Washington Rail News June/July 2015

www.AllAboardWashington.org

Publication of All Aboard Washington A Not-for-profit Consumer Organization “Moving forward...On Rail."

Central Washington legislators speak at Derailment should spur concerted bipartisan effort to AAWA Ellensburg meeting make train travel safer, better All Aboard Washington’s May 9 member) Ralph Munro. About 25 leg- By Malcolm Kenton meeting was in Ellensburg. We had islators regularly attend LRC meetings The hearts of everyone in the rail- over 30 people present. Our speakers while about 45 members have attended road industry and who cares about were two central Washington legisla- at least one event. passenger trains are heavy with the tors: Rep. Matt Manweller (R-Ellens- Railroads play an important role in losses suffered in the May 12 tragedy burg) and Sen. Judy Warnick (R-Moses building our state’s economy. The LRC in Philadelphia. I started writing this Lake). In introducing our guests, Lloyd has three broad goals to help facilitate from aboard an Acela Express traveling noted that the Legislative Rail Caucus rail issues in Washington. from is the best thing for state rail issues in Educate themselves: The legisla- Boston at least a decade. The two legislators tors tour transportation infrastructure to New serve as LRC co-chairs in their respec- such as ports, intermodal facilities and York on tive chambers. grain terminals. They meet with private Friday Manweller started his presentation groups such as AAWA and BNSF, and May 15. by flatly stating he does not fly “ever.” with local and state government I was Even long distance trips across our agencies. headed country are by train. The LRC got to Phila- Educate others: They meet with started as a result of a conversation he delphia key decision makes in the Legislature and fellow House co-chair Luis Mos- for my that aren’t specifically versed in trans- coso (D-Mountlake Terrace) had with cousin’s portation issues, and with key WSDOT The curve at Frankford retired Secretary of State (and AAWA law employees. One major step in educat- Junction in North Philadel- school ing others was the phia where Amtrak North- gradua- east Regional train 188 de- expansion of the tion, railed on May 12, seen in LRC from being using March 2010. just a House group Photo by Generic Brand Productions / the New to also including Flickr.com. Jersey state senators. Transit Northeast Corridor Line to Advocate: The SEPTA West Trenton Line bridge state owns several that had been set up to bypass the site rail lines and has of the derailment. I had been sched- created rail dis- uled to travel from my home in Wash- tricts, but they ington, DC to Boston on the over- have little authority. night Northeast Regional train 66 on At the April NARP council meeting our own Charlie Hamilton There needs to be the 12th, but it was the first northbound was recognized for his service in helping select NARP’s new a review of how the departure to be canceled after the de- database/web vendor. Presenting the award are President state finances and railment, about which other waiting Jim Mathews, left, and Chairman Bob Stewart. Here is the promotes these text of his award: passengers and I found out from our state-owned lines. National Association of Railroad Passengers smartphones in the boarding area. I am An upcoming very thankful that neither I nor any of Jack Martin Award meeting in July will Named for the National Association of Railroad Passengers' my family or friends were aboard train volunteer president of over two decades, this award is given address these is- 188, and my thoughts are with the fam- only to individuals who have given significant and valiant sues. Manweller ilies of those who were and did not efforts to the cause of America's rail travelers. noted that the LRC make it, and with those who suffered This honor is hereby bestowed upon Charles Hamilton for advocates for all injuries. his efforts in bringing the Association's advocacy efforts into types of rail: pas- It is worth noting that the number of the Twenty-First Century. Though his contributions travel senger or freight, railroad passenger and crew casual- through the ether, they have and will continue to have substantive impact for those traveling aboard High Iron. (See Ellensburg, ties, while there is no good excuse for Presented in April of 2015 Washington, D.C. page 5) (See Derailment, page 4) Photo by Ken Briers page 2 particularly praised the bill’s emphasis on The oil train issue has now been su- From the desk of the removal of the volatile gases found in perseded in the news by the tragedy on the Executive the Bakken crude before shipping, and Amtrak NE Regional 188 in Philadelphia, Director on full disclosure to public officials of the with eight fatalities and scores injured. what, when, to where and how much Speed was obviously the cause, but why by crude oil the trains are carrying. such excessive speed is unknown at this Lloyd H. Flem We have also endorsed the Governor- writing. Our thoughts should remain with Inslee-signed oil train safety bill that was the loved ones of the deceased, those Oil Trains, Philadelphia, and a passed near-unanimously by the Wash- injured, and our thanks to those so Half-Full Cup; ington Legislature (Senate 46-0; House quickly responding to the terrible event. 