Rail News June /July 2006

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Publication of the Washington Association of Rail Passengers A NotNot----forforforfor----profitprofit Consumer Organization “Moving forward...On Rail ."."."

King Street Station’s 100 th anniversary President David th Hughes speaks to the NARP celebration wraps up July 1 with start of 4 David Hughes, acting president and -Portland roundtrip CEO of Amtrak, told the NARP board of th directors that Amtrak is on the right track The 100 anniversary celebration of Pullman Railroad Company, Railway after former President Seattle’s historic Express Agency, and Sound Transit. David Gunn brought kicked off on May 10. The ongoing One honoree was Amtrak station agent the company back celebration will wrap up on July 1 with a Marlene Koob, who has followed in the from the brink of full day of festivities. Events will include footsteps of her father and grandfather bankruptcy and near- the launch of the fourth daily roundtrip in working at the station. certain liquidation in between Seattle and Portland. More One aspect of the centennial cele- 2002. Key positive in- information on centennial events hap- bration is the collection of oral histories David Hughes dicators include: from people that have special memo- • Revenue per ries of the station. Though it’s too late passenger mile is up 10% so far in to participate in the live interview pro- 2006 over 2005. gram, you can still provide your • Amtrak has had consecutive years thoughts via the station centennial of ridership growth, going from website Click on the Share Your 21.7 mill. passengers in 2002 to a Memories link. projected 24.3 mill. this year. Be sure to join other WashARP • Ticket revenue through March is members at King Street Station on July $8 mill. above budget and is pro- 1 to close out the centennial celebration jected to reach an all time high of J. Craig Thorpe, left, unveils his paint- and to launch the fourth Seattle-Portland $1.36 bill. • ing of King Street Station at Seattle (See 4th Cascades, page 4) The workforce size has steadily City Hall on May 10. The painting was decreased over the last six years. commissioned by the King Street Sta- • Federal support for operations has tion Centennial Committee. Joining decreased from $494 mill. in 2002 Craig for the unveiling are WSDOT’s to $475 mill. in 2005. Judy Giniger and Ron Sheck. • State commitments to passenger Photo by Jeff Schultz rail service have climbed 82% pening throughout the rest of June can from 2000 ($148.3 mill.) to 2005 be found at www.kingstreet ($272.3 mill.). centennial.org. • The number of equipment over- The May 10 events included a panel hauls and remanufactures grew discussion at city hall. Audience mem- nearly five-fold from 86 in 2003 to bers learned how King Street Station a planned 416 this year. contributed to a vibrant Seattle in the Those attending the May 10 events at • FRA-reportable employee injuries past and what its role will be in Seattle's King Street Station marvel at the beauti- are down 26% so far in 2006 over future as rail and transportation profes- ful rest oration of the Compass Room, the 2004. sionals provided insights on what King main entrance to the station from King One area that continues to head in Street Station means to their organiza- St. The chandelier is the only original the wrong direction is on time perform- remaining after the 1960s “remodel” of tions. WashARP was represented at ance on much of the system outside the the station. The brightly lit Compass mostly Amtrak-controlled Northeast Cor- the panel discussion by Executive Di- Room makes the rest of the waiting room rector Lloyd Flem and by Ron Sheck, ridor. On time performance for trains op- look even shabbier. The next phases of erating over the freight railroads has who is also the WSDOT manager for work, both inside and outside the station, steadily declined over the last six years the station restoration project. will start later year. Keeping 1.7 mill. from about 58% to 35%. Much of the Later in the day, at King Street Sta- Amtrak and Sounder passengers each year and 26 trains a day (soon to be 28) poor performance is on the Union Pacific. tion, there was a celebration of the em- BNSF does a much better job of properly ployees of station, past and present, moving through the station during the restoration will be challenging