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NEWSLETTER Fall 2015 Vol. 12, Issue 4 Save the Date for RUN’s Annual Meeting / Public Forum!

Individual By Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. plans for the future. In keeping The afternoon program Highlights Chair, Rail Users’ Network with our shared vision and past will take place between 1:30 precedents, time will be set p.m. and 4:30 p.m. It will Please join us at the Rail Users’ aside so that attendees can share include a brief RUN annual We Can’t Handle It, Network’s Annual Meeting / their ideas about how transit meeting and several featured Public Forum taking place at the and passenger rail services can speakers including: Joseph You Can’t Get There Greater ’s Regional be improved. Calabrese, Chief Executive p. 2 Transit Authority (GCRTA) Officer, Cleveland Regional headquarters at 1240 W. 6th St. The morning program will Transportation Authority; Don NJ Transit Hikes Fares, on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015. begin at the Tower City Rapid Hill, Chair / Steve Albro, Vice Cuts Service p. 3 Rail Station. We will meet in Chair, RTA Citizen Advisory This event, which is free the Rapid train lobby at 7:30 Board; Ken Prendergast, and open to the public, will a.m. and then take the 7:37 Executive Director, All Aboard Bi-Levels for Midwest, provide an opportunity to a.m. train to the Central Rail ; and Mike Murphy, Senior CA Will Be Late p. 4 learn more about RUN’s Facility and the newly built Vice President and General history and current activities, Little Italy Station via the Red Manager of Long Glimmers of Light in the role that the local Citizen Line and eastbound on the Distance Services. Time will also New Mexico p. 5 Advisory Committee plays at Blue/Green line to be provided for members of the the GCRTA, and the services Shaker Square or Tower City audience to ask questions and to that the local transit agency for lunch and then walk back to express their concerns and ideas. Albany-Area Upgrades and Amtrak provide and their the CCRTA headquarters. (Continued on page 8) Continue p. 6 Build New Hudson Rail Tunnels—NOW! Lessons from Sweden’s Inlandsbanan Line p. 7 By Andrew Albert Amtrak. Depending on where the River subway tunnels. Closing one breakdown occurred, it could also rail tunnel for repairs will reduce the There’s a rail crisis building affect the . amount of hourly trains to around six RUN to Cleveland! p. 9 underneath the trains—a nearly 80% drop in service, that—pending immediate The problem is due to the fact that and a catastrophe for the Northeast. The Whistle Stop action—could affect the economies when these tunnels were constructed Safety Train p. 10 of not only and New over a century ago, no back-up was It’s not as though there haven’t been Jersey, but the entire Northeast, and built. One tunnel with two tracks—one plans for new tunnels. Gov. Chris by extension, the entire country. for each direction—and that was it. If Christie of killed the Rail Reshaping the There was a crisis even before something happened in one direction “Access to the Region’s Core” project, Landscape in L.A. p. 11 Superstorm Sandy hit the tri-state (or heaven forbid both directions), then asserting that New Jersey would have region, and dumped copious rail gridlock occurred. It was imperative been the only state to pay for cost A Step Toward Greater amounts of water throughout that we needed another rail tunnel overruns, a claim the Feds deny. A Rail Safety p. 12 the tunnels under the East and 50 years ago, but now the situation is new plan, known as the Gateway Hudson Rivers. On something of much more critical. Plan, was an improvement over the a regular basis, a breakdown of ARC plan, especially in regard to a train either in or immediately Superstorm Sandy flooded the where it would have landed in New adjacent to the Hudson River existing tunnels, and work must be York City, immediately adjacent to tunnels causes massive delays to performed—as it has been and will the existing Penn Station. commuters of both NJ Transit and continue to be—in various East (Continued on page 8) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 2 of 16

We Can’t Handle It—You Can’t Get There

By Chuck Bode cities with large and Saturday and one was added Sunday. What systems. There were months to plan and more could we expect from the company that A bit of history from the days when make arrangements. Surely and prioritized baggage cars over coaches? America could do it. In the 1920s, a large trains, along with crews, could have been congress was held north of Chicago. borrowed. Several months is ample time for The first announcement was that most 500,000 attendees got there by rail. The training. The fixed-capacity facilities that SEPTA rail service would not be operated. ingenious solution: use the L cars on the are most limited are parking spaces near the Eventually, 18 commuter rail stations were railway. As late as the Atlanta rail stations. Many suburban churches have selected. Passengers could only ride inward Olympics in the ‘80s, we rose to the large parking lots. Some suburban employers in the morning and out in the evening. There occasion. With the help of the FTA, new also have large parking lots that are empty is limited parking at the stations, the largest bus orders for many cities were sent to on weekends. The opportunity was there lot is 1,600 spaces and most have much less Atlanta to bolster the local fleet. After their to implement a system of feeder buses capacity. 175,000 tickets were to be sold Olympic duty, the buses went on to their from those parking lots to the stations. The for each day—only on the Web. Note that new owners for their 12 years of service. opportunity was there to design schedules to normal fares cannot be used; those paying for maximize entry points to the transportation weekly and monthly tickets are out of luck. Plan ahead, look for solutions, provide the system so that traffic congestion was The first attempt failed when the website transit service needed. Unfortunately that was minimized at all locations. The opportunity crashed with hundreds of thousands of the old America, the “we can do it” America. was there to set up bus only streets to and people trying to buy tickets. The next attempt Today’s almost colonial, banana republic near the event in the city so that buses could was a lottery. Initial reports were that about of America can’t do it. Public schools do move urban dwellers to the event. 20,000 tickets were not sold. not educate. Infrastructure is inadequate. The political system has ground to a halt. First comes the great silence, the Now SEPTA reports that more are Transportation—what is that? “we cannot tell the public anything.” unclaimed because everyone with each party Supposedly the Secret Service is involved. applied in hopes of getting tickets, but only This year, a World Meeting of Families As one person reported they said, “Of one person needed to claim their tickets. Is is being held in , a weeklong course there is no news, we are the Secret the public beginning to give up on this event event. Projected attendance is about Service.” Then the rumors. Then slowly because of the difficulty getting there? 40,000. That seems manageable. Then it come the announcements: almost all of was decided that the Pope should come. the transit service will be closed; people The only SEPTA Commuter Rail stations Earlier this year that was arranged for the should expect to walk miles to attend. to be open for boarding are: closing weekend. Hotels for miles around Airport Line: Airport Terminals A, B, were completely booked months ago. Amtrak, as usual, has little capacity and and C/D plus Eastwick Organizers project four million people requires reservations. Until after our Chestnut Hill West Line: Chestnut Hill to come for the two days, apparently newsletter’s deadline, there was not one West two million per day. The Philadelphia word of any additional cars or trains—or : Fox Chase Inquirer described it as the most massive even if Amtrak would operate. On Friday, Lansdale/Doylestown Line: Pennbrook planned event in Philadelphia history. August 21 we learned that Amtrak will and Fort Washington Now comes the need to transport them. operate. However, there will be some Manayunk/Norristown Line: complications. For instance at 30th Street, Norristown Transportation Center The Philadelphia region has one of the country’s where all Amtrak and many SEPTA Media/Elwyn Line: Media, Promos larger rail transportation networks: Amtrak in passengers will arrive and depart the rest Paoli/Thorndale Line: Paoli, Radnor three directions, 13 SEPTA commuter rail lines, rooms will be closed and there will be no : Levittown, Croydon, two lines, and nine light rail lines. taxis. Facilities will be available outside, Cornwells Heights PATCO operates another rapid transit line. NJ whatever that means. The food court will : Warminster Transit operates one commuter rail line. SEPTA, only be accessible from outside the station. West Trenton Line: Woodbourne NJ Transit and DART in Delaware also run The only water fountain in the station is in Wilmington/Newark Line: well over 1,000 buses in the area. Altogether, the corridor to the small toilets in the food Wilmington, Marcus Hook hundreds of stations and capacity for moving court—will it be in the closed area? perhaps several hundred thousand people, if Notice that Trenton is absent. No one from a well-organized bus service was set up to get Amtrak projects normal service through the area can come; there will people to the stations. Friday September 25 with extra coaches be no connection to NJ Transit! Residents added to “some trains.” Special timetables living near the few open stations are beginning The crunch period is on a weekend. Within were issued for the weekend. Two extra to realize they are trapped for the weekend. 150 miles of Philadelphia are several major trains to and from Washington were added (Continued on page 12) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 16 NJT Raises Fares, Cuts Service Despite Growing Opposition

