NEWSLETTER Winter 2018 Vol. 15, Issue 1 At Long Last, MTA Prepares

Individual To Replace the Metrocard Highlights By Andrew Albert problems. Many Metrocard paid by credit or debit card - you users have encountered the were good, if you didn’t - you’re Introduced in the 1990s, New “swipe again” or “swipe again out of luck. And of course, the York’s ubiquitous Metrocard— here” message, thus causing Metrocard did you no good if you long the symbol of New York, and frustration not only for the rode the commuter rails—Metro- Uncertainty Rides the the butt of many jokes (so-and-so user, but those lined up at the North or the Long Island Rail Rails in NJ p. 2 didn’t know how to swipe, etc.)— turnstiles behind. Many transit Road. Sure, you could purchase will soon go the way of the token. users have also encountered a monthly pass on the railroads From New Mexico (And Of course, “soon” depends on “dirty” turnstile slots, which which had a Metrocard on the your definition, as the Metrocard damage the delicate electronic reverse side - but the subway user the U.S.) p. 4 will still be around during the stripe on the Metrocard, causing couldn’t upgrade their Metrocard introduction of the new contactless it to malfunction, or have to be to allow use on the railroads. And Canada Report tap card, as yet unnamed. replaced. the MTA had to pay employees Winter 2018 p. 5 to clean the turnstile slots that It’s about time. The Metrocard Then there’s the issue of the Metrocards slid through, or Delays Plague 2017’s has outlived its usefulness in damaged cards, as well as what to damage to cards would occur. many ways. This is not to do when your card is lost/stolen. And –leave it to enterprising New New Starts p. 6 say it was without merit—it If you’ve remembered to jot down Yorkers—some figured out that allowed for many useful and the serial # of your card, then if you bent the card in a certain Passenger Rail Advoca- important options that good. If you haven’t—and paid fashion, you could wrangle a cy Changing p. 7 the token did not—but it’s also with cash—you’re out of luck. couple of extra rides out of it! not to say there haven’t been If it was a monthly card and you ( Continued on page 3) FRA Designates Rail Cascades Expansion Pending Safety Week p. 8 By Lloyd H. Flem predicted, including larger picturesque water –level route MN’s Passenger- numbers of business travelers. skirting Puget Sound, replaced Wish List p. 9 On Dec. 18, the - In addition to the two new by a more direct, but far-less Portland segment of the - round trips, considerable aesthetic inland run between Stark County Transit’s built improvements on the BNSF Olympia and Tacoma. Also will add two round trips, giving Main north-south line within new environmentally-friendly Eco-Leadership p. 12 a total of six, all during daytime the state of , which Charger locomotives, built in hours. The six, plus the Coast benefits freight as well as Sacramento, will increase on- Renewed Interest in Ex- Starlight, mean that passenger service, have been time reliability. Finally, Tacoma panding Seasonal New rail passenger service between completed. will have a new Amtrak station England Service p. 13 the two rapidly-growing, immediately adjacent to light economically-prosperous A decrease in scheduled run and , intercity areas in the American time of 10 minutes will also bus and local . can be seen occur on Dec. 18. All Aboard Much of the funding for these as constituting a viable rail Washington (AAWA) feels the improvements and expansions corridor. With the increasingly decrease is too modest, given came from President Obama’s unpleasant experience of I-5 the infrastructure improvements ARRA “High Speed Rail” traffic, major growth in train made. In addition, all passenger (HSR) money. ridership in that corridor is trains will be leaving the (Continued on page 7) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 2 of 16 Uncertainty Rides the Rails at New Jersey Transit By David Peter Alan question is whether or not there will be new support for the agency had been reduced tunnels in service before the old ones must be by 90% from 2007-08 levels in 2014-15. New Jersey’s rail riders face an uncertain shut down, if that is actually necessary. For this year, it is about one third of the future, along with their transportation level of a decade ago, but these funding provider, New Jersey Transit (NJT). They Amtrak’s plan is the Gateway Project, a mega- cuts have translated into service cuts, face a number of uncertainties on several project first proposed in 2011. Gateway includes which means less mobility. Continued fronts, from chronic funding shortages at two new tunnels, two new bridges to replace uncertainty over funding means continued NJT, to not being sure whether the train the aging Portal Bridge over the Hackensack uncertainty over whether any particular they want to take will run on any given day. River, and improvements at Penn Station. It train will be removed from the schedule. also includes a new stub-end terminal called There was uncertainty on the Morris & Essex “Penn South” for NJT trains, new infrastructure There is also uncertainty about NJT’s (M&E) Line at the beginning of the summer, as in Secaucus, NJ and a that would render relationship with Amtrak. NJT has not paid NJT announced that there would be no weekday the current Secaucus station (which opened for its assessment to Amtrak for the use of the trains on that line to or from Penn Station, New service in 2003 and cost $600 million to build) (NEC) between Trenton York (except for a few early-morning arrivals) for obsolete. Amtrak claims that Gateway can be and Penn Station, New York. As a result, eight weeks. The trains were sent to the historic completed by 2030; only a few short years before Amtrak has stopped work on projects along Hoboken Terminal instead. NJT cut Hoboken it says the existing tunnels must be shut down for the line that would benefit NJT’s riders. Mayor in half for the duration and threw in free repairs. Some advocates believe this deadline to J. Christian Bollwage of Elizabeth complained connections to Manhattan on PATH (Port be too close for comfort. that the dispute between the two railroads has Authority Trans Hudson) trains or . The halted construction of a new station in his riders suffered some inconvenience, but NJT Those advocates, including the Lackawanna city, which is located on the NEC, but where planned and executed its plan well, so there was a Coalition, are concerned about the cost of Amtrak trains do not stop. He also expressed general consensus that the summer could have been Gateway, which is now estimated at close the hope that the incoming administration in much worse. That uncertainty had been resolved. to $30 billion. They do not believe that a Trenton can resolve the situation. fiscally-conservative Republican government When the M&E trains returned to Penn will spend half of that amount, which is Some of these uncertainties may be resolved Station, other uncertainties remained, roughly half of the money available for transit next year, although some transit managers and they have not gone away. There is a projects around the country, for a project that are facing a new uncertainty. New Jersey shortage of engineers at NJT, which has will benefit a Democratic stronghold like the is getting a new governor, Democrat Phil caused some trains to be canceled. This New York area. They also doubt that there is Murphy. Both houses of the legislature have writer and many other riders have had enough “local” money available to pay for the Democratic majorities, so Murphy should occasions when the trains we expected to local funding match. They propose a “Plan B” be able to implement policies easily. During catch did not run, so we had to wait for that includes new tunnels, a single new bridge the campaign, Murphy complained about the next train. Outside peak-commuting and the improvements at Penn Station, but the leadership at NJT, so advocates expect hours, that meant an extra hour of waiting not “Penn South” or the other infrastructure, to see some new faces at the agency next time. If an “inbound” train is canceled, which they deem unnecessary and possibly year. Whether any such changes will be far- the consequences could be much worse, undesirable. These advocates say that their reaching, or merely cosmetic, is anyone’s guess. like missing appointments. Labor and scaled-down plan is affordable, and will That is a new uncertainty for riders, while management are blaming each other, provide enough capacity into Penn Station. some managers are uncertain about whether while the biggest losers are the riders. They criticize Gateway for not promising or not they will keep their jobs after the new to provide such capacity until the all of it is administration takes office in January. In the long run, there is uncertainty about completed, which might not happen before how NJT riders will get into New York’s the existing tunnels are taken out of service. Riders and their advocates are also uncertain Penn Station in the future. The tunnels under They are beginning to think about a “Plan C” about whether there will be more funding for the the Hudson River flooded in 2012, when to get commuters into Manhattan, even if a operating side of NJT, now that the Democrats Hurricane Sandy struck. Amtrak, which owns tunnel is taken out of service for repairs. will be in power in Trenton. At least now they the line, says that they must be taken out of can hope that there will be more funding. If service for repairs by 2034. Some advocates There is also the uncertainty about there is, they may at least be able to keep the claim that the damage is not extensive and can funding for NJT and for community reduced level of service that they now have. be repaired at night and on weekends. NJT, transportation in the Garden State. The David Peter Alan is a RUN Board member who Amtrak and the “transportation establishment” administration of outgoing Gov. Chris is also Chair of the Lackawanna Coalition, which maintain that it will be necessary to take each Christie once cut funding for the operating advocates for better service on NJ Transit Rail and tunnel out of service for months. The big side of NJT so drastically that legislative connecting transit lines. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 3 of 16

