completion is expected by the end from the exterior stone surfaces to re- theless, the worst subcommittee attack of 2012. store their original color. Inside, the plan on Amtrak in its history shows that pas- Tracks are in place in front of the build- is to match the paint used in the 1920s. senger train supporters must work hard ing for Metro Transit’s Central Corridor The main hall, which will see sunlight for to preserve Americans’ choice to take the light-rail line, set to begin -St. the fi rst time since the 1940s, should be train and avoid increasingly congested Paul service in late 2014. This recreates open for events this November. and costly road and air travel. „ the streetcar service that existed along The depot some day also could see Fourth Street until the early 1950s. not just Amtrak’s but also Our release: www.bit.ly/badthud. Full Upon completion, Union Depot also trains to Duluth, currently under study by summary of the American Jobs Act at will serve nine Metro Transit bus routes, the Minnesota DOT and Amtrak, and Chi- 1.usa.gov/ajact. Our Aug. 2 letter to ap- Amtrak, and Greyhound and Jefferson cago-Twin Cities high-speed trains. „ propriations leaders: www.bit.ly/narpfy12 “Super committ ee” to Impact Spending From FY 2013 A 12-member Joint Select Committee enue increases. Senate Democrats: on Defi cit Reduction was created as part If a majority of the committee fails to • Max Baucus (MT; chair, Finance) of the August 2 law that lifted the debt approve these recommendations by Nov. • John Kerry (MA; chair, Foreign Rels.) ceiling (Budget Control Act, Public Law 23 and they are not enacted by Dec. 23, House Republicans: 112-25). The law cuts $917 billion from there would be mandatory across-the- • Dave Camp (MI; chair, Ways & Means) the defi cit during FY 2013-2022. But the board cuts starting Oct. 1, 2012, half from • Fred Upton (MI; chair, Energy & Com- super committee must identify at least defense and half from non-defense (dis- merce) $1.2 trillion in additional defi cit reduction. cretionary and mandatory). Or a new law Senate Republicans: In theory, the super committee can might change the rules. • Jon Kyl (AZ; Minority Whip) recommend both spending cuts and rev- The co-chairs are Sen. Patty Murray • Pat Toomey (PA; freshman) (D-WA) and Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). • Rob Portman (OH; freshman) Ethan Allen Express Murray chairs the appropriations sub- House Democrats: committee on transportation/housing, • James Clyburn (SC; Assistant Demo- Goes Faster and the Health/Education/Labor subcom- cratic Leader) Trackwork performed by Vermont Rail mittee on employment and workplace • Xavier Becerra (CA; vice-chair, House System, with $750,000 of its own funds, safety. Hensarling is vice-chair of the Democratic Caucus) between Whitehall, NY and Rutland, VT Financial Services Committee. Other • Chris Van Hollen (MD; ranking member on has shaved 20 minutes off the travel time members and their leadership roles: Budget) „ of the New York-Rutland Ethan Allen Ex- press. Designs Unveiled for New Amtrak Diners The April-July work replaced 12,200 crossties, resurfaced eight miles of track, and rebuilt three grade crossings. Also accomplished: state-funded reconstruc- tion of a major grade crossing in Rut- land. Vermont Rail System is asking the state to fund the replacement of the fi ve remaining miles of jointed rail on the Ethan Allen route. New York State is investing $2.5 million over the next two years to make similar upgrades to its portion of the route. Work is to begin next summer. „

- Amtrak/CAF USA A prototype interior for one of the new dining cars that will start being seen on Eastern over- MOVING NARP’S MESSAGE night trains in late 2012. NARP Chairman Bob Stewart spoke Amtrak has released preliminary de- the Lake Shore Limited. on a panel about Positive Train Control sign models for Viewliner-style dining cars The cars, being built at CAF USA’s (PTC) at the 14th Annual Transportation to be delivered starting late next year as plant in Elmira, NY, will replace the last & Infrastructure Summit. This was in Ir- part of the 130-car order Amtrak placed remaining Heritage diners and baggage ving, TX, August 10. www.transportation- with CAF USA (August 2010 News). cars on the Eastern overnight trains, and summit.com/summit-program.pdf The diners will resemble the prototype will add much-needed sleeper capacity, Stewart underlined NARP’s concern Viewliner diner that Amtrak’s Beech Grove with additional cars and by moving the about the inability of PTC as currently Shops built in 1988 based on Budd Com- on-board services crew out of revenue envisioned to prevent rear-end collisions. pany designs. The prototype, no. 8400, sleeper space and into baggage-dorm (Aug. NARP News; see also Steve Dit- was recently rebuilt and now operates on cars. „ meyer’s major Oct. Trains article). NARP Pres. Ross Capon’s letter was Register Now for Los Angeles in The Boston Globe Sept. 12. He an- Council Meeting swered John Sununu’s op ed column at- tacking overnight trains. Capon said, in All NARP members are invited to The meeting will feature prominent part, “statement about buying...passen- attend the fall meeting of the national guest speakers and an awards cer- gers airline tickets refl ects ignorance of Council of Representatives, October emony. Check www.narprail.org or call the fact that most passengers use inter- 14-15 in downtown Los Angeles (see us for more information. To register, mediate stations, many with astronomi- last issue, page 3). There will be a tour please go to www.narprail.org/regis- cal air fares or no air service. Also, many of area rail facilities on Oct. 13. ter or call 202-408-8362. Americans cannot fl y or drive.” „ New and Improved Stati ons in the Carolinas and Michigan

