NEWSLETTER Winter 2017 Vol. 14, Issue 1

Join the Rail Summit, Taking Place on Saturday, May 6, 2017, Sponsored by RUN, Individual AAWA & AORTA, and Help Fight for Better Highlights Rail Service in the Pacific Northwest!

Cincy’s Streetcar Loop By Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. The focus will be on recent success of the state House / Senate Opens p. 2 Chair, Rail Users’ Network stories, which projects are moving Transportation Committees, forward and which are standing still who are members of the MTA’s New Fare This exciting meeting is taking place and could use some help. We will Legislature’s Rail Caucus, will Proposals p. 3 Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 8:00 also examine what rail advocates also be on hand to greet and talk a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Columbia are doing in other parts of the with attendees. City Theater, 4916 Rainer Ave. S. country to promote and expand New Jersey Transit’s Seattle, WA. The conference, which passenger rail. We are planning to invite a Rough Ride p. 4 is sponsored by the Rail Users’ number of speakers, including Network, All Aboard Washington, The day will begin with opening Charles W. (Wick) Moorman, Canada Report for and the Association of Oregon Rail remarks given by Dr. Richard President and CEO of Amtrak, November p. 5 & Transit Advocates (AORTA), Rudolph, Chair of the Rail who will provide an overview will examine what’s happening in Users’ Network and Lloyd Flem, of the progress that Amtrak is the Pacific Northwest regarding the Executive Director of All making to improve and expand From the Southwest and passenger rail and rail transit issues. Aboard Washington. The chairs (Continued on page 7) Nearby p. 6 Measure M Passage Boosts Canada Report L.A. Rail Projects Fall 2016 p. 5 By Dana Gabbard The most immediate impact will a delay of 12 years after Sections RUN’s Annual Meeting be to enhance/accelerate two 1-2 (Koreatown to Beverly Hills) Four years ago, an effort to pass rail projects already underway. open before section 3 would be in Lafayette, IN p. 8 a local sales tax in Los Angeles Measure M will enable the under- constructed. County—Measure J, whose construction Crenshaw light rail New Rail Starts principal focus was to accelerate line’s 96th Street station to be Many other rail projects in 2016 p. 10 urban rail construction— a transfer station/hub between through the county will be narrowly failed to reach the the rail line and Los Angeles getting a boost from the Riding the Rails in two-thirds threshold that International Airport via a people measure, and the years ahead such local measures must mover. This is due to be ready as promise numerous rail line Germany, Part 3 p. 12 meet in California to pass. early as 2021 and no later than openings, as Los Angeles Advocates regrouped after this 2023. And whereas section 3 of County boldly continues the Alaska, The Trip of a disappointment and through the Purple Line subway extension urban rail revolution heralded Lifetime: Part 2 p. 14 the leadership of MoveLA, a project (linking Beverly Hills and at our Annual Conference broad coalition was assembled Westwood via Century City) with last year. To learn more about How the 2nd Avenue and a project list negotiated existing revenues was not slated what Measure M will do, see among diverse stakeholders. for completion until 2036, with theplan.metro.net/ Subway Will Change The result on Nov. 8 was a the passage of Measure M it will New York Transit p. 15 stunning success as the new open in 2024. This means the Dana Gabbard is a RUN Board sales tax effort, Measure M, entire nine-mile extension between member and executive secretary passed with a nearly 70% Koreatown and Westwood will of Southern California Transit “yes” vote. open simultaneously, instead of Advocates. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 2 of 20 Cincinnati Streetcar Loop Opens

to the Over-the Rhine neighborhood. The fare system has a $1 ticket valid for Stop one is The Banks, located on two hours and a $2 all-day pass. A transfer Second Street near Great American Ball from a connecting bus route gets you on Park, home of the National League’s for free. The Cincinnati bus system has Cincinnati Reds baseball team. The line an option called Metro Fare Deal. Pass then turns away from the Ohio River to holders of that pay ½ fare on the streetcar. run approximately north on Main Street. Paper tickets are available at vending Stops two through six are on Main. The machines at the stops. Tickets must be line then turns left (west) on Twelfth validated and are subject to inspection by Street. Stop seven is at Twelfth and Vine. fare inspectors. There is a smartphone app At Elm Street the line turns north again for purchasing passes as well. to follow Elm. The streetcar is owned by the City of After four stops on Elm, which include Cincinnati. The local transportation ones near Music Hall and Findlay authority, Southwest Ohio Regional Market, the line heads east on Henry Transit Authority (SORTA) manages it, Street a short distance to reach Race while Transdev handles the day-to-day Street, where it turns south to head back operations. downtown. There are four more stops along Race, including one at Washington So far the streetcar appears to have been Park. When the tracks reach Central received well by the riders. Transdev Parkway they turn east again a short reports ridership is 24% above projections. distance to Walnut. At Walnut a right For some reason weekend ridership is turn is made to follow that street south to higher than on weekdays. Cars begin Second. There are three stops on Walnut running at 6:30 AM Monday thru Friday. to serve the Public Library, Aronoff Monday thru Thursday operations end at A Flyer promoting the opening of Cincinnati’s Center, and Fountain Square. Where Midnight. They continue until 1:00 AM new downtown loop streetcar line. Walnut reaches Second the line turns left Friday (Sat AM). Cars don’t start until By Bill Engel (east) to restart the loop. 8:00 a.m. Saturday but continue until 1:00 a.m. Sunday. Sundays and holidays have lThe long-awaited day arrived Friday, The sleek, modern streetcars used the least service with cars operating only Sept. 9, 2016. The 3.6-mile long on the Cincinnati Bell Connector between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. downtown loop streetcar line in Cincinnati were assembled by CAF-USA in their opened! To introduce the public to the Elmira, NY facility. They are a 100% What does the future hold for the new way to get around, rides were free low floor design. CAF-USA was one Cincinnati Bell Connector? One idea is to thru Sunday, Sept. 10. And ride the public of five vendors to submit proposals. extend it to the University of Cincinnati did! The line’s website reported more than The first car arrived in Cincinnati late (UC). Both the UC President and the 50,000 trips were taken during the first in 2015. All cars underwent extensive Student Government of UC support the weekend of service. testing prior to entering revenue service. plan. UC has in the neighborhood of Testing included running more than 44,000 students. That is a lot of potential A last minute development was the one car on the line at a time to insure riders. rebranding of the line as the Cincinnati the power system could handle the load. Bell Connector. Cincinnati Bell Connector When not out on the line, the streetcars For more about the Cincinnati Bell graphics will appear on the streetcars and are based at a maintenance facility Connector go to their website at at the stations. The $340,000 per year for located at the corner of Henry and www.cincinnaticbellconnector.com. 10 years that the naming rights deal brings Race Streets. Another source of info are the monthly in will go toward funding operations of the E-Newsletters of All Aboard Ohio. Their streetcar. A new paint scheme was applied Shelters at the passenger stops along the archive is at www.allaboardohio.org. Both to the cars in time for the opening. line were designed by a Cincinnati-based sources were invaluable to this writer in firm, DNK Architects. They are intended preparing this article. There are 18 stops on the Connector, to be easily recognized by riders and to which runs from the Ohio River, through protect them from the elements while they Bill Engel is a RUN Board Member based in the Central Business District, and on wait for the streetcar. Clinton, OH. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 20 MTA Sets Fare Proposals for 2017