At Long Last, MTA Prepares To Replace the Metrocard (Continued from page 1) a trip to a station to refill them. By 2022, on articulated buses: you would tap as you machines will be installed in subway stations entered through one of the rear doors, and it For a variety of reasons, all this is about and commuter rail stations which will vend the would verify you’ve paid your fare. All-door to change. This month, New York’s MTA-issued cards. The entire project will be boarding speeds the bus boarding process— Metropolitan Transportation Authority complete by 2023, which will then completely and gets buses on their way more quickly. A signed a $573-million agreement with remove the slots that accommodated on any of New York’s Select Bus System Cubic Transportation Systems to develop a Metrocard, and it will be history. routes verifies that theory, big-time. new fare payment system that will, by 2023, completely replace the aging Metrocard The new fare card system will allow inventive So, New York will finally move its transit system. New York will get the as-yet ways to pay your fare—but also give the rider system into the 21st Century with the unnamed contactless tap card system that is some new fare options, such as “capping,” introduction of the new fare payment system. in use in London, among other places. which, after you’ve reached the threshold of It’s a massive system, and will take years the fare type you’ve paid for, would allow free to wire and set up for this modern system, Initially, electronic readers will be installed rides over that. It will allow transfers to the but it will definitely be worth it. If you’ve in 500 subway turnstiles and on 600 buses. commuter rail system, as well as discounts ridden the subway and been frustrated by This will happen by 2019. By 2020, there by time-of-day, and of course will allow for the “swipe again” or “swipe again here” will be a complete rollout of this system in senior/disabled discounts. Perhaps the best signs, or if you’ve been stuck behind another all subway turnstiles and buses. There will part is the variety of ways you will be able straphanger who’s receiving that message, also be apps which will allow to add fare - either by your smartphone, by you’ll appreciate the speed and usability of entry to the system, such as Apple Pay, computer, or by machine. Of course, there the tap card system. The fact that you won’t Android Pay, and Samsung Pay. Initially, will be automatic refill, as there is now with have to go out of your way to buy, reload, or you will also be able to have a bank-issued the Metrocard if you’re a senior or disabled replace your card (Metrocards had a shelf credit or debit card with a special MTA customer. Speed will be another benefit, as life and expiration date, due to the delicate chip inside. the London system has proven. And if you’ve electronic stripe), you will want one of these ever ridden a NY bus and waited as the new cards. I’m working on a catchy name for Later, likely in 2021, there will also be a MTA- farebox took your Metrocard, digested it, and it, but I’m not ready to announce it just yet. issued card, for those who don’t have bank then spit it back out to you—a four- or five- accounts or credit cards. A wide retail network second sequence—you will really appreciate Andrew Albert is Vice-Chairman of RUN, the will be established to sell the cards, which of the speed of the tap card system. This system Chair of the NYC Transit Riders Council, and course can be refilled online, and do not require will also allow the use of all-door boarding Riders’ Representative on the MTA Board.

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, Rail Group Andrew Albert, Vice-Chair New York, NY Transit Riders Council Chuck Bode, Membership Secretary , 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 , MA Greater 4 Corners Action Coalition (MBTA) James E. Coston, Esq. , IL Corridor Capital LLC Bill Engel Canal Fulton, OH Ohio Rail Tourism Association Dana Gabbard , 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 Phil Streby Peru, IN Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance Ken Westcar Woodstock, ON Transport Action Ontario