but all operating Amtrak trains than UP, but from Great Northern, Northern Pacific, those travelers will greatly appreciate the even BNSF’s performance is suffering in Amtrak, Burlington Northern, BNSF, final results. Photo by Jeff Schultz (See Hughes, page 5) page 2 many, Britain, and North America. essential. Spain's plan is that rail will From the Rail investment examples I cited at serve as the primary means of moving Executive Microsoft include that in Japan, which people and freight in and through their Director's Desk pioneered modern higher-speed passen- economically booming country. ger trains in 1964, and continues to in- So, how about us? The Class One by vest billions in ever more and better railroads (BNSF, UP, CSX, NS, CN, CP, Lloyd H. Flem intercity service; and the People Republic KSS) are now doing well financially and of China, whose explosive economic are making major capital investments The World Invests in Rail; growth is manifest in every basket of which are designed to bring about rela- consumer goods entering virtually all tively quick financial returns. This is Some Mostly Good News households in North America and surely good; the great volume of products In preparation for a recent presenta- Europe. Also, South Korea. A favorite arriving on American store shelves from tion I made on current rail developments quote of mine attributed to the Korean Asia are making much of the trip within in Europe and East Asia at a transporta- prime minister is a polite, "How can we North America by train. But I fear the tion technology conference sponsored by afford not to?" in answer to an American concern with quick returns, preferred by the Cascadia Project of the Seattle- questioning his country's huge invest- today's Wall Street and corporate bean based Discovery institute held at the Mi- ment in high-speed intercity passenger counters, if not by long-term-strategy- crosoft campus in Redmond, I did some rail service. Try 82 trains per weekday oriented railroad men, may not be in the rather intensive research on what was between Seoul and Busan (Pusan)… best interests of even those shareholders happening with the rail mode in this 21st oops, 92 on weekends! Korea is not a who are in for the long haul and are not century. While I do attempt to keep up on poor country. They are an economic tiger obsessed with instant (financial) gratifi- these issues on a regular basis, this re- with a high and growing standard of living cation, much less for our country's search confronted me with mas- economy, which should be even sive amounts of newer informa- "So much rail invest ment" in the rest more oriented to a wider, not tion that was at once very narrower, range of goods which pleasing and depressing. of the world is very pleasing. That use the rail mode in the future. So much rail investment is North America, particularly in In addition, the battle to get occurring in large and small public funds for rail is tough and countries, highly-industrialized passenger rail, continues to fall never-ending. Even in the public to "third world," capitalist de- further behind, is depressing. sector, where long-term broad mocracies to authoritarian community values ought to be and high rates of car ownership. states, that I could only pick and choose emphasized, "quick payoffs" sometimes For Europe, I again couldn't resist the a few examples to present to the atten- motivate investment strategies. Swiss example. What will be the two dees, most of whom were more into the Private sector, public sector. As in- longest land tunnels extant are under area of high technology rather than the vestors and citizens, are we Americans construction through the Alps. The peo- less-fun realm of transportation policy willing to look beyond "I want it for me... ple of this very democratic, free- and how-to-pay-for-stuff, which is my now!" and think of the future for our- enterprise-loving federation recognize emphasis. selves, our children and grandchildren, and have repeatedly voted to add "So much rail investment" in the rest and our country? Let's hope so. (mostly-public sector, but including pri- of the world is very pleasing. That North ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ America, particularly in passenger rail, vate capital too) billions in rail invest- continues to fall further behind, is de- ments to an already superb system in