95-1). The bill. while not as strong as that To Amtrak’s credit, the vitally-important Thanks and Get involved of the US senators, was seen as “pretty Northeast Corridor service has been fully You, my fellow AAWA members, plus good” by even usually-critical observers. restored and passenger have not ceased other rail professionals and rail advo- Other regulations posted by the Federal using the trains. The very costly positive cates are different from most North Rail Administration will add another train control (PTC) technology or other Americans in that we have always measure of oil train safety. less-expensive means of slowing “run- thought about, have known about away trains” is being debated by in- and have had opinions on the rail- formed people. No debate that better roads that haul a large and growing I had feared that between oil controls of some kind are being or volume of freight and a small but trains incidents and the train should be installed. growing volume of passengers. It As I said above, I had feared that seems the average American or Ca- 188 tragedy, there would be a between oil trains incidents and the nadian had been aware of freight public outcry wholly negative train 188 tragedy, there would be a trains mainly as they delay private public outcry wholly negative to idea motor vehicles at grade crossings, to idea of railroads. But as a of railroads. But as a long-time al- and were often oblivious to (or at long-time always thoughtful ways thoughtful AAWA member re- best “forgot about”) passenger trains AAWA member reminded me, minded me, there are now consider- as a clean, comfortable, economical able media coverage touting the rel- and safe alternatives to driving or there are now considerable ative safety and value of the rail flying. media coverage touting the mode. For example, in past public But two issues have recently statements I have claimed that when brought the rail mode into a broad relative safety and value of traveling in our intercity passengers public consciousness. Unfortunately the rail mode. trains a person is ten to twenty times the issues of oil trains and the safer than when in a private motor vehicle. Amtrak NE Regional 188 tragedy in Assuming oil trains continue and are Now, an article in the Washington Philadelphia have pushed the rail mode even safer than those currently running (DC) Post quotes an economist from into the general public’s mind as rarely in through our state, the other concern as Northwestern University who found, per the past. I feared oil train spills and fires passenger train advocates is that oil (and million passenger miles using 2000-2009 and the Philadelphia Amtrak disaster coal) trains become so numerous they data, the automobile fatality rate was would bring about totally negative re- make increased passenger rail service seventeen times higher than for train sponses to the idea of steel wheels on difficult and even render existing service passengers. That more accurate number steel rails. But I’m seeing maybe a silver less reliable. The fulfillment of agree- is better than my “ten to twenty times.” lining, a half-full cup, as a result of oil ments with the freight railroads resulting Other media stories have pushed the train problems and train 188. from the investments of multimillions of economic and environmental advantages Concerning the oil trains issues: Federal dollars into freight rail infrastruc- of the rail mode and disputed the fiction AAWA’s position on oil trains was made ture (for improvement of passenger train that air and road facilities are totally paid manifest by my letters of support to US service) needs to be carefully monitored. for by “user fees.” Also cited is the double Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Edmonds) And we have de facto allies. Those de- standard of applying “the market” to pas- and Patty Murray (D-Bothell), hand car- pendent on freight railroads for agricul- senger rail, but not to other passenger ried to their offices by Jim Hamre, Harvey tural, industrial and general merchandise transportation modes. Bowen and Claire Bowen at the recent goods are also concerned that an abun- AAWA members and other rail advo- NARP spring meeting in DC, for their dance of fossil-fuel trains might disrupt cates, while not diminishing the problems Crude By Rail Safety Act of 2015 (S. the essential movement