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

By J.W. Madison on the workers instead of on inadequate The Rail Runner (NMRX) is drowning corporate safety rules and lax government in Red Ink! Is it worth the huge expense? Railroad Workers United oversight policies. Maybe it should be mothballed or retired? Unions still exist in America, albeit in a • Widespread corporate practices like weakened and more subdued condition than deferred maintenance, skimpy safety According to our Honest Inside Source, was the case 4-5 decades ago. procedures, aggressive cost-cutting—and the big fuss is over “debt service,” which too few crew members—and their role in has been around from the beginning of Some readers will remember a time when the many train fires and derailments of the the Rail Runner, as it is around any other the major unions were loud, pushy, and in last few years; large transportation or infrastructure the news all the time. They were also shot project. through with racism and sometimes cozied • Alleged wrongdoing and sweetheart up a little too close to “organized crime” for deals between the major rail unions and And when you consider that the the comfort of many. The picture is more their supposed management opponents; NMDOT routinely carries this “debt complicated now, and certainly not all bad. service” on many road and highway Unions are gradually rising on behalf of In today’s Besieged America, a loud, brash, projects, has done so for years, and formerly unrepresented workers, such as no-nonsense organization unmistakably continues to do so without batting an hotel cleaners and fast-food workers. And representing the rank and file (the people eye, this latest anti-rail spasm is more of there is a small but slowly growing movement that run and maintain the trains) almost the same old biased and basically unfair agitating for a minimum wage that a thrifty seems like an anachronism or a throwback abuse, with a New Mexico twist: family can actually live on. to a previous time. RWU would appear to fit that bill, but they’re the real thing. In New Mexico, we still fight battles And then there’s the Railroad Workers RWU is what could once with greater in transportation, energy, land use, United (RWU), founded 2008. From their semantic comfort be called an “insurgent” and related topics that have long since introductory material: or “dissident” union. They are not been won or partially won just about afraid to take on anybody, management, everywhere else, even the Inland West. “We are a diverse group of railroad government, or other unions, if they see Reminds me of staging a battle re- workers, family members, and retirees unsafe work rules, conflict of interest, dirty enactment with live ammo. from throughout North America. We have deals, or other threats to rail workers or the members from all the rail crafts and all of general public. J.W. Madison is a RUN Board Member and the railroad unions. RWU also allows for president of Rails Inc, based in Albuquerque, NM. “Solidarity Members” from different walks In short, RWU is just plain refreshing. of life—mostly in rail related industries— who support our efforts. “ RWU’s website is: http://www. railroadworkersunited.org . Contact: Ron Like the newsletter? A few of the issues the RWU wades into are Kaminkow, general secretary Care to make it better? these: OR JP Wright, organizer; [email protected] OR • The Single Crew Member controversy. 202-798-3327 Why not send us an article, so No one-person crews for them—especially we can possibly include it in on hazmat trains—and they make a solid, Another Round Lobbed At The the next edition! unambiguous case for their position. Rail Runner Send your article to • The current court trials of the train Once again, or I should say Still, New [email protected], crew members accused of causing the Lac Mexico’s starter commuter Rail line is and get published! Megantic disaster. They consider said trials under attack. The usual scary stuff in to be a brazen attempt to place the blame the Albuquerque Journal and other outlets: RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 5 of 16 Canada Report, Winter 2018

By Ken Westcar bookings by international rail touring groups and excluding people who know anything for the 2018 season. VIA continues to about passenger railways, it’s likely to come Churchill Saved! Perhaps struggle in this marketplace because of very under fire very quickly. There are a prolific poor punctuality of the Toronto-Vancouver number of tigers in the grass with legitimate As mentioned in the last Canadian Report, Canadian that substantially raises operating questions over cost, timeline, industrial benefits the washed-out route between Winnipeg costs and generates many very disgruntled and community concerns over property and Churchill in Manitoba has been a passengers. expropriation and noise. scene of intense saber-rattling between owner Omnitrax and the Canadian federal Ontario High-Speed Rail It’s been interesting to watch mayors in government. After a threat of legal action by Toronto, Guelph, Kitchener and London Canada, Omnitrax agreed to restore the line The province recently announced two shilling for high-speed rail without any real for “light-duty use” which, to the man on the steps forward on this project. The first is a understanding of what it actually entails. street, implies a patch job. C$15-million preliminary environmental The route will need to pass through urban assessment due out in early 2018. areas for nearly half its length and tunneling Despite Churchill residents’ threat to impound Followers of this will be looking for the is unlikely to be an option due to cost. the train, marooned by weather consideration of alternatives, such as Consequently, it’s going to be fun watching and climate-related track damage, it was doing absolutely nothing and keeping mayors twisting themselves into pretzels released before the Omnitrax deal was struck fingers crossed that autonomous vehicles when they tell their constituents where the and barged back to Montreal. Churchill are potential salvation to Highway demolition balls will be swinging. was in danger of becoming a ghost town 401 congestion and closure woes. The inhabited solely by polar bears as the cost of second, favored by pragmatists rather In my next report I’ll cover the Transport flying in supplies is punitive. There has been than political trophy-hunters, are major Futures conference in Toronto on Nov. 27. discussion on closing the railway and replacing improvements to VIA’s “Corridor” services The agenda and speaker listing look very it with a road, the logic being that roads are in southwestern Ontario. interesting. It should be indicative of the way “investments” as opposed to railways that big players in the industry intend to tackle need a “subsidy.” Heard that before? The second step is the establishment of a the current “they who are able to externalize High-Speed Rail Planning Board to consider costs to the taxpayer and environment win” There’s no word on when the route will stakeholder input on route choices and transportation policy at the provincial and finally reopen but it needs to be soon to avoid required train frequencies. If this follows federal level. winter weather conditions. VIA’s position the usual provincial government strategy of on passenger service reinstatement remains avoiding acknowledgement of best-practice Ken Westcar is a Board Member of Transport unclear and this could seriously discourage in other high-speed operating countries Action Ontario.

Your help is needed as we continue to grow organizationally!