WashARP was fully involved in the pressing. No where else in the world is order to retain their leading roles in trade recent 100th anniversary celebration of there a small but noisome group of peo- and citizen mobility. King Street Station. I participated in an ple that have at least a little traction with Finally, my new favorite rail country: oral history (of our Northwest rail memo- some "think tanks" and the politicians Spain. We "Cascadians" feel good about ries and experiences), as did several who pay attention to them, and who not the Spanish, who were and remain our other WashARP members. Was also on only oppose increased investment in rail partners in the development and opera- a panel at Seattle City Hall addressing passenger transportation, but believe that tion of the Talgo trains, which of course similar issues, and WashARP President which we have made, at least since serve us so well between Eugene and Tony Trifiletti spoke for WashARP at the about 1960, ought not to have existed! (I Vancouver, BC. (Our major complaint is actual 100th ceremony at the century-old hasten to point out that the Discovery In- there simply are not enough of them, al- landmark, which is now undergoing its stitute and Paul Weyrich's Free Congress though, with even more efficient use of highly-anticipated renovation and resto- Foundation, while "think tanks" some- the same intensively worked equipment, ration. If you've not done so, do visit KSS what critical of Amtrak, are strongly pro- a fourth Seattle-Portland Amtrak Cas- and enjoy the progress being made to passenger rail, both urban and intercity.) cades will commence on 1 July.) Spain turn our flagship station from a thing of A silly reason often given by domestic proposes to invest just at $270 billion shame to that of pride. rail opponents is that railroads are a 19th (with a "B") on transportation infrastruc- WashARP continues to be on the century technology. True, and so are ture in the next 15 years. Here's the "varsity" concerning Washington's rail automobiles! By the 1880s, two Stuttgart prize: over half that immense sum will be future. I have been asked by the Wash- men named Daimler and Benz produced in rail. Spain, being mostly on a plateau, ington State Transportation Commission successful motor vehicles that are fun- lacks the handy inland waterways – natu- (WSTC) to serve on a resource panel to damentally the same as Stuttgart's Mer- ral and human-enhanced – that have give input to the current Legislative- cedes and Porsches of today, to the been so important in the industrial and mandated Rail Capacity and System same degree the German ICE trains are economic growth of Northwestern and Needs Study. Many of you attended one of like the 19th century railways of Ger- Central Europe. Non-water modes are (See Flem, page 5) page 3 isn’t really like light rail, is it? Well, maybe those people have (for the most part) The View they ride on the same 4’ 8½” gauge track feet. system. But that doesn’t make me liberal, What that does is make the areas Down the does it? around rail stations? Pedestrian Oriented Tracks Okay, now I’m downtown, and I don’t Development (POD?). In and around a ======have my car, and the train I just got off shopping mall – POD; around downtown isn’t adjacent to the place I’m meeting my condos – you guessed it – POD. It seems with Jim Cusick friends and going shopping, so I’ll just that what all of these places have in Putting on the Ritz. walk over to the light rail station. How- common is the need to make it conven- Summer will soon be here, so I think ever, little known to me, I’m setting foot in ient for people to WALK. I’ll go out and make a political statement. that foreign land – TOD, Transit Oriented People buy things while they are on How shall I do it? I know, I’ll hop into my Development. I don’t know, and don’t their feet. They browse while on their car, drive down to the Park & Ride, get care because it’s easy. I just want to not feet. They window shop on their feet. on the commuter train to downtown, walk have to walk too far, even though it would Why do you think it cost more to rent over to the light rail line, and go down to be good for my health. storefront space in a mall, than in any my favorite coffee shop to meet some So, I get off my light rail train a few other location? Simply because shoppers friends and window shop at a few stores, stops