By David Peter Alan management and Board ignored the riders commuters going to and from Penn Station, and will implement the original proposal New York experienced. These difficulties Nobody was surprised when the Board of with no modifications. The service cuts have been an ongoing problem, and they Directors of New Jersey Transit (NJT) voted will begin in September, and the new fares flared up again at the end of July, when unanimously to raise fares and cut service. will start on Oct. 1. In prior fare-increase Garden State commuters experienced service It happened on July 15. The fare increase processes, management often granted a outages and lengthy delays. was modest compared to previous fare hikes; “give-back” to riders by modifying at least about 9% for most riders. There are also one feature of the proposed fare-increase Some riders complained that members of service cuts. A few bus routes and portions and service-reduction plan. In 2007, the NJT’s Board of Directors did not attend of other bus routes will be eliminated, while original plan called for eliminating “off- any of the hearings, so they did not hear service on others will be reduced. On the peak” discounts for rail travel outside the voices of the riders whose mobility rail side, the 12:32 a.m. train from Hoboken peak-commuting hours. The discount was they control. This writer received reports west of Montclair on the Montclair-Boonton saved. It was eliminated in 2010, when that Flora M. Castillo, a Board member Line will be eliminated, as will the 12:45 a.m. most fares went up by 25%, but “off-peak” who lives in the Atlantic City area, train from Hoboken on the rail fares increased by 48% for most trips, attended a hearing, but none of the other Line Sunday through Thursday nights. In and as much as 64% for some. Local bus six voting members did. Castillo has been the future, the last connecting trains will fares were slated to increase from $1.35 for observed riding transit, but the other six leave New York at 9:51 and 10:35p.m., the first zone to $1.70, with commensurate voting Board members have not. respectively. increases for longer trips. Instead, the one- zone fare was only increased to $1.50. The There seems to be a new cast of characters According to NJT reports, 690 comments new one-zone bus fare will be $1.60. among the people who opposed the fare were received, opposing the fare increases increases and service cuts. While a number and service cuts. Many of the people Not all of the comments during the nine of members of the Lackawanna Coalition who made statements complained about hearings held in May at various locations (including this writer, who made five the poor quality of transit service they around the State addressed the fare statements) showed up at the hearings and already have, even though the existing increases directly. Many riders complained Board meetings when the changes were fares are already high. Despite this strong about the lack of good service on NJT announced or considered, only one member outpouring of rider frustration, NJT’s generally, especially the sort of problems that (Continued on page 14)

The Rail Users’ Newsletter is published quarterly by the Rail Users’ Network, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation. Current board members include: Name Location Affiliation Richard Rudolph, Chair Portland, ME NARP / TrainRiders Northeast, Maine Rail Group Andrew Albert, Vice-Chair New York, NY New York City Transit Riders Council Chuck Bode, Membership Secretary Philadelphia, PA Tri-State Citizens’ Council on Transportation Gary Prophet, Treasurer Ossining, NY Vice President, Empire State Passengers Association David Peter Alan, Esq. South Orange, NJ Lackawanna Coalition Steve Albro Cleveland, OH Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board Mela Bush-Miles Boston, MA Greater 4 Corners Action Coalition (MBTA) James E. Coston, Esq. Chicago, IL Corridor Capital LLC Bill Engel Clinton, OH Ohio Rail Tourism Association Dana Gabbard Los Angeles, CA Southern California Transit Advocates Steve Hastalis Chicago, IL National Federation for the Blind J.W. Madison Albuquerque, NM Rails Inc. Dave Mitchell Virginia Beach,VA Hampton Roads for Rail Andy Sharpe Philadelphia, PA SEPTA

Please send comments, letters to editor or articles for possible publications to the Rail Users’ Network at: RUN; P.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104 or email to [email protected] Layout/design editor: Paul Bubny RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 4 of 16

Bi-level Cars for Midwest, California Will Be Late—Nobody’s Talking Next Gen diesel locomotives that would pull (and push) the Next Gen bi-levels was given to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

• In 2012, Caltrans awarded the bi-level car procurement to Tokyo-based Nippon Sharyo, which beat out the Spanish builder CAF and Kawasaki Heavy Industries with a bid of $352.3 million—$140 million lower than the second-place bidder, CAF, and $199 million less than Congress had appropriated for the order. The suspiciously low bid set tongues wagging, but the award was not contested, and some state DOT officials began talking about spending the remaining $199 million in the appropriation on a follow-up order. Rendering of a Section 305 bi-level; none have been delivered and it’s unclear when they will be. By F.. Plous deliveries are not clear because nobody • NS said the first cars would be delivered associated with the procurement is to the states in the fall of 2015. Remember those 130 Next Generation talking publicly (and also because no bi-level coaches that Congress funded in transportation reporter has asked—so • But NS had never before built intercity Section 305 of the 2009 Stimulus Act? much for media interest in passenger passenger cars for the North American trains in this country). market and did not have a basic design The first Section 305 bi-levels were capable of adaptation to the specifications supposed to be here by now, rolling off But based on information from insiders developed by the Section 305 Committee. the assembly line at Nippon Sharyo’s close to the project, here’s what we know The company had built commuter cars new 435,000-square-foot assembly plant so far: successfully for several U.S. customers, but at Rochelle, IL and going into service on the cars were built in Japan as kits and state-sponsored Amtrak corridor trains in • Section 305 of the Stimulus Act only underwent final fitting out in the U.S. California, Missouri, Illinois and Michigan. established a Next Generation Equipment The company had never built a car order Committee made up of representatives entirely with U.S. labor as specified in But the cars aren’t here. No cars have been from Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Section 305, and the new Rochelle plant delivered so far, and it’s not clear when they Administration, the railroad-supply did not have its own engineering staff. will become available to expand seating industry and state departments of All engineers associated with the project capacity and improve passenger comfort transportation with passenger-train remained in Japan. on the 10-fast-growing corridors slated to programs to develop specifications for receive them—three each in California, a new generation of passenger-rail • The Crash Energy Management (CEM) Michigan and Illinois, and one in Missouri. equipment. Next Gen included diesel technology designed to protect passengers locomotives, electric engines, single-level with a “crumple zone” at the end of each And because of a little-known provision in the coaches, bi-level coaches and Diesel car failed its computer simulation and had Stimulus Act, the states may never get the cars at Multiple Unit (DMU) trainsets. to be redesigned. all unless they pay for them with their own funds. • Management of the bi-level car • The roofs of the prototype cars could not Silence surrounds the backlog— procurement was awarded to the be joined to the side and end walls because what happened (or failed to California Department of Transportation of an alignment problem. happen)? The reasons for the delayed (Caltrans), while procurement of the (Continued on page 10) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 5 of 16 Glimmers of Light in New Mexico