The Rail Users’ Network has established two new committees to expand our membership and to respond to issues that arise before the STB, FRA, and Congress which have an impact on passenger rail and transit rail issues. These new committees will be chaired by RUN board members and will be open to anyone who belongs to the organization. Most of the work can be accomplished via conference calling. Please let us know if you are interested in serving on either of these two committees. We are also creating a new RUN brochure which will be placed in racks at trains stations where we have permission to do so. We need help distributing these new brochures. Thanks in advance. Please call 207-776-4961 or send an email to [email protected]. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 6 of 16 Delays Plague New Starts, But Several New Lines Open in 2017, Anyway By David Peter Alan which mostly lie along the highway. The the private character of the line at every stop; line comes within walking distance of the an automated public-address system delivers 2017 was not a great year for new transit municipal complex in Aurora, but not near a commercial sponsorship announcement. starts. Several planned for the year have its historic downtown, which is two miles Despite this element of discomfort for riders, been delayed until next year. Others away and is served by the Colfax Avenue bus. the line’s proponents expect that it will help eventually opened, even though they were At this time, there is little development along accelerate the current revival of downtown slated to begin service earlier. There were the new line. The “R” Line is part of the Detroit and lead to the construction of other not many new service starts, but they Regional Transit District’s Fastracks initiative, streetcar lines in the city. represented several regions and Canada. which has already resulted in two new Amtrak also extended service on a line in commuter-rail-style lines and two new light The other entirely-new start opened for Virginia, restoring a train that had not run rail lines. There are five more projects under service in the Bay Area on August 25. It is there since 1979. construction or development, including SMART Rail (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail eventual service to Boulder and Longmont. Transit), in the North Bay area of the San Probably the most-awaited and most-delayed Francisco suburbs. The line is 43 miles long new transit service opened at noon on New The first of two starts in the and currently runs on a limited schedule Years’ Day. It was the first segment of New Bay area began service on March 25. It is between San Rafael and Santa Rosa Airport, York City’s Second Avenue Subway. The first the extension of the BART (Bay Area Rapid north of the town by the same name plans for a subway under Second Avenue Transit) line to Warm Springs Station in and through downtown Santa Rosa and were drawn a century ago, when there was South Fremont, a park-and-ride station with Petaluma. The line runs frequently during an elevated line, but the “El” was torn down more than 2000 parking spaces, as well as peak-commuting hours, with limited mid- in 1942 in anticipation of a new subway line connections to local buses on AC Transit. day and no evening service. There are five to replace it. The new segment branches off The new segment of the line is 5.4 miles round trips on weekends. Currently, there is a from the historic BMT line at 57th Street and from the former Fremont terminal, where shuttle bus between San Rafael and Larkspur, Seventh Avenue, stops at 63rd Street (and trains still terminate on Sundays and after where riders can connect with ferries to and Lexington Avenue) and then makes three 6:00 on other days. A BART press release from the historic Building at the foot stops under Second Avenue: 72nd, 86th and said that ridership was “1,577 exits” on the of San Francisco’s Market Street. There are 96th Streets. It has been criticized for its cost first day of service. The next segment will be plans to extend the line to Larkspur next year, and dubbed the “Second Avenue Stubway” an extension to Berryessa/North San José, and eventually north to Cloverdale. but there are plans to extend it northward to scheduled for next year as part of a plan to 125th Street in a few years. There are also go to downtown San José eventually. Historically, the line was the southern part of plans to extend it all the way downtown, but the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, a subsidiary it will be many years before that happens. Streetcars returned to Detroit for the first of the Southern Pacific. Film buffs may time since 1956 on May 12. That was the recognize the town of Santa Rosa as the setting Eleven days later, Metro Transit first day of service on the new Q-Line, also for Alfred Hitchcock’s 1943 thriller Shadow completed its light-rail system by opening the known as M-1 Rail. It took several years of of a Doubt. Some of the buildings seen in that last two stops on its Green Line and the new effort to get the line built and going, both picture are still standing, but the trains that Magnolia Park Transit Center, a four-minute advocating for the line itself and procuring run today are different from the one where the ride eastward along Harrisburg Blvd. in the the necessary funding. The new line runs for climax of the picture was set. The new trains East End. The other seven stations on the 3.1 miles on Woodward Avenue, the city’s are diesel-multiple-unit (DMU) trains built by Green Line opened on May 23, 2015. main street, from the Fisher Building (near the Nippon-Sharyo. The opening of the line was Amtrak station) south to the city’s downtown originally planned for 2014, but was delayed The next new line opened on Feb. 24 in core. It runs on the street in mixed traffic, until last August. There were free “preview” Denver. It is the “R” Line, a line and its operation is separate from the local rides operated during late June and July, before on the east side of the city that connects buses operated by the Detroit Department the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) the newly-opened “A” Line between of Transportation (DDOT). The line was approved the (PTC) Union Station and the airport, through financed largely by private investment, required for revenue service. An estimated the University of Colorado, with the “H” mostly form Quicken Loans (hence the 2,700 daily riders used the trains during the Line light rail along Interstate Highway name Q-Line) and little investment from the first week of regular service. 225. There are five new stations on the line, automobile industry. There is a reminder of (Continued on page 12 RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 7 of 16

Passenger Rail Advocacy Changing; Incremental Projects Best Understood

By Phil Streby next quarter’s profits, he said. acquainted” visits with the mayors, who ultimately acted as “portals” to Congress. Passenger rail advocacy is changing, said “While transportation is one area so far Today, incremental passenger rail Joe McHugh, Amtrak vice president not affected, there are too many issues improvements are far better understood for state-supported services. “It’s very taking on political aspects that make and approved than the “great leaps difficult to explain the case for improved decisions deadly to political careers which forward” type of projects, he stressed. service to a public which doesn’t makes it very difficult to gain that needed understand the reasoning,” he explained support,” he said. Midwest states were commended for to a luncheon gathering at the Michigan increasing speeds along their corridors, Rail Conference last August. Rally regional groups to work on a project rebuilding their rail stations, and bringing at the state level, which can lead to funding on new equipment. “The Midwest rail At one time everyone had a friend or solutions. For instance, build or refurbish passenger infrastructure is becoming a family member working for a railroad. train stations and turn them into models gem of the system,” McHugh said. The railroad was where nearly every of commerce and economic development engineering student strove to work. Now for the community, McHugh explained. Advocates must look back upon their it’s more difficult to attract the talent. He urged advocates to involve the local successes as they look forward toward Most people don’t know how this business community early in passenger rail projects. even better service. With improved, well- works, McHugh continued. used service, the detractors of passenger In the 1990s, McHugh met with a rail service will be quieted, he added. Over are the days of large infrastructure group of knowledgeable, local mayors projects without federal revenue and who were concerned with maintaining (This article first appeared in All Aboard incentives. Large-scale projects such Amtrak service between and New Indiana, the newsletter of the Indiana Passenger as the electrification of the Northeast Orleans. The mayors found a solution Rail Alliance..) Corridor were completed because of the which preserved daily service long-range planning done then compared on the corridor. That initial meeting Phil Streby is a RUN Board member and a board with current thinking along the lines of was followed up with personal “get member of the Indiana Passenger Rail Alliance. Amtrak Cascades Expansion Pending

(Continued from page 1) money, rather than just, say, the number of train service, which last ran in 1981, across electoral votes a state might have! Stampede Pass on the original NP line, A feature article in the October through the Yakima Valley. 2017 Trains magazine explained why A pre-inaugural run on the new inland Washington State DOT received a greater route for “Dignitaries” and media will be Another major task on which we’ll continue level of funding from the HSR portion of held on Dec. 15. (This writer was invited is to encourage, even have mandated if ARRA than any state save California and and I promised WSDOT I would attempt needed, all providers of public transportation . Excellent planning, a successful to remain dignified!) A celebration at the which receive tax dollars to mutually publicly supported state rail program, new Tacoma Amtrak station is scheduled cooperate more fully, at least on providing and cooperative relations with partners, for the afternoon of Dec. 15, to which the information about complementary modes. including host rail road BNSF helped public has been invited. ensure Washington received what AAWA We’re now deep into November in western considers our “justly-earned share.” AAWA is now planning for the upcoming Washington, with our famous clouds, rains, AAWA had lobbied our Washington Legislative Session, starting in mid-January and storms rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. Congressional delegation, pushing the in Olympia. We will continue to praise what But everything is lush and green. Riding idea that our state had earned significant has been accomplished and tactfully push our trains is good in November, as it is in the AARA funding more than states who had for continued incremental improvements other 11 months. Come visit us anytime! just discovered they “needed” big chunks in the existing rail program. In addition, of HSR money. AAWA was pleased that we are continuing what we realize will be a Lloyd H Flem is Executive Director, All Aboard merit seemed to rule in distributing the long process in restoring intercity passenger Washington. RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 8 of 16

FRA Designates “Rail Safety Week,” Sept. 24-30, 2017 high rates of crashes. Drivers failing to stop for flashing lights or lowered gates at such crossings were stopped and issued citations. As well, railroad safety cards were given out to motorists and pedestrians at the crossings.