later and there are my friends, al- are walking past their stores. Lots of maybe even stopping in and buying ready enjoying the Bohemian lifestyle of shoppers. If the anchor stores (JC Pen- something. TOD. I sit with them sipping my coffee, ney, Nordstrom, Macy’s, Sears, etc.) pay Reverse the process after my pur- Bubble tea, Chai Tea, or whatever. little or no rent (depending of their ability chases, and I’ll be home with the satis- Now that we’re all feeling giddy, we to draw customers) why do the small re- faction that I’ve participated in our tailers pay a premium in rent? They wonderful political process. And I Ah,…rail transit, it’s not so bad, know that foot traffic will generate didn’t even have to choose a politi- more sales. cal party! is it? I mean, my freedom-loving A mall is developed around the Of course, most people don’t neighbors wouldn’t feel too pedestrian access in the climate- think of these simple actions as a controlled atmosphere an enclosed political statement, but anyone who threatened by me would they? space can provide. However, most follows transportation in this part of malls are very sterile, hence the the country not only knows that little trip get up and stroll past the shops. I find new type of “village” development that is a statement, but can tell you what color what I need while one of my friends was they are embracing. your stripes are at each stage of the looking for something for themselves. During the I-405 Citizens Committee journey. One of the advantages of TOD is that a meetings, a ULI Seattle (Urban Land So, let’s take this trip again this time store can capture those customers just Institute) representative even commented with our different hats on. walking by. However, I have a feeling of that so-called “Transit Oriented Devel- Déjà vu. I know I’ve experienced this opment” is the up and coming thing. An Out of the closet before. example is the development of the side- Being a good suburbanite, it’s obvious So, the next day I drive over to the walk oriented stores at Bellevue Square. to everyone that I’m a conservative, mall with a friend in my SUV. We stroll The ULI representative’s name? Kemper maybe even Republican. After all, only through the mall, doing some window Freeman. (seattle.uli.org) liberals and other bohemians take transit. shopping, stop by some of the food and I make my statement by living like I do in coffee vendors, and take our purchases Something Green the land of AOD, Auto Oriented Devel- outside to enjoy the new thing in mall re- Since the trend is to have malls look opment. Forget that I wanted to have a development, the “Village.” We chat and like downtown shopping, then what is it family and a house with a yard for them talk about the nice sunny weather, that downtown shopping is lacking? to play with the dog. Even a…driveway and…then it hits me like a ton of bricks! Downtown doesn’t have to be a large and garage where it could be possible to (No, there wasn’t an earthquake.) metropolitan city, but can be the down- work on my car, heaven forbid! Those town of a small city or town. If a particular nasty liberal transit lovers would have me Development downtown doesn’t have a controlled at- give all this up, no doubt for the sheer isn’t a political statement mosphere, then what it can do is provide pleasure of “socially engineering” my life. Developers respond to a need. If that shelter from our most common element: So I get into my global-warming- need is single family housing, then that’s the rain. A good example of this is machine and drive down to a place where what they build. If that need is shopping downtown Olympia. By simply providing I can make that transition to the reason- malls, then they build shopping malls. If overhangs from the buildings that reach ably acceptable non-automotive that need is for downtown condos, then the edge of the sidewalk, walking and conveyance – commuter rail. Well, it is a condos get built, and if people want cof- shopping is much more pleasant in in- comfortable ride, and I can do some work fee shops and stores next to a rail sta- clement weather. on it, maybe even read if I choose, and tion, then that’s what they build. What However, one ingredient any down- most important, I can even go to the they don’t build is the infrastructure to town should embrace is development that bathroom while I’m heading downtown. support