Vol. 6, No.1 January 1979 's Begins February 1, _____ LWill Operate Daily To New Orleans

The Southern Crescent will begin daily service between City and New Orleans via Atlanta on Thursday, February 1, the day Am­ trak takes over its operation from the Southern Railway. The Southern currently operates the train on a daily basis only between Washington and Atlanta. It provides service three days a week between At­ lanta, Birmingham and New Orleans. Amtrak and Southern agreed on the date and general terms of the takeover subject to approval of the Interstate Commerce Commission. The Southern Crescent is the last overnight train still operated by a pri­ The Southern Crescent crosses Wells Viaduct in the picturesque Georgia hills just south oj vate railroad and is one of the very Toccoa. few trains which was not discon­ possible advantage to attract new cus­ enues were computed on that basis. tinued or taken over by Amtrak when tomers. The Crescent runs over aI, 154- it began operating the nation's inter­ "Obviously a train that operates on mile route which includes intermedi­ city passenger rail system on May 1, a convenient daily schedule is a much ate stops at such cities as Charlottes­ 1971. more attractive travel option than one ville, Virginia; Greensboro and Char­ The Southern Railway's current that operates only three days a lotte, North Carolina; Greenville, schedule has Atlanta-bound trains week," he said. Boyd also noted that South Carolina; Atlanta; Birming­ leaving New Orleans on Monday, Amtrak managers, in planning for ham; and Meridian, Mississippi. Wednesday and Friday, and from At­ the train's takeover, always contem­ Crescent service actually starts in lanta to New Orleans on Sunday, plated a daily service. Costs and rev- (Please furn fo page 2) Tuesday and Thursday. The first Crescents operating under Amtrak will be those that depart on Corridor Work Completion Postponed February 1 northbound from New Orleans at 6:45 a .m . and southbound In a press conference held in Wash­ That would bring to a total of $2.5 from Washington at 7:20 p.m. ington on Monday, January 15, billion spent to improve the Corridor The Crescent leaving Washington Transportation Secretary Brock and set the completion date back to on Wednesday night, January 31, will Adams said the federal government 1983. be operated by Southern through to had erred two years ago when it made Adams pointed out that most of New Orleans even though it will ac­ the projections on costs and time the delay would be north of New tually travel for most of its journey needed to upgrade the Northeast Cor­ York and that significant service im­ on February 1. ridor to the Congressionally-mandat­ provements would be noticed first, Amtrak President Alan Boyd said ed speeds and specifications. perhaps even by the original target the decision to begin daily operations Adams said the project would take date of 1981, between Washington immediately was prompted by a de­ two years longer and cost $650 mil­ and New York. termination to give the Crescent every . lion more. (Please fum fo page 11) Employee Assistance Program Widened ___-----, I To Include Drugs, Family Problems

