The Passenger

Winter 2012 Your Source For Passenger Rail News Since 1973 Volume 39, Number 1

Winter 2012 Volume 39, Number 1 AmtrakAmtrak throttlingthrottling upup speedsspeeds By Hugh Gurney operating at 95 mph for several between Kalamazoo and Dearborn, Michigan trains began running at years. Hoeffner said. speeds of up to 110 miles per hour Michigan Department of The stretch between Kalamazoo on the 97 mile Kalamazoo-Porter, Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of and Battle Creek will be upgraded Indiana, -owned tracks used Rail Administrator Tim Hoeffner within 24 months, with the told MARP members gathered at the remainder of the route ready for 110 Michigan Association by both and of Railroad Passengers trains on Feb. 7. Williamston Depot on Saturday, Jan. mph in 36 months. 14 about the state’s plans to boost Between Ypsilanti and Dearborn, www.marp.org In December, speeds on the Indiana portion of that line were train speeds. the line will be double tracked, with boosted from 79 to 95 mph. Trains It will be at least three years more and longer passing tracks on the Michigan’s section have been before similar speeds are achieved (See SPEED page 6) WHAT’S The Great Dome Car INSIDE…

Indian Trails discusses growing services See Page 3

Construction starts on Englewood Flyover See Page 3

Route Enhancement Committee makes recommendations See Page 4

Lazurus Lives Passengers enjoy the early afternoon sunshine aboard Amtrak’s Great Dome Car in Battle Creek on Jan. 13. See Page 7 The car made special visits to Michigan in November and January. Michigan Passenger contributor Steve Sobel’s got a chance to ride it. Read his trip report on Page 5. Port Huron considers (Photo by Steve Sobel) new station TTTroy Transit Center is back on track See Page 8 By Larry Sobczak council members, led efforts against appropriated towards to one of the The project to build a combined the transit center. The mayor and the $90 billion worth of grant train station, bus transfer stop, taxi two council members cited a applications Troy had initially beat

. stand and car rental facility near ballooning federal deficit, crime out. GE . 10 TD , OH A 0 T

T S Maple and Coolidge roads in the 7 fears and a $30,000 annual The implication of the vote was AID 48 P 4 SOR northern Detroit suburb of Troy is maintenance cost as reasons to also compared to the high speed rail .S. POS U ANDUSKEY PRE PERMIT NO S back on again after surviving a near- oppose it. A fourth council member, grants that Tea Party-influenced death experience in December. Wade Fleming had expressed governors in Florida, Wisconsin and After initially entering into a reluctance about the project in the Ohio had returned to the federal contract with the Michigan past and was the swing vote. government in 2010. Department of Transportation to The vote to turn down a project The Troy Chamber of

s construct the $8.4 million facility in entirely funded by the federal Commerce, which counts many er September, the city council decided government was so unusual that it international and Fortune 500 sseng a not to approve the construction attracted national media outlets such companies in its ranks, expressed d P manager and architect contracts in as The New York Times, The embarrassment over the vote. An oa 6 5 lr December, effectively canceling the Chicago Tribune and the Associated internal memo within one auto

3-22 project due to tight deadlines Press to report about it. supplier was leaked to the public and imposed by the Federal grants that National political observers

tion of Rai it called for a halt of future an 4815 6 are funding the center. noted that the returned grant money investment in the city. 5 Troy Mayor Janice Daniels, who would not go back to the treasury to

322 The Chamber was counting on an Associa x 5 was elected to office in November reduce the Federal deficit. Instead the transit center to be a major

onia, Michig along with two other Tea Party the grant money would be re-

Michig PO Bo Liv (See TROY page 3) Page 2 The Michigan Passenger Winter 2012

Michigan Association of Railroad The Michigan Passenger Passengers, Inc. is published four times annually by the OFFICERS Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Inc. Copyright © 2012 Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Inc. Chair Robert Tischbein All articles not originated by MARP are copyrighted by their 586-726-9737 respective originators. All rights reserved. Articles used in [email protected] accordance with the Fair Use Clause of the United States Constitution. Vice Chair Barney Whittier The Michigan Passenger welcomes submissions on passenger rail 269-429-8839 issues for publications. Material sent for publication should be sent [email protected] to our Editor at: [email protected]

Secretary Clippings from newspapers and magazines must include the Hugh Gurney publication’s name and date. Photos sent in by e-mail should be in 517-545-2979 JPEG format. [email protected] We reserve the right to edit all submissions. Treasurer David Randall To subscribe to this publication, join MARP by filling out the 248-924-4078 application below. All MARP members receive a copy of this [email protected] publication sent to their home or business.