it. caters to the pedestrian, whether they got Now there’s a political statement! The best way to describe mall devel- there by auto, bicycle, bus, train… Ah,…rail transit, it’s not so bad, is it? I opment is that your typical shopping mall whatever. Downtown has one advantage mean, my freedom-loving neighbors is Transit Oriented Development, just if it’s pedestrian oriented, it can handle wouldn’t feel too threatened by me would without the Transit. The common ground the same amount of auto shoppers as they? What would they say if they knew I is what any development is oriented any strip mall intersection, and have less lived on the edge? Nah, commuter rail around, and that is simply People. And (See Cusick, page 4) page 4 Pacific Northwest Corridor -- Amtrak Cascades Schedule effective July 1, 2006 (subject to minor adjustments) read down read down 517 509 507 513 27 7 11 501 Train Number  510 500 504 506 516 14 8 28 508 18:00 dp Vancouver BC ar 11:35 19:40 8:35 dp Bellingham dp9:44 21:05 20:12 9:04 dp Mt Vernon dp9:13 20:23 20:54 9:55 8:41 dp Everett dp8:31 19:31 17:44 21:19 10:21 9:08 dp Edmonds dp8:07 19:07 17:17 22:05 10:55 10:20 ar dp 7:40 18:40 16:45 Seattle 17:25 14:2011:20 9:45 7:30 dp ar 12:15 15:5518:20 20:45 21:45 17:40 14:35 11:35 7:45 dp Tukwila dp 11:41 15:1117:46 21:11 18:10 15:05 12:05 10:31 8:15 dp Tacoma dp 11:11 14:41 17:16 19:11 20:41 18:49 15:44 12:44 11:21 8:54 dp Centennial dp 10:33 14:03 16:38 18:22 20:03 19:08 16:03 13:03 11:45 9:16 dp Centralia dp 10:12 13:42 16:17 17:57 19:42 19:49 16:44 13:44 12:29 9:54 dp Kelso dp 9:33 13:0315:38 17:14 19:03 20:24 17:19 14:19 9:20 13:08 10:29 dp Vancouver WA dp 9:00 12:30 15:05 16:36 17:07 18:30 20:55 17:50 15:0010:10 13:50 11:00 ar dp 8:45 12:15 14:5016:20 16:45 18:15 Portland 21:0518:05 14:25 dp ar 8:2011:35  15:40 21:26 18:26 dp Oregon City dp 7:39 10:54 22:12 19:12 15:37 dp Salem dp 6:57 10:12 14:03 22:41 19:41 16:10 dp Albany dp 6:28 9:43 13:30 23:40 20:40 17:03 ar Eugene dp 5:45 9:00 12:44 read up read up Trains 7, 27, 8 and 28: Empire Builder Trains 11 and 14: Coast Starlight (Train 14 is temporarily discharge only Eugene to Seattle due to poor on-time reliability on Union Pacific between Sacramento and Portland.) Thruway bus services not shown.

th total) and of that engine failures are tion, and driving to the other strip mall on 4 Cascades, from page 1 401 (1.2% of the total). Coast Star- the other corner. They do this because it Cascades roundtrip. The new schedule light host railroad delays (Metrolink, just too far to walk, and crossing a major for the Cascades service between Van- UP, BNSF) are 29,379 (88.9% of the intersection is quite intimidating. Strip couver, BC and Eugene is above. The total). ‘Other’ is 552 (1.7% of the to- mall development of intersections, let second biggest improvement to the tal). Page E-3 shows that the train in alone the whole arterial is it’s own worst schedule, after the additional roundtrip, is February averaged 533 minutes of enemy. service through Seattle! Layover times delay per trip (278 minutes more than How does downtown solve this? in Seattle for the Bellingham-Portland the amount of ‘recovery time’ built Downtown can park people in a central- roundtrip are reduced to 25 minutes into the schedule) and just 3% of ized location, and then let them WALK southbound and 20 minutes northbound. trips reached final terminal on time. around. Plus, downtown can accommo- Train 513 will leave Bellingham at 8:35 “Some ‘Amtrak delays’ may be date a light rail station or two. Also, one a.m. and arrive in Portland at 3 p.m. Train the result of UP-caused excessive does not have to necessarily have park- 516 will leave Portland at 2:50 p.m. and lateness, but the essential point is ing adjacent to the station, but can have arrive in Bellingham at 9:05 p.m. The ad- that UP is responsible for the over- it set just a short distance away so as to ditional frequency should be a boon to whelming number of delay minutes.” make parking work not only for commut- ridership since there will now be two de- NARP suggests, in light of the train's ers, but also for shoppers. What must partures each way connecting Seattle happen, though, is that the station and and Portland between late morning and horrendous on-time performance, to consider contacting your mayor and the shopping district be adjacent, since mid-afternoon, the most popular time