Pontiac, Michigan: “Your trip starts here,” said Michigan Transportation Director Kirk Steudle in a statement marking the station’s debut. “This station is an excellent example of why it’s important for the State of Michigan to invest in safe, modern, accessible transit buildings. This is an investment in the city of Pontiac and an investment in public transportation.” Full release: 1.usa.gov/pntsta. Delays Fixed? Amtrak’s thrice-daily -De- troit-Pontiac Wolverines have been delayed due to lack of maintenance on Norfolk Southern’s line be- tween Dearborn and Kalamazoo. But Steudle announced Aug. 8 that the state had reached a $4.2 million maintenance agreement with - Steve Sobel Amtrak 66, in “retro” paint for the railroad’s 40th anniversary, after ar- NS, which was to complete track work by mid-Septem- riving Pontiac with Wolverine train 350 into Pontiac, Michigan’s brand-new Trans- ber, restoring top Amtrak speeds to 60 mph. „ portation Center on Aug. 9. The facility, which also serves intercity and local buses, opened Aug. 8.

Yemassee, South Carolina (left) nonprofi t Yermassee Revitalization opened this new station Aug. 9, Corp., which demolished the 1955 serving the New York-Miami Silver Atlantic Coast Line station and built Meteor and New York-Savannah this one for about $500,000. It is Palmetto. The city bought the land about 50 miles from Hilton Head Is- from CSX last year and gave it to the land. „ Big Crowds Greet Norfolk Light Rail The nation’s newest light rail line HRT extended free rides until Aug. began public service Aug. 19 in 26, the end of the week.

- RFandPFan on Trainorders.com, taken Aug. 9 Norfolk, VA. Construction on The The opening got great coverage Tide, a 7.4-mile line with 11 sta- in two Norfolk-area daily newspa- tions, began in 2007. pers. Video: www.bit.ly/tidevid. Cary, North Carolina: Thanks to renovations and Operator Hampton Roads Tran- Virginia Association of Railway additions to the station using federal (Recovery Act), sit (HRT), a regional body made Patrons (VARP) Directors Jim Bay- state and local funds, Cary now has an Amtrak ticket up of participating city and county ley of Virginia Beach and Alan Car- agent on duty for all departures, and a QuikTrak ma- governments, celebrated opening penter of Norfolk attended. chine. Checked baggage is offered at Cary for the weekend by offering free rides over Largely because HRT saved Piedmonts and Carolinian, but not for the Silver Star the entire line. money doing work in-house, the until the platform on the CSX line is lengthened. Hundreds of riders began form- line cost $20 million less than a The upgrades are expected to relieve crowding and ing a line before 6 AM on Friday, $338.3 million February estimate parking scarcity at Raleigh, eight miles east. with 30,000 riding that day. So that generated controversy. „ There is now an excellent connection from the eve- ning eastbound Piedmont (train 76) to the southbound Silver Star at Cary. „

- North Carolina DOT - Virginia Dept. of Transportation An art installation graces the ceiling of the renovated Cary, Opening-day crowds jam onto a Norfolk light rail train, built by Siemens, at NC depot. Easton Forest station on Aug. 19. Robert J. Stewart, Chairman; John Delora, Albert L. Papp, Jr., Arthur Poole, David Randall, Vice National Association of Chairs; Stephen J. Salatti , Secretary; Kenneth T. Cliff ord, Treasurer Railroad Passengers Ross B. Capon, President & CEO; Sean Jeans-Gail, Vice President; Malcolm M. Kenton, Director of Outreach & Engagement; Mary Beth McCall, Coordinator of Resource Development; Lawrence E. NARP NEWS Scott , Special Assistant to the Chairman. Nati onal Associati on of Railroad Passengers NARP News (ISSN 0739-3490), published monthly (ex- cept Nov.) by NARP; 505 Capitol Ct. NE, Suite 300; Washington, DC 20002-7706; 202/408-8362, fax 202/408-8287, [email protected], www.narprail.org. ©2011 Nati onal Assoc. of Railroad Pas- Vol. 45, No. 9 September 2011 sengers. All rights reserved. Membership dues $35/year ($20/student, $25/senior), of which $5 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED is a subscripti on to NARP News. Periodicals Postage Paid at Washington, D.C., and at additi onal mailing offi ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to Nati onal Associati on of Railroad Passengers NARP News; 505 Capitol Ct. NE, Suite 300; Washington, DC 20002-7706. W (This has news through Sept. 13. Vol. 45, No. 8 was mailed August 25.)