By Andrew Albert time. Of course, for those who will find a one, the base fare of $2.75 would not rise, but fare hike onerous, this is of little consolation. the discounts on the bonus Metrocards (those As has been the pattern since 2009, when And—unlike in some other years (and in purchased with at least a round-trip) would the every-other-year fare hikes began, the some neighboring transit properties across drop from an 11% bonus to a 5% bonus. On Metropolitan Transportation Authority the Hudson River)—this fare hike comes option two, the base fare would rise to $3.00, has proposed the lowest fare increases in with service improvements, not service but the bonuses would rise from the current some time beginning in March, 2017, for cutbacks. Indeed, the 2nd Avenue subway 11% to 16%. On the commuter railroads, New York’s subways, buses, commuter rails, is due to start soon, possibly by year’s end, there would be a maximum increase of 3.75% and the bridges & tunnels operated by the and the re-introduction of the W train has for those who purchase monthly or weekly MTA. The fare increases would take place already taken place. In addition, there are tickets, while those who purchase peak or on March 19, 2017. A series of public service increases on the Long Island Rail off-peak tickets would see a 4% increase. No hearings will take place in the first two weeks Road (year-round weekend service on the monthly increases would be higher than $15, of December, in each of New York City’s Greenport Branch, continuation of some which would be much higher for the farther- boroughs, as well as in most of the suburban Montauk branch summer services) and out stations if not for this cap. Tolls would rise counties served by the MTA. Metro-North Commuter Railroad, and for by a higher amount for those who use cash, vs. motorists, a somewhat speedy conversion to those who use EZ Pass. When the biennial fare increases first began, open-road tolling, which will allow vehicles to they achieved a 7.5% yield, which of course speed through toll gates without stopping. So So which is the better deal for transit riders? meant somewhat higher than that in actual while fare increases are never pleasant, this It really depends on how you use the system, fare increases. After a few time they do come with improved services. and how frequently you ride. Fifty-three years of that pattern, and because of public percent of NYC Transit trips are made outcry over what this would mean for fares This time, the MTA is offering two fare options with unlimited ride passes on either the & tolls over the long term—possibly pricing for subways and buses—but both come with a weekly or monthly MetroCard. More than the New York City area out of reach for small increase in the 7- and 30 day unlimited 40% of trips are made utilizing the bonus many—the fare increases were trimmed to a passes. The 7-day pass will rise from $31 per MetroCard. Very few trips, in the area of 4% yield, or 2% per year, roughly the rate of week to $32 per week, a 3.2% increase. The 1.4%, are made with the single-ride card, so inflation. This time, the MTA is proposing a 30-day pass will rise from $116.50 to $121, it is quite possible that the best deal for the 4% fare increase—not yield—which makes a 3.9% increase. The two options are for all majority of the system’s frequent riders may for the lowest rate of increase in quite some the other types of MetroCards. On option (Continued on page 11)

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 Steve Albro, Treasurer Cleveland, OH Cleveland RTA Citizen Advisory Board David Peter Alan, Esq. South Orange, NJ Lackawanna Coalition 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. 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 20

NJ Transit Riders Get a Rough Ride, As Politics Tightens Its Grip on Transit

By David Peter Alan In a surprise move, the New Jersey effect on Nov. 1. In return, Christie, legislature enacted a measure, which who has always campaigned on an The past few months have been rough Gov. Chris Christie signed, that allows anti-tax platform, got a reduction in for transit riders in the Garden State, as NJT to cut service by up to two hours, the state’s sales tax, and the estate tax political dramas continue to play out in without prior notice to the public. The will also be eliminated. The legislation Trenton and advocates push for favorable measure began as a reaction to the could not dedicate the money from the resolutions for the riders. agency’s decision last year to eliminate increase in the user fee on motor fuels the last trains of the evening on several solely to transportation projects; a move A fatal train crash at the historic Hoboken lines, which reduced the span of service which required approval by the voters. Terminal on Sept. 29 disrupted service by 45 minutes on the Morris & Essex Line Guadagno came out against that proposal, for eleven days. The terminal building and up to one hour and 42 minutes on which angered Christie and caused him to was cordoned off during that time and the southern portion of the North Jersey speculate that her opposition was due to a New Jersey Transit (NJT) ran no trains Coast Line. The original intent of the “misunderstanding.” The voters approved into or out of the terminal. Other nearby legislation was to require NJT to notify the measure by a seven-point margin, but services—ferries, NJT light rail, PATH (Port the public about any planned service it will provide significant day-to-day relief Authority Trans-Hudson) trains to New reductions, but the law was amended for transit riders. York and nearby New Jersey points, and to allow reductions of up to two hours local buses—were restored later that day, or whenever management chooses to The TTF does not earmark any money the next day. NJT ran shuttle buses from implement them, which makes the riders’ for the operating side of NJT, whose the Secaucus Junction Station to Jersey City, position worse than it had been previously. state-aid from the legislature fell by 90% where riders could take the Hudson-Bergen Advocates in the state are now working on between 2008 and 2016 ($32.7 million Light Rail to Hoboken, a trip which took forming alliances with other organizations, from the 2008 level of $330 million). this writer 72 minutes. Some trains which in the hope of getting the offending The 2017 budget brings it up to $109 normally originated at Hoboken instead provision repealed after Christie leaves million; 42% of the 2008 level, but ran from Secaucus, and some trains on office at the beginning of 2019. advocates still express their concern that other lines were converted to shuttles that the newly-increased amount falls far short ran from an outlying terminal. The station As national politics dominated the news of the cost of meeting the demand for reopened on Monday, Oct. 7 with half of during the election campaign, New transit around the state, plus trains and its tracks in service and most, but not all, Jersey’s political battles continued to rage, buses to New York and buses from South of the “regular” schedule operating. Full and they affected transit riders. There Jersey to Philadelphia. The Lackawanna service returned the following Monday, were no state offices on the ballot this year; Coalition has called for secure, stable and with all except two tracks in service. but New Jersey will elect a new governor sufficient funding for transit operations and the State Assembly next year. In all and community transportation, mainly Advocates praised NJT rail managers likelihood, the next governor will be a operated by the counties. Other advocates and employees for bringing service back Democrat, since Christie’s approval rating also continue to call for improved to the station so quickly. They had been has sunk as low as 21%, and his lieutenant operating support for transit. Advocates concerned about the possibility of an governor, Kim Guadagno, has publicly have also criticized the NJT capital extended outage. They criticized NJT for disagreed with him about the disposition budget, because it does not earmark any its failures to communicate with the riding of the newly-refinanced Transportation funding for new tunnels under the Hudson public about the actual train schedules: Trust Fund (TTF). It is financed by the River and into New York’s Penn Station. video monitors, the NJT website, the “next user fee on gasoline and diesel fuel, and Amtrak plans to build these tunnels as part departure” phone system and the mobile is used for highway projects and for of its Gateway Project, but advocates want phone app all gave information about transit-related capital projects. Democrats tunnels to be constructed sooner than on the “regular” schedule that normally ran, control both houses of the legislature, Amtrak’s planned schedule. Advocates also which was misleading. They also gave the but not by a two-thirds majority. Christie objected to some of the projects on the agency low marks for general preparedness, negotiated a compromise that allowed agency’s list, saying that the money should citing NJT’s difficulties recovering after a 23-cent increase in the user fee on be spent on new tunnels, instead. Hurricane Sandy four years ago. gasoline and diesel fuel, which took (Continued on page 19) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 5 of 20 Canada Report, November 2016

By Ken Westcar for public/private partnerships. According To some extent it’s also being driven by to a contact who attended the provincially seemingly entrenched highway congestion Promises, promises... sponsored conference in Toronto on south of Kitchener that no amount of lane Nov. 14 and 15, the pitch from Metrolinx additions seems able to mitigate (heard that and the province was unconvincing. There have been few material passenger before?). That’s because Metrolinx is a political rail developments in Canada since the last tool, albeit operationally successful, that report. VIA continues to make seemingly Visiting an alternative universe currently prioritizes projects as part of impossible promises on a completely new the incumbent government re-election route between Montreal, Ottawa and Changing tack, I spent a week in campaign. Private capital will have extreme Toronto using a long-abandoned Canadian Austria in early November riding difficulty seeing any potential return Pacific track bed but has steadfastly refused main line and preserved narrow-gauge under such priorities unless it’s absolutely railways with a tour group from the to release any engineering, financial and guaranteed by the provincial government. regulatory details. The press has retained UK. It seemed like an alternative universe in terms of mobility and was a healthy skepticism but many, who don’t Political priorities are also driving GO understand the complexities of building both uplifting and depressing. Uplifting Train service improvements between because the Vienna area transit system new rail infrastructure, continue to listen Toronto Union station and Kitchener, for the re-emergence of long-silent train is superb, trust-based and easy to use a burgeoning tech community west of and the federal government has seen whistles and the screeching of brakes at Toronto. GO had originally kicked this their local station. The saga continues… fit to invest heavily in fast regional can down the road for 2021 or thereabouts and international trains. For long- but, with a provincial election in 2018, distance trains, the design norm is 125 Metrolinx, private capital and the Liberal government sees votes, in votes mph. Regional services connect many line-side communities, at risk. So, they communities of 20,000 or more with are prioritizing this with infrastructure Vienna and other major cities on a Metrolinx, the provincially owned, improvements to free up track slots and Greater Toronto/Hamilton Area (GTHA) maximum two-hour interval. Ticket raise speeds with the intent of providing pricing is simple and excellent value. operator of GO Trains and buses is touting all-day service including late evening trains

its Regional Express Rail (RER) and to move people to and from cultural and We rode from Vienna to Graz and back electrification program as opportunities sports events in downtown Toronto. on Siemens “Railjet” stock pooled by the Austrians and Czechs and it was the epitome of best practice in intercity train travel. This is how you treat fare paying passengers with respect, so little wonder the trains are frequently sold out. Depression took over as I realized just how far behind North America is on public transportation and how it detracts from our quality of life and ultimately our global competitiveness. Further salt was rubbed into my mental wounds when we arrived back at Toronto Pearson airport to find escalators and moving walkways out of service and the immigration hall like a termite nest that had been kicked over. Yes, we have a long, long way to go.