to both are serving pedestrians. This also travel. county executive or commissioner and urge them to press Union Pacific to give means that those who choose to live in a Northbound from Eugene to Seattle downtown area can also enjoy close there is effectively one less corridor ser- Amtrak trains – particularly the Coast Starlight – proper handling. Have copies proximity to the benefits of SOD. vice as Amtrak has stopped allowing How much greener can you get than passengers to board train 14, the Coast sent to the Surface Transportation Board. Communications with local officials is not SOD? Conservatives do it. Liberals do it. Starlight, on this segment. This is a result Even your mother and father do it. So of the Union Pacific’s complete inability the only option, but these people have more influence than individual citizens. can your kids! You see, since we know to properly operate the train over its that transportation really should have no tracks. Most of the problems occur be- political flavor, and it really doesn’t, I’m tween Portland and Sacramento. NARP going to suggest a different description of extracted the following information from Cusick, from page 3 the type of development that we all make Amtrak’s March 2006 Performance Re- traffic to boot. use of, and, as I’ve been describing, has port (www.amtrak.com/pdf/0603monthly Look at a major intersection that has benefits for all: .pdf): been developed in the traditional strip Shopper Oriented Development “Coast Starlight total minutes of mall style. What you see is that a good delay for February was 33,059. Am- portion of that traffic is people moving Now I think I’ll go out and do some- trak delays are 3,128 (9.5% of the from one strip mall, out into the intersec- thing apolitical, like ride the train. page 5 down the way.” The full Appropriations state's rail future. Appears some attendees Committee is likely to take up the Amtrak were a bit upset at some of the sessions. appropriation in the first half of June. The The good news was the concerns voiced Senate Appropriations subcommittee re- were the need for more rail investments sponsible for Amtrak started its work on and services, with little or no opposition to May 30. Continue making your representa- putting public money into the rail mode. tive and our senators aware of your support More good news: the Bistro Car on Am- for intercity passenger rail service.) trak Cascades trains northbound to Seattle Hughes stated that the Amtrak board is now remaining open to Tukwila, rather (which has come under heavy criticism by than closing at or before Tacoma. rail advocates, Republicans and Democrats WashARP has been pushing for this for Photo by Jim Hamre in Congress, state officials and others) now many months, not simply to allow more Amtrak Cascades train 513 passes the site realizes the need for federal support of the convenience for passengers, but to bring of the planned Stanwood station on May national network long distance trains. more money into the Cascades' coffers, 28. Stanwood is half way between Everett Other highlights of the NARP meeting something Congress and many legislators and Mt. Vernon. The station will consist of a included recognition of students from have (justly) urged. 750 foot platform, shelter and other ameni- Crawfordsville, IN and key members of Welcome to BNSF Railway as a new ties as determined by WSDOT and the city. Congress. Members of the Crawfordsville corporate member of WashARP. While It will be located in the northwest quadrant High School English classes of Dr. Helen WashARP is and shall remain independent of the 271 st St. grade crossing with the Hudson received NARP’s Youth Rail Pas- in our rail advocacy, we are pleased to BNSF mainline. The $4.5 mill. project is senger Citizenship Award for their efforts at have people and institutions who are allies funded by the Legislature’s 2005 transpor- cleaning, refurbishing and landscaping their on many issues join our non-profit, tax-de- tation tax package. WSDOT hosted a , and for promoting rail travel in ductible organization. We welcome the rail- community open house for the project on their community through letters to the editor roads – big and small, rail labor, other bal- May 9. Community leaders would some day and public presentations. anced-transportation supporters, shipper like to have Sounder service extended from NARP