REGIONAL CHAIRS Michigan Passenger Editor: Larry Sobczak, larrysobczak@hotmail. com Metro Detroit 586-781-6891 Jim Hinkins 313-881-6258 [email protected] Contributors: Kenneth Borg East/Central Michigan John DeLora Jim Wallington, acting Hugh Gurney 517-303-6038 Steve Sobel [email protected]

West Michigan John D. Langdon, acting About MARP… 616-218-9009 [email protected] The Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, Inc. (MARP) Northern Michigan was established in 1973 as a consumer advocacy group to improve Don Monteith intercity rail and bus service, improve local transit and encourage 231-547-6854 the preservation of historic railroad stations. [email protected] MARP is not affiliated with Amtrak, the railroads, governments or AT-LARGE EXECUTIVES any political party. MARP is incorporated as a Michigan non-profit organization and is exempt from federal income tax under the IRS John D. Langdon code, 501©(3) as a charitable educational organization. Dues and 616-218-9009 donations to MARP may be tax-deductible in accordance with the [email protected] IRS code. Jim Wallington MARP is an all-volunteer organization. Its membership consists of 517-303-6038 [email protected] passengers and citizens who want a viable, balanced transportation system in Michigan. We can all use the help we can get! Kay M. Chase 269-388-3777 http://www.marp.org [email protected] [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/pages/michigan-association-of-railroad-passengers Kathleen Newell http://twitter.com/michrailpass 310-740-0421 [email protected]

Membership Application Clip this form and mail your check or money order to: Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers, PO Box 532256, Livonia, MI 48153-2256