Amtrak has revised and upgraded the company activated its first fort of Amtrak's continuing commit­ its Employee Assistance Program to alcohol abuse program. This fact ment to improve the counselors' skills provide confidential professional alone was a good reason for broaden­ so they can better serve employees. counseling to employees and their ing Amtrak's concept and awareness Amtrak's Employee Assistance families who are troubled by al­ of its responsibility to employees in Program is under the direction of coholism, drug dependency or related the health services it provides as a JoAnn Anderson, manager, EAP, personal or family problems. part of company benefits. who has her office in Washington. The new program replaces the In this vein, Amtrak and Conrail Assisting her are Ellen Cannon, former Program for Alcoholic participated in a Railroad Counselor Arlington, Virginia; Louis Butler, Recovery, or PAR, and, although Training Project in Philadelphia in New York; James Hill, Miami­ continuing to stress alcohol-related late November. The session was fund­ Jacksonville; James Herron, Beech troubles, has been expanded to in­ ed by the Federal Railroad Ad­ Grove; and Morris Henderson, Oak­ clude drug-oriented problems. ministration and conducted by the land. Full addresses and telephone A letter explaining the new pro­ University Research Corporation, numbers were listed in the back of the gram, plus a booklet detailing it, was who tailored the course specifically to booklet sent to employees. mailed to all employees in late the railroad industry. Amtrak's Employee Assistance December. Amtrak's five counselors and eight Program seeks to prevent the loss of The program has the full support from Conrail attended the training valuable employees. Early detection of labor organizations representing course which was designed to provide of an alcohol or drug problem and its Amtrak employees. them with an opportunity to improve prompt treatment can prevent a large Principal cause of employee prob­ their use of eight basic communica­ amount of human suffering. If an lems involves excessive use of al­ tion skills. This was done through employee feels he has a problem and cohol. The American Medical Asso­ videotape demonstrations, group dis­ needs help, he is encouraged to con­ ciation recognizes alcoholism as an cussions, exercises and individual role tact a counselor immediately. illness that affects people fr om all playing. Help is available. One need only walks of life. The training workshop was one ef- avail him or herself of it. One of the most common miscon­ ceptions is that the only person who is a true alcoholic is the "falling down Booze Bull ...oney! drunk" on skid row. Skid row inhabitants represent only Myth: Alcohol is a stimulant. time can get alcohol out of a person's about three per cent of America's 10 Fact: It's about as good a stimulant system, as the liver metabolizes the million alcoholics. The other 97 per as ether. Alcohol acts as a depressant alcohol. There's just no way to hurry cent are "ordinary" people holding on the central nervous system. the process. good jobs, maintaining their families Myth: Black coffee will sober up a and living from day to day. drunk. Myth: Mixing your drinks causes The number of Amtrak employees Fact: Yes, in about five hours. hangovers. has increased greatly since 1975 when Cold showers don't work either. Only Fact: The major cause of hang· overs is drinking too much. Period! CRESCENT ice until at least August of this year Myth: Drinking is a sexual stimulant. (Continued from previous page) pending a possible Amtrak takeover. Fact: Contrary to popular belief, In the meantime, Southern and New York with through coaches and the more you drink the less your Amtrak management negotiated an a sleeping car to Atlanta daily and a sexual capacity. Alcohol may through sleeping car to Los Angeles, agreement for the takeover. This pro­ stimulate interest in sex, but it in­ posal was approved by Amtrak's via New Orleans, three days a week. terferes with performance. The Southern Railway announced board of directors on December 13. its intention to discontinue service on Under the agreement, Southern will Myth: It is rude to refuse a drink. the Crescent route on March 6, 1978 . pay Amtrak $6,674,812 which is the Fact: Nonsense. What is really rude The Interstate Commerce Commis­ expected difference between costs in­ is trying to push a drink on someone sion denied the original request and curred and revenue earned by the who doesn 't want it, or shouldn't ordered the railroad to continue serv- train during fiscal 1979. have it in the first place.

2 East Lansing Station An Example______-----, I Of State, Government, Amtrak Cooperation

Amtrak's East Lansing, , Public Transportation section of designed as part of the promotion. station is a unique example of state, Michigan's Department of Transpor­ Each group using Amtrak will receive local government and Amtrak co­ tation sent out a mailing to schools in a poster and each rider will receive his operation for the ultimate benefit of the Lansing and Flint areas sug­ or her individual pin. rail passengers. gesting that Amtrak be used for Heavy snows and bad weather have The staiion was established as part school and other group trips between deterred travel so far this winter but of the startup of the now and the end of the school term. official ;~ expect ridership to climb as a Limited. At that time, ten units of Special "Blue Water Track Team" result of the promotion once the local government-the cities of Lans­ posters and three-inch lapel pins were weather breaks. ing and East Lansing, Ingham county and the townships of Bath, Delhi, Delta, Lansing, Meridian, Windsor and Watertown-formed a non­ profit corporation-the Capitol Area Rail Council-to establish and main­ tain the station and further promote ridership. The council leases the building and property from Michigan State Uni­ versity and pays all operating costs except for the salaries of Amtrak's ticket agents. Additionally, the council has advertised Amtrak service in local news media and has mailed train and tour information to local schools. Both actions have resulted in addi­ tional revenue for Amtrak. The council has excellent liaison with the University which provides its East Lansing station's comfortable interior while waiting for their train . services at cost. I ncluded in this are personnel to maintain the building and parking lot, as well as for emergency snow removal when heavy snow accumulations overburden the regular contractor. University police provide security for the premises and the grounds department has planted trees and shrubbery between the building and platform. Located directly adjacent to the , the East Lansing station draws heavily on MSU's 44,000 students as a source of business. The station waiting room, rest o .co rooms and ticket office are well suited 0.. b to accommodating patrons and a o c large well-lighted area provides free ~'" parking for either long or short term. i_ In late November, the Urban and East Lansing's station presents an attractive exterior with its chalet-style dn{)rl