By J.W. Madison Albuquerque Rapid Streetcar mode; that is, service at light rail speeds and distances with The Southwest Chief 1) The “ART” initiative is moving into the multiple-car consists? fund-seeking phase, with a target opening The latest of the many obstacles to of service in 2-3 years. “ART” stands for A couple of experts I greatly respect the survival of the SW Chief concerns Albuquerque Rapid Transit, the name are concerned about producing and (PTC). At issue chosen for what we call BRT. This would delivering the hydrogen back-up fuel, is about $30 million to install PTC in operate along Central Ave (old Route 66), and about whether these cars are more the Kansas City Terminal (KCT) area. the artery we couldn’t get a streetcar on suitable as a tourist-oriented amusement Amtrak is supposed to fund at least a in 2007. ride than they are as true working transit. part of this (I don’t know how much), This last question is to me the Big One, and says it can’t afford it. John Perry of Rails Inc, an actual since it goes to whether Albuquerque transportation planner, states that embraces the touristy goal, the transit goal Meaning that after years of heroic, and BRT can only work as it should if it’s or both. for the moment successful, efforts to save full-on; dedicated right of way, and the Chief and keep it where it is, suddenly light rail-style speeds and distances City Councilor Isaac Benton, whom we’re hit with the real possibility that the between stops. Unfortunately, there’s I also greatly respect, supports rail upcoming deadline for installing PTC will already talk of trimming some of the transit for Albuquerque and remains do to the Chief what all its enemies haven’t more solid (and expensive) features interested in a Streetcar line between pulled off so far; namely, forcing a reroute required for a successful BRT line. the Alvarado Transportation Center or termination. More later. and the Rail Yards (the “YardBird”), and hopefully South and West to But the rollercoaster seems to be heading 2) The City Council recently received a the Hispanic Cultural Center. The back up—again. According to Chad Frey pitch letter from a company that makes concept has received positive response at the Newton Kansan newspaper, Amtrak low floor streetcars and “heritage from stakeholders he’s talked to, and and the KCT are sitting down to try to style” trolleys. The pitch is that their if it makes the project “more viable work something out. Another swing from system can be built without overhead fiscally,” he is “agreeable to a self- anxious despair to cautious optimism. lines, substations, and the like. The propelled system as opposed to a cars are powered by the latest battery catenary type.” The Kansan article may be found at: technology, with optional hydrogen back-up propulsion. They say this Having just poured my glass half full, I http://www.thekansan.com/ will save about 50% of the cost of declare that the prospect of some form of article/20150707/NEWS/150709632 . construction. rail transit for Albuquerque still exists.

Stay tuned, ladies and gentlemen. Possibly My own primary question is: Are these J.W. Madison is president of Rails Inc, based in forever. cars suitable for future expansion to the Albuquerque, NM.

2015 Schedule of RUN Board Meetings:

Meetings for the remainder of 2015 are scheduled for September 26 (Cleveland, OH) and December 12.

Board meetings take place at the MTA headquarters in New York City from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

For more information, contact Richard Rudolph, Chair, at 207-776-4961. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 6 of 16

Amtrak’s Albany Area Upgrades Continue

By Gary Prophet Shore in New York. These changes are scheduled, and thus known about, a month As passengers can vividly see from an train or from the Limited, track and platform work are in full swing at the Rensselaer Amtrak Station. This includes $154 million in HSR funding which was granted under the ARRA HSIPR program. In combination with other funding to support the Hudson Line Improvement Program, about $180 million of infrastructure improvement will be completed from 2013 through 2017, through a mix of federal and state funds.

The signal system is being replaced from Poughkeepsie to Schenectady (about 100 miles), which will be buried instead of wires on poles, which are old and constantly damaged by wind and rain, The Rensselaer Amtrak station, now undergoing track and platform work. resulting in slow operation until repairs are made. The new signal system will be a wye to turn trains around. And the Lake scheduled, and thus known about, a month more reliable, as new underground power Shore Limited is combined and separated here in advance as the track work proceeds, so cables and electronic track circuits are into its Boston and NY sections, and other passengers are notified well in advance. installed. Also, the long awaited second trans have engine changes here as dual mode track will be installed between Albany and engines are required for trains going to New In addition, as part of a $15-million Schenectady, eliminated a current 18-mile York Penn Station. Currently, the project, the will be bottleneck. The ballast has already started train also has a coach added here for the trip completely demolished and a new station to be set and the actual second track will south and in the fall, the dome car is added will be built in the exact same footprint. be laid in the Spring of 2016. here for the Adirondack’s trip to Montreal. The Schenectady station has one platform that serves two tracks and that will remain The fourth station track at Albany will be During the major track construction the same and in fact, since there is a curve built and a new layout of the station switches currently ongoing through the late fall at the station location, the new station will continue to have low-level platforms. will be built, which will move several of the 2015, various station tracks are removed interlockings. Back in 2002, a new Albany- from service and in fact, completely Safety improvements will be made at about Rensselaer station was built, but the planned removed and replaced. This has resulted 10 grade crossings between Poughkeepsie track improvements were never completed, in the Boston section of the Lake Shore and Albany, and three grade crossings nor even started, as the actual station Limited to be canceled on some days, while between Albany and Schenectady are likely building was over budget. Once this project on other days a stub train operates from to be eliminated. Once all of the above is is complete, both the high level platforms Boston to Albany and then passengers completed, Amtrak will be able to operate (each serving two tracks) will be lengthened must transfer to the full Lake Shore from higher speeds (more area of 110-mph to handle 10 to 11 cars on the platforms at New York. During this time, the Boston operation), with a new, reliable signal system once, instead of the current limit of six- sleeper is operated from NY, so the and enough station capacity at Albany that car-length platforms. Also, with the fourth sleeper capacity (three sleeper cars) is the trains will not routinely have to wait 30- track, more efficient operation will occur, as same when the train operates Albany to 60 minutes outside of the station, and the this station handles trains coming from and Chicago. On days when no train operates 20-minute bottleneck between Albany and going to the yard, trains proceeding west to from Boston to Albany, passengers have Schenectady will be a distant memory. Schenectady, south to NYC, and east to been switched to ride on an Express Boston. In addition, engines and empty from Boston to New York and board the Gary Prophet is RUN Treasurer and Vice President trains head north about one half mile to Lake Shore in New York. These changes are of the Empire State Passengers Association. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 7 of 16 Community Rail in Sweden: Benefits to Business and Society are adequate for current transportation needs, some higher level of local thinking has concluded that roads could have limitations on future resource development and tourism. And so they teamed up and purchased the line in its entirety from the Swedish government and restored operations between Mora and Gällivare. The southern-most portion from Mora to Kristinehamn is currently mothballed.

1982-vintage, Swedish-built, diesel multiple units (DMUs), based on a Fiat design, operate in single or two car consists to provide service for local passengers and an increasing number of international tourists during the summer season. The jointed track, exceptionally well maintained, allows operating speed of up to 100 kmh (60 mph) in comfort.