Ken Westcar is a Board Member of Transport Action Ontario. OBB Railjet economy class seating and information system RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 6 of 20 Report from the Southwest

By J.W. Madison also a kick in the head for businesses along the station-announcement “tv screen” the right of way. But these cities set up in my car flashed a couple of wrong Albuquerque “Rapid Transit” various programs to help these businesses station stops (!). Hope they get after weather the construction period, and are these problems soon; the rest of the Construction of our new BRT line, known doing the same to ease the pain being DART system is still a model for cities as “ART,” has begun along East and West caused by the NW Extension of the same of the West, and an indictment of those Central Ave. Pretty medians have been torn route. If you want to dig into this, start stuck in the Bus-Only rut. out and replaced with smooth pavement, with www.valleymetro.org . Look for supposedly to prep for the right of way, Business Outreach. The Southwest Chief although I don’t follow their process. No trenching or deep cuts so far. The thing I believe things are probably pretty good In Pueblo County, Colorado, ballot may just run between two curbs. now for the survivors of this construction, measure 1A passed. This is exciting since the LRT line has pulled in ridership because 1A allocates $7 million for track There was a ballot question in the recent even beyond the rosy projections of the and station improvements in anticipation election as to whether the public approves planners. Not only that, but farebox of future Amtrak service from La Junta of a future ballot question, namely, should recovery is at about 45%. to Pueblo. I’m not sure if this money is the “ART” project continue. By which in the bag, or just voted into the realm time, barring some unheard-of injunction Other differences between Phoenix and of possibility. Jim Souby of ColoRail will or something, construction will be so far Albuquerque are that the former built know the details. along that it’s hard to imagine erasing it. LRT, not BRT, and the Phoenix line goes a This pre-question question —non-binding, lot of places people already wanted to go. Either way, this is big news. Although mind you—passed, for what that’s worth. Rails Inc. would still prefer to see a La The Dallas-Fort Worth Junta / Pueblo / Trinidad re-route, the La Businesses along Central are suffering due Metroplex Junta / Pueblo “stub-end” is sure as hell to this construction, including one of my nothing to cry about either. And it could favorite cafes, which in 50 years has never On Nov. 1 and 2, I spent some time be extended to Trinidad someday. hurt for business. The recent morning that riding parts of the DART system. I’m I ate breakfast there, it was damn near here to declare that the Trinity Railway The fixation of Rails Inc. on the first- empty. Efforts have been under way to Express (TRE) commuter service between mentioned of these two changes is based assist these endangered businesses, and a downtown Dallas and downtown Fort on the prospect of bringing Albuquerque- couple of websites have been set up ( www. Worth is still clean, prompt, and well-staffed. Denver passenger rail about 85 miles brtabq.com , and www.sbrcabq.com ), but Same for the DART Light Rail Vehicles. closer to reality, which might in turn offer I’m informed that funding has not come a greater inducement for expansion of through for these efforts, and tonight’s I’m afraid I can’t say the same for Denver RTD or other commuter service newscast (Nov.16) informs us that city the spanking new downtown Dallas from Denver to Pueblo. I fantasize a revenue in general has shriveled, and may Streetcar. The car I rode was clean sibling to the Hoosier State here. not swell again for several years. and snazzy, but the ride was rough and shaky. I was reminded of driving a truck J.W. Madison is a RUN Board Member and The construction of the Phoenix-Tempe- with a nail-studded piece of wood stuck president of Rails Inc, based in Albuquerque, NM. Mesa (AZ) LRT line a few years ago was in one tire. I also smelled the brakes and for over four months, even though they Good News from Stark County, OH By Bill Engel handily passed the measure by about a Cleveland. From time to time a proposal to 2-1 margin! There was a good chance connect Canton to Akron and Cleveland Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8 was an that SARTA would not have been able to via rail surfaces but that plan is not active at important day for the bus riders of the Stark continue operating if the renewal had failed. this time. For more info about SARTA, go Area Regional Transportation Authority to www.sartaonline.com. (SARTA). On the ballot as Issue 51 was a SARTA operates bus routes mainly in Stark 10-year, 0.25% sales tax renewal to support County but does have limited service to Bill Engel is a RUN Board Member based in SARTA operations. Voters in the county Akron, OH and to a VA medical center in Clinton, OH. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 7 of 20

Join the Rail Summit, Taking Place on Saturday, May 6, 2017, Sponsored by RUN, AAWA & AORTA, and Help Fight for Better Rail Service in the Pacific Northwest! The afternoon will be devoted to three morning, we will ride the popular and different panel presentations. The first, expanding streetcar line and light rail lines which will be moderated by Harvey in the city. We will visit the two newly Bowen, Board Member of All Aboard restored train stations and other points Washington, will focus on the Status of of interest in the city. In the afternoon, Passenger Rail Advocacy in the Pacific we will ride a Sounder Commuter train Northwest and efforts underway to expand to Tacoma where we will see some of the passenger rail, transit rail in Oregon and highlights of the city and ride Tacoma Washington State. Link, one of the nation’s shortest light rail A Sound Transit commuter train. lines. If time permits, we will also ride the (Continued from page 1) The second panel, which will be monorail to the Space Needle and take a moderated by Dr. Rudolph, who is also a ferry ride. passenger service in the nation as well as Director of the Maine Rail Group, will plans for the future. Washington State’s focus on what RUN members are doing The registration fee of $55 (until March Secretary of Transportation will talk about in other parts of North America. The 31; $60 after that; and $65 at the door) the state’s plan to improve and expand panelists will share their ideas, experiences includes morning refreshments, lunch, passenger rail service. A spokesperson and strategies for achieving short and an afternoon refreshment break, and all from Sound Transit will also be invited to long-term goals to improve and expand conference materials/handouts. If you talk about the agency’s smashing success passenger rail/transit services in their wish to stay in Seattle before or after the on election day and plans going forward. respective bailiwicks. conference, we suggest that you look at Proposition One, which Puget Sound Seattle’s official tourism website, www. voters passed, is a $54-billion, 25-year The final panel of the day will be visitseattle.org. program which will add 62 miles of moderated by Andrew Albert, Chair, additional light rail with stations serving NYC Transit Riders Council, a The Columbia City Theater can be 37 new areas, growing the existing system legislatively-mandated group appointed reached from downtown Seattle using to 116 miles between Tacoma, Seattle, by the Governor of the State of New Sound Link’s Light Rail line. Participants Everett and the Eastside. York, with members chosen by the coming into the King Street station Mayor of New York City, the Public should walk over to the International The morning session will close with a Advocate of NYC, and the five District/Chinatown station stop and take Trains Infrastructure Panel moderated by Borough Presidents. This panel will a southbound train to Columbia Station. Lloyd Flem, the Executive Director of All focus on the best ways to advocate for The theater is in walking distance of the Aboard Washington. Representatives from users of rail and transit systems in the station—it is four short blocks away. Talgo, BNSF, Brotherhood of Locomotive Seattle area. The panel will examine and Engineers and Trainmen and Sheet both legislatively-mandated advocacy Please join us at what promises to Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation groups, as well as non-legislatively be a very exciting, worthwhile event. Workers will be on hand to talk about mandated. It will look at how working Participants can register and make their ideas for expanding and improving with transit columnists, community payment on RUN’s website, railusers. passenger rail service. groups, business people and legislators net, or via regular mail. Checks should can help make the rail experience better be sent to RUN, Box 8015, Portland, During lunch, participants will have an for consumers. Maine 04104. More details concerning opportunity to share information and the conference will be announced as experiences regarding their efforts and Participants attending the conference will arrangements are made on our website, those of their organizations to promote also have an opportunity to sample public and will also appear in the Spring issue of passenger rail and rail transit in their local transportation in the Seattle area, with the RUN Newsletter. areas. an optional tour on Friday, May 5. In the RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 8 of 20