3 Atomic-Powered Supertrain______-----, I Ready To Roll On NBC-TV

Supertrain, a mythical atomic­ commodations-a medical center trains but rejected both ideas. powered train that reaches speeds of staffed by the train's doctor and "Our train was going to be bigger, over 200 miles an hour, is set to roll nurse, a "Presidential" suite, a phar­ better, faster and more luxurious between New York and Los Angeles, macy and library, a boutique and than anything that existed in today's courtesy of NBC-TV. men's store, a barber shop and beau­ world," he stressed. The production, described as a ty salon, a recreation room with shuf­ "We had decided that we wanted a comedy-mystery, will debut as a two­ fle board and ping-pong tables, a Supertrain, so we had to build one." hour pilot film, then be followed by gymnasium complete with steam And build one they did. Starting in ten one-hour weekly shows. If the room, a glittering discotheque and a early September, two crews worked show is a hit it will become a regular 14- by-22-foot swimming pool. 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, seven on the schedule. Supertrain may contain other spe­ days a week, straight through to com­ Supertrain will air over NBC on cial cars in future episodes. pletion. Wednesday, February 7. The ten "We can have anything we want," Those sets are now housed on three weekly shows are not presently sched­ says Ned Parsons, the man who huge sound stages at MGM Sudios at uled for specific dates. designed the train . "We can have a Culver City, California. The ultra-modern train will be movie theatre, or a gambling casino, Although Amtrak has nothing ap­ " super" in every way. It's passengers or anything else a script might call proaching Supertrain and obviously will enjoy many outlandish and lux­ for. " plans no such giant, the company did urious features. Parsons, who has been in the movie cooperate with the producers of the For example, the mock-ups of the business since 1953, was told in picture. cars-in which the scenes are shot­ mid- I978 to start making plans for Prime liaison contacts were Jim are 64 feet long, 26 feet wide and 22 "the most modern, fantastic train in Bryant, director, special events, feet high, the exact size of the ficti­ history. " Washington; Art Lloyd, director, riu us SupertTIl in. Accora Tng ro--fhT He immediately began a crash pro­ public affairs, San Francisco; Lou script, the train will operate over gram of researching trains and the Maxberry, assistant manager, tracks that are over twice as wide as railroad business. Western division; Floyd Rogers, conventional railroad tracks. "I visited libraries and museums terminal manager, Los Angeles; and The first car of the train contains fo r miles around, read about trains John Baesch, assistant director, train the crew's quarters on the lower level and studied designs," he said. He al­ operations, Washington. and an extravagent VIP room on the so tried to figure out how the show In mid October, a bi-level coach upper. The other cars contain- in ad­ might be done using only miniature was leased to the film's producers dition to regular day and night ac- trains or by "dolling up " present-day who took out some of the windows and outfitted it with nine motion pic­ ture cameras mounted at various Supertrain Could Attract Riders heights and angles. The car was coupled to the rear of the Coast Star­ If Supertrain does for the rail the train for future travel. light and made a round trip from Los passenger business what another This is a golden opportunity Angeles to Seattle to film the Cali­ television series, Love Boat, has for Amtrak employees to help sell fornia, Oregon and Washington done for the ocean cruise in­ Amtrak service. The vast majori­ scenery. dustry, Amtrak could find itself ty of passengers are not unduly North of Portland, a 70mm camera getting many persons trying its demanding and want only a com­ worth $200,000 was mounted on the service for the first time. fortable ride and courteous serv­ nose of the SDP40F locomotive for Obviously, passengers will not ice. some spectacular running shots. find-or even expect-disco­ The least we can do is provide Amtrak received $13,000 in rev­ theques, swimming pools or gym­ that and in the process show them enue for the trip. nasiums on Amtrak trains. that Amtrak takes second place The films that resulted-some But they should find good serv­ to no one in caring for the people 73,000 feet of them-will be used to ice, pleasant surroundings and a who choose Amtrak when other simulate motion in scenes shot on the positive attitude by employees travel options are available to studio sound stages. The illusion is that will induce them to return to them. accomplished through the art of the