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Lifetime $500 TOTAL ENCLOSED:______Winter 2012 The Michigan Passenger Page 3 Indian Trails discusses growing services in Michigan By Hugh Gurney Since its initiation in 2006, the Cushman noted that the northern other motor coach carriers are slowly Indian Trails CEO Gordon Michigan Flyer has transported service had a 52% fare box recovery, being resolved. MacKay and other Indian Trails almost 430,000 passengers between a remarkable achievement for such MacKay reported that 65 new officials hosted a meeting with the airport and the three cities it a sparsely populated region. way-finding signs have been members of MARP’s Thruway Bus serves at a 99% on time Accolades were also given for installed on state highways along the Committee at their headquarters in performance. Four new buses are initiation of new motor coach service Sleeping Bear route between Grand Owosso on Jan. 18, where issues of now in service replacing four aging to Duluth, Minnesota, a welcome Rapids and Boyne Falls and the mutual concern were discussed. vehicles. boon for users of public Straits route between East Lansing Indian Trails reported that Committee member Hugh transportation in Northern Michigan. and St. Ignace. He said the signs ridership continues to grow on the Gurney expressed MARP’s pleasure Indian Trails’ buses now continue to should raise the visibility of the Michigan Flyer, the scheduled bus with the ridership growth reported Duluth rather than dead-ending in service and increase ridership. service connecting East Lansing, on the bus company’s Ironwood, Michigan. Indian Trails’ Problems continue with locating Jackson and Ann Arbor with Detroit interconnecting routes serving the Ken Henry noted that they had seen and signing stops in several Northern Metropolitan Airport. northern two-thirds of Michigan. an uptick in cross UP travel to Indian Trails Vice President Chad Duluth. Obstacles with ticketing by (See INDIAN TRAILS page 8) TROY: (Continued from Page 1) gateway along the Detroit to Chicago high speed rail project currently under development. Under pressure from the Chamber of Commerce, the city council held a special meeting on Jan. 18 to vote on a revised proposal which scaled back the size of the building, eliminated a geo-thermal heating system, altered the bus transfer area and eliminated landscaping. The scaled-back project is estimated to save $2 million. The chamber pledged to cover the estimated $30,000 in annual maintenance costs to the center. The transit center vote passed 4- 3 with Fleming changing his vote from December. UNDER CONSTRUCTION. In 2012, passenger train travellers in Windsor, Ontario, will be able to The Federal Railroad emjoy this new station currently under construction. The station will serve VIA Rail passengers Administration, which awarded the and will fit 125 customers in 12,000 square feet of space. Its design is similar to the bus station in grant, also agreed to move its Windsor. The old station will be demolished to make way for up to 110 parking spots. (Photo by completion deadlines ahead a few Steve Sobel.) weeks. The latest round of trouble Ground broken on “Englewood Flyover” experienced by the transit center Ground was broken in October Governor Pat Quinn, U.S. Senator Illinois Governor Pat Quinn said. project was not its first. on the “Englewood Flyover” project, Dick Durbin, U.S. Congressmen “This vital project will eliminate a The nearly three acre transit a critical component to the Chicago Bobby Rush and Dan Lipinski, problem spot and set the stage for hub of the Midwest high-speed rail Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and center land parcel was originally future passenger rail growth while network. other state and local elected officials, boosting Illinois’ position at the awarded to the city in a 2000 consent To be completed in spring 2014, as well as business, labor and civic economic engine of the Midwest.” agreement at the Oakland County the project will accommodate leaders at the groundbreaking. The Englewood project will Circuit Court with a developer that additional tracks for proposed 110- “Projects like this one are exactly benefit passengers traveling along an built townhomes and several strip mph Amtrak service from Chicago why President Obama has made improved corridor from Detroit, malls nearby. to Detroit, Cleveland and other transportation such a big part of the which has been awarded several The developer sued the city in eastern points as well as Port Huron American Jobs Act,” said Secretary grants for construction projects to and Grand Rapids. LaHood. “We have workers on site 2010 to get the parcel returned back increase speeds to 110 mph. The construction project will today, American factories producing Travelers from Cleveland, to it but lost to the city which build a bridge to separate traffic new supplies, and when the project Indianapolis and Cincinnati will also retained its parcel. along two railroads, allowing 130 is completed, people and goods will see fewer delays thanks to the new The future of the project also trains per day to move more quickly move more quickly and easily bridge. looked uncertain in April when the through one of the worst bottlenecks through the Midwest, making the The project is part of the Chicago city of Birmingham backed out. in North America. The investment region a better place to start a Region Environmental and Birmingham had planned on will improve on-time performance of business or hire new workers.” Transportation Efficiency Program passenger trains, reduce freight The $133 million construction including access to the station from (CREATE), a public-private congestion and create nearly 1,500 project is funded through a $126 partnership between the state, city its side of the tracks but could not jobs. million grant from the U.S. and railroads aimed at untangling acquire property within federal price The flyover will eliminate a Department of Transportation’s Chicago’s infamously snarled guidelines. The Birmingham City chokepoint where NS and high-speed intercity passenger rail railroads where conflicts cause Council also said it would not use tracks intersect; each day, about 78 program, with a $6.6 million delays across all modes of travel. eminent domain to acquire the Metra trains, 46 NS trains and 14 contribution from Governor Quinn’s A strict “Buy America” necessary property. Amtrak trains travel through the Illinois Jobs Now! Construction requirement ensures U.S. intersection. The bridge also will program. (MARP member and co- manufacturers and workers receive help eliminate more than 7,500 hours “The Englewood Flyover will the maximum economic benefits founder John DeLora offers in Metra train delays. make life easier for tens of thousands from this federal investment. The perspective on the Troy Transit U.S. Transportation Secretary of commuters every day and put project will boost domestic Center on Page 7.) Ray LaHood was joined by Illinois people to work immediately,” manufacturing of railway supplies. Page 4 The Michigan Passenger Winter 2012 Governor indicates transportation direction during address By John DeLora of public transportation, and reform of P.A. 51 is his Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder mentioned his best way to get more money to public transportation. transportation initiatives during his State of the State Every public transportation advocate needs to get and stay on top of hearings on this and making sure our address Jan. 18. voices are heard. There were few specifics regarding transportation, 2. He wants to create a new southeastern public but he made three points: transportation authority which would presumably merge 1. Snyder wants a rewriting of Public Act 51. the Detroit DOT and SMART (suburban) bus systems. Michigan’s constitution requires that “at least 90%” of D-DOT is funded by Detroit, which is expected to go all transportation tax revenues must go to highways. into receivership this spring; SMART is funded by P.A. 51 is a 60 year old law which specifies how the property tax millages, and it has been crippled by the money is to be allocated- new road construction, collapse in real estate values. maintenance, county and local roads, passenger and 3. He reiterated his support for a new international Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder freight rail, transit, non-motorized transit, aviation and bridge at Detroit, but is now casting it as “not a bridge during a transporation seminar ports. The governor has consistently been a supporter issue, but a jobs issue.” in November. Route Enchancement Committee makes its 2012 recommendations At the January 14, 2012, meeting at the Williamston Depot Museum in Williamston, the MARP Executive Committee approved the d) Review and approve findings. attached Route Enhancement Recommendations. MARP is asking all members to review these recommendations and help us keep abreast of e) Communicate findings to affected communities, MDOT the many wonderful projects underway in Michigan. MARP particularly and the Michigan legislature. need volunteers to help us track what is happening in Battle Creek, Troy 4. Assure an adequate level of funding for replacement of intercity and the proposed improvements between Porter, Indiana, and Chicago motor coaches. Union Station. Relay any information to: a) Meet with Indian Trails and other intercity carriers to Hugh Gurney identify needs. 2270 Hickory Circle Drive Howell, MI 48855 b) Involve other advocacy groups including TRANS4M, (517) 545-2979 MDOT and members of the Michigan legislature to [email protected] secure an adequate level of funding.