RUN’s Annual Meeting in Lafayette, IN

By Phil Streby that most of Amtrak’s long-term debt is passenger congestion in the northwest gone. But he also admitted that Amtrak’s corner of the state. The federal On Saturday, Oct. 8, nearly 40 passenger reservation system was “rather vintage” government helped greatly with a rail advocates and interested private and needs major work. $71.4-million expenditure. Also, the State citizens met in the recently remodeled of Indiana through INDOT continues Riehle Depot in downtown Lafayette, Magliari then related why the Beech to support the South Shore Line known IN. The primary organizer, Phil Streby, Grove repair facility was so important to officially as the Northwest Indiana Treasurer of the Indiana Passenger Amtrak and to Indiana. There are over Commuter District with $13 million Rail Alliance, contacted the speakers, 500 employees at Beech Grove, which annually for 20 trains each weekday. provided the physical arrangements for results in a $54-million annual payroll. the meeting, and ample refreshments Most major repair, reconditioning, and Turning to the Hoosier State, Wingfield for all. (IPRA picked up the bill for the equipment overhauls for the entire reviewed the history of that train and refreshments.) national system are done at Beech Grove. Indiana’s official role since 2008. He noted the peril of nearly losing the One of the purposes of the meeting was He then listed a number of station train caused by passage of the Federal to introduce the audience to the Rail improvements ranging from Waterloo, IN Passenger Rail Reform and Reinvestment Users’ Network (RUN) headed by Dr. to major renovations at Chicago’s Union Act (2008) which required states to take Richard Rudolph. Dr. Rudolph described Station. He indicated that there may be over financial support of short-distance the organization as one which represents oncoming improvements at South Bend, trains. Indiana’s reluctance to support the concerns of all rail passengers (long as well. the train was met by various local leaders distance, commuter and rail transit riders) (Lafayette, West Lafayette, Tippecanoe and encourages members to join citizens’ Finally he turned to other Midwestern County, Rensselaer, and Crawfordsville) advisory boards, and encourages “best state issues: Illinois has increased and passenger rail advocates. After 23 practices” by our nation’s railroads. RUN frequency on the Chicago-St. Louis route, months of negotiations, INDOT was able is outspoken about passenger rail safety which has resulted in a 161% increase to reach an agreement with Iowa-Pacific and, using the Lac-Megantic oil train rail in ridership. “Increased frequency leads Holdings, Inc. to operate the Hoosier State disaster to illustrate safety issues, supports to much higher ridership.” Magliari four days a week. the idea of two operating persons in also stated that there was no agreement each locomotive. RUN produces four concerning shifting the route of the Wingfield showed a slide indicating newsletters a year, holds its annual meeting Lake Shore Limited to Michigan stations, responsibilities of the co-operating and regional conference each year in thus by-passing several Indiana stops. entities. Indiana Department of different locations across North America. He then opened the floor to questions: Transportation is responsible for fixed RUN’s next regional conference, which Springfield, IL rail realignment is under payout, contract management, and is being co-sponsored by All Aboard study at this time; freight railroads have mechanical inspection. Amtrak provides Washington, will be held in Seattle on benefited from improvements requested the operating crews, works with the host May 6, 2017. There was a nominations by Amtrak, such as raising of the rail-bed railroads, and handles ticketing and committee report and Directors were in North Dakota, which helped BNSF reservations. Iowa-Pacific provides the selected for three-year terms. trains, as well as the Empire Builder. Multi- train equipment and maintenance, on- state cooperation (Kansas-Colorado-New board service and marketing. Next, Marc Magliari, Public Relations Mexico) has helped save the original and Communications Director for route of the Southwest Chief. Wingfield also showed graphs indicating Amtrak, provided a summary of that Hoosier State ridership is increasing Amtrak’s operations with particular Win Wingfield, spokesman for the after a rough start in the earliest weeks. attention to Indiana. He described this Indiana Department of Transportation Revenue has also markedly increased. time for Amtrak as “pivot time” with the (INDOT), next presented information “On-time performance” of the Hoosier news of the incoming system president, about the state’s interest in supporting State has much improved and customer Wick Moorman. Everyone has been passenger rail in Indiana. Wingfield satisfaction was recently ranked as encouraged that Moorman has consented reported that there was considerable highest of all short-distance trains in the to leaving retirement to lead Amtrak in progress on the Indiana Gateway, which Amtrak system. the next few years. Magliari reported was designed to reduce freight and (Continued on page 9) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 9 of 20 RUN’s Annual Meeting in Lafayette, IN

(Continued from page 8) cars and who do have a need and interest Randy Truitt and State Senator Brandt in public transportation. Mayor Roswarski Hershman that there could be sustained Wingfield closed with a few remarks about congratulated those who had rallied to interest in the public for the state of INDOT’s continuing interest and support save the Hoosier State. He reported on Indiana to help rescue the Hoosier State. of the Hoosier State. The CSX switch ongoing improvements in the Depot and east of Crawfordsville [Ames] is being the pedestrian ramp being completed on The results of that meeting and additional upgraded; INDOT is cooperating with the west side of the Amtrak platform. He behind-the-scenes work caused the a Purdue University engineering class in also noted the $26-million development of legislators to raise the issues in the next conducting a rider survey to be done both the Old National Bank and hinted that a General Assembly. INDOT, formerly at stations and on-board the Hoosier State. promenade on the west side of that property mostly a state road and highways will be developed in the coming months with department, also took notice. Some Ed Ellis, President of Iowa-Pacific the help of a $2.3-million grant from an change in leadership there helped. Holdings, was the last speaker of the unnamed foundation. The mayors’ remarks morning session. His generally upbeat were warmly received, because audience Olson has continued to emphasize that our presentation covered the following topics: members knew that without their support the community cares most about economic (a) Paying attention to detail to make Hoosier State would not be running today. development and growth. Millennials are riding experience more enjoyable because not as in love with private automobiles as other factors such as faster and more trains During the afternoon session of the RUN previous generations. Olson concluded with cannot as readily be met. meeting in Lafayette, the assembled group a PowerPoint program indicating several (b) Meeting or exceeding expectations of heard from Arvid Olson, Dylan Hayward, next steps that should be taken to increase business class service. and Steve Coxhead. Chairman of the public use and support for the train. On (c) Planning to add another coach for peak Transportation Committee of the Greater June 9, 2016 , a “Hoosier Train Day” was times, also as a relief coach when others Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Olson held to celebrate how far we had come and need to be serviced. made a full report of a meeting he attended how much further we needed to go. (d) Establishing a social media presence to in Cincinnati dealing with building a Cardinal increase ridership. coalition. Ninety persons attended that Dylan Hayward of the Midwest High meeting. Then Olson turned to the historic Speed Rail Association spoke about how Then Ellis turned to the more long-term efforts made in Indiana to save the Hoosier the Hoosier State could funnel people into challenges concerning any attempts to increase State. Amtrak needed to get locomotives and Chicago for connections onto the much frequency or operating speeds. This will be very passenger cars to the Beech Grove shops, improved Illinois passenger rail system. He expensive requiring many more miles of welded and so it created a “hospital train” to move reported on ongoing efforts in Illinois to rather than bolted rail, improved signal systems, equipment back and forth from those shops. develop a “higher speed” service between and additional sidings. He referred specifically A revenue passenger car was added so that Chicago, Springfield and St. Louis. to track sections between Indianapolis and CSX could not delay the Amtrak train Crawfordsville as well at the rest of the route to because it hadn’t been carrying passengers. Steve Coxhead, President of the Indiana Chicago. As for a “daily” Cardinal, Ellis felt that But the trains often ran late with a minimum Passenger Rail Alliance (IPRA) closed would not be likely soon because of immense of on-board amenities. Just about the time the meeting outlining IPRA’s objectives. infrastructure needs, particularly in the New that the Chamber of Commerce was getting Short-term objectives include pressing River Gorge area of West Virginia. A “daily” reports from a study titled “From Good to for infrastructure improvements, more Cardinal would require improvements costing as Great,” the community learned it might lose frequencies and higher speeds, “incremental” much as half a billion dollars. the Hoosier State—as feeble as it was. not high speed. Longer-term objectives include the development of a seven-day a In the afternoon, there were short At this point, the Chamber of Commerce, week Cardinal, expansion of daily service to appearances by Mayor John Dennis of along with investigative journalism by the Cincinnati and to Louisville, development of West Lafayette and Mayor Tony Roswarski Lafayette Journal-and-Courier, helped develop Chicago-Ft. Wayne-Lima-Columbus Ohio of Lafayette. Both expressed support for a major Summit meeting drawing around route and examine other prospects for public- the Hoosier State and were encouraged 300 interested persons. Representatives private-partnerships in rail service. The by the increased ridership, revenue, and from Amtrak, INDOT, several mayors, a meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. on-time performance. Mayor Dennis Lafayette industrialist, a Purdue student all particularly referred to the greater number made presentations. That Summit held in Phil Streby is Treasurer of the Indiana Passenger of international students who do not have August of 2014 alerted State Representative Rail Alliance. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 10 of 20

The West Dominates New Starts in 2016; New Streetcar Lines Open in Other Places, Too