4 process screen. Although most of the scenes in the on the individual weekly segments. While the actors are delivering their picture will be of the full scale mock­ Appearing on a regular basis will lines and being filmed inside the ups, Parsons has built two miniature be Keenan Wynn, as the tycoon who mock-up cars, there is a huge blank Supertrains that will be used for ex­ heads the corporation that owns motion picture screen mounted just terior shots. Those will be spliced into Supertrain; Robert Aida, as the outside the car's windows. The film is the final film to give the effect of the train's doctor; Edward Andrews, as then projected on that screen. train moving through the country­ the conductor; Nita Talbot, as From inside Supertrain, the illusion side. the train nurse; and Patrick Collins, is of a train speeding through moun­ Stars in the pilot film included as the passenger relations officer. tains, deserts, along the sea shore or Steve Lawrence and Don Meredith. The film is being shot for NBC by wherever the director chooses. Others will make guest appearances Dan Curtis Productions

Supertrain model makes its way over a mountain land­ scape.

Richard Henry, left, location manager, Dan Curtis Produc­ tions, explains how the model train will operate. Listening are Jim Bryant, Art Lloyd and marketing department's Joyce Greene.

At Portland, the

Angeles Union Sta­ tion. A t left is Supertrain on-board services person. Railroad Retirement Taxes Climb, ______I Monthly Employee Deduction Increased

Beginning January 1, there was an increases. mental annuity taxes and unemploy­ increase in railroad retirement tax For example, a railroader earning ment-sickness insurance taxes in addi­ rates as well as the maximum amount $1,000 per month now pays $61.30 tion to the regular retirement taxes. of earnings subject to railroad retire­ per month in railroad retirement For the first quarter of 1979, the ment taxes for both employees and taxes in 1979, just 80

6 Safety Shoe Campaign Kicks Off, _____------. I Mobile Stores To Tour System

"Foot Safety By The Truckload" shoes by signing an authorization object falls on the foot." is the theme for Amtrak's new sys­ card for the payroll deduction. Cost Safe work practices are the ulti­ tem-wide foot protection program. of the shoes will be spread over two mate safety "device" but protective All employees in maintenance of pay periods. equipment, such as safety shoes, is way, mechanical, shop or similar jobs The program was kicked off in practical insurance for those ac­ will have the opportunity to purchase mid-January with the first visit of a cidents that do happen occasionally. quality safety shoes directly from the shoemobile to the Wilmington, Dela­ The shoemobile's arrival will be manufacturer at a low cost and then ware, shops. well publicized at Amtrak work loca­ pay for them through payroll deduc­ tions. Posters will be displayed on tion. Available to employees are over 50 bulletin boards pinpointing the exact The program, in cooperation with styles of men's and women's safety time and location. Cards will be dis­ the Hy-Test Safety Shoe division of shoes ranging from heavy work boots tributed with payroll checks the pay­ the International Shoe Company, is to dressy low-cut shoes. day preceding the mobile store's ar­ aimed at convincing employees they Says Joe Bonelli, Amtrak's direc­ rival. should be sure their feet are protected tor, rules and safety, "We'd like to from hazards on the job. see every employee who works in a Each employee will also receive an Hy-Test will visit Amtrak locations hazardous work environment be out­ " admission" card to the shoemobile. with a mobile shoe store- dubbed the fitted with safety shoes while he or The card wi ll be used later in a free shoemobile-housed in a truck. she is on the job. prize drawing for visitors to the shoe­ Employees will be able to visit the "Modern safety shoes are just as mobile. "store," pick out their choice of comfortable as regular work shoes Between visits of the mobile store, shoes and be properly fitted by store and, in addition, protect toes and in­ employees can order additional or re­ personnel. They will "buy" their steps from injury in case some heavy placement shoes through the mail. Corridor Personnel Master CPR, First Aid Skills