of their com- of oil train spills and fires, need to em- 859). The AAWA Board authorized my modities and products. phasize that laws and rules are underway writing such a letter in April. The letter While the calamitous July 2013 explo- to make them even safer. (I understand endorsed most of the senators’ bill with sion in Lac Megantic, Quebec – which there are among AAWA membership one difference: We favored a rapid took 47 lives – is a grim reminder of oil some who simply oppose the burning of phasing out of potentially dangerous oil trains’ potential danger, it is important to fossil fuels and the environmental dam- tank cars rather than the immediate ban- remember that well over 99% of oil trains age that can be caused. As always, ning of such cars. The economic disrup- arrive at their intended destinations AAWA members as individuals are free tion of an immediate ban would outweigh safely. And the laws and regulations now to voice opinions which differ from the marginal safety improvement, partic- in effect or pending in American states, AAWA’s board and executive director!) ularly as other portions of the bill and Canadian provinces, and both federal And without downplaying the loss of life other oil train safety regulation and leg- governments will render these trains islation go into effect. The AAWA letter even safer. (See Flem, page 4) page 3 dening crowds of the mainland. Of course, if EVERYONE moves with there, then you’ve got the same problem. Those Maddening Crowds. Jim How will they deal with the growth and Cusick the transportation challenges that brings? Ignore it? Widen roads? More buses? Some wag on an Internet forum Example of ample legroom – 12 posted that there should be a Sounder The Knees of the … inches of it – with a footrest to boot! connection! On a recent cross country airline trip, to allow ourselves the treatment dis- Not that outlandish, since trains aren’t while mentally preparing myself for the played in Example 1? foreign to that area. arduous task of composing this article … Is it because we taxpayers choose to In fact, there is an active rail line that I thought “MY KNEES ARE KILLING build and expand highways (wait, I don’t reaches to the Bangor Navy base up ME!!” remember that particular vote coming up) near Poulsbo. Well, who hasn’t been shoehorned to allow ourselves the pleasure of driving However, that line connects with the into a modern airline seat and thought ourselves (and not doing much else)? mainline at Centralia, via Shelton. the same thing? Except for the minor inconvenience of A minor detail. In fact, on this trip, I specifically chose not being able to type this article while How are they going to deal with the one airline over another because I knew driving one has freedom to … well … issue when everyone has the same idea the equipment they were flying (Airbus) drive anywhere I want on my way to my and moves to the Peninsula? had more legroom. destination. If they think about it now, they won’t One inch more, to be exact. Well, maybe I could thumb-type it on become like the people they are avoid- However, unbeknownst to me – or my smartphone, while I drive. LookOUT ing, the Maddening Crowds of the maybe me just not paying close enough for that truck!!! Mainland. attention – the flight I chose on the out- Yikes!! Or will they? bound leg of my trip was with the roomier Wet, Dry, East, West, and Water Moving on to the Wet airline, but because that airline had Everywhere Side/Mainland/Eastside. merged with another airline with less leg- Last time when we looked at where Although it might not be commuter rail room, I was able to … enjoy 0 (Zero) as envisioned by All Aboard Washington inches of legroom for the return flight. people would want to go, we had that map showing the dense population cen- and the Eastside Rail folks, it is rail. ters, noting, of course, that they grew In fact, if we are to take Kurt Triplett at around rail lines a long time ago. his word concerning the City of Kirkland’s commitment to high capacity transit in the eastside rail corridor, then Option A6 in Sound Transit’s Long Range plan is their chance to prove it. The Seattle Times ar- ticle highlighting the opening of the Cross Kirkland Corridor states: “[Kurt Triplett]’s goal is to open a new transitway in five Example of zero legroom years to both alleviate existing traffic So, shall we bet on whose service problems and grow denser development standards the new merged airlines will in the city’s downtown and Totem Lake follow? area.” Luckily the final leg of the return trip Sound Transit’s option A6 in their was on something a little bit roomier. So, making the obvious assumption Long Range Plan Final EIS is a full light After a hop from the airport to the In- that rail is the long-term solution for our rail corridor, starting from Totem Lake, ternational District