1. Assure that Section 209 of the Passenger Rail Investment and c) Track expenditures once funding is secured. Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), does not adversely affect 5. Ensure progress on all approved projects including MDOT passenger service in Michigan. (Section 209 mandates routes less acquisition of the Dearborn-Kalamazoo line and its upgrade to than 750 miles become solely state-supported.) 110 mph speed, Amtrak upgrades Kalamazoo-Porter, the West a) Track status of implementation on a monthly basis. Detroit Connector, CREATE, Indiana Gateway, purchase of new rolling stock, and station projects in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, b) Determine funding needed if PRIAA is implemented. Jackson, Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Troy.

c) Establish communication links with MDOT, Amtrak, rail a) Report quarterly to the Executive Committee. advocacy groups in affected states, & federal legislators to develop a unified position on actions needed, b) Demand explanations and corrective actions if projects including rescinding of Section 209. fall behind schedule.

d) Investigate options to offset costs of PRIIA including 6. Push for genuine connectivity between intercity bus and rail extension of trains to Canada, the Eastern United States service in Michigan. or points beyond Chicago on the West. a) Work with Indian Trails, MDOT, and Amtrak to identify 2. Initiate commuter rail service between Ann Arbor and Detroit and overcome obstacles to having all Indian Trails routes and between Howell and Ann Arbor (WALLY). Consider in Michigan identified as Amtrak Thruway Routes. extension of WALLY to Durand and Flint. b) Identify funding required to institute new intercity motor a) Work with TRU and other advocacy groups for the coach routes including north from New Buffalo along the establishment of a Transportation Lake Michigan shoreline and daytime service Marquette- Authority. Milwaukee.

b) Find champions at the local, state and federal levels who c) Create website page with information about how to get will push for implementation of local commuter services. around Michigan by train and bus.