By David Peter Alan ago. The streetcar project survived two Not to be outdone, New Orleans has ballot initiatives designed to kill it, and the a new streetcar line, too. The North Many of the new rail transit starts in 2016 current mayor opposed it strongly. He Rampart / St. Claude Streetcar Line occurred in the West, while new streetcar relented when he was advised that it would opened for service on Sunday, Oct. 2. It lines appeared in other places, as well. Los cost less to complete the line than to return uses the same red cars that run on Canal Angeles, Denver and Seattle expanded the grant which the city had received to Street and Loyola Avenue, which gives their rail transit networks significantly. New build it. the line a “heritage” look. The new line streetcar lines appeared in Seattle, Dallas, combines the existing Loyola Avenue Kansas City, Cincinnati, New Orleans Kansas City has a new streetcar, too. It segment from the Union Passenger and Washington, DC. There were a few runs for 2.2 miles, from Union Station to Terminal (which Amtrak trains and long- other extensions that began service in other the City Market, on the north side of the distance buses use) to Canal Street with cities, and it is still possible that the first city’s downtown area. The KC Streetcar the new segment along the boundary of segment of the Second Avenue Subway in started running on Friday, May 6 and the French Quarter and the Tremé, the New York City may start this year. boarded its one millionth rider on Sunday, city’s historically black neighborhood. Oct. 7. The following Saturday, the KC The line runs downriver toward the Modern-style streetcars made their debut Streetcar Authority held a celebration, Bywayer neighborhood, and there in Cincinnati, Kansas City, Dallas and which it called “Thanks a Million, K.C.!” are plans for future expansion in that Washington, DC. The DC Streetcar began The KC Streetcar does not charge a fare. direction. rolling on Saturday, Feb. 27 on H Street and Benning Road. It is 2.4 miles long and Dallas also opened a modern-style There are new light rail extensions in has eight stops, beginning within walking streetcar line. It began service on April Dallas, Seattle, Phoenix and Los Angeles. distance of Union Station and linked to 13 and was extended to the Bishop Arts The latter city has extended two lines as the station by a walkway. The line did Center district on August 29. At that part of its ambitious program to build new not run on Sundays at first, but Sunday time, the Dallas Streetcar expanded from rail transit. The Gold Line was extended service was added on Sept. 18. The line limited weekday service to full service. The eastward from its former terminal at Sierra had been plagued by numerous delays, line starts in back of Union Station, about Madre Station in Pasadena to Azusa, a and pre-revenue testing lasted 15 months. one block from the platforms for Amtrak’s distance of 11.5 miles. Service began on Then-Mayor Vincent Gray had wanted Texas Eagle, Trinity Railway Express (TRE) March 5. There are plans to extend the the line to act as the start of an extensive trains to Fort Worth, and Dallas Area line an additional 12.3 miles to Montclair, streetcar system in the city, but current Regional Transit (DART) light rail. The which is now served by Metrolink Mayor Muriel Bowser shelved the other cars were manufactured by the Brookville commuter trains. On May 20, the Expo streetcar projects. Equipment Company (mostly known for Line started service to Santa Monica, restoring vintage cars). They have no seats 6.6 miles beyond its original terminal An even more politically-charged streetcar in the center section, which is reserved for in Culver City. There are more projects began operation in Cincinnati on Sept. 9 standees and bicycles. The Dallas Streetcar under way: the Crenshaw/LAX Project to (see article on page 2). It is now called the does not charge a fare, but connecting bring light rail to the airport, the Regional Cincinnati Bell Connector, because of a DART shuttle buses do. Connector Transit Project to link light large donation from that company, and it rail lines downtown, and the Purple Line operates in downtown Cincinnati and the Seattle now has a second streetcar line. Extension, which will bring subway service Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood. The First Hill Streetcar has joined the further west under Wilshire Boulevard. The line is 3.6 miles long and is scheduled South Lake Union Streetcar on the city’s streets with the start of service on The large light rail projects opened in Los to take 32 minutes to complete the circuit. Saturday, Jan. 23. The new line is 2.5 Angeles, but there were small light rail It can take as long as 45 minutes, because miles long, has 10 stops and connects with expansions which opened in three cities the line runs in mixed traffic. Still, the mere Central Link light rail. It does not connect this year. Seattle extended its Central Link expectation of the streetcar’s appearance with the other streetcar in town, the light rail at both ends. The University has been a strong shot in the arm in OTR, South Lake Union Streetcar, but there are Link project pushed it northward by 3.15 which is filled with historic buildings from plans to build the Center City Connector miles to the University of Washington the mid-19th Century, but was one of the to bring them together. The lines are campus, with the opening of two new city’s roughest neighborhoods a decade operated by King County Metro. (Continuned on page 11) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 11 of 20

The West Dominates New Starts in 2016

(Continued from page 10) the rest of the time, seven days a week, begin service by the end of the year. At with an overnight service gap of less than this writing, it is unclear whether or not stations on March 19. There is also a new three hours. The line opened for service they will. One is the BART (Bay Area 1.6-mile extension on the southern end on April 22. The B Line opened on July Rapid Transit) extension from Fremont of the line. The Angle Lake Station, a 25. It goes from Union Station, northwest to Warm Springs, a distance of five park-and-ride facility south of Sea-Tac to Westminster, on an hourly-service miles. The other is the long-awaited International Airport, opened for service schedule every day. The ride takes 11 first segment of the Second Avenue on Saturday, Sept. 24. In Phoenix, Valley minutes. The G Line from Union Station Subway in New York City. It would run Metro’s light rail line was extended 3.2 to Wheat Ridge is scheduled to open by from 57th Street to 96th Street, with miles. The Northwest Extension also the end of this year but, as of this writing, three new stops, part of a line that was opened on March 19. On Monday, Oct. no start date has been announced. originally planned nearly a century ago. 24, DART in Dallas extended its Blue Officials at New York’s Metropolitan Line light rail three miles to the south, There was a new “commuter rail” Transportation Authority (MTA) hope with the addition of two new stops. The extension in the East, too. The Fitchburg to open the new line by Dec. 31, but it’s line now goes to the Dallas campus of the Line on Boston’s Massachusetts Bay questionable whether they can, at least University of North Texas. Transportation Authority (MBTA or at this writing. Everyone hopes they can. the “T”) expanded on Friday, Sept. 30. When they do, our Vice-Chair, Andrew Regional rail (also known by the misnomer The new Wachusett Station is west of Albert, who covers New York City, will “commuter rail”) has expanded this year, Fitchburg, which has been the line’s have the story. too. The 24-mile Perris Extension of the terminus for many years. The new station Metrolink system in Los Angeles opened will have an intermodal character, and All in all, it has been a good year for new on June 6. It runs between Riverside and replaces the Fitchburg station. Local starts, with several modes and all regions South Perris, running through downtown buses on the Montachusett Area Transit of the country represented. There were Perris, on weekdays only. As with several Authority (MART) will go from there 15 new starts at this writing, and there may other Metrolink lines, service is limited. to Gardiner and downtown Fitchburg, be three more before the end of the year. while a brewer plans to run a privately- In addition, there will be more coming Denver has two new lines, as well. The A owned shuttle van from the station to next year. They are expected in St. Louis, Line runs 23 miles, from Union Station his brewery. Service began with only a Detroit, El Paso, Oklahoma City, Denver to Denver International Airport. It is the single peak-commuting-hour train in each and several other places. We hope you will first such line in the Mile High City, and direction on weekdays, but was expanded join us in watching for them. the cars resemble the Silverliner V cars on Nov. 21 to full service. currently running in Philadelphia. Service David Peter Alan is a RUN Board Member and is frequent: every 15 minutes from mid- There are two heavy-rail (“Metropolitan Chair of the Lackawanna Coalition, based in morning to early evening, and half-hourly Rail”) expansions which are slated to Millburn, NJ. MTA Sets Fare Proposals for 2017

(Continued from page 3) Our Transit Riders Council Freedom best option for purchasing a MetroCard Ticket proposal was also discussed by the depending on how the rider utilizes the be the option where the base fare jumps Board—and quite favorably I’m happy system—i.e. whether a bonus card, a to $3.00, but the discounts on the bonus to report—but there are logistical issues weekly, or a monthly pass would save the MetroCards jumps from 11% to 16%! Some that must be worked out, and again, those rider the most money on their commute. MTA Board Members have proposed a will not be worked out by the January The public hearings will be interesting, “social fare,” where the fares are based on Board Meeting. Fortunately, Freedom and I plan to attend quite a few of them. the person’s ability to pay—in other words, Ticket—a discounted fare for city residents While I don’t have a vote on the Board, I subsidies for lower-income riders. This on the commuter railroads serving NYC’s do have a voice, and I will be speaking to proposal was discussed, but isn’t likely to pass, boroughs—does not have to go through which is likely to be the best option for the as it would require many more discussions the biennial fare-hike scenarios, and could MTA’s best customers. Stay tuned. about the City’s willingness to help subsidize be enacted by the MTA Board at any lower-income riders, and the deadline for a time. It has also been proposed that the Andrew Albert is Vice-Chairman of RUN, the decision on which fare option to select must MTA make it quite clear—in a variety Chair of the NYC Transit Riders Council, and be made by the Board’s January meeting. of ways—which would be the riders’ Riders’ Representative on the MTA Board. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 12 of 20