in Seattle via Sound future, I have realized that all hope is not following the Eastside Rail Corridor into Transit’s Central Link light rail service lost. Bellevue, and then heading east from (Hint: a flight in and out of the northern That goes for the Wet Side, the Dry south of Bellevue out to Issaquah. terminals at Sea-Tac makes this reason- Side, the Mainland, or across the pond It’s not the low-startup-cost, expand- ably convenient), I boarded the long dis- onto the Islands and the Peninsula. able connection envisioned by us here at tance conveyance that puts this legroom Let’s start with a hop across the pond All Aboard Washington, but it is a stated issue to rest. with the Wet Side/Islands and Peninsula. commitment to getting a real long term As in “Finally, I can really rest and Here’s one of those interesting things solution to eastside mobility that doesn’t stretch out!!” you can see from looking at that popula- involve laying more pavement. As in short hop up from King St. tion density map: the Kitsap Peninsula is That is assuming they are serious Station to the Edmonds station on the a major population center, and Silverdale about a long term solution. eastbound Empire Builder. is considered by the Puget Sound I look forward to Kirkland’s support for Why can’t all travel be this pleasant? Regional Council to be a major growth this option. Is it because we taxpayers choose to center. Now to head farther east to the Dry build and expand airports (wait, I don’t It seems like everyone is moving to Side, in particular, that rail route to remember that particular vote coming up) the Peninsula to get away from the mad- (See Cusick, page 5) page 4 ambitious, given the legal obstacles to ac- Services. He is also a contributor to Trains mag- Derailment, from page 1 quiring not only broadcasting bandwidth, azine and a freelance Social Media Specialist for any of them, in comparison to the daily car- but also the land on which to erect trans- Travelers United, a nonprofit advocacy group. nage witnessed in accidents on our coun- mitting towers. Third, there are a number of Kenton lives in Washington, DC. This article is try’s roads. Passenger trains remain a safe used by permission of Trains. less advanced speed and stop enforcement mode of travel – which is part of why I am systems than PTC that could nevertheless so invested in making them more available have saved lives and probably cost less to and convenient to more Americans as an install. Flem, from page 2 alternative to driving. It is for this reason I firmly believe that investing in passen- and the injuries from the Philadelphia also that all concerned with passenger ger rail, and in infrastructure in general, is wreck, we can still push the safe and get- trains must continue to place the utmost and should be a non-partisan issue on ting safer reality of North American passen- emphasis on making train travel as safe as which people from all over the political ger trains. Despite the recent bad news, the possible, using the most effective technolo- spectrum can, and do, agree. Indeed, while publicity of railroads has a silver lining. Our gies at our disposal. my personal views are left of center, I know cup is half full. It is also because of this conviction that and work together with dozens of con- I, like most passenger advocates, have  servatives with whom I agree on over 80% been frustrated watching how the tragedy I want to offer thanks again to our loyal on passenger rail issues. And I share many seems to have reinforced, rather than AAWA members whose membership has conservative advocates’ desire to see the bridged, the same old partisan divide over kept our organization going for now nearly barriers to competition from operators other how – and in some cases, whether – to im- 40 years. Your very act of membership is than Amtrak reduced and to bring about prove our passenger train system. It has inspiring. A few of you have even made ex- more opportunities for public-private part- been made clear, at least preliminarily, that ceptional contributions to our organization. nerships. the derailment would have been prevented But we need more AAWA people to be- That being said, it disappoints me that if some type of speed enforcement technol- come actively involved. In the Febru- such a clear partisan fault line over assign- ogy has been in place on the section of the ary/March 2015 issue of this newsletter I ing responsibility for making our trains safer Northeast Corridor around the Frankford asked that you contact your legislators, and has emerged in the wake of the wreck. I am Junction curve. Such a system would have when possible, make appointments to visit worried that this rancor will make both par- taken over and applied the brakes when the with them. Hopefully many of you did so ties even less inclined to cooperate