Inlandsbanan is also working hard to bring back the freight business and some success is evident from the occasional locomotive- A train along Sweden’s 1,300-kilometer Inlandsbanan line. hauled timber train that competes with By Ken Westcar Information on the history and current trucking in the forest products sector. operations of this line is available at Climate change issues, driver shortages In North America, the Inlandsbanan www.inlandsbanan.se and other Web and limited highway maintenance budgets would be an entry in railway resources, but riding the actual rails provides could eventually tilt the cost balance history books. Its existence is not a much deeper perspective. It’s easy to strongly in favor of the railway. Under about profitability but, rather, an see why the Swedish government saw this globalization, keeping resource industries acknowledgement that communities are long line as a liability after freight volumes, competitive in a high-cost country, while as important as balance sheets and that mainly harvested trees, declined and, in maintaining the quality of life for rural infrastructure, once lost, is likely to be 1992, decided to cease operations. Unlike people, is no mean feat as we know only lamented by future generations. most of North America, where immediate too well in North America. dismantling follows abandonment, the This 1,300-km (812-mile) standard-gauge infrastructure was left largely intact. In Clearly, communities along this fascinating line runs along the inland spine of Sweden Europe and Scandinavia, where tracks are rail route are prepared to pay the price of from Kristinehamn on Lake Vänern in generally in public ownership, there’s little or keeping it as a viable asset. They perceive it the south to Gällivare in the north and no commercial imperative to realize the cash as part of their history and future. Although well above the Arctic Circle. Seasonal value of scrap or redevelop the land and this one can argue whether the cost is justifiable, passenger services extend as far south as often provides for future reinstatement. it certainly stands out as a prime example of Mora where a connection to SJ (Swedish what people are able to achieve when they State Rail) is available. At Gällivare, SJ Communities along the entire route challenge more-distant powers with vision also offers scheduled passenger services understood that, if the line was lost, it and determination. Perhaps a beacon for all to the port of Narvik in Norway on a would be lost forever and a potential tool for of us who advocate for passenger rail? line shared, from Kiruna northward, by mobility and future economic development big-power taconite hauls operated by would disappear. While adjacent highways Ken Westcar is a board member of Transport international mining giant LKAB. and secondary roads along the route Action Ontario. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 8 of 16 Build New Hudson Rail Tunnels—NOW! (Continued from page 1) minute knocked off the commuting time. the alarm—and cited the need for These benefits accrued out to a radius of definitive action, NOW! New tunnels are essential to cope with the two miles, potentially adding $18 billion increasing number of people commuting to the assessed property values—a good The truth is, a new Hudson Rail Tunnel between New York and New Jersey, as deal more than the cost of the proposed is vital for the region and the economy well as people commuting from further new tunnels. Employers in both states of the entire country. The partisan away, via Amtrak. Indeed, more NJ need fast, frequent rail service to deliver bickering has to stop, and action must Transit lines now have a one-seat ride to their residents to jobs and services, not to be taken now to find a way to begin Penn Station than ever before, including mention entertainment, families, etc. the construction of new tunnels which the (NEC), North are vital to the survival of both states Jersey Coast, Raritan Valley, Morris & These facts are not unknown by all and the entire Northeast Corridor. Essex and Montclair-Boonton branches. the players in the proposed Gateway If employers can’t quickly get their Many thousands more use the Hudson Plan, such as Governors Cuomo and employees to and from their jobs, they’ll River tunnels who transfer at Secaucus Christie and the federal government. To locate somewhere that WILL provide Junction from the Main Line, Bergen their credit, the Obama administration those important facilities. Rail service is County Line and Pascack Valley Line. has pushed the Gateway Plan, and an essential part of the transportation Of course, all Amtrak trains in the Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, picture, throughout the country, but NEC from Washington, Philadelphia hoping to jump-start negotiations on the especially here in the Northeast. It’s and Richmond use the tunnels as well. long-stalled plan, has sought meetings time it was treated that way. Having any ONE of these lines down with both Governors to try to work out for extended periods of time causes an agreement. Governor Christie has said Update: Governor , Senator chaos, and the bus service that would he would meet on the plan, but Governor Bob Menendez, and Senator Cory Booker be necessary to substitute for any Cuomo has declined, saying the Feds have met with Transportation Secretary combination of these lines would simply need to pick up a larger share of the tab Anthony Foxx, and all emerged from the clog the all by itself. for the project. Sen. Chuck Schumer of meeting saying they have a plan to work New York has also sounded the alarm, together to raise the $14 billion needed to A healthy trans-Hudson rail service saying the federal government needs to fund new trans-Hudson rail tunnels. Absent has benefits that far exceed the cost of pick up a larger share of the cost of the from the meeting was New York Governor building a new tunnel for the trains. The Gateway Plan. The Feds and Amtrak Andrew Cuomo. Regional Plan Association has a study have discussed financing tools that could which shows that property values for New get the vital project started—but the clock Andrew Albert is Vice-Chairman of RUN, the Jersey homes within a half-mile radius is ticking. Vice President Joe Biden, a Chair of the NYC Transit Riders Council, and of a rising $3,000 for every frequent rider on Amtrak, also sounded Riders’ Representative on the MTA Board. Save the Date for RUN’s Annual Meeting / Public Forum!

(Continued from page 1) Cleveland to Rockside to catch the type steam locomotive will be pulling 9:00 a.m. train departure but have “Steam in the Valley” excursions that Attendees are also invited to join recently learned that the service isn’t weekend, which will run in addition RUN members who are planning available on weekends. Instead, we to the regularly-scheduled trains. to stay an extra day to ride the plan to organize a car pool and if Engine #765 once ran on the Nickel Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad on that fails we can hire a cab – it is Plate Road (NKP), a railroad that ran Sunday, September 27. This tourist approximately an 8-10 mile journey. between Buffalo and Chicago, serving railroad runs from Rockside, south We will meet at the corner of West Cleveland, until 1965. of Cleveland to Akron, through the 3rd Street and Superior Ave at 7:45 scenic Valley. We a,m. and will leave from that location We look forward to seeing you in had originally hoped to take the #35 shortly after. As an extra added Cleveland—the “heart of it all” when bus that runs hourly from attraction, Engine #765, a Berkshire- it comes to rail advocacy! RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 9 of 16 RUN to Cleveland!

By David Peter Alan line with two branches, although RTA The brothers also built the , considers them three lines. The Blue and which housed Cleveland Union Terminal RUN to Cleveland! That is what RUN’s Green Lines run together from “Tower from its opening in 1930 until the 1970s. Board of Directors and other members City Center” downtown to Shaker Square. The showcase building, 55 stories tall and will do on Saturday, Sept. 26 for our There, the Blue Line continues east on Van the tallest between New York and Chicago, Annual Meeting. Cleveland is the only Aken Avenue and the Green Line continues is still in operation. The former Union city in Ohio that has rail transit; a strong east on Shaker Boulevard. The latter line Terminal is now a three-level mall. The Lake factor in the recent revitalization of the has the flavor of an old-style interurban Shore Limited stopped there for the last time city’s downtown area. In addition to line. The standard service pattern is half- on Jan. 5, 1972 (this writer was on that train), our meeting, RUN members will take a hourly on each branch, with service every and moved to the present station when its tour of local transit facilities operated by 15 minutes between Shaker Square and current incarnation began in 1974. There the Regional Transit downtown. On the other side of Tower was a commuter train on the Authority (RTA) and ride the rail lines. We City Center, the newer to Youngstown until 1977. Today, all local rail will also see some of Cleveland’s sights. runs through the Flats, a nightlife district transit lines still stop there. that jumped during the 1990s and his since John D. Rockefeller got his start in quieted down, to some areas where transit- There is also an extensive bus system in Cleveland, and so did Bob Hope. There oriented development (TOD) maintains a Cleveland, with some routes that run is an apocryphal story that Alfred P. Sloan newly-felt presence. Until a few years ago, all night. A day pass is $5.00; $2.50 for did too. It is said that Sloan, who was the Waterfront Line ran only on weekends seniors and persons with disabilities. Chair of the Board of General Motors and only from mid-morning to late Single-ride fares are $2.25 and $1.00, for many years, saw the crowds using the afternoon. Today, it again runs every day, respectively. local streetcars in Cleveland one day in thanks in large measure to the TOD that is 1922, and decided then and there that bringing new residents to the neighborhood. A decade ago, was GM could not sell enough automobiles if dead; there was hardly anybody on the so many people used transit. So he then The Blue and Green Lines are still known as streets. Today, those streets are active again. started on his highly-successful campaign the “Shaker Rapid” by locals and, ironically, Some of the best buildings in downtown to kill as much rail transit as he could. they are among the few rail transit lines Cleveland are preserved as the Warehouse that survived Sloan’s onslaught. Only seven District. The original Arcade Building Fortunately for Cleveland and its residents, cities in the United States, plus Toronto in from 1890 and the Colonial Arcade rail transit survives in the city. There is a single Canada, have any streetcar lines that survived are especially worth seeing. Playhouse heavy-rail line, the Red Line, which runs on from the former Golden Age of streetcars. Square, the nation’s largest theater district an east-west alignment, with the downtown The line and its branches were originally outside New York, is located within “” station in the middle. The part of a 1920s-vintage TOD plan by the walking distance of the downtown center. line provides direct access to Hopkins Airport; , local developers Numbered streets run on north-south the first such line in the nation to include direct at the time. Shaker Square, named after the alignments, with numbering going east airport service. The normal headway is 15 Shakers (a now-extinct religious cult who or west of Superior Avenue. For example, minutes all day. The line operates with 85-foot practiced celibacy, which probably helped West Ninth Street is west of it, while East subway-type cars, run in pairs. speed their extinction) who once lived nearby, Ninth Street is east of it. There is also streetcar service, on a physical was a planned, transit-oriented community. (Continued on page 11) SHORT RUNS

With this issue of the RUN Newsletter we are launching SHORT RUNS, a monthly roundup of important news items affecting passenger rail and rail transit in North America which is being sent out electronically to RUN members who have provided an up-to-date email address. The news items will be compiled from a variety of sources including APTA, Progressive Railroading Daily News, Railway Age, RAIL News, VIA Rail and Amtrak websites, local and regional newspapers and items sent in electronically by our members. Deadline for news items will be the fifteenth of each month. To be part of this new endeavor, please send us your email address to [email protected]. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 10 of 16 Bi-Levels for Midwest, CA Will Be Late (Continued from page 4) an ambiguous strain-gauge reading. When treasury. States are forbidden to pay the buff testing is finished, the cars will be mounted manufacturer in advance of delivery or to • Labor protests broke out at as workers on trucks and taken to the Transportation escrow funds for disbursement after Sept. 30, complained of high injury rates and Test Center’s Facility for Accelerated Service 2017. If their cars are not delivered by the improvised scaffolds that forced employees Testing (FAST) in Pueblo, CO for field deadline they must return the federal money assembling the roof to the sidewalks to testing at different speeds and different track and use their own funds to pay for cars stand on shaky plywood flooring panels. configurations. If the prototypes pass their tests, delivered after the deadline. the design will go into serial production and will • The Caltrans official in charge be delivered—late—to the recipient states. There may be an escape strategy. of the procurement was replaced Congressional observers say Congress has with a woman of Japanese ancestry, …but way behind schedule—NS is ways of resetting such clawbacks and allowing suggesting that there may have been saying all 130 cars will be delivered by the fall a federal procurement to continue beyond the a communication problem between of 2017. Observers caution, however, that deadline in the original appropriation. Caltrans and the all-Japanese this accelerated timetable is unrealistic. The engineering staff that designed the build is simply too far behind for the factory But that’s assuming that the Congress cars and the manufacturing process. to make up all the time already lost. asked to extend a deadline is friendly to the original legislation. Production resumes—Nippon Sharyo And that could be a problem—Not claims the production problems have now been finishing the build in time may mean not That’s not the kind of Congress we have now, addressed and that three prototype car shells finishing the build at all. The Stimulus and it’s probably not the kind of Congress have been assembled—a coach, a business-café Act mandates that all of the cars must be we’re going to have in 2017. car and a cab-baggage-coach. The company delivered by Sept. 30, 2017, or any unspent says two of the cars have passed the 800,000-lb. funds will be “clawed back” from the F.K. Plous isv ice president, communications at buff test while a third is being re-tested to check appropriation and returned to the federal Corridor Capital LLC. The Whistle Stop Safety Train

By Bil Engel of Car #32 was an excellent venue for media rail safety advocates. Perhaps we could help interviews and other private meetings prevent a repeat of the early part of 2015 From August 4 through August 6, Norfolk when between Feb. 5 and March 9 there were Southern operated what it called the Whistle- Powering the train was Norfolk Southern’s three serious incidents involving grade crossing Stop Safety Train along a 354-mile route from newest member of their commemorative fleet of crashes between vehicles and passenger trains. to Alliance OH. The same consist locomotives, number 911. It has a unique paint also operated elsewhere on the NS system prior scheme to honor all first responders who would A valuable resource for educating the public to visiting Ohio. The four car train staffed by be called upon in the unlikely event of a rail about grade crossing safety is Operation NS grade crossing personnel and Operation incident. NS, as other railroads, is extremely safety Lifesaver. To learn more, visit their website at Lifesaver staff carried invited guests of Operation conscious. A booklet handed out to passengers on www.oli.org. Here you will find valuable statistics Lifesaver in the various states where it operated. the train cited the following statistics. In 2014 there of grade crossing collisions and trespassing These included first responders (EMT, fire, and were 2,290 collisions between trains and vehicles incidents in your state and other states. You can police), as well as elected officials, media, and at crossings in the U.S. This represented a 9% also request a free Operation Lifesaver rail safety members of the general public. increase over 2013. These collisions resulted in 267 presentation be made to your school, civic club, fatalities, an increase of 16% over 2013. Another or other organization through the website. The four-car consist included two coaches area of concern is trespassing. In 2014 there were equipped with flat screen TV monitors fed by 945 trespassing incidents resulting in 526 deaths In closing, when you are driving a vehicle a camera mounted on the locomotive. The NS and 419 injuries. Both of these numbers represent and you approach railroad tracks, please Exhibit Car and NS Research Car #32, an double digit increases over 2013. It is evident why remember two Operation Lifesaver slogans. open platform car, which was at the rear of the NS and other railroads want to increase public The first is “See Tracks? Think Train!” The train, completed the consist. The Conference/ awareness to be safe around train tracks. second is “Look, Listen, and Live.” Dining Room in this car was excellent for checking in passengers for the different legs As well as being passenger rail service advocates, Bill Engel is a RUN Board Member based in of the trip. The rear facing seating at the end this writer feels RUN members should also be Clinton, OH. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 11 of 16