Some 101 men and women in the Scott, who was responsible for init­ Certified employees are easily rec­ now wear special iating the program on the Phil­ ognized by the special jacket patch patches on their jackets and unique adelphia division, cites as an example and hard hat decal. Both of those stickers on their hard hats. a person suffering a heart attack. were designed by Milton Palenqui This elite group is Amtrak's newly­ "Those first six minutes can mean and Al Cyrus, of the engineering formed first aid and emergency serv­ the difference between a good re­ department. ice cadre, who have been trained and covery or severe brain damage ... . John Piet, division manager, Phil­ certified in Cardio-Pulmonary Resus­ or even death. " adelphia, chaired the recognition citation, or CPR, and standard first Training and certification were car­ luncheon held for the group on De­ aid and personal safety methods. ried out in accordance with American cember 7 at the completion of their The men and women, all volunteers Red Cross standards by Amtrak's course. Awarding certificates was Jo­ for the training program, are em­ training department and ran almost a seph Hackenbracht, manager, opera­ ployees in either the track, bridges, full 40-hour week. The course was as­ tions and safety. and building, electric traction or com­ sembled by Thomas Bacchus, com­ munications and signal departments munications and signals construction Speakers included Benjamin Over­ where, because of the nature of the engineer, and taught by himself and bey, engineer of track, NEC; A.C. work, their skills are most important. Rick Davidson, general foreman, Bowers, safety engineer, operations McKinley Scott, division engineer, track. Both are certified instructors in staff, NEC project, FRA; Matthew Philadelphia, explained, "Out on the both skills. Werner, engineer inspection compli­ tracks, or anywhere in the field for The course, according to Bacchus, ance, representing Dennis Sullivan, that matter, if something should hap­ was designed to take into considera­ deputy chief engineer; Daniel Jer­ pen, a person could be many long tion the particular needs of a rail­ man, assistant chief engineer, NEC; minutes away from medical assis­ road, including the types of accidents and Michael Hagarty, district chair­ tance. And the first few minutes can or injuries most likely to occur and man, Brotherhood of Maintenance of be crucial for the victim." the remoteness of many work sites. Way employees.

7 Alexandria Station Employees ______~ I Clean-Up, Fix-Up, Paint-Up

When Everett Mello, ticket seller, Alexandria, Virginia, read the memo from his district supervisor, stations, suggesting that the depot's large bag­ gage wagons, called floats, needed a paint job, he attacked the chore with vengeance. Instead of just applying a super­ ficial coat of paint, he decided to completely renovate the four-wheeled floats. Helped by Ben Cross, fellow ticket seller, he completely disassembled the heavy float, reworked the moving metal parts and scraped away years of paint from the wood and rust from the metal. Then, he put it all together again. ~ ~"" White primer was applied to the Everett Mello, right, and Ben Cross show off the first f/oot they renovated. bare pine wood, then two coats of Amtrak blue paint. The wheels were cap in Orlando in September 1974, about a year, he transferred to painted a bright red. later worked at various cities in the Alexandria in September 1977 where What's the reaction to their work? Southeast. After work as a ticket he now works as a relief ticket Says Mello, "We've gotten quite a clerk in Wilson, North Carolina, for cler k / baggageman. lot of good comments from our passengers. They like the bright new look. " Furlough Train Successful Again Baggageman Henry Williams refur­ bished the second float and is now This past Christmas season marked sentative, and Don Mouzon, station working o n the third. In the mean­ the second consecutive year that A m­ agent, Columbia, manned a special time, personnel from the extra board trak operated a special train to ac­ ticket office on the base for 20 days have been working on painting the commodate holiday-bound soldiers prior to the Christmas holidays, outside benches. Several are already from Fort Jackson, South Carolina. ticketing more than a thousand pas­ done, but a few are yet to be be­ The special train left Columbia for sengers on nine different trains. decked in the bright blue color. New York on Wednesday, December In addition to 16 U .S.A. Rail The interior benches have also been 20, operating as the second section of Passes, they sold round-trip tickets to covered with Amtrak blue paint by the . as far away as Seattle, San Francisco Bill Anderson, unassigned clerk, and The consist included seven Am­ and Los Angeles. other persons from the extra board. coaches, one Amcafe, one Amdinette Most significant aspect of this The refurbishing is being done on and a baggage car. This year's train year's operation was the fact that the time between ticket office duties and carried 855 soldiers compared to 650 train was used by approximately 20 trainside work. About two hours a last year. per cent of the personnel taking day were spent for two months to The commanding general of the Christmas leave from the post. finish the first baggage float. fort and his staff were at the station Joe Bellino, manager of govern­ Mello has been with Amtrak since to see the troops depart. An Army ment marketing, emphasized the need 1972. Prior to that he worked for band and a blue grass combo pro­ for rail travel availability for military seven years in Washington as a ticket vided music for the occasion. personnel. He said, "These soldiers seller in the Atlantic Coast Line, later The Fort Jackson Special returned were spending their own money and Seaboard Coast Line, downtown to Columbia as the second section of had a choice of air, bus or rail. They ticket office. the Silver Star on January 3. picked rail because it met their needs Cross began with Amtrak as a red Earl Eargle, senior sales repre- and was cost favorable. "