our mission: a modern, customer-focused national passenger train network that provides a travel choice americans want.

Second Vancouver, BC Train To Conti nue TRAVELER’S ADVISORY Thanks to the Canada Border Services with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Better disruption notices: In re- Agency’s (CBSA) agreement to continue Janet Napolitano, Canadian Public Safe- sponse to NARP’s request, Amtrak funding the required additional customs ty Minister Vic Toews said CBSA would quickly made it easier for prospective and immigration agent hours, the second continue to provide border clearance to passengers to learn about service inter- Amtrak -Vancouver, BC, will con- its passengers at the Vancouver station ruptions, both long- and short-term. tinue for the foreseeable future. “despite signifi cant fi nancial constraints.” Now, on Amtrak’s home page, the This train—southbound in the morn- The train’s late arrival time initially led fi rst link under “Rider’s Guide” is “Ser- ing and northbound in the evening—runs CBSA to demand $1,500 per day from vice Disruptions.” through to/from Portland. Amtrak or the State of Washington. „ Zephyr resumes -Chica- At a joint news conference Aug. 16 go service: In aftermath of Nebraska fl oods, the Cal. Zephyr ran Denver- Bay Area only. First full trips of re- Railroads Sue to Block On-Time Requirements stored service depart Bay Area Sept. The Association of American Railroads tation) in creating on-time performance 15, Chicago Sept. 16. (AAR) fi led suit in federal court Aug. 19. standards for passenger trains using the Three new California Thruway AAR claims the 2008 Passenger Rail railroads’ tracks. stops: Amtrak California buses be- Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) The suit names Transportation Secre- tween Bakersfi eld and Palm Springs, is unconstitutional because Section 207 tary Ray LaHood and Federal Railroad extensions of San Joaquins trains, gives a private company—Amtrak—leg- Administrator Joseph Szabo as defen- now stop at Cabazon (Morongo Ca- islative and regulatory authority to regu- dants. sino), Palm Desert (Westfi eld Mall) late others in the same industry. AAR is the trade association for the na- and La Quinta (Town Center) AAR thus objects to Amtrak’s role tion’s largest railroads. Amtrak is a mem- Cardinal checked baggage ser- (jointly with US Department of Transpor- ber but not a party to the suit. „ vice at New York, Newark and In- dianapolis began Sept. 1. from page 1 Texas Grants Amtrak’s dome car again will op- to begin for a Fort Worth-Dallas- planning, and an acknowledgment that a erate on select Adirondack trips dur- high-speed rail corridor. transportation system includes many dif- ing Sept. 15-Oct. 23 and select Cardi- Negotiating Tower 55, the at-grade ferent and diverse components.” nal trips Oct. 29-Nov. 11 (Amtrak Sep. junction of Union Pacifi c’s east-west route Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) 13 & 9 releases, respectively). and BNSF’s north-south route south of called it “a crossroads of the North the Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation American continent,” and said the project interlocking systems, bridge upgrades, a Center, has long been a source of delays “will allow the Tower to go from a legacy third north-south main line, and improved for Amtrak’s Texas Eagle and nearly 100 chokepoint to the model of a freight and street and pedestrian crossings. The TI- daily freight trains. passenger checkpoint, a facility featuring GER II funding is being matched by $1 Texas DOT’s Meadows also said, “The effi ciency, safety, and convenience.” Sen. million each from the Texas DOT and the Tower 55 Multimodal Improvement Proj- John Cornyn and Reps. Kay Grainger and City of Fort Worth, and by $65 million in ect exemplifi es the strong commitment Michael Burgess (all R-TX) all expressed UP and BNSF’s own private funds. „ of the Texas Department of Transporta- similar sentiments. See www.tradecorridors.org/tower55 tion to comprehensive transportation The project involves new signaling and and www.bit.ly/texhsr for more info.