presented four Gold Spike and producer groups, green groups, busi- Everett to Stanwood. awards. The recipients this year were: ness and civic organizations, and anyone • Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS) for his “tireless else under the big tent that WashARP Hughes, from page 1 work for practical reform to improve Pres. Tony Trifiletti calls "The Rail Party." certain areas, such as between Tacoma (our national rail passenger) In that regard, we also welcome the and Portland. Hughes said the freight rail- network’s viability and to expand Lewis County Historical Museum to mem- roads “owe us a better ride than we’ve service.” bership. The museum occupies the 1912 been getting.” Amtrak is redoubling its ef- • Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W), who has NP depot at the northwest end of Chehalis' forts to get the freight railroads to improve “worked to defend and improve our classic downtown. Rail displays are promi- handling of its trains. The company is national rail passenger network” for nent and scores of mainline freights and working with the railroads to assess and fix three decades. Amtrak trains pass by just feet away. Ac- individual problem areas that will yield • Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH) for his cess by Twin Transit buses directly from short-term progress. “leadership in helping Congress to the Centralia Amtrak station is easy and Amtrak’s budget request to Congress respond positively to the public’s de- handy. While WashARP emphasizes the for 2007 is $1.6 bill., with a request for an sire for a national rail passenger rail present and future, respect for and additional $275 mill. investment in propos- system under difficult circumstances.” understanding of our rail past is also not als for freight railroad on time performance • Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL): “When only valuable but highly enjoyable. incentives and federal matching grants for the opponents of our national rail Efforts will by made by WashARP and state corridor development. passenger network put forward their others to restore to acceptable reliability (According to NARP (www.narprail.org), strongest challenge, Rep. Brown’s the once-grand Coast Starlight . Several of on May 26 the House Appropriations sub- eloquence in defending our rail Amtrak's national network trains, as well as committee with jurisdiction over Amtrak ap- passenger network was invaluable.” some corridor trains, are being essentially ruined by the near-daily delays of multiple proved a fiscal 2007 funding level of $900 million. Ranking Member John Olver (D- hours, sometimes almost a half day, per MA) stated “That is a shutdown number.” In Flem, from page 2 trip. This would not be acceptable in other response, Chairman Joseph Knollenberg five around-the-state "listening sessions" industrialized countries and should not be (R-MI) said, “Obviously, we’re going to where WSTC members, staff and study so in our country. have to look for an increase in funding consultants heard concerns about our

WashARP Officers Important Addresses and Phone Numbers Chuck Mott, Mukilteo..Chairman ...... 425 710-9665 ... [email protected] U. S. House of Representatives: Tony Trifiletti, Shoreline..President...... 206 440-9451 ... [email protected] Washington, DC 20515 James Neal, Ephrata..VP-East...... 509 754-3114 ... [email protected] U. S. Senate: Washington, DC 20510 Rocky Shay, Federal Way..Secretary ...... 253 925-2085 ... [email protected] Capitol Switchboard (all members): 202 224-3121 John Carlin, Edmonds..Treasurer ...... 425 778-4529 ... [email protected] Jim Cusick, Bothell..VP-Commuter Rail ...... 425 481-2322 ... [email protected] State Legislature: State Capitol, Olympia 98504 Jim Hamre, Puyallup..Newsletter Editor.....253 848-2473 ... [email protected] Hotline for leaving messages: 800 562-6000 Warren Yee, Seattle..E-newsletter...... 206 723-0259 ... [email protected] Amtrak Reservations/Information: 800 872-7245 Brandon Swalley, Lakewood..Communications Dir. ..253 906-0932 ... [email protected] Lloyd Flem, Olympia..Executive Director....360 943-8333 ... [email protected] WashARP: www.washarp.org Office FAX...... 360 943-0136 NARP: www.narprail.org Address...... 2508 Columbia St SW, Olympia 98501 NARP Hotline: www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/hotline/ Amtrak: www.amtrak.com All are evening numbers, except Lloyd's, which is available 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Amtrak Cascades: www.amtrakcascades.com Sound Transit: www.soundtransit.org