8 In picking Karchinski, the Y noted, "He has been extremely helpful in ad­ Keeping Track Of Amtrak dition to faithful board attendance and other activity participation." illnesses that require more than mere Niagara Rainbow Cut first aid are counted. Travel Managers Visit Withdrawal of state subsidies has Man Of The Year Members of the Connecticut-West­ forced the discontinuance of the Ni­ Ken Karchinski, manager, reserva­ chester Passenger Traffic Association agara Rainbow between Niagara Falls tions bureau, New York, was named and their spouses used Amtrak to and beginning February 1. 1978 Man-of-the-Year for the Penn­ visit Washington in mid-November. Operation of the Rainbow on that sylvania Station branch of the YMCA The 53-person group was accom­ portion of its route between Buffa­ of Greater New York. panied by Tom Fortier, sales man­ lo-and more recently Niagara One of the 23 branch winners, he ager, and Tim Salvesen, sales repre­ Falls-and Detroit since October 31, was formally presented his award at a sentative, Hartford. 1974, has been supported by the dinner in the Imperial ballroom of the While in Washington, the group, states of New York and Michigan Americana Hotel on Tuesday, Nov­ representing over 30 major corpora­ with each paying 25 per cent of the ember 21. tions in their area, first visited several train's operating costs. The states Speaker at the dinner, and recipient hotels to view available accommo­ have informed Amtrak that their fin­ of the Y's 1978 Service to Youth dations, then spent time sightseeing. ancial support will cease as of Janu­ award, was Gabriel Kaplan, star of Said Fortier, "The value of a week­ ary 31 . Accordingly, Amtrak ordered television's "Welcome Back, Kot­ end like this is in the exposure that discontinuance notices be placed on ter. " Amtrak receives. Once a business the affected trains and stations along the route. Beginning February 1, the Niagara Rainbow will operate on its current schedule between Grand Central Ter­ minal, New York, and Niagara Falls only. The Rainbow's route was changed to include Niagara Falls this past October.

Safety In November

St. Louis led the divisions for the month of November in the Presi­ dent's Safety Contest with a .9 safety ratio. New Haven led the shops with a 4.8 ratio while ten mechanical facili­ ties had no injuries at all and thus earned a zero ratio for the month. The ten with no injuries for No­ vember were New Orleans, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Detroit, Jackson­ ville, Buffalo and Philadelphia. For the year to date, in the mechan­ ical facilities category, Dallas-Fort Worth and Kansas City continue their injury-free record for a zero ratio for the first 11 months of 1978. "'~ '\:,. St. Louis leads the divisions with Inspecting a Superliner in Chicago are, to right, John Payne, manager of sales, 2.5 and Beech Grove leads the shops Ron Knutson, regional administrator; Bob Kimball, manager of sales, New Orleans; Martha with 11.9. Huppenbauer, supervisor, group desk, Chicago CRO; Mary Sunderland, sales representative, Chicago; Hal Williamson , senior sales representative, Chicago; Josie Guedea, The safety ratio is a figure denoting secretary to district sales manager, Chicago; Sandy Pierceall, senior sales representative, Kan­ the number of injuries per 200,000 sas City; and Virginia Lewis, sales representative, Chicago. Kneeling is Ralph Mangum, district man-hours. All injuries or job-related sales manager, St. Louis. In doorway is AI Kaletta, regional sales manager, Chicago.