to do engineer began to accelerate heading into without my knowing. But I’ve not heard from what must be done to shore up our nation’s the curve. This technology has existed in legislators with whom I have frequent con- infrastructure – with passenger trains as a some form since the 1920s, but a number tact that this has happened much. key part thereof. However, the derailment of hurdles have prevented its deployment The current special session of the Leg- has focused more public attention on pas- throughout the US railroad network, includ- islature will (hopefully) end soon with good senger rail issues in general than I have ing cost, time, and the availability of the compromise budgets done and signed. ever witnessed. Under greater scrutiny from over-the-air broadcasting spectrum that Every legislator maintains an office in constituents, perhaps lawmakers will feel these communications systems require. his/her district. Write, call, or better yet, visit pressured to take prudent action. It seems clear that Amtrak’s Advanced their offices and let them know passenger Finally, money is far from the only thing Civil Speed Enforcement System (ACSES), rail is and should be part of the transporta- necessary to make meaningful improve- a version of Positive Train Control (PTC), tion mix. Most legislators are conscientious, ments to American passenger train service, was not active over that portion of the Cor- hard-working folks who will listen to you, and increasing funding levels alone will not ridor. ACSES might have been in place their constituents. automatically make train travel safer and over the entire NEC by now, had Amtrak In addition, try to get involved in activi- more convenient for more Americans. That not encountered a number of legal obsta- ties where you can bring the passenger rail said, I still believe that problems with cles to acquiring the necessary spectrum or message. AAWA officers and I will help. Amtrak's management and institutional faced difficulties funding the project from its Just send us your ideas or needs for spe- culture (which may or may not have played perennially inadequate budget. On the cific assistance. Hopefully many of you fin- a role in this derailment) are in large part other hand, Amtrak had the entire 32 years ished the SWOT analysis, the forms which due to the starvation budget the railroad between its 1976 takeover of the NEC and were sent to you several weeks ago. The has been on since its inception. An effective Congress’s 2008 PTC mandate to install consultant AAWA hired is now analyzing organization cannot be run without the abil- some form of Automatic Train Control on and summarizing the many statements and ity to do multi-year planning or to invest in the NEC in conjunction with cab signaling ideas sent concerning AAWA’s strengths, system expansion. Perhaps the lack of and Automatic Train Stop, yet none was in- weaknesses, opportunities and threats. funding and Amtrak's institutional problems stalled. There are likely a number of rea- Now our wish is that those good points are two sides of the same illness that keep sons for this having to do with funding as many of you made about All Aboard reinforcing each other, an illness that nei- well as Amtrak’s institutional inertia and the Washington can be put into practice by ther party in Congress has been able to difficult political dynamic under which it YOUR active participation! cure in spite of numerous attempts to “re- operates. We also needs to grow our membership. form” Amtrak. Congress’s requirement that all railroad Our organization is respected by those who Nobody should die as a railroad pas- lines carrying passengers or toxic by inha- know of our responsible Praise and Push senger, and Americans deserve to have the lation materials have PTC installed by the advocacy. I recognize that, as a society, we safe, reliable option of train travel that citi- end of this year (included in the 2008 Pas- are not the “joiners” that Americans were a zens of other developed countries enjoy. senger Rail Investment and Improvement generation or two ago. The sense of com- Those countries’ citizens benefit from this Act), while well-intentioned, had three flaws munity, either geographical or by interest, travel choice because putting the necessary that prevented railroads from meeting the has been somewhat replaced by doing funds and political capital into passenger deadline. First, it is an unfunded mandate one’s “own thing” or “friends” only electroni- rail is not a matter of controversy amongst on the railroads. Amtrak and commuter rail cally connected. But you folks born since their elected officials. I only wish I could say agencies, none of which are flush with 1965 attuned to new worlds of communica- the same for the USA cash, must take funds away from other tion can persuade folks under age 30, or capital projects in order to comply with the Kenton is a NARP council member. He is a con- 40, or even 50, to support a mode of trans- law. Second, the time frame was likely too sultant and freelance writer with Hertzog Transit portation that younger people are redis-  page 5