Rail Reshaping the Landscape of Los Angeles

By Dana Gabbard years (likely 2020) to a fellow passenger and in the mid-city area and witnessed that she expressed appreciation at the news, as several stretches have construction Our recent annual conference had she currently has to take three trains (Gold, fencing besides the auto lanes, as a light the theme of Los Angeles making the Red and Expo) to travel from Pasadena to rail line (which will have some segments transition from roads to rail. This is not just USC. Instead, in a few years she’ll be able to underground and others at grade) that will a theory. In my daily life, I am witnessing ride into downtown and seamlessly transfer serve that corridor and LAX commences how the landscape of where I live is being to the line that serves the branch that goes to construction (it is slated to open in 2019). transformed. My current job entails in the her destination. Not a one-seat ride, but far wee hours going to a building in downtown more convenient than what she does now. In August, the Los Angeles City Council L.A. Recently, while walking by the approved a new Mobility Element for its construction site adjacent to where I work, Recently, I was on the bus on La Brea on the General Plan that is supportive of a vision of I was startled to note a sign on the fence Westside and discovered the southbound stop livability. It includes a multi-modal network that announced it was being used to stage at Wilshire was closed. I had forgotten that to de-emphasize automobiles and encourage construction of the regional connector (and this was because the building on the corner transit, bikes and walking. There were a few eventually be the site of a station). (which formerly housed a Metro Customer bumps along the way to adoption as some Center) was demolished for staging of the stakeholders and elected officials betrayed This is the federally funded project to construction of the Purple Line heavy rail outmoded car-centric thinking, but vision construct an underground connection westward extension. This will also be the site and practicality in the end triumphed. through downtown Los Angeles to link the of a station. Like the connector, this line is Gold and Blue/Expo light rail lines that underground (with phase one due to open in It is indeed a new L.A. that is emerging, currently skirt the edges of downtown from 2023 as far west as La Cienega). This project and rail is a key element that will only opposite ends. Upon opening, service from not too many years ago was thought a grow in importance in the coming years. Azusa, Long Beach, East Los Angeles and pipedream, and now it is actually being built! Santa Monica will run through downtown Dana Gabbard is a RUN Board member and Los Angeles. While riding the Expo line When coming from work a few weeks executive secretary of Southern California Transit recently, I mentioned this will open in a few ago, I ended up taking a bus on Crenshaw Advocates. RUN to Cleveland! (Continued from page 9) To explore east of the city, take the Red Line to and Washington, D.C. Many of us will RUN the newly-opened stop in Little Italy. There is to Cleveland on Friday, Sept. 25, and spend There are some interesting destinations plenty of good food there. For a local specialty, an extended day in the city, leaving very early served by Cleveland’s transit. Ohio City, one go to Corbo’s Bakery at 12210 Mayfield Rd. Sunday morning. Some of us will stay an stop west of downtown on the Red Line, for cassata cake, a sheet cake that can best extra day to ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic was once an independent town that joined be described as strawberry shortcake with a Railroad, a tourist railroad that runs from Cleveland. It has plenty of historic houses layer of custard added. The next stop toward Rockside, south of Cleveland (unfortunately, along its streets, and its signature building downtown Cleveland is University Circle, home not downtown) to Akron, through the scenic is the West Side Market. Clevelanders have to Case-Western University. It is also home to Cuyahoga River Valley. As an extra added been going there to buy food since 1912. many of the museums in the city, including attraction, Engine #765, a Berkshire-type For a taste of Cleveland, try a corned the Western Reserve Historical Society (the steam locomotive will be pulling “Steam in the beef sandwich (corned beef in Cleveland northeastern part of Ohio was the “Western Valley” excursions that weekend, which will run is slightly spicier than the New York and Reserve” of Connecticut during the 18th in addition to the regularly-scheduled trains. Chicago varieties) with “stadium mustard” Century) and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Engine #765 once ran on the Nickel Plate (a local style of mustard, similar to Gulden’s There is no charge for admission to the art Road, a railroad that ran between Buffalo and brown). Tremont, located within walking museum. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is Chicago, serving Cleveland, until 1965. distance of Ohio City, is another interesting not there, but is located near the Amtrak station neighborhood that keeps its historic and on the Lakefront. So we invite you to RUN to Cleveland with us multi-ethnic flavor. If you happen to be at the end of September, and visit the only city in town on a Friday or Saturday evening, The worst feature about rail transportation in in Ohio where transit still runs on the rails. go to Sokolowski’s University Inn at 1201 Cleveland is that the Amtrak trains arrive and University Rd. for dinner (the only nights it is leave in the middle of the night. Still, Amtrak David Peter Alan is a RUN Board Member of open, although it is open weekdays for lunch). serves Cleveland from New York, Chicago Chair of the Lackawanna Coaliton in Millburn, NJ. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 12 of 16

We Can’t Handle It—You Can’t Get There

(Continued from page 2) All service will be one-way inbound in Expressway) and City Avenue, the major the morning and outbound at night. road along the city’s western boundary. Expecting massive traffic jams and The only terminal will be 69th Street With minimal rail service, the only parking shortages, they realize that if they for transfer to the Market Street rapid way most of the attendees—like try to move their car they will be unable transit line, which will only operate as about 1.5 million per day—can go to park upon return. Those who work far as . is by automobile. Most Philadelphia weekends look at the lost pay. This also streets are three lanes one way—two applies to weekend workers who commute SEPTA has two rapid transit lines which parking lanes with one center traffic by train: no reverse commute service and cross at City Hall, effectively four lines lane. Nearly every parking space is no service to most stations—tough if your to Center City. Again, only one or two normally occupied. At three people boss takes it out on you for being absent. stations (Frankfort Transportation Center per car, that is still 500,000 cars. and Girard on the Frankford line, 69th How far the gridlock will extend Arriving in Philadelphia, only and 52nd Streets on the Market Street is completely unknown, especially three stations will be available, line, Fern Rock and Cecil B Moore on if the streets are occupied by one per line: Jefferson (Market the North Broad line and AT&T (Pattison thousands of pedestrians walking to East) for Fox Chase, Lansdale/ Avenue) on the South Broad line), and will the event. Most likely there will be Doylestown, Manayunk/Norristown, be open on each line and service will only no useful bus service in the city. Warminster and West Trenton lines; be inbound in the morning and outward University City for the Airport in the evening. The Market Street line will On August 14, some information and Media/Elwyn lines; and 30th terminate at 30th Street. Other Center about NJ Transit’s limited effort Street for the Chestnut Hill West, City terminals are not yet public. became available. Although NJ Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton and Transit has hundreds of train cars Wilmington/Newark lines. Reports on the Subway Surface lines that could be brought from North seem conflicting. The most recent Jersey, only 4,140 tickets will be The PATCO Lindenwold rapid transit line information is a city press release from sold each day for the Atlantic City reports that only four stations will be open: June 15. Apparently there was to be Line, which will only serve Atlantic Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and some service on Routes 11, 13, 34 and City with one train an hour. The Walter Rand. As on SEPTA, tickets must 36, although more recent news reports River Line will only serve Trenton, be purchased in advance and service will tell of complaints from some of these Bordentown, Florence, Burlington only operate inward in the morning and areas because apparently SEPTA has South, Route 73, Pennsauken Transit outward in the evening. Apparently morning since decided not to operate Route Center and Walter Rand in Camden. trains will only serve one station with a 16- 13. Route 10 is not shown. It operates 7,500 River Line tickets will be minute service, which means a train every through the recently announced no sold for each day. For both lines, four minutes arriving in Philadelphia at traffic area, which suggests that contrary special tickets must be purchased the only open station, 9/10th Streets, the to the public pronouncements this area in advance—those with monthly farthest station from the event. This is the was known back in June. Route 15 on passes are out of luck. NJT also only transit from New Jersey. Bus service Girard Avenue seems to be operating. announced extra service on bus is cancelled because vehicles are banned With the large area closed to traffic, Routes 403, 406, 419, 450 and 554 as from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge used by the trolleys may be unable to operate far as Camden. Paratransit service to the few NJ Transit bus routes still serving because of potential traffic gridlock Philadelphia will be suspended from Philadelphia. surrounding the closed area. There is no 3 p.m. Thursday until Tuesday. No word on any bus service, but successful paratransit service will be available Next, a lottery for tickets for the suburban operation is unlikely in the probable in Camden County on Saturday light rail lines 100, 101, and 102 was held traffic congestion. A vast area—three and Sunday. Will the FTA require August 12. To date, SEPTA has not reported square miles from the Delaware River bus and rail service to be suspended what happened. Only two stations will be to 38th Street, from South Street to because paratransit will not operate? open for boarding on each line as follows: Spring Garden Street and then along the Schuylkill River to Girard and Ridge Reports are that many people are Route 101 Media: Springfield Mall, Leamy Avenues—will be closed to vehicles from planning to come on charter buses, Avenue, Route 102 Sharon Hill: North at least Friday evening until some time but how close those buses can get is Street, Clifton, Aldan Norristown High on Monday. Also closed will be the major still unknown. Speed Line: Gulph Mills, Villanova expressway from the west (Schuylkill (Continued on page 15) RAILRAIL USERS’ USERS’ NETWORK NETWORK NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER PagePage 13 10 of of 16 12

Greater Rail Safety: A Step in the Right Direction, But a Long Way to Go! By Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. to rail is limited to specific regulations The NTSB has also taken a stand calling for Chair, Rail Users’ Network pertaining to the transportation of improved track inspection policies. The board hazardous materials. The Federal has pointed out that inspecting multiple Much attention has been given to the Railroad Administration (FRA) has tracks simultaneously seriously compromises new regulations that were recently direct safety responsibility over the the integrity of the inspection. Currently, an announced by the U.S. Department of nation’s rail infrastructure. inspector in a vehicle can inspect up to two Transportation (USDOT) to enhance tracks at a time, as long as the inspector’s the safety of mile-long trains carrying A new study titled “Back on Track: Bringing vision is not obstructed, and the second volatile crude oil. We applaud the Rail Safety into the 21st Century,” which track is no more than 30 feet from the track Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety was recently released by the Alliance for the inspector is riding. It also believes there Administration (PHMSA) for issuing a Innovation and Infrastructure, yields similar should be speed restrictions on high rail track final rule which calls for the retrofitting findings. A detailed review of FRA accident inspection vehicles, stating “if track inspectors or phasing out of the DOT 111 Tank statistics for 2011-2014 revealed that track are required to find only defects that occur Cars and the new industry sponsored and roadbed deficiencies accounted for rapidly, a discretionary speed would be CPC 1234 cars constructed since the largest number of derailments: 42% or appropriate, but if inspectors are expected 2011, prior to the 2013 disaster at Lac- 2,238 were caused by track and roadbed to detect gradual degradation patterns, the Megantic. We believe, however, much deficiencies. Derailments resulting from inspectors need to travel more slowly.” more needs to be done to insure the operational errors, designated by the FRA safety of the general public. as “human factors,” accounted for 31%, or There are also a number of technologies 1,653, of accidents over the four-year period. for preventing accidents caused by human Unfortunately, the new regulations error that need to be employed. While most only apply to “high-hazard flammable The new tank car standards will Class I railroad mainlines and lines carrying trains,” defined as a continuous group undoubtedly help improve the overall passenger trains are required to have PTC of 20 or more tank cars loaded with a safety of transporting hazardous systems in place by Dec. 31, 2015, many flammable liquid, or 35 or more tank materials, but will have little if any have stated that they will miss the deadline. cars loaded with a flammable liquid impact on improving the safety of It is unclear how this regulation will be dispersed throughout a train. The older passenger trains or trains carrying other enforced. A new firm deadline needs to be DOT 111 cars that have weaker shells commodities. USDOT and the FRA set and penalties imposed on rail owners who and values and lack protective shields need to focus more on mitigating the fail to meet the deadline. Installing inward- can still be used, but not on the mile- leading causes of derailment. facing cab cameras would assist railroads in long “unit trains” with hundreds of monitoring rules compliance and identifying tank cars. The new rule also requires There are a number of new technologies and fatigued engineers. This could help prevent electronically controlled pneumatic operational recommendations which could be accidents and provide evidence in the (ECP) braking systems for all high employed. Among them are track and ballast investigation of accidents. Finally, requiring hazard flammable unit trains traveling integrity sensors, autonomous track geometry two-person crews in freight train cabs could over 30 mph as of May 1, 2023. and gage restraint measurement systems, and significantly improve safety. ultrasonic and induction rail testing. Although Stronger tank cars are certainly an these systems are commercially available, Many in the rail industry argue that improvement, but they are only a partial they are not required by statute or regulation. there is no evidence that a two-person answer to the need for greater safety Some of these technologies are currently rule will improve the safety record of on the nation’s railways. In preparing employed, but improving best practices could railroads; however, the FRA has thought its rule, the PHMSA acknowledged make their use more effective. For example, “to otherwise. We were delighted when the presence of track integrity issues ensure defects are spotted, all surface defects then-FRA Commissioner Joe Szabo and their status as the leading cause of on rail should be removed prior to ultrasonic announced FRA’s intention in 2014 to derailment. “Broken rails or welds, track testing.” The FRA has also recommended that issue a proposed rule requiring two- geometry, and human factors such as “plug rail be immediately inspected prior to person train crews on crude oil trains improper use of switches,” it maintains, reuse,” but chooses not to require such testing and establishing minimum crew size are the leading causes of derailment, despite National Transportation Safety Board standards for most freight and but its regulatory reach with respect recommendations that such testing be required. (Continued on page 15) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 14 of 16 NJT Raises Fares, Cuts Service Despite Growing Opposition

(Continued from page 3) Legislature chose not to assist the transit Raymond Greaves, ATU State Chair riders who are facing higher fares and and Labor’s representative on the Board, of the New Jersey Association of Railroad less service. In late June, legislators sent voiced his strong opposition to the fare Passengers (NJ-ARP) made a statement, Christie a budget with a number of items hikes and service cuts. His opposition and nobody from the Raritan Valley that they expected he would not like. In did not prevent the unanimous vote, Rail Coalition did. Rail labor kept a low New Jersey, the Governor can line-item- because he is not permitted to vote on profile with only one statement, but the veto a particular budget item, but such issues before the Board. Elise Young of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), an action would give the opposition a Bloomberg News reported on July 27 (on which represents NJT’s bus drivers, potential campaign issue. The Legislature www.bloomberg.com) that the NJT Board showed up in force. At several hearings, did not add to NJT’s budget, which would had voted on more than 800 resolutions every time somebody made a statement have averted the fare increase unless without a single “no” vote being cast opposing the fare increases, ATU Christie vetoed the budget item, and concerning any issue. members chanted “Fight the Hike!” would have given Democrats and transit riders such an issue. The current fare increase marks the ninth Several legislators and mayors of cities time that transit riders were singled out in Northern New Jersey showed up to Christie and his appointees on the NJT by the State of New Jersey to pay more announce their opposition to the fare Board placed the blame on Amtrak for for mobility since the user fee on gasoline increases, too. All were Democrats, the problems faced by NJT riders who and diesel fuel reached its current level in although there were reports that some go to Penn Station, New York. This has 1988. The “gas tax” (actually a user fee, Republicans in the legislature also re-ignited the debate about what to do and not a tax) is the second-lowest in the criticized the fare increases and service about the 105-year-old tunnels under the nation, while NJT fares will be the highest cuts. The presence of the Democrats Hudson River, which must be taken out of any commuter-rail provider. In terms added an element of political theater to of service within the next several years, of the number of potential voters, there the proceedings. Gov. Chris Christie’s because of damage sustained when they are more motorists than transit riders in popularity has plummeted in recent were flooded during Hurricane Sandy New Jersey. In addition, two members months. He was re-elected by a landslide in 2012. Amtrak continues to call for of the NJT Board are involved with the less than two years ago, and his approval its Gateway Project, of which two new trucking industry (plus a third until May, rating had reached 72% after Hurricane tunnels are only a single component. 2014). So it appears that hiking transit Sandy devastated the state in October, Nobody knows where funding might fares, while keeping fees for motorists and 2012. Today, his approval rating hovers be secured for the $18 billion estimated truckers low, is considered “good politics” between 30% and 36%, as he faces cost for Gateway, but Amtrak has thus in New Jersey, especially for Christie, as mounting criticism for spending so much far been unwilling to declare new he and other Republicans campaign on time outside New Jersey, as he campaigns tunnel capacity to be top priority. Some promises of “no new taxes.” for the Republican nomination for advocates, including this writer, have President. Christie will leave office at the called for construction of a single new Maybe some of the opposition end of 2017, unless he becomes President; tunnel immediately, so the existing tunnels expressed by Democratic office- an event that appears highly unlikely can be taken out of service for rebuilding, holders to the fare increases and at this writing. Democrats, who control without a massive service disruption. service cuts will translate into a both houses of the Legislature by narrow genuine political force that will margins, sense that Christie is vulnerable, Meanwhile, nothing has changed at address the plight of New Jersey’s and believe that his unpopularity will hurt NJT. The Board vote was unanimous, as transit riders some day. It will be a other Republicans at the local level. has been the case with every vote taken long time before that can happen, since April, 2003. Even though Castillo though. While Democrats are stepping up their mentioned that she did not believe the attacks on Christie, hoping to gain voice of the riders had been heard, she David Peter Alan is a RUN Board Member of momentum for the legislative election nonetheless joined her fellow Board Chair of the Lackawanna Coaliton in Millburn, this November, the Democrats in the members and voted for the new policies. NJ. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 15 of 16

We Can’t Handle It—You Can’t Get There

(Continued from page 12) there be any stores open along the way or If the employees cannot get through, the will all the stores be closed because owners lines cannot operate. Another issue: will What Happens Now? and employees can not get there? Even police cars, fire trucks and ambulances be Many issues arise from this limited if stores manage to open, will there be able to move in the gridlock? transportation service. First, what anything to buy? Not to mention that not happens to the multitude that took their all Philadelphia neighborhoods are problem Remember the Mass Transit, or was it vacation, bought plane tickets, made hotel free. A normal weekend has several transit mess, Super Bowl. A purpose- reservations and now find they cannot get murders. Will the bad guys have a field built rail line to the stadium was unable to the event? Will the airlines and hotels day with millions of tired walkers passing to handle even part of the crowd at one give refunds? What of their vacation time? through? Or will people even be able to stadium. Come October, we expect that walk—with the streets clogged with cars? will look like a great success compared to Next, nothing has been announced about the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia. what to expect while walking. Will there be Residents of the greater Philadelphia port-a-johns along the way? Food and water? area are beginning to realize that they are The Hard Reality Charging stations for electric wheelchairs? trapped in one giant mess for the weekend. Unfortunately, it is time to recognize the Many of those likely to come can be Those that have to work are coming to hard facts. America is no longer able to expected to be old or infirm. What happens realize that they cannot get there. Nor do what it could. In addition, the terrorists to those who collapse along the way? And no can they get to the store, the doctor or have won; fear of terrorists seems to be the mention if people will be allowed to bring recreation. Are we to expect the young to reason for the minimal service. Time for food and water, or if airport/stadium type behave with nowhere to go Friday, Saturday Washington to get its act together and pass security will prohibit such items. and Sunday? some legislation. For starters, limit crowds to a size that can be accommodated. As was The vast majority of attendees must walk Also to be determined is how SEPTA learned from the Mass Transit Super Bowl, or drive because they cannot get tickets or and Amtrak employees will get to work. that may be less than a stadium of people. because there is no service. Recall that they Is it realistic to expect them to walk And recognize that we are rapidly declining, are expected to walk miles. Even within miles before and after their shift? Will so reduce the allowed crowd size annually so the city, it is several miles from some of the FRA give an exemption from duty that within a few years it is down to 5,000. the closed rapid transit stations. No service hour regulations to allow for this? 30th Reality is that we have passed the point of on the Chestnut Hill East commuter Street Station and all Center City SEPTA no return. Beyond hope for rail service. train means people may attempt to walk facilities are within the no traffic zone. Beyond even hope for any infrastructure. 10 miles. Maybe some will make it in There is minimal parking near 69th Street Failed government has failed the country; the morning. After standing all day. how and near Fern Rock. All western suburban all that remains is to see what country takes many will be able to walk home? There buses go into service using a narrow street America under its wing as a colony. are rumors that the city does not expect to that is the only northern access to the 69th reopen streets until Tuesday. Are people Street terminal. Will the rapid transit lines Chuck Bode is RUN Membership Secretary and still expected to be walking home Monday? and buses operate if gridlock develops a member of the Tri-State Citizens’ Council on Can people survive walking for days? Will around the terminals from early birds? Transportation. Greater Rail Safety (Continued from page 13) attention to the mistake that the engineer ship highly volatile crude oil and other made when he conducted the hand brake hazardous substances, more needs to passenger rail operations. Unfortunately, test with the locomotive air brakes left on. be done to insure the safety of train the FRA has not put forward any such This second person may have also offered a crews, rail passengers and the general mandate to date. We will never know different opinion regarding whether it was public who live nearby. As passenger rail whether a two-person crew might have safe to leave the train, given the apparent / transit advocates, we need to put our made a difference in regard to the Lac- lead engine difficulties. Congressional delegations on notice that Megantic rail disaster, but it is certainly we are aware of the danger, and they need worth considering. An on-board conductor Since 70% of miles traveled by Amtrak to be more proactive in helping to reduce could have helped set hand brakes on are on tracks owned by freight railroads railroad accidents caused by rail defects additional tank cars and might have called and many of these tracks are utilized to and human error. Please become a member of RUN… From the run We invite you to become a member of the Rail Users’ Network, which represents rail passengers’ board of interests in North America. RUN is based on the successful British model, which has been serving passengers since 1948. RUN networks passengers, their advocacy organizations, and their advisory directors councils. RUN is working to help secure an interconnected system of rail services that passengers will use with pride. RUN forms a strong, unified voice for intercity, regional/commuter, and transit rail passenger interests. By joining together, sharing information, best practices, and resources through Rail Users’ Network networking, passengers will have a better chance of a vocal and meaningful seat at the decision making Newsletter is table. published quarterly RUN members enjoy newsletters, international conferences, regional rail forums, and other meetings to by the Rail Users’ share information while working to improve and expand rail passenger service. Network, a 501 (c) (3), Membership is open to passengers, official advisory councils, advocacy groups, public agencies, tourist nonprofit corporation. and convention bureaus, carriers and other profit-making organizations. We hope you will join — vital decisions and legislation affecting the North American rail transportation We welcome your system are being made daily. Don’t be left behind at the station! thoughts and comments about our newsletter. Please write to us: RUN, P.O. Box 8015, Portland, ME 04104

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