9 travel manager realizes how com­ sentative, promotional copy, and the cent letter to Jack Naughton, senior fortable Amtrak trains are and the man who conducted the contest, "Be­ sales representative, Chicago. proximity of our stations to city busi­ cause we received so very few black Wrote Peurach, "We are pleased ness centers, they are willing to use and white pictures and the ones that with Amtrak service in shipping rail transportation more often." did show up were unusable, we de­ orders to other Chrysler parts depots The group returned home late Sun­ cided to split up the awards and give in , St. Louis, Kansas City day afternoon. Eugene Mahoney, two first prizes and two second prizes and Minneapolis." president of the group, expressed the in the color category." The Chicago parts depot provides organization's thanks to Amtrak for Another 23 slides were chosen as overnight service to dealerships in up­ setting up the weekend. honorable mentions from the field of per Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois and 400 entries. Winning slides are being Indiana with its own fleet of trucks San Diego Riders used in the marketing department's but depends on common carrier Ridership continues to grow on the new tour book which is scheduled to trucks and air for other P9ints. be released in February. Peurach continued, "Truck San Diegans with some 58,924 pas­ shipments, in many instances, took as sengers riding over the line in Novem­ Express Service Lauded long as two weeks. We had to find a ber. Amtrak's express service received a faster and more reliable way to ser­ This is an increase of 15,652, or large pat on the back from John vice customers at our other depots. 36.1 per cent, over the November Peurach, manager, Chicago parts "We inaugurated the Minneapolis 1977 count. depot, Chrysler Corporation, in a re- run, over Amtrak, in June 1978 out The early morning northbound train from San Diego was scheduled 30 minutes earlier in late October at the request of many regular riders. The first full month of operation at Reno Fun Train Rolls Again the new time proved the request valid because the train now carriers up to The popular " Reno Fun Train" Cost of the weekend is $89.95 per 100 more passengers each weekday on will operate again during early 1979, person, double occupancy, and in­ the new schedule. the 15th year for this special train. cludes rail ticket, hotel in Reno and a Originated in 1964 by the Reno fun book that includes several meals, New Resident Engineer Chamber of Commerce so Califor­ beverages and discounts on various Ken Kulick has been promoted to nians would have easy access to Reno attractions. resident engineer at Chicago, oversee­ during winter months, the train keeps Reservations can be made through ing the upgrading of the Chicago car growing in popularity. American Rail Tours, 655 Redwood and locomotive yards, replacing Ted Operated by American Rail Tours, Highway, Mill Valley, California Jordan who has resigned to accept an the train uses Amtrak's reclining seat 94941. outside position. coaches, a dance car, lounge and At the same time, Robert A. Ned­ food service cars. The dance car fea­ More Reno Fun zesky was promoted to regional en­ tures a live band and is open in both gineer at Chicago. directions during the entire trip. A In another Reno-oriented promo­ limited food service is available along tion, Amtrak with a full line of hot and cold bever­ passengers using the Zephyr to and Photo Winners ages. from the gaming city can get Grand prize winner in the market­ The train leaves Oakland on Friday a special bonus from the Sahara Reno ing department's recent photo contest evenings at 6:30 p.m., with stops for hotel and casino. is Daniel Perry, ticket agent, Walling­ passengers at Richmond, Martinez The offer is worth $12.50-$10 ford, Connecticut. and Sacramento. It arrives in Reno cash, $1 in food credit and a cock­ The two first prize winners are Hu­ after midnight. tail-and is available to Amtrak pas­ bert Hanrahan, baggage agent, Kan­ Return is on Sunday morning, leav­ sengers over 21. sas City, and Andy Magistrale, sales ing Reno at II a.m. to allow a full Those persons need only present representative, San Francisco. afternoon's viewing of the marvelous their round-trip Amtrak ticket re­ Second prize winners are Louis mountain winter scenery over Donner ceipts-from the Bay area-at the Sa­ Wasserman, sheet metal worker, Al­ summit and along the American hara's transportation center to re­ bany-Rensselaer, and Gary Zeitler, River canyon. ceive their coupon book. The center is baggage agent, Kansas City. Departures from Oakland/ San on the first floor of the Sahara's ca­ All of the above winners submitted Francisco are set for every Friday be­ sino. color slides. tween January 26 and April 6, except The hotel is only a block and a half Says Vince Begley, senior repre- for February 16 and March 16. from Amtrak's .