In California, a special event took place prior to the San Diego Padres home game on September 24. Volunteers staffed a booth where baseball fans could talk with rail safety experts about being safe around railroad property. California was particularly concerned because the state leads the nation in trespassing incidents on railroad tracks. It is second in the nation in grade crossing incidents. To find out where your state stands in the national rankings, visit www.oli.org.

An Operation Clear Track checkpoint on Sept. 26, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Amtrak Police) Sadly, my home state of Ohio is in the top ten nationally in both train/vehicle crashes By Bill Engel Operation Lifesaver’s existence, the and trespassing incidents. For whatever number of incidents has been reduced by reason, there were more trespassing The year 2017 marks the 45th year of over 80%. While the reduction in crashes incidents than train/vehicle crashes. It Operation Lifesaver, now an international is commendable, the frequency of such may be that the Ohio Rail Development effort to increase public awareness of the incidents indicates more work needs to Commission has been active in dispensing need to be alert when driving or walking be done to get the public to be more alert federal and State of Ohio funds to near train tracks. As part of this effort, near train tracks, thus the events during upgrade the protection at crossings and/or the FRA, along with other interested Rail Safety Week. eliminate them. parties, declared Sept. 24-30 as “Rail Safety Week,” the first nationwide effort The freight railroads, Amtrak, and Please remember these three slogans of its kind. commuter train operators all planned whenever you are near train tracks: special events during Rail Safety Week. First, Look, Listen, and Live.Second, Stay Current statistics show that about every One example of the special events Off, Stay Away, Stay Alive. Third, See three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a planned was Operation Clear Track. Tracks? Think Train. train somewhere in the USA. The need For three hours on Tuesday, Sept. 26, to be alert near train tracks should be railroad police, cooperating with police Bill Engel is a RUN Board Mrmber based in obvious, but the statistics show that the agencies at all levels of government, Canal Fulton, OH. public is not. Even so, in the 45 years of concentrated on grade crossings with 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 9 of 16

Minnesota’s Passenger-Train Wish List Slowly Ripening to Reality By F.K. Plous On the Builder’s route, MNDOT so far with a note that Amtrak does not have, is planning only a partial solution—a and is not planning to acquire, any If you’ve ever ridden a passenger train in second daily frequency over the 418- locomotives or rolling stock for the second Minnesota it’s very likely you’ve ridden mile route between St. Paul and train(s), so that the states of Minnesota only one: Amtrak’s . Since Chicago. Any additional service to and will have to acquire their 1985, when the state ended its funding for points west of the Twin Cities will have own equipment. the St. Paul-Duluth North Star, the Builder to come later. has been the only passenger train serving Using current costs for new bi-level the state. More convenient schedule for local coaches and Tier IV diesel-electric passengers--MNDOT planner Praveena locomotives, Amtrak estimated the startup And that’s a problem—not only because Pidaparthi, who is collaborating fleet costs at $43 million, a figure which Nos. 7/8 provide only one daily train with counterparts at the Wisconsin would be very hard (read: “impossible”) in each direction, but because those Department of Transportation on what to justify to the respective state legislators trains serve only one route, and on a would be a jointly funded train, says the required to fund the initiative. schedule that’s not convenient for many second Chicago train is likely to run travelers originating or terminating in on a “partially flipped” schedule from Full disclosure: The author’s employer, Minnesota. the Builder’s. A truly flipped schedule Chicago-based Corridor Capital LLC, would have the new train leaving has recommended an alternative Look at the map. Despite an itinerary that Chicago at 2:15 a.m. and arriving back plan using former commuter-train includes 380 miles inside Minnesota, the in the city at 3:55 a.m. So a new train locomotives, which are widely available Builder is not really Minnesota’s train. It’s would leave Chicago around 9 a.m. in the aftermarket, and former Santa a 2,200-mile long-distance overnighter with arrival in St. Paul around 4 p.m. Fe Railway Hi-Level coaches, which timed for travelers between Chicago and A second consist would leave St. Paul Corridor Capital owns or has optioned. the train’s two Pacific Northwest termini, approximately on the same timetable, Both would be totally redesigned and Seattle and Portland. The Builder is part so that the two trains would meet-and- rebuilt for the new service at a cost to the of Amtrak’s so-called “National System” pass somewhere between Tomah and states of about $15 million. and receives no funding from the State Wisconsin Dells, WI. of Minnesota. It serves six cities in Additional savings would come from Minnesota—Winona, Red Wing, St. Paul, The trains would use the former a more rigorous operating plan under St. Cloud, Staples and Detroit Lakes--and route, currently which Corridor proposed only one technically serves a seventh, Moorhead, owned by Canadian Pacific Railway consist instead of the two suggested by which is not a stop but sits directly across between St. Paul and Rondout, Ill. Metra, Amtrak. The bi-directional 4-car train the Red River from Fargo, ND, which the Chicago regional commuter-rail equipped with locomotives at each end is. But the Builder comes and goes at agency, owns the last 32.3 miles between would leave Chicago at 7 a.m., arrive St. times that are not always convenient for Rondout and . Paul at 2:15 p.m. and undergo a “blitz” Minnesota travelers, stopping at Fargo in Both landlord railroads are willing to cleaning/servicing/restocking at the both directions between 2 and 3:30 in the handle the second trains as long as the platform under St. Paul Union Depot. morning. necessary infrastructure improvements— The train would leave for Chicago at mostly sidings and signals—are provided. 4 p.m. and arrive back in Chicago just Nor does the Builder in either direction The cost of those upgrades is estimated at after 11 p.m. in time for passengers to connect with a train to Minnesota’s around $95 million, much of which would connect with the last Metra commuter second-largest metro area, Duluth, 150 qualify for federal funding. trains to the suburbs. miles northeast of the Twin Cities at the western end of Lake Superior. But who will provide the rolling Corridor Capital’s plan represents “a stock?--Meanwhile, estimates for rolling more realistic and businesslike approach” Fortunately, the Minnesota Department of stock and operating costs have been that makes the new train service Transportation now is actively seeking to performed by Amtrak. Operating costs affordable, said the company’s chairman, establish new train services that fill both of are expected to run about $6.5 million James E. Coston. these serious mobility gaps. per year, but the Amtrak report concluded (Continued on page 10) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 10 of 16 Minnesota’s Passenger-Train Wish List Slowly Ripening to Reality

(Continued from page 9) neither agency currently has disclosed a on how the trains are scheduled, the first preference for any equipment strategy. A train and last trains of the day may even “Going from two consists to one saves a further complication is a Minnesota statute serve a commuter function at the Twin huge amount of money,” Coston said. that forbids state-owned property from Cities end. “Under the two-consist scenario, each being used out of state. Unless the statute train works only 7 ½ hours out of every is repealed, Minnesota and Wisconsin But this capability will require $500-$600 24. That’s a rate of utilization that would probably would have to form some sort of million in capital investment in BNSF never be tolerated in the airline, intercity- joint operating authority which then would Railway’s mostly single-track, freight-heavy bus or transit industry. A single train lease the necessary train or trains. main line, about 80% of it from the federal working 14 hours a day is easier to justify. government. Passing sidings would have to And there’s no need for brand-new cars Twin Cities to --That proviso be installed, as would Positive Train Control, and locomotives when existing rolling stock also would affect ownership of the two re-timing of grade-crossing circuits and can be gutted and remanufactured to the or three consists that will be needed to platform construction at the intermediate current state of the art at half the cost. Why equip the proposed Northern Lights Express stations. BNSF is O.K. with plans to run fast would you need an expensive new 125-mph connecting Duluth and . passenger trains, but only if government locomotive on a railroad configured for no Although both end points are inside pays for the necessary infrastructure more than 79 mph?” Minnesota, the trains must pass through improvements. The project is now in Tier 2 a tiny northwestern corner of the state of of the Environmental Review process. Coston said Corridor’s plan also differs Wisconsin and stop at Duluth’s twin city, from Amtrak’s in having a locomotive Superior, WI, before crossing the St. Louis The curious case of the two stations— at each end of the consist rather than a River to re-enter Minnesota and reach the In addition to bringing a fresh dose of locomotive at one end and a cab car at city of Duluth. new mobility to Minnesota, the second the other. Twin Cities-Chicago train and the North The Northern Light Express project is a big Star Express promise to bring an end to “It’s because of the grade-crossing deal in Minnesota. MNDOT is planning a problem that has plagued Minnesota problem,” he said. “Even if it has Crash not one but four daily shuttle frequencies passenger-train planning for decades: Energy Management, a passenger car over the 150-mile Minneapolis-Duluth the historic rivalry between St. Paul and should not be the first vehicle in the train route, a busy travel corridor plagued not Minneapolis. to strike a ready-mix truck or a fuel tanker only by growing traffic congestion on stuck on a crossing at 79 mph. Sooner Interstate 35 but by the region’s notorious When President Jimmy Carter’s economy or later every train experiences a grade- snowstorms, which not only can block drive forced Amtrak into a radical pruning of crossing event. There are more than 300 highways with impassable drifts but also its long-distance train network in 1979, the road crossings between Chicago and the generate dangerous whiteouts that blind only active railroad station serving the Twin Twin Cities. We believe the passengers motorists to their surroundings. A fleet Cities was the old Great Northern Station in should be protected from any impact by a of 90-mph passenger trains governed Minneapolis, served by the daily Empire Builder heavy locomotive and the engineer should by Positive Train Control would give and the thrice-weekly North Coast Hiawatha. be protected by a big steel nose.” travelers a fast, safe, restful solution to But once Carter had killed off the North Coast both problems. Hiawatha, Burlington Northern Chairman Lou Corridor Capital also has suggested Menk announced the railroad no longer could inclusion of business-class accommodations, As described by Frank Loetterle, the afford to keep its aging 12-track station open an option not in the Amtrak proposal. The MNDOT planner in charge of the Northern for one train a day and would demolish the company’s holdings include Hi-Level cars Lights Express, the initial plan calls for four building and sell the property to a developer. capable of conversion to business/cafe round trips per day between the Twin Cities With the 21-track St. Paul Union Depot configuration, with about 40 seats in the and the Twin Ports, with intermediate (SPUD) empty and used by the adjacent U.S. business section and about 20 in the cafe. stops at Coon Rapids-Foley, Cambridge, Post Office for truck storage, Amtrak built Hinckley, Sandstone, and Superior. End- its own station in St. Paul’s Midway area to MNDOT and WisDOT have been to-end running times would be about 2 ½ handle the Builder. briefed on the Capital Corridor plan, but hours at top speeds of 90 mph. Depending (Continued on page 11) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 11 of 16

Minnesota’s Passenger-Train Wish List Slowly Ripening to Reality

((Continued from page 10) closed Midway Station and began train movements as well as passenger stopping the Empire Builder at the amenities, such as a head house with But in 2009, when Minneapolis started restored SPUD. The huge limestone seating, rest rooms, ticket office and up its modest North Star commuter-rail Neoclassical head house and vaulted other amenities it currently lacks, plus service to suburban Big Lake, the city Italianate concourse now stand as the a parking lot and perhaps car-rental contrived to carve out a little 2-track, only intercity passenger-rail station in capability. 1-platform depot alongside a freight the Twin Cities. alignment used by Union Pacific and “Eventually, when the money is there, BNSF, passing right under the Target So when planning for the two new all trains will serve both stations in the Field stadium just west of downtown train services began, it was ordained Twin Cities,” he said. Minneapolis. is that the Twin Cities-Chicago train a queer little place—no head house, would originate and terminate at St. Krom is patiently confident that all just an escalator from the platform Paul Union Depot while the proposed the obstacles currently hindering the up to the Target Field sidewalk, and a Northern Lights Express would use Target startups can be overcome. very tight configuration hemmed in by Field. The intercity rivalry would be office buildings that drastically limits appeased by giving each city its “own” “We are in the process of funding the expansion. Even worse, the station has train. The two depots are about 10 environmental study for the Northern a stub configuration, so any train routed miles apart via the BNSF main line, Lights Express, and when the funds beyond Minneapolis must either back in but they are connected by the new become available we will move,” he or back out on a wye about a mile north Green Line light-rail line, so planners said. “On the Chicago project we are a of the site. The trackage serving the explained Minneapolitans headed for little farther behind. We’re just starting Great Northern’s old through station Chicago could take the streetcar to to engage on the capital and operating- has been ripped out and the Federal SPUD while St. Paulians traveling to cost issues. Reserve Bank of Minneapolis now Duluth-Superior could ride the same occupies the depot’s footprint, leaving streetcar line in the other direction to “Fortunately, both the CP and the BNSF no way for passenger trains to operate connect with the Northern Lights Express at have been extremely cooperative,” he through downtown Minneapolis—only Target Field. said. “We’re just beginning the dialogue “in-and-out.” with CP about using their railroad to But MNDOT Rail Office Director reach Chicago. Our talks with BNSF During the same period, the Ramsey Dan Krom said this awkward situation are more advanced. Both carriers have County Railroad Commission embarked will not prevail permanently. He been good partners with us.” on an ambitious, $200-million project said the little Target Field station to renovate, rehabilitate and historically is capable of being upgraded and F.K. Plous is director of communications for restore SPUD. In May 2014, Amtrak expanded to provide both additional Corridor Capital LLC.

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Delays Plague New Starts, But Several New Lines Open in 2017, Anyway

(Continued from page 6) There was also new service that started in the American Public Transportation Canada, specifically in the Toronto area. Association (APTA), and many Amtrak also restored service to On GO Transit, the city’s commuter- advocates agree with that designation. Roanoke, VA, a place that had not rail operation, the line going north to hosted a scheduled passenger train since Richmond Hill was extended one stop There were other openings scheduled 1979. Until Oct. 31, there had been to Gormley. The line runs during peak- for this year, including BART to a morning train from Lynchburg to commuting hours only (as do several Berryessa, the extension of the Blue New York through Charlottesville and other GO Transit lines), and there are no Line light rail in Charlotte, and the new the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The buses scheduled to arrive in Gormley in St. Louis Loop Trolley, a heritage-style southbound train left New York in the time to take the train back to Toronto, streetcar. It is expected that these lines early afternoon. The route has now or late enough to return from Gormley will open next year, along with more been extended to serve a new station to Toronto after taking a northbound Fastracks lines in Denver, Ion light rail in downtown Roanoke, with one daily commuter train. in Waterloo and Kitchener, Ontario, train in each direction and separate and others. Local service between New weekday and week-end schedules. At this writing, the Toronto Transit Haven, CT and Springfield, MA is The southbound schedules differ only Commission (TTC) plans to extend expected to start next year, too. This is slightly, but the northbound train leaves the Yonge-University Subway not new mileage, but the start of the Roanoke at 6:19 on weekday mornings northwest, to the municipality of trains sponsored by the and at 8:40 on weekends. This new York by the end of this year. The new D.O.T. will mark a significant increase service was also delayed, having been extension will run from the current in service on the line. studied since 1996. Roanoke’s Valley terminal at Sheppard West to the Metro ran a bus to Lynchburg that Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (sic) Of course, like all new projects, these connected with the train, to demonstrate in York, with six new stops. The service openings may be delayed, too. that there was demand for service from extension will run underground for Keep checking with RUN, through Roanoke and Bedford. That bus served its 6.4-km (four-mile) length, most this newsletter and our website, www. its purpose and was discontinued when of it in a deep-bore tunnel dug by railusers.net, to stay informed. the train was extended to Roanoke. a machine called “Torkie.” The Bedford has lost this bus service and is stations were built using cut-and-cover The author is a RUN Board member from New currently not a stop on the train, but construction. The TTC will probably Jersey who has ridden the new lines in New York, Roanoke has a passenger train for the meet that deadline. It has been named Detroit and Denver (and from Roanoke in 1970), first time in 38 years. the “system of the year” for 2017 by and expects to ride the rest of them next year. Transit Agency a Leader in Fuel-Cell Powered Buses

By Bill Engel of such buses. The advantage of hydrogen As a non-technical person, this writer fuel cells is that they emit only water and cannot help but wonder if fuel cells could The transit agency servicing Stark County, heat from the chemical reaction which be developed to power commuter train Ohio, SARTA, operates a number of creates electricity. A hydrogen fuel cell bus locomotives, or at least DMU type vehicles hydrogen fuel cell powered buses. The County has an electric motor that is powered by that are now powered by diesel engines. seat of Stark County is the City of Canton, the electricity the fuel cell generates. which many readers will recognize as the For more information, go to www. home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Stark State College, which started as sartaonline or www.starkstate.edu. a technical school, has a near During the first week of November 2017, Canton. It has a fuel cell prototyping Bill Engel is a RUN Board Member based in an international conference was held in center to help companies develop fuel cell Canal Fulton, OH. Canton to discuss the outlook for the use powered equipment. RAILRAIL USERS’ USERS’ NETWORK NETWORK NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER PagePage 13 10 of of 16 12

CapeFLYER Sparks Renewed Interest in Restoring Seasonal Passenger Service Elsewhere in

By Richard Rudolph, Ph.D. Restoring seasonal rail service between Over the past five years, Karen Chair,. Rail Users’ Network Pittsfield, MA and New York City isn’t a new Christensen, CEO of the Berkshires idea. Wealthy New Yorkers used to travel Publishing Group and also founder of MBTA’s seasonal service from Boston by train to the Berkshires to attend concerts the Berkshires Train Campaign, has to Hyannis first launched in 2013. at Tanglewood or to ski in the winter and worked tirelessly to establish passenger It continues to be a success and has Western residents traveled rail service from Pittsfield to Grand generated renewed interest in restoring by train south to shop, visit art museums or Central Terminal in New York. Her group seasonal service to the Berkshires in catch a Broadway show in New York City organized an online petition called the Western Massachusetts and to Mid- until the service was discontinued in 1971. Train Campaign: Bring Back the Trains. Coast Maine. The CapeFLYER offers In all, 4,631 supporters responded and “no traffic worries train service” The Housatonic Railroad, which operates the petition was delivered to 22 state Friday evenings, Saturdays and freight service through Connecticut to the representatives in Western Massachusetts. Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Berkshires, first expressed interest in The proposed service would run over the Day from with stops in Housatonic Railroad from Pittsfield to Braintree, Brockton, Middleborough/ New Milford, CT, Danbury and then to Lakeville, Wareham Village and A study commissioned by South Norwalk with an option to continue Buzzards Bay. the Housatonic Railroad on the line west of Danbury to Metro- North’s Harlem Line Southeast station. The service provides a relaxing two- showed that passenger Some trains would continue on this line hour-and-20-minute ride and offers rail service to and from directly into Grand Central. free WI-FI, on-board concessions, wheelchair accessibility and you can New York City could Thanks to these efforts, Massachusetts Gov. bring your pet and bike for free. increase economic output Duvall Patrick included a request for funds Reservations are never required—just for this project in his $13-billion proposed show up and buy a ticket. Kids under by $344 million in the transportation overhaul in 2013. As a 11 are free if accompanied by an adult Berkshires during its first result, Massachusetts has bought 37 miles and seniors and persons with disabilities of rail from the Housatonic Railroad, from can ride half price if they have a 10 years of construction Pittsfield to the Connecticut state line, for Senior CharlieCard or Transportation and operation. $12.1 million, and committed $35 million Access Pass. The CapeFLYER’s schedule in a first phase for upgrades, with a five-year is coordinated with ferry services to restoring daily service in 2010 and plan for $15 million to fix old infrastructure. provide convenient connections to and projected fare revenues of $2 million if The state had plans to spend $113 million from and Martha’s Vineyard daily, year-round passenger service was for its part of this passenger rail project. and local bus service is available to take restored. A study commissioned by this you to other destinations in Hyannis. same railroad showed that passenger rail Unfortunately, the project has since stalled. service to and from New York City could Connecticut Gov. Dannell Malloy insists The startup of this service was a no- increase economic output by $344 million that Massachusetts pay the lion’s share of brainer, given the huge traffic backups in the Berkshires during its first 10 years of the restoration costs needed in Connecticut, which are notorious on the two bridges construction and operation. The Berkshire since the Bay State would derive far more for getting onto the Cape. It was made Regional Planning Commission, which benefit from the restoration of passenger possible by a partnership with the Cape also studied the idea of restoring service, service than Connecticut. Under Malloy’s Cod Regional Transportation Authority, received a $240,000 U.S. Department leadership, Connecticut has spent hundreds which pledged $1.1 million against any of Transportation grant in 2012 for a of millions of dollars to upgrade the CT shortfall. Fortunately, the funds didn’t comprehensive planning study to identify with startup service scheduled need to be used, for the service is self- six possible train stations located between to begin in March 2018. sustainable. Sheffield and Pittsfield, MA. (Continued on page 14) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 14 of 16 CapeFLYER Sparks Renewed Interest in Restoring Seasonal Passenger Service Elsewhere in New England from its current northern terminus in Brunswick, ME adding new stops in Bath, Wiscasset and Newcastle and Rockland. The “ Coastal Connection” pilot program would simply be an extension of NNEPRA’s existing passenger rail service schedule and equipment.