Riding the Rails in Germany, Austria and Hungary: Some Lessons for North America, Part 3

By F.K. Plous were tightly built up with houses and commercial buildings clustered along the (Editor’s Note: Part 2 of this article appeared lone road that connected the village to the in the Fall 2016 edition of the RUN outside world. To build a railroad into the Newsletter.) center of such a village would have meant destroying it, so the line bypassed the Our tickets did not say which platform location and often passed midway between position to occupy for boarding our train two villages, resulting in station signs with to Hungary, nor did we know what type two names connected by a hyphen. of train we would be riding except we knew it would not be a Railjet, which is As the train slid to a stop somewhere used only on the busiest trunk lines. In outside the village of Müllendorf, I a few minutes our train was announced, grabbed my cell phone and briefly stepped and up to the platform slid a 4-car Wiesel, A 4-car Wiesel trainset, which is standard on off onto the platform to shoot a photo of the standard double-deck, electrically the ÖBB. the Wiesel in its natural habitat. powered trainset used by the ÖBB on its lesser-used regional and branch lines. gardens surrounded by picket fences, all of Not briefly enough, however, for as I The train was less than half-full, and we it connected by a single track that wound was lining up my shot the train began to quickly found seats in the first car. At through gentle reverse curves before move, and as I stared at it in astonishment first the interior looked sparse and bus- resuming a tangent stretch that ended in I saw Eliza and Bob staring out at me in like—lots of plastic and stainless steel, no another set of curves. In strict Austrian even greater astonishment. Immediately I real fabric anywhere, and certainly no nomenclature we were not so much on a dialed Eliza on my mobile phone. carpeting, the seats near the double doors commuter route as on a regional line that mounted against the sidewall and facing wound its way gently out of Vienna and “Dad, what happened?” the aisle. Although everything sparkled right into the countryside. Austrian cities with Teutonic cleanliness, the design was draw a pretty distinct line between urban “I missed the train, I guess. I stepped off clearly motivated by crowd-control and and rural without the vast transitional belt to take a picture, but I didn’t realize how capacity concerns rather than passenger of suburbs familiar in most parts of the small this village is. Only one other person comfort. After all, few people ride these U.S., so the sudden emergence into a rural got off, and nobody else got on, so the trains for more than an hour or so. The environment can come as something of a train started again immediately.” Wiesel easily could serve as an American pleasant shock to a North American. commuter train. As the train disappeared around another There were about six stops on the route, one of those picturesque curves I strode But a closer inspection revealed that the and at the tiny village of Müllendorf I toward the little station building, which designers actually did have some concern decided to step briefly off the train and was unmanned. But a timetable had been for the passenger experience. The take a photo as it stood next to the wooden posted on a board outside the building, and windows, for one thing, were huge, almost depot. Actually, I don’t really know it said that trains on this route ran hourly, to the point of setting off agorophobia. whether the village of Müllendorf is tiny, so I reported to Eliza that I would catch And though they were not easy to see because a road and a deep forest separated up with her and Bob in Sopron in plenty at first, there were window shades, and the railroad from the village proper. In of time to connect with our MAV train several passengers were using them, for fact, there was forest on both sides of the to Szombately. I sat down to wait in the the day was gloriously sunny, almost as if tracks. As I learned later in the trip, it is pleasant sunshine. confected for the benefit of tourists and quite common in Austria and Hungary for their cameras seeking rural charm. trains to stop at stations well outside a rural The temperature was about 70 degrees. village. The reason, of course, is that when No cars went by on the little road The route to Sopron offered plenty. the railroads were built in the 19th century, bordering the forest. Birds twittered Drowsy rural hamlets, charming stucco most villages had already been in existence pleasantly as I began to contemplate my farmhouses with carefully managed flower for hundreds of years and their centers (Continued on page 13) RAILRAIL USERS’ USERS’ NETWORK NETWORK NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER PagePage 13 10 of of 20 12

Riding the Rails in Germany, Austria and Hungary: Some Lessons for North America, Part 3

(Continued from page 8) for the winter, something the Austrian Trailing our luggage, we headed back into families do for sport but Hungarians must the pedestrian tunnel and up to the platform. surroundings. Two ladies of a certain do for economy. The cars that stood in the This was no easy job. The station had been age came and sat to wait for their train, driveways were older and more worn than built back in the Communist era, when people chattering in an Austrian dialect I could the shiny late-models I had just seen in carried their luggage and suitcases had no not quite catch. I quickly realized that I Austria. Quietly but certainly, I had entered wheels. The station had never been fitted with was in a scene that would be hard to find Eastern Europe. a pedestrian ramp, so the only way up to the in America: a single-track railroad powered platform was the stairs. In an effort to adapt by electricity where passenger trains moved Given the rural character of the the stairs to wheeled luggage, the railway hourly in each direction on superbly surroundings and the single track over had installed a stainless-steel ramp about 18 maintained and ballasted track. As at every which we had been traveling, I was inches wide against one wall of the stairwell station on the route, however small, the unprepared for the little town of Sopron. with a one-inch flange on the stairway side to single track broadened out to two tracks The station was big, there were four tracks keep the suitcase from twisting off the ramp so trains—including freight trains—could at platforms, and the whole scene was and onto the stairs. This arrangement was meet, pass and overtake. dominated by one of those five- or six- less than satisfactory. Stairs are much steeper story interlocking towers that the Central than ramps, making it harder to tow a suitcase On the bench somebody had left a copy Europeans seem to demand as a visible than on a real ramp with a grade tailored to of Österreich, a lurid tabloid carrying the headquarters of the local railroad yard. pedestrians. And because the ramp is off to headline Fluchtlings-Drama an unserer Grenze Eliza and Bob greeted me with relief one side of the stairs, it’s impossible to tow (Refugee drama at our border). It told and we went down the stairs from the your suitcase directly behind you, so your how authorities in Budapest had closed platform connecting the pedestrian tunnel arms and shoulders are always struggling Keleti station, our destination, after it was into the station, a hulking, institutional to keep a firm purchase on the case while overwhelmed with refugees trying to climb building clearly left over from Hungary’s propelling it forward. aboard trains bound for Germany. Eliza’s long ordeal under Communist rule. The contact in Hungary already had advised two-story waiting room measured about Eventually we got to the top and sat down us to get off at a suburban station and take 2,000 square feet, and at the north end on a bench to rest before boarding our train. the subway into downtown Budapest if we a corridor led to railroad offices. There It was due to leave at 3 p.m., and it was only could not get all the way to Keleti. was plenty of waiting space and plenty of about three minutes until departure time timetables and other traveler information but no train appeared. An announcement The hour passed quickly, and I boarded posted on the wall, but the walls had not boomed out over the P.A. system, after the next train without incident. Again we seen a fresh coat of paint in many years, which a train two tracks away pulled away rolled effortlessly through the countryside, and the floor, the furniture, even the from the platform headed south. and I kept an eye out trying to determine glass in the windows seemed tired. We when and where precisely we would cross wandered out into the street briefly to look “Eliza, are you sure the announcement said the border into Hungary. The crossing around, but while Sopron no doubt had its track 4? Because what looks like our train occurred out in the country, and there is no charms, this clearly was not the same scene just pulled out on track 1.” station at the boarder proper and no border that had greeted us when we stepped out control, so I would have to be observant for of the station into the streets of Salzburg. She grinned sheepishly. “I guess I don’t any changes in the environment. We returned quickly to the station, and remember as much of my Hungarian as I Eliza shushed us and listened carefully as thought.” We were even. And I saw them—instantly. The the P.A. system announced our connecting comfortable Austrian houses of stucco with train to Szombately. As in Germany, the Hungarian trains run their neat gardens disappeared, replaced hourly, so the delay was modest, and I got by wooden houses with peeling paint, “C’mon, Dad,” she said, clearly impatient an hour to wander the platforms and check unpainted fences, fewer flowers and a after my dereliction earlier in the afternoon. out the rolling stock. On the west side of larger proportion of the property devoted the station stood a diesel switch engine to growing vegetables. In many of the “What track?” I said. that could have been the Chicago & North back yards, women were out harvesting Western Alco RS-2 on which I rode in preparation for “putting up” vegetables “I think he said 4. Let’s go.” (Continued on page 17) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 14 of 20 Alaska: ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ Part 2