All Aboard Washington Officers Important Addresses and Phone Numbers Karen Keller, Lacey - President ...... 360 918.8234 .. [email protected] U. S. House of Representatives: Jim Hamre, Puyallup - Vice President...... 253 848-2473 .. [email protected] Washington, DC 20515 Harvey Bowen, Seattle - Vice President .... 206 322-2729 .. [email protected] U. S. Senate: Washington, DC 20510 Rocky Shay, Federal Way - Secretary ...... 253 925-2085 .. [email protected] Capitol Switchboard (all members): 202 224-3121 John Carlin, Edmonds - Treasurer ...... 425 778-4529 .. [email protected] State Legislature: State Capitol, Olympia 98504 Zack Willhoite, Puyallup - Membership & IT Director ...... [email protected] Hotline for leaving messages: 800 562-6000 Lloyd Flem, Olympia.. Executive Director .. 360 943-8333 [email protected] Amtrak Reservations/Information: 800 872-7245 620 Boundary St SE, Olympia 98501 All Aboard Washington: AllAboardWashington.org Jim Hamre, Puyallup - Newsletter Editor ... 253 848-2473 .. [email protected] NARP: www.narprail.org Warren Yee, Seattle - E-newsletter ...... 206 300-6918 .. [email protected] NARP Hotline: http://www.narprail.org/hotline--blog Amtrak: www.amtrak.com Amtrak Cascades: www.amtrakcascades.com All are evening numbers, except Lloyd's, which is available 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Sound Transit: www.soundtransit.org

covering. While I welcome my chronological Look at the population centers the line peers to AAWA membership, we need passes through: more of those post baby-boomers in All Cle Elum (population 1800), Aboard Washington whose transportation Ellensburg (population 18,000) choices differ from that of their car- Yakima (population 93,000) dependent suburb parents. Wapato (population 5,000) To current AAWA members of all ages: Toppenish (population 9,000) Consider being missionaries for the cause And on to Pasco (population 67,000; of intercity passenger trains. Try to get just Tri-Cities metro population 273,000) one other person – of any age – to ride our Obviously, some of these are little trains and support rail investments. And Sen. Judy Warnick and Rep. Matt places, and Amtrak serves the Tri-Cities yes, join All Aboard Washington! Manweller speaking at the AAWA area with their station in Pasco, but you most certainly can’t ignore Yakima. Ellensburg meeting on May 9. th Photo by Charlie Hamilton Yakima is the 9 largest city in Wash- Ellensburg, from page 1 ington, right there with the major suburban Eastside Line (BNSF’s former Woodinville cities in the Puget Sound region! It’s larger short lines or Class I’s. They are commodity Sub). We need to preserve lines for future neutral as to what ships on the state’s rail than Bellingham, Olympia and others that use and in the event of an disaster. A Uni- already have train service. lines. versity of Washington grant will study the Manweller discussed the importance of effects of catastrophic infrastructure failures Shows about Cars building more road/rail grade separations in on transportation. And why would you take the train, rather key areas to speed the movement of cargo Sen. Warnick began her presentation by than flying or driving? and people by rail and by road. But he can- noting that, while her mother loved trains, One thing I find amusing when I watch not understand why they have become so her father didn’t, so as a child she didn’t the various auto-oriented TV shows is that expensive in our state. The Lander St sepa- travel much by train. She also stated her some of them almost treat car ownership ration in Seattle’s SODO district has bal- support for daytime passenger rail service like a religious belief. looned so much that the project, started in Seattle-Spokane via Stampede Pass. Just like any human endeavor, there are 2003, was put on hold in 2008. In British At one time, Warnick did not understand levels of involvement. Columbia, a whole series of grade separa- the full implications of rails being converted One show always has their “race from tions have been constructed along the rail to trails but now she does. We need to be here-to-there on different conveyances to line providing access to Deltaport, Port educated and strategic in our planning for see who gets there first.” Metro Vancouver’s major container termi- what to do with rail lines facing abandon- Of course, it seems that the races are nal. Each was completed for a fraction of ment, she said. so close, and the location of the destina- the Lander St overpass cost. As chair of the Senate Agricultural tions questionable