The construction of a new four-mile passing siding at Royal Junction, which is scheduled to be completed next year, will enable NNEPRA to originate all Downeaster service from Brunswick. This change will provide the flexibility needed to extend service to Rockland during what would be layover time in Brunswick with minimal additional operating or capital costs.

The Maine Central Railroad ran passenger service over the Rockland branch until 1959. The state purchased the abandoned line in 1988 and first leased the line to the Maine Coast In this historic photo, passengers disembark from the train in Pittsfield, MA on their way to the Railroad which operated an excursion Bousquet ski resort. service from Wiscasset to Warren until (Continued from page 13) Senator Hinds believes weekend service its lease was up. The state then spent linking the two cities will be an economic $22.6 million to upgrade the line to While it appears that service over the boost to the region, for it will bring more FRA Class 3 service to handle passenger Housatonic Railroad to NYC is dead, a out-of-state tourists to Tanglewood and trains. That work was completed in 2002, new working group is studying whether other cultural attractions in the Berkshires and passenger excursion trains resumed service could be established over the and Western Massachusetts. The working running on the Rockland line in 2004. CSX route from Pittsfield to Chatham group has been formed and has already and then south from what used to be held two meetings this fall regarding the The Maine Eastern Railroad offered the northern terminus of the Harlem possibility of starting the Berkshire Flyer, seasonal passenger service over the 57- line to Penn Station, New York. Senator so named after the CapeFLYER passenger mile rail line from Brunswick to Rockland Adam Hinds of Pittsfield, a first-term rail service between Boston and Hyannis. from 2004 through 2015, but it ended senator who is chair of the legislature’s when the state decided not to renew its Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and There is good news to report regarding contract. Since then, the Central Maine Cultural Development, earlier this year restoring seasonal passenger rail service and Quebec Railroad, a subsidiary of received approval from lawmakers to to Rockland, ME. The Northern New Fortress America, has provided freight establish a working group to look into England Passenger Rail Authority service primarily carrying Dragon the feasibility of “establishing direct (NNEPRA) recently announced at Cement over the line from Thomaston seasonal weekend passenger rail service” its annual meeting that it is actively to its dock on Rockland’s South End from New York to Pittsfield between exploring the possibility of establishing a waterfront, where a barge is filled and the Memorial Day and Columbus Day pilot program to extend the Downeaster cement is shipped to the Boston market. weekends. rail service from Boston up the coast (Continued on page 15) RAIL USERS’ NETWORK NEWSLETTER Page 15 of 16 CapeFLYER Sparks Renewed Interest in Restoring Seasonal Passenger Service Elsewhere in New England (Continued from page 14) FY 2016 ridership and the FY 2017 The restoration of service to goals by 8.8%. Rockland was part of his grand The proposal to extend the plan, first proposed back in the Downeaster to Rockland comes as John Melrose, the current chairman 1990s, to establish rail service from a nice surprise for rail advocates of NNEPRA’s board, also deserves Boston to Rockland and on to Bar who have long advocated for the a lot of credit, for he led the state’s Harbor and Acadia National Park restoration of passenger service effort to initiate the startup of the via passenger ferries. While there on the line. Patricia Quinn, the Downeaster service when he served as is still much that needs to be done executive director of NNEPRA Transportation Commissioner under before the start-up of the new deserves much of the credit for the Gov. Angus King. During the initial service—such as holding public continuing outstanding performance years, he served on the board in an meetings, checking out the boarding of the Downeaster service. NNEPRA ex-officio capacity and then as an facilities at the proposed stops, and reported ridership of 511,422 for appointed member. After a 13-year planning for the last mile—there is fiscal year 2017, which ended on hiatus, he was again appointed to the hope that the service could possibly June 30, 2017. That tally exceeded Board in 2016. begin this coming summer.

Your Help Is Needed!

By now you should have received our annual appeal letter. While it is always difficult to ask for financial 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 important to a balanced national transportation system.

Each organization is stronger working together rather than individually; RUN can make a stronger case 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, commuter, and transit riders. You can donate online using your or PayPal account on the Rail Users’ Network website or make a check out to RUN and mail it to Box 8015, Portland, ME 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. Chairman, Rail Users Network From the run board of directors

Rail Users’ Network Newsletter is published quarterly by the Rail Users’ Network, a 501 (c) (3), nonprofit corporation.

Address service requested We welcome your thoughts and comments about our Please become a member of RUN… newsletter. Please We invite you to become a member of the Rail Users’ Network, which represents rail passengers’ write to us: RUN, P.O. 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 Box 8015, Portland, councils. RUN is working to help secure an interconnected system of rail services that passengers will ME 04104 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 As a grassroots networking, passengers will have a better chance of a vocal and meaningful seat at the decision making organization, we table. depend upon your RUN members enjoy newsletters, international conferences, forums, and other meetings to contributions to allow share information while working to improve and expand rail passenger service. us to pursue our Membership is open to passengers, official advisory councils, advocacy groups, public agencies, tourist important work. Please and convention bureaus, carriers and other profit-making organizations. donate to help us We hope you will join — vital decisions and legislation affecting the North American rail transportation grow. system are being made daily. Don’t be left behind at the station!

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