The longest-lived of Alaska’s railways, the Alaska Railroad was built by the federal government, and passed into state ownership in 1985. By Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. Anchorage first flourished as a railroad open and to obtain day passes to utilize the Chair, Rail Users’ Network construction camp for workers building the local bus system. Much to our surprise, Alaska railroad between 1915 and 1923. most of the restaurants were closed and (Editor’s Note: Part I of this article Today, it’s the state’s largest city with over the City Transportation Center’s doors appeared in the Summer 2016 edition of 100,000 residents living within the city were locked tight. The building doesn’t the RUN Newsletter.) limits. Ship Creek Landing, where the open until 11 a.m. camp was originally located, still serves as Upon returning to Juneau on an the railroad’s headquarters. While we had To make matters worse, there was no Alaska State Ferry from Skagway, we no regrets about leaving Juneau and were let-up on the sheets of cold rain that stayed overnight in the city to catch excited to see what Anchorage had to offer, kept blowing down on us. We finally an early flight to Anchorage the we forgot that the downtown business found a tiny restaurant that was not next day to continue our journey via and financial district is pretty moribund only open, but also customer friendly the Alaska Railroad to Seward and on Sunday mornings. After leaving our and willing to provide useful advice then on to Denali National Park and suitcases off at the hotel we walked to the regarding what was worth seeing. Fairbanks. city center hoping to find a restaurant (Conrinued on page 16) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 15 of 20 How the 2nd Avenue Subway Will Change Travel in New York (obviously) the West Side, who now avoid the Lexington Ave Line by taking crosstown buses to either Central Park West or Broadway for the West Side subway lines, will now have a one-seat ride to their West Side destinations, which could mean fewer riders on some bus lines. It remains to be seen how riders who begin trips north of 96th Street/2nd Avenue will travel. For instance, in order to be guaranteed a seat (beginning your trip at the first stop on the line), will riders opt to take a bus to 2nd Ave/96th Street, or continue to get on the Lexington Line at either 103rd or 110th Street stations, and possibly stand much of A rendering of the long-awaited new 2nd Avenue Subway serving the Upper East Side. the way to Midtown or Lower Manhattan? What we DO know is that Phase 2 of the 2nd By Andrew Albert (obviously) 2nd Avenue. This line will feature Avenue subway—which will bring the line to an across-the-platform transfer at Lexington Harlem and the Metro-North 125th Street The upcoming opening of the long-awaited Ave/63rd Street with the F line, bringing station—is already being planned and some 2nd Avenue subway is going to be a very many transfer options to both Queens & work has already begun on this section of the big deal here in New York City. Originally Manhattan riders. To make up for the loss line. planned in 1917, New Yorkers have been of the Q line to Astoria, the W line has been waiting a very long time for this subway line. re-introduced, keeping the number of lines The bottom line is that transit expansion When the original 2nd Avenue elevated serving the Astoria branch in Queens to two is good for everyone: riders of the system, railway was torn down in 1942, many lines: the N, W, as it was prior to the 2010 merchants along the new routes, real-estate expected a relatively short wait for the 2nd service cuts. values, the city’s tax base, etc. What is a real Avenue subway to be built. Were they ever shame is how long these projects tend to wrong! The Great Depression and a host of So how will this new line, which is set to take, how difficult it frequently is to obtain other reasons meant that folks traveling on (hopefully) open before the end of 2016, the necessary capital funds to build them— the east side of Manhattan were relegated affect travel patterns? In a variety of ways, and how they sometimes become political to the very overcrowded Lexington Avenue all very positive for our transit system. Firstly, footballs. To his credit, Gov. Andrew Cuomo subway lines, now known as the #4,5,6 it will relieve massive overcrowding on the has pushed to get this line up and running, lines. Where the West Side has two main already-saturated Lexington Avenue subway and that message has been heard loud and trunk lines—the Broadway IRT line (1,2,3) line, whose trains orginate in the Bronx, clear by the Metropolitan Transportation and the A,B,C,D lines under Central Park and which travel south to Brooklyn, with Authority. What will NOT happen is a West—the Upper East Side has long had just the #6 line ending in Lower Manhattan at premature opening, with any safety issues left the overcrowded Lexington Line—but that’s the Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall station. Not unresolved. So whether it opens on schedule about to change! only are these trains crowded, but they are by the end of the year, or whether it takes a also frequently delayed, as passengers cram few weeks into January to get the job done Under construction since 2007, the 2nd into already-crowded trains attempting to right and with everyone’s safety in mind, this Avenue Subway will be a continuation of the push their way in so as to not be late for line will be opening soon, and when it does it Q line, which, in anticipation of the opening work. Upper East Siders who live east of will change the lives of most New Yorkers— of 2nd Avenue has been cut back to 57th Third Avenue whose destinations are either including those who never set foot on this St/7th Ave, New Yorkers are expecting great on the West Side of Midtown, or Lower brand new addition to the greatest transit things from this new line. Admittedly, this Manhattan, will likely switch to the new line, system in the Western Hemisphere! is only phase 1 of the 2nd Avenue Subway, which will be far less crowded (trains will which will extend as far north as 96th Street, originate for now from 96th St) and will get Andrew Albert is Vice-Chairman of RUN, the adding three new stations—72nd Street, them to their destination with great speed Chair of the NYC Transit Riders Council, and 86th Street, and 96th Street, all under (fewer stops). In addition, people bound for Riders’ Representative on the MTA Board. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 16 of 20 Alaska: ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ Part 2

(Continued from page 14) as well as freight service over its network way to travel”—glass-dome ceilings in south central and interior Alaska. It allow for panoramic views as the scenery After breakfast, we headed over to the has survived and thrived, while three unfolds and an outdoor, upper-level city’s tourist bureau to catch a bus to other Alaskan railroads failed prior to the viewing platform provides a vantage the Alaska’s Native Cultural Center 1920s. The development of coal fields point for taking photos. GoldStar tickets where visitors experience Alaskan Native and the shipment of military and civilian also include meals served in a full-service cultures first-hand through engaging supplies and material during WWII dining room, soft drinks and two adult storytelling, Native song and dance, and and receiving and hauling pipe for the beverages are also included. artistic displays. Out back, visitors are construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline able to stroll by six different authentic in the early 1970s no doubt contributed to Much to our surprise, the first part of the life-sized Native dwellings situated in a its success. journey, the train hugs the coastline along wooded area around Lake Tiulana and the Turnagain Arm next to the Seward are introduced to the traditional life ways Alaska Railroad’s Classic Train travels highway. However, this isn’t much of a of the Athabascan, Inupiaq/St. Lawrence 114 miles between Anchorage and the distraction, for the views of the Cook Inlet Island Yupik, Yup’ik/Cup’ik, Aleut, coastal town of Seward daily from mid- and the surrounding Chugach Mountains Alutiiq, and the Eyak, Tlingit, Haida and May through mid-September. Although are unbelievably breathtaking. South Tsimshian peoples. We spent the entire we had made our reservations on the of Portage, the train leaves the highway afternoon at the center and took the last internet to travel to Seward, passengers and travels through a remote section of bus of the day back to the city’s tourist are advised to arrive an hour earlier at track through the Placer River Valley, past bureau and then on to our hotel to rest up 7 a.m. to store their luggage and to pick the ice wall of Spencer Glacier and over for the next part of our journey heading up tickets. the 1,063-foot pass through the Kenai south via passenger rail to Seward. Mountains before arriving in Seward. Knowing that we would be able to take The Alaska Railroad was originally photos from the open-air vestibules As it was showering off and on, we spent constructed and owned by the U.S. between coaches, we decided to purchase some time sitting in one of the coaches. government until 1985, when ownership Adventure Class tickets to save travel The seats are comfortable and the was transferred to the State of Alaska. funds for other planned activities in windows are large and sparkling clean. Despite this change, it continues its dual Alaska. The premium GoldStar Service The onboard crew was quite friendly, mission of providing passenger service tickets offer “passengers an exceptional (Conrinued on page 18) Get Involved with the work of RUN!

To find out how to volunteer, write to: RUN, P.O. Box 8015 Portland, ME 04104

or contact Richard Rudolph via e-mail at: [email protected]

or visit our new, improved website at: www.railusers.net RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 17 of 20

Riding the Rails in Germany, Austria and Hungary: Some Lessons for North America, Part 3

(Continued from page 13) The train to Szombately ran through passenger trains—and each other. gently rolling prairie, stopping at more many miles while serving as a brakeman of those remote, two-village stations Just north of Szombately, our little on the Milwaukee extra board during the out in the country. Despite the seeming single-track rural line running east joined summer of 1958. Several coaches of the obscurity of the locales, however, at another coming in from the north, and standard barrel-roofed type seen all over each station the track went double to then joined the main line coming in from Europe after World War II stood waiting Budapest, all at an interlocking presided to be coupled into trains. And there were over by another of those looming, six- two RDCs of a type unfamiliar to me. Everything had been story concrete-blockhouse towers so They looked new and appeared to have repainted in the new common in that part of the world. At the been built in Germany. Everything had big, 6-track Szombately station we were been repainted in the new yellow-and- yellow-and-green met by Eliza’s hosts from Koszeg with the green scheme adopted by the Hungarian scheme adopted by warmest of Magyar welcomes and quickly State Railways, although on closer the Hungarian State bundled into their SUV for the 10-mile inspection the new exterior paint could trip to our hotel on the town square. As not hide the extremely simple and not- Railways, although on we loaded our luggage into their car I very-well-kept up interiors I found on closer inspection the new turned around to get my first good look inspection. at the station from which we had just exterior paint could not emerged. To my relief it was pre-Soviet, a But it was not one of these trains we hide the extremely simple gracious yellow baroque building opening were to ride for the last 30 miles or so and not-very-well-kept up onto the intersection of two main streets. to Szombately. Just before 4 p.m., a But there was no time to linger. We had sleek, 4-car electrified regional train— interiors. visiting to do. not a Wiesel but something similar of German manufacture, pulled up to the permit passing, and another pair of F.K. Plous is director of communications for platform on track 1. This time we were tracks away from the platform enabled Corridor Capital LLC. in position and boarded immediately. freight trains to get out of the way of

Your help is needed! By now you should have received our annual appeal letter. While it is always difficult to ask for finan- cial help, your generosity will help us to continue and deepen our work in the coming year. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution before the end of this tax year. Rail advocacy is im- portant to a balanced national transportation system. Each organization is stronger working togeth- er rather than individually; RUN can make a stronger case for increased funding for rail service with a geographically diverse, larger membership base. Your contribution will strengthen our impact and broaden our reach as we continue to represent all rail passengers, including long distance, com- muter, and transit riders. You can donate online using your credit card or PayPal account on the Rail Users’ Network website or make a check out to RUN and mail it to RUN, Box 8015, Portland, Maine 04104. We thank you in advance for your support and hope you have a great holiday season and new year.

Many thanks, Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 18 of 20 Alaska: ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ Part 2

Picture-taking opportunities are plentiful as the railway winds through spectacular Alaskan scenery. (Continued from page 16) was undoubtedly a graduate of the Alaska having lunch at a local eatery and dinner Rail Tour Guide Training Program, a sampling beer produced at the local attending to passenger needs and school-business partnership between the brewery. We also found time to walk the questions and checking bathrooms to ARR and the Anchorage school district. mile-and-a-half paved walking trail along make sure they were tidy. The signage The 11-week program is open to high scenic Resurrection Bay. inside probably helps: passengers are school juniors and seniors looking to earn asked to think about the next person college credits and fulfill the state’s Alaska The next morning we headed out on a day using the facility. My only complaint had studies requirements and a chance for a cruise to see the Kenai Fjords National Park to do with a high school student intern summer job on the Alaska Railroad. and Alaska’s abundant wildlife, alpine and who served as our onboard narrator. tidewater glaciers. We initially had some She seemed well prepared but provided Upon arriving at the Seward train second thoughts about having spent a small more information than necessary, such depot, we gathered our luggage, which fortune to be on board, for we were as pointing out seagulls and airplanes to was quickly unloaded, and hopped on completely fogged in during the first half photograph. I found it quite distracting a Seward city shuttle which drove past hour or so on the cruise down Resurrection and it certainly took away the excitement the harbor up the hill to the charming Bay. Once the fog lifted, however, we of discovering things on our own. But at downtown area of the city. The rest were awed by the scenery and the wildlife, times it was great to have a heads-up on of the afternoon and early evening was including whales breaching, otters and sea a railroad related photo opportunity. She spent visiting the Alaskan Sea Life Center, (Continued on page 19) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 19 of 20 Alaska: ‘The Trip of a Lifetime,’ Part 2

(Coninued from page 18) The next stop, Talkeenta, serves as a base other animals that call the park home. for expeditions to Mt. Denali and is home Denali does not show its face to every lions basking and sea birds’ rookeries. We base for a squadron of bush pilots who take tourist; we were lucky and were able to see gently cruised up the Northwestern Fjord to visitors on “flightseeing” tours around North almost the entire mountain as we traveled get as close as possible to the Northwestern America’s highest peak. It is also the starting to the end of the park road. Glacier. We spent a half hour with the point for one of the last flag-stop trains in motor turned off watching and listening the U.S. Four days a week from late spring Our last two days in Alaska were spent to the actively-calving tidewater glacier. through early fall, the Hurricane Turn Train traveling north by rail to Fairbanks, and Every eight to 10 minutes we heard a large runs 60 miles from Talkeetna to Hurricane flying to Seattle to travel by train on rumble and resounding boom as large Gulch, dropping off and picking up Amtrak’s Cascade service to see my son in pieces of the glacier fractured and crashed homesteaders, trappers and backpackers.. Oregon. We went on to Denver via the down into the ice filled waters. The sea Coast Starlight and the California Zephyr to lions sleeping on nearby icebergs appeared The Denali Star offers services similar see my daughter and her family in Fort to be unfazed and continued their midday to those on the Classic trains. The on- Collins. After a three-day stay, we got bask. The glacier is rapidly receding; one board service crew was friendly and their back on the California Zephyr from Denver can only wonder how long it will take handling of luggage and other baggage to Chicago and changed to the Lake Shore before it completely disappears as a result is superb. It occurred to us that it could Limited to continue on to Boston. of climate change. serve as a model for Amtrak on its long- distance routes that take passengers to Part III will appear in the Spring issue of the Although we had some initial trepidations resort destinations. The baggage is tagged RUN Newsletter. regarding whether we would arrive and sorted and picked up by the lodge or back in time to catch the Classic Train hotel and brought directly to the room ************************************** heading north to Anchorage at 6 p.m., where you are staying. The on-board NJ Transit Riders there was nothing to worry about. The narration was interesting and informative. Charter company works with the Alaska Get a Rough Ride Railroad to make it a seamless journey. The highlight for us, as it is for the 400,000 (Continued from page 4) They not only allow their guests to store other travelers who journey to Denali their baggage at the company’s facility at National Park each year, was the chance Against this backdrop, the Board of the dock, but also bring it to the railroad to see Denali, North America’s highest Directors at NJT did not hold a meeting depot and provide a jitney service for peak. It stands over 20,000 feet high and is for over four months, even though they passengers who are traveling to Anchorage undoubtedly one of the most awe-inspiring normally meet monthly. At an extra meeting via the train. Our time heading north sights in Alaska. Unfortunately, you cannot on Oct. 26, they implemented the new was relaxing as we reflected on what we see the mountain from the park’s entrance budget and appointed Steven Santoro, had seen and anticipated the adventure area or from nearby hotels. The road into head of Capital Planning, as the new ahead traveling on the Denali Star to Denali Denali is 91 miles long and most private Executive Director. They refused to make National Park and Fairbanks. vehicles are not allowed past mile 15. We “interim” Executive Director Dennis Martin chose to take a day-long narrated bus “permanent,” a permanency that may The journey north into Alaska’s interior to tour which travels the entire distance and only last until Christie leaves office and his Denali takes almost eight hours and travels provides a hearty lunch at a lodge located successor appoints a new transit head early through some of the most spectacular near the end of the Denali Park road. The in 2019. Martin drew praise from advocates scenery that one could imagine. The train alternative was to travel on a school shuttle for improving the flow of buses into and out rolls through the thick birch forests of bus. The driver, a young woman who had of New York’s Port Authority Bus Terminal, Eagle River and Chugiak and through opted out of a life in show business in New and they believe that he was thrown under the vast Matanuska-Susitna Valley, the York, provided invaluable insights along the the bus. In the meantime, riders will state’s key agricultural growing area narrow, gravel roadway and successfully continue to watch the political circus, as and then onto its first scheduled stop in navigated hairpin turns barely wide enough their transit continues to get worse. Wasilla. (Unfortunately, we were unable to accommodate two vehicles. The tour bus to see Sarah Palin’s home nor, for that stopped along the way whenever the driver David Peter Alan is a RUN Board Member and matter, Russia which lies across the Bering or a passenger(s) spotted wildlife including Chair of the Lackawanna Coalition, based in Strait—1,037 miles away.) bears, Dall sheep, moose, caribou and Millburn, NJ. 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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