for a realistic compari- In 2014 the LRC has pushed for legisla- Committee she understands the importance son, but that’s not my point. tive support for the updated 2013 State Rail the state’s short lines to the farmers of What I always notice in these compari- Plan, a needs assessment for the state’s Eastern Washington. Agricultural commodi- sons is that whenever a train is included, short line railroads, recapitalizing the Es- ties total 1.6 bill. metric tons per year in our the participants on the train are always re- sential Rail Account (for short lines) at $10 state and much of this moves by rail to Pu- laxed and kicked back during the trip. mill. a year, Public-Private Partnerships, get Sound ports for export. Is travel supposed to be a challenge? loan guarantees for private loans to short With the Legislature in special session, Is having room for my legs too much to lines, and support for the federal Railroad the transportation budget is not yet done. ask for? Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing Warnick is working to coordinate several Is having the ability to read while in (RRIF) program. rail items that need to be in the budget. transit (without anything bad happening) too Manweller stated that the state needs to Both Manweller and Warnick empha- much to ask for? focus on developing daytime passenger rail sized that rail issues enjoy true bipartisan Is falling asleep while in transit (without service to Ellensburg, Yakima and beyond. support in the Legislature. anything bad happening) too much to ask This is certainly a key goal for AAWA. for? He also talked about the need for a Is a balanced transportation system moratorium on the removal of tracks around Cusick, from page 3 (with a lot more rail options to get it back in the state. He has worked with Rep. Mos- Eastern Washington – the one via Stam- balance) too much to ask for? coso to try to preserve the tracks on the pede Pass and through Ellensburg. I think not! 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All Aboard Washington recently welcomed here), King St. Sta- All Aboard News as a new member Jennifer Hill, Lacey, tion went without. WA. All members of AAWA have a respon- WSDOT’s Kirk July 11: All Aboard Washington board sibility to help our organization grow – thus Fredrickson tells meeting from 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at increasing our effectiveness as we carrying AAWA the new Basil’s Kitchen, Embassy Suites Hotel, forward our message. As Lloyd Flem states PIDS is supposed 15920 W. Valley Hwy, Tukwila, adjacent in his column this month: ”Try to get just to be operational by to the Sounder/Amtrak Station. The main one other person – of any age – to ride our the end of this focus of the meeting will be a discussion trains and support rail investments. And summer. the SWOT analysis. Use the Amtrak yes, join All Aboard Washington!” Cascades to and from this meeting. We All Aboard Washington members contrib- continue with the shortened meeting time uting to this newsletter include Charlie as it allows members traveling from the Hamilton, Karen Keller, Kirk Fredrickson, south on the Cascades to not have to Zack Willhoite, Lloyd Flem and Jim Cusick. wait for several hours for their train after the meeting adjourns. Amtrak is finally moving forward to install August 8: All Aboard Washington picnic it’s new Passenger Information Display meeting from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at System at King St. Station. Since the re- Rainier Vista Community Park, 5475 stored station reopened in April 2013 there 45th Ave SE (corner of 45th SE and has been no visual train information dis- Jim Hamre, left, and Charlie Hamilton, right, Ruddell Road), Lacey. We’ll provide the played to inform passengers on the status had the opportunity to discuss passenger burgers, hot dogs and accompaniments. of their trains. Passengers have had to rely rail issues directly with Rep. Denny Heck You are invited to bring a potluck item. solely on oft times unintelligible public ad- (D-Olympia) during NARP’s April 21 Day on dress announcements. Even though new or It’s a time for fun and good discussion. the Hill in Washington, DC. Harvey Bowen upgraded video systems have been in- Use the Cascades or Coast Starlight to and Claire Bowen joined them to help edu- stalled in and from the meeting. Car shuttles will be cate Congress. The four spread out across places Capitol Hill, having meetings with the staffs provided from the Olympia-Lacey Amtrak like St. of both Sens. Murray and Cantwell, and Station. Contact Lloyd Flem (info on page Paul, eight of our ten representatives. At its Cap- 5) if you need transportation from the Minot and itol Hill Reception that evening, NARP pre- station to the park. Portland sented its Golden Spike Award to former (seen FRA Administrator Joe Szabo.