c) Facilitate a steering group including business, 7. Assure dedicated funding for passenger rail in Michigan community, advocacy and political leaders to educate the a) Determine the level of funding needed for an adequate public on the value of commuter service and market the passenger rail system in Michigan. service. b) Support TRANS4M in its efforts to secure adequate d) Hold demonstration runs in 2012. funding for all transportation modes. 3. Initiate Community Benefit Studies to determine the possibilities of c) Enlist all transportation and environmental groups in additional service on the Pere Marquette and Blue Water routes advocating for a balanced transportation system in including the possibility of combining the two routes. Include in Michigan. these studies additional Wolverine service between Battle Creek and Chicago. d) Insist that a full 10% of transportation funding be dedicated to public transportation including rail as a) Work with Michigan Enviromental Council and specified by the Michigan Constitution. Transportation For Michigan to identify a funding source for these studies. e) If passenger rail funding remains inadequate even with 10% of the state transportation funding dedicated to b) Create an RFP public transportation, identify additional funding c) Select a consulting firm to conduct the studies, possibly possibilities. the one that did the Grand Valley study. Winter 2012 The Michigan Passenger Page 5 Trip report: Riding The Great Dome between Dearborn and Battle Creek By Steve Sobel Did you ride Amtrak’s Great Dome Car when it visited Michigan in November and January? For those of you who did not get the chance, here’s what took place and perhaps some “unanswered” questions. So, let’s get on with the show! The dome car is a bi-level lounge car that features an upper level with windows on all sides – as well as overhead – to provide passengers with panoramic views. The dome section runs the full length of the car, a rare feature even when dome cars were more numerous on the nation’s railroads. The Great Dome, also known as “Ocean View” and Amtrak car number 10031, was once used on the Empire Builder between Chicago and Seattle and most recently was used on a route between Orlando and Amtrak’s Great Dome Car, the only domed car in the national passenger railroad’s fleet, attracted Washington, D.C. It was built in hundreds of riders as well as photographers, railfans and curious onlookers when it made it way along 1955 and is painted red, white and the rails in southern Michigan on select Wolverine trains during November and January. Here it is blue. It’s the only remaining Great waiting for passengers at the Jackson station which can be seen in the background. As of press time, Dome car in Amtrak’s fleet. there is no word if this car will return to Michigan in the near future. Amtrak ran the dome car on The (Photo by Kenneth Borg) Wolverine (Pontiac to Chicago) The station is due to reopen in the “rumors” I’ve heard prior to car door, which was close to our service on select trains near the April. The Amtrak “shack” although riding it today. Dome car. Thanksgiving holiday week and small, has what it needs: A station Here, a quick crew change and By the time #350 left Dearborn, during the month of January. agent, some seats, two bathrooms off we went back to Ann Arbor and it was only 18 minutes off schedule, On Friday, Jan. 13, I purchased and it’s warm inside. Dearborn. As I stated earlier, a not bad for a 113 mile each way trip three round-trip tickets to ride After a short three-block walk to conductor who was seated in one of over a period of six and a half hours between Dearborn and Battle Creek. Michigan Avenue, we found the the dome’s ends, gave me some since we began our journey in One of the riders in my group Griffin Grill and Pub which opens information regarding train speeds. Dearborn. boarded the train in Ann Arbor. for breakfast daily at 6 a.m. Once Basically, The on-board personnel are very The train was on-time inside, it was basically empty. It was (who owns the rails for the time- courteous and once again, I can give considering the operating speeds that recommended by nearby “Clara’s on being) restored speeds to what is Amtrak’s personnel a nice pat on the I had learned later on from our train the River” which did not open until now considered a more “doable” trip back! The same goes for the engineer conductor aboard our homebound lunch. so timekeeping is held fairly close on train 351 who took a few train.. The food was good. My six to what the schedule calls for....for moments to speak to me before Speeds between Chelsea and ounce steak and eggs with hash now. taking his break before returning Albion are 60 mph. Top speeds browns and toast was reasonably It is here that I can firmly state back to work on train 350. between Chelsea and Ann Arbor/ priced at $7.95. Julien said his stack that this car was opened the entire It was a nice ride with some fresh Ypsilanti are at 70 mph. Train speeds of pancakes was fluffy and very tasty distance from Chicago and through snow, sunshine, a nice riding car and in Albion are at 30 mph. For now, and cost only $2.95. Coffee was to Pontiac. There is no cafe service meeting Amtrak rider, Rayburn L. 79 mph and faster is out of the pretty good, but not as strong as being rendered from this car. The Howland who was making his 607th question until the $196 million in some other places. Service was okay. conductor said it would behoove trip from Chicago back to Ann Arbor track and signal upgrades are Upon return to the station we Amtrak to stock the car for those where he lives. Each Friday, he rides completed over the next several learned that our eastbound train, wishing to sit in it and so Amtrak to Chicago on train 355 to see his years. #350, was running about ten minutes could sell additional food. He wife who works at Chicago Upon our arrival in Battle Creek, late which is technically still on time couldn’t understand why it wasn’t University and returns on Monday, only eight minutes behind schedule, according to Amtrak. We set up in done! Also, friends Gary and Julien train 350, for another week of work we took the opportunity to take some nice sunshine to capture the train agreed and said a car of this nature at the . When photos of our train and within consist as it rounded the bend with would be a good selling point for his wife retires next year, both of minutes of its departure, westbound The Great Dome as the second car Amtrak. them will live right here in Ann train 365, “The Blue Water” arrived behind the engine. The Dome ran smoothly and was Arbor. 20 minutes early before its 9:54 a.m. Upon loading in Battle Creek, we comfortable for the most part. Only What’s nice about our brief departure. boarded at the door just before the one small section was a bit on the chat....a very enthusiastic man who For the next two hours, Julien dome car. We went straight up into warm side. Occupancy while we knows Amtrak and best of all, he just Wolfe and I checked out the the car, found seats and within a few rode it was less than a third full and might become our next MARP temporary Amtrak “shack” which minutes, the conductor came by and just before Ann Arbor, the car, except member! sits on the west side of McCamly took our tickets. No questions asked a few young boys and one other Street while the permanent station is nor were we told to go back and find couple riding to Pontiac, was empty. What a nice trip, a fine day and a undergoing interior reconstruction seats in the coach cars. I found this The conductors kept us abreast nice ride in Amtrak car 10031. May work. It is fenced off and boarded to be a nice surprise; based on all of the station stops and made sure it survive many years to come! up for the time being while work we were ready to get off at the proper progresses inside. Page 6 The Michigan Passenger Winter 2012

MEMBERS MEETING SCHEDULE – 2012 (Meetings begin at 10 a.m., except where noted)

February 11 – 10:30 a.m. The Old Dog Tavern, located in the historic STAR*BLDG at 402 East Kalamazoo Avenue, Kalamazoo.

March 17 – 11 A.M. — new Pontiac Amtrak & Greyhound station, 51000 Woodward Ave., Pontiac

April 21 – Chelsea Area Historical Society Museum, 125 Jackson Road, Chelsea

May – National Train Day activities pre-empt monthly meeting

June 16 – Muskegon Railroad Historical Depot, 610 Western Ave., Muskegon RIBBON CUTTING. Acting MARP West Michigan Chair John Langdon, left and U.S. Sen Carl July 28 – Grand Rapids, Grand Levin, right attended a ribbon cutting Jan. 28 at the Rapid’s new $32 million Wealthy Street Rails 2012-77th Annual NMRA Operations Center in Grand Rapids. National Convention, the Rapid (Photo by Paul Troost) Central Station, 2nd Floor Conference Center, Bartlett Jan. 14 MARP member meeting highlights Street SW, Grand Rapids By Hugh Gurney plows snow and assists in other Membership renewal notices are The Michigan Association of ways. scheduled to go in the mail within August – no membership Railroad Passengers met in According to Lutzke, it took from the week and a membership card will meeting as July 28 meeting Williamston on Jan. 14. 1837 until 1871 for plans for a be provided for the first time. Plans was for both July & August; Mitch Lutzke, Williamston railroad from Detroit through for future meetings were discussed. executive committee meeting Depot Museum Board Member and Williamston to Lansing to become a Michigan Department of probable local historian, welcomed the group reality, with many false starts along Transportation’s (MDOT) Office of September 15 – Durand Union to the 1891-92 Williamston Depot, the way. Rail Administrator Tim Hoeffner Station tentative site for the the third such structure serving the Ownership of the line passed reported that he will be attending a annual meeting community. through many hands until the C & O meeting in Seattle in April to discuss The building was in use as a gained control in 1929, though the cross border issues including October 13 – St. Louis passenger station from January, 1893 Pere Marquette name was retained passenger rail. It is likely that Historical Society, which is until 1963. It is not coincidental that until 1947. As part of a merger in Detroit-Windsor will become the housed in the c. 1910 Pere passenger service to Williamston 1983, the C & O became CSX, which model. Marquette Railroad Station, 110 ceased within a year after I-96 still operates freight service on the Hoeffner also reported on E. Crawford Street, St. Louis, opened. line. progress being made on the planned MI The station was moved to its In other business, the Executive higher speed passenger rail corridor present location on Grand River Committee reviewed the proposed between Chicago and Detroit. See November 10 – Essex, Ont., Avenue in 1979. budget for Calendar Year 2012. the story on page one for more historic Michigan Central After several years in a derelict Kay Chase distributed an details. Station, 17 miles southeast of state, the Chamber of Commerce excellent consolidated list of all the The Executive Committee Ambassador Bridge between provided funding to renovate the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail approved the ambitious 2012 goals Detroit and Windsor structure. The Chamber of projects affecting Michigan, a list of the Route Enhancement December – no member Commerce has an office in the that will be posted on the MARP Committee, reported elsewhere in meeting; executive committee building and it staffs the museum on website. this publication. meeting probable weekdays. The City of Williamston Check www.marp.org for SPEED: Detroit-Chicago Wolverine route along Michigan routes in 2015. All additions and changes to this will be dedicated to passenger seven locomotives in the latest service, a possible model for the rest schedule. (Continued from equipment order for the Midwest of the nation, according to Hoeffner. will be utilized on Michigan lines. Page 1) Norfolk-Southern Railway will MARP meetings are held in Hoeffner noted that 22 former have the exclusive right to provide various places around the state METRA coaches are at some stage added between Ypsilanti and freight service between Kalamazoo in order to give everyone a in their refurbishment at Owosso for Kalamazoo. and Dearborn. MDOT will work chance to participate. Hoeffner told MARP members to use on planned commuter routes in with Norfolk Southern to grow the expect frequent delays in the next Michigan. Testing awaits arrival of We post meetings freight business as one way of couple of years while tracks are an Amtrak power unit. announcements on the web covering the cost of the passenger being rebuilt. Funding of the upgrade of the with agenda information and When ownership of the service. West Detroit junction will come travel information. Kalamazoo-Dearborn sector is In other news, Hoeffner said new from a variety of sources. The acquired by MDOT, approximately bi-level passenger cars and design phase is well along. 240 miles of the 304 mile Pontiac- locomotives should start appearing Winter 2012 The Michigan Passenger Page 7 Lazarus Lives in Troy The back-and-forth fight over a new intermodal transit center in Troy MI has turned up interesting information about the federal stimulus grant program (formally known as ARRA, the American Recovery and Relief Act). It also contains lessons on how to combat Luddites who oppose public transportation. In 2009, the Congress passed the ARRA act, calling for major infrastructure improvements which would lead to high speed rail in the U.S. Shortly after enactment, the Federal Railroad Administration held a series of public conferences to explain the program and what it would do, and what it wouldn’t do. Artist rendition of the new multimodal transit center in Troy. (Graphic courtesy city of Troy.) The FRA conference for the Midwest was held in Kansas City, Troy station, they voted to kill the employers advised publicly they had appropriated to Troy and MO. Key points were: project on the grounds that it was advised their corporate boards not to would go back to the federal 1. States which “wasteful” government spending. make further investment in such a treasury. applied for funds had to The grant for Troy has a stipulation backward-looking city. show a continuing that the project must be completed If there’s one group Republicans · The funds were commitment to passenger by October1, 2013. The council listen to, it’s the business appropriated to FRA- not to train service. voted down the grant on December community. The Troy chamber had individual state projects. 2. Applications 19, 2011, the last apparent date for made a strong enough case that the The FRA was directed to would be graded on an which approval would have allowed swing vote said he would change his find worthy projects for the objective basis to eliminate for completion by the 2013 deadline. vote if the cost could be reduced, and money. charges of political On January 17, 2012, the council the $30,000 annual maintenance · Since the money has already influence. reversed itself and budget were not to be borne by the been appropriated, Congress MARP warned approved the center. city. After a series of sessions, the treats it as money already several Michigan The National What happened architectural firm reduced the project spent. They COULD legislators that the Limited is a lesson for public cost by $2.3 million; the Troy rescind the unspent money, practice of partial- transportation chamber made a commitment that it BUT remember, the Senate year funding (which advocates would find funding for the annual and the President would had been done for everywhere. maintenance cost. It was also have to approve legislation several years, with The “antis” pointed out that the FRA would be that did so- not very likely. supplemental thought of friendly to a short extension of the funding when the themselves as Tea completion deadline. With that, a · If a project were first tranche was Party conservatives special meeting was called, and the disapproved locally, the exhausted) for the standing up against project was approved. funds would not go back to Blue Water and Pere waste despite Lessons learned: the treasury, but to another Marquette would not overwhelming · The business community city. be acceptable to evidence to the knows transit is essential for · Every advocacy FRA. They went By John DeLora contrary. NARP getting employees to work organization needs to have ahead with partial made a presentation and is willing to fight for contact information for the year funding to the council at the transit mayor, the local economic anyway, and were stunned to find December meeting in which council · The business community development corporation, that FRA had denied all Michigan members were given contact also recognizes that Chamber of Commerce and applications. The following year, the information for the mayors and bringing large numbers of Visitors and Convention legislature passed a full-year Chambers of Commerce for every people into an area makes Bureaus in their city. These appropriation, and Michigan was Amtrak city in Michigan, and were that property a more are allies who can really awarded money for new stations for asked to contact those cities and find attractive place to live, work shake the gratings of either Ann Arbor, Dearborn and out if any of them regretted their and invest, which in turn party, and virtually all of Birmingham-Troy, plus funds to decision. NARP also worked with leads to higher property tax them understand the value renovate and expand the Battle Michele Hodges, President of the revenues. of public transportation. Creek station. Troy Chamber, who was a tireless (This is a new column for the Michigan In November, 2011 Troy citizens worker to unite support from the · Advocates need to have a Passenger that will focus on issues of elected a mayor and two council business community behind the firm grasp of the national significance. It is written by members who were elected on a project. requirements set out in the Vice Chair of the National pledge to stop all wasteful spending. The city was surprised by the legislation. For example, Association of Railroad Passengers Even though no City money would national attention it got (all negative) most of the “anti’s” believed and a founding member of MARP.) be involved in the construction of the about their vote, and major that money was Page 8 The Michigan Passenger Winter 2012 PortPort HuronHuron considersconsiders replacingreplacing stationstation City officials in Port Huron are and hop on the train to Chicago — a Disabilities Act requirements, December to help pay the county’s considering plans to move their trend he wants to see increase. Magliari said. bonds for the proposed convention Amtrak station from its current site Canadian visitors have difficulty Though Amtrak is stressing the center. at 2223 16th St, near the St. Clair finding the station and being need for a new station, it isn’t going Brown met with officials from River tunnel, to a location closer to comfortable there, Brown said. to foot the whole bill. MDOT, Amtrak, Canadian National downtown tourist areas and with Many international travelers Amtrak owns the existing station and the Michigan Association of easier access to I-94 and I-69. purchase their tickets online, park at in Port Huron, and the Canadian Railroad Passengers Inc. in late The city’s commitment to the Thomas Edison Inn and take a National Railway owns the tracks. 2011. developments at the Thomas Edison taxi to the train station, Brown said. “It’s uncommon for (Amtrak) to Plans for a new station could Inn property inspired Port Huron Blue Water Area Transit buses do not own stations,” Magliari said. meet snags if the Thomas Edison City Manager Bruce Brown to serve the existing station. According to data from The Great Depot Museum is chosen as a site, pursue having the train station “We’re having an overflow American Train Stations, Amtrak owns said Susan Bennett, executive follow suit. problem at Port Huron,” MDOT 19% of the train stations and their director of the Port Huron Museum. Brown said the Amtrak train spokeswoman Janet Foran said. accompanying parking lots in Michigan. The depot was built in the 1850s could use the same rails Canadian Foran attributed parking problems About 43% of Michigan cities with train and was a former station on the National uses for freight deliveries to the influx of Canadian visitors. stations own the facilities. Grand Trunk Railroad which to the Dunn Paper Plant on the St. “The current station has turned “Generally speaking, we supply serviced Detroit from Fort Gratiot. Clair River north of the Blue Water out to be undersized, especially the train service, and the community It is a national historic landmark — Bridge. parking,” said Marc Magliari, media supplies the station,” Magliari said. a designation gained through a hefty The station could be built at the relations manager for Amtrak. MDOT, which pays for the price tag and years of persistence, current Thomas Edison Depot The current station is an Amtrak- general maintenance to the Blue Bennett said. Museum or south of the Thomas owned facility and has “lived out its Water route, views building a new The city manager’s other option Edison Inn, Brown said. life expectancy,” said Therese Cody, station as a collaborative effort is to upgrade the 16th Street train From 2009 to 2011, passenger passenger rail programs manager for between MDOT, Amtrak, CN and station. The parking lot would be activity increased by 40.8% at Port MDOT. Port Huron. expanded as well. Huron according to Michigan Built in 1979, the “Am-shack” is “We’ll all look at the price tag, Adding a shuttle service from the Department of Transportation a modular design Amtrak once and see who has what,” Foran said. station to the Thomas Edison Inn and (MDOT) data. considered using as a prototype for Brown envisions using money adjacent future convention center There often aren’t enough small staffed stations — but never from the Blue Water Bridge Plaza would encourage visitors to ride the parking spaces to accommodate replicated. project mitigation funds from train, Brown said. passengers at peak times. Amtrak last made upgrades to the MDOT to make the station more This article was edited for length Brown said Canadian tourists station in late fall 2011 —paving the inviting and “fun,” Brown said. from an article originally appearing now drive across the Blue Water once-gravel parking lot and adding Half of the city’s annual in the Port Huron Times-Herald on Bridge, park their cars in Port Huron lights — in order to make the facility mitigation money — about $50,000 Jan. 22. compliant with Americans with — was designated by city council in INDIAN TRAILS: (Continued from Page 3) Michigan communities including college towns such as Alma, Mt. Pleasant and Houghton. For example, Michigan Technological University will not permit signing for the bus on its property, though its students would benefit. Henry noted that the new stop at Chicago’s Union Station on buses inbound from Michigan, suggested in 2011 by the Thruway Bus Committee, have been quite successful. Unfortunately, on outbound trips, Indian Trails drivers sometimes have found all six designated spaces along Canal Street occupied by other buses and waiting passengers have been missed, an embarrassing service failure. A signed pick up spot was suggested. Indian Trails is expecting nine new motor coaches to be delivered during the spring, replacing buses that have put in over 650,000 miles of service, well above the recommended 500,000 mile HERE COMES SANTA. Canadian National’s special holiday train makes it way replacement standard. State funding for motor through Waterford on Dec. 4. (Photo by Kenneth Borg.) coaches in 2013 is still up in the air, as the Michigan Trails routes designated as Amtrak Thruway time and much of Indian Trails business comes Department of Transportation (MDOT) has routes which would be listed in the Amtrak from connecting carriers such as Greyhound. combined its Operating Subsidy and Motor Coach timetable. Linking Amtrak’s Thruway bus service Indian Trails’ Brenda Cheney agreed that Replacement Fund into a single allocation. between Toledo and East Lansing to Indian Trails’ capacity management was the wave of the future Cushman has been meeting with Straits service up U.S. 127 to St. Ignace was in the motor coach industry. representatives of the local rural transit systems discussed. A connection at New Buffalo between The entrance of several local transit systems in communities served by Indian Trails. They see Amtrak and Indian Trail’s service north to Benton into intercity service likewise threatens Indian the value of the intercity service and will be Harbor and Holland was suggested by Gurney. Trails service. advocates in the future. Cushman plans to Indian Trails voiced several issues of concern The hourly service by Flint’s MTA to Great designate a representative to work more closely over the long haul. Lakes Crossing is one example. RAPID’s new with Chambers of Commerce and Convention and Amtrak pricing on its Blue Water line has a service between Grand Rapids and Big Rapids is Visitor Bureaus to build awareness and support. negative impact on Indian Trails competing bus another example of what appears to be a growing Committee member John Langdon suggested he service along the same route. trend. seek to have Indian Trails service added as a link The 20% discount on fares during the winter Most pressing is the possibility that MDOT to each community organization’s web site. months is particularly vexing. Indian Trails will eliminate funding for the Huron service, All in attendance agreed that we should service between Flint and Chicago is not which operates along Lake Huron between Bay approach MDOT for assistance in developing a subsidized. City and St. Ignace, serving such communities as website titled Getting Around Michigan by Train Langdon agreed to do a fare comparison on East Tawas and Alpena. and Bus as an aid to those wishing to travel service between city pairs served by both carriers. MARP committee members agreed to keep throughout the state by public transportation. Indian Trails is not in a position to do capacity their eyes and ears open and support and Representatives of MARP and Indian Trails management pricing as Amtrak does, since bus acceptable appropriation for intercity bus service resolved to work towards having more Indian tickets nationwide can be used on any bus at any in Northern Michigan.