page 6 WashARP News Roger Mumm, a longtime WashARP Roger was never among the more member and strong supporter of rail and outspoken or verbally assertive of transit, passed away unexpectedly on our members, but what he added July 8: WashARP meeting at was always of value and right for our 12:45 p.m. at Andy’s Diner, 2963 April 12, just four days work. One of our woman members 4th Ave. S., Seattle ((just north of after many remarked of the twinkle in his eye, Spokane St. and on Metro routes of us had the somewhat shy smile, the 23 and 174). visited with thoughtful gestures that were always a part of Roger Mumm. July 20: Commuter Rail Group him at the April While Roger will surely be missed meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Andy’s WashARP by his Nebraska family and friends, Diner, 2963 4 th Ave. S., Seattle Roger, center, at the Wash- we in Seattle and the State of ARP picnic meeting in meeting. (transit information above) Roger, 70, Washington will also miss him but 2002. Photo by Jim Hamre will cherish the memories and will was retired August 12: WashARP meeting at from the Union Pacific Railroad. He continue the commitment to the iron noon at Jim Hamre’s home, hailed from the Omaha area, where much horse to which Roger devoted much th 13307 104 Ave. Ct. E. on Puyal- of his family still lives. The family held a of his life. God Bless Roger Mumm lup’s South Hill. Bring a potluck memorial service in Yutan, NE on May 3. and his family. item. Hamburgers and beverages Lloyd Flem sent the following message WashARP honored Roger at our May will be provided. Call or email for from WashARP, which was read at the 13 meeting at Andy’s diner. Chuck Mott service. reminded us that Roger helped with the more information. See p. 5. To the Family and Friends of first rail study WashARP ever did. Chuck WashARP welcomed the following new Roger Mumm: noted that Roger was a nuts and bolts members in April and May: Joan Lawson, We, the members of the Wash- railroader who kept us technologically Seattle; Sharon Richards, Duvall; Steve ington State Association of Rail Pas- correct. Jones, Seattle; Sonia & James Harvey, sengers, wish to share with you our WashARP director Craig Thorpe had an Burlington; Andrew Johnsen/BNSF, condolences at the loss of our good op-ed article in the May 15 Seattle Post- Seattle; W. K. Ridgley, Mount Vernon. friend and colleague Roger. Our or- Intelligencer on the importance of pre- ganization's purpose is to preserve WashARP members contributing to this serving the rail line on the east side of and promote rail transportation. newsletter include Jeff Schultz, Kirk Lake Washington. Go to Roger was among our most loyal Fredrickson, Ron Sheck, Warren Yee, www.seattlepi.com and search on Craig’s members. His attendance and par- Dennis Fait, Mark Meyer, Lloyd Flem, Jim name. Free registration required. ticipation at our meetings and activi- Cusick, Chuck Mott and Tony Trifiletti. ties, and his active support for our WashARP member (and Seattle mayoral WSDOT has released its Draft Long Range Plan for goals was unwavering. candidate last year) then had his op-ed the Amtrak Cascades. The plan can be viewed at Roger 's vast and comprehensive article in the May 30 Seattle Times dis- www.wsdot.wa.gov/rail/AC_long_range_plan.cfm. To knowledge and understanding of rail- cussing the lack of a national transporta- obtain a hard copy or CD of the plan, please contact roads, past and present, and his de- tion policy that fully utilizes our passen- the Rail Office at 1-800-822-2015 (in Washington sire to see trains assume a larger ger rail assets and lessen our depend- State), 360-705-7901 (outside Washington State), or role in the future transportation of ence on oil. Go to www.seattletimes.com send an e-mail to [email protected]. Provide your goods and people in our country was and search on Al’s name. Free registra- name, complete mailing address and phone number. of great value to our organization. tion required.

Washington Association of Rail Passengers NONPROFIT P. O. Box 70381 ORGANIZATION Seattle, WA 98127 U. S. POSTAGE PAID PUYALLUP WA 98371 Return Service Requested PERMIT NO. 468

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