10 of Union Station, Chicago. After a Amtrak Honored CORRIDOR UPGRADE trial period the coverage was ex­ (Continued from page 1) panded. We are now considering Amtrak was honored by New Said Adams, "The Corridor proj­ shipments to Boston and Memphis York's American Society of Travel ect is a classic case of a good idea and are interested in expanding the Agents, a group of some 1,900 gone sour. practice, wherever possible, to agents. "Overoptimism, underestimation, customers on other routes serviced by At the group's annual awards inflation and the immense problems Amtrak." dinner, Amtrak received a silver cer­ associated with creating and manag­ tificate for excellence in program ing a project of the NECIP's magni­ International Spikes planning. tude created the conditions leading to Amtrak was singled out for the the need for a redirection of the The top six Amtrak international award from over 60 transportation study. " travel agents were honored at a companies. F . Paul Weiss, eastern re­ Under the newly redirected pro­ special awards dinner at the Fairmont gional sales manager, accepted the gram services would include: hotel, New Orleans, on January 5. award for Amtrak. • Twice hourly service, from 6 Flying to the Louisiana city to ac­ a.m. to 11 p.m. on a 2-hour-40-min­ cept their International Golden Spike ute schedule, between Washington awards were Geoffrey Marsh, and New York. Thomas Cook Ltd., London; Historic Place • Hourly service, from 6 a.m. to Graham Caldwell, Hunts Carefree 11 p.m., between New York and Bos­ Holiday, Auckland, New Zealand; Philadelphia's Thirtieth Street Sta­ ton on a 3-hour-40-minute schedule . tion, used by Amtrak's intercity Joergen Tougaard, Reso Travel, • Possible two-and-one-half hour Stockholm; Olav Foss, NSB Travel, trains and Conrail and Septa com­ ex press service between New York Oslo; Robert Wattaux, Wingate muter trains, has been entered into and Wasington and 3- hour-20-min­ Travel, Paris; and Rolf Schlierbach, the National Register of Historic ute express service between New York Places. D.E.R., Frankfurt. and Boston. Making the presentations were AI The Register, kept by the De­ • Service every two hours from 6 Michaud, vice president, marketing, partment of the Interior, is the of­ a.m. to I I p.m., between Philadel­ and Mike Harding, manager, interna­ fic ial list of the country's cultural re­ phia and Springfield on a 4- hour-30- tional sales. sources worthy of preservation and minute schedule. During their visit to New Orleans, incI udes properties deemed The project also includes, as had the travel agents were taken on a significant in architecture, American been originally planned, the extension comprehensive tour of the city by the history, archaeology and culture em­ of electrification from New Haven to state tourism commission. bodying the heritage of the union. Boston and the acquisition of substantial amounts of new equip­ November On-Board Winners Picked ment. November winners in the on-board with the public are: services recognition awards contest in Washington: John McLurkin. AMTRAK NEWS Category I, employees dealing direct­ Miami: Three-way tie between Published once a month for em­ ly with the public, include: George Burns, Ernestine Milton and ployees of the National Railroad Archie Mobley. Washington: A three-way time be­ Passenger Corporation and those Jacksonville: Johnny Smith. tween Paulette Ballard, Calvin Pierce of partiCipating railroads engaged Oakland: Four-way tie between and Ulysses Washington. in rail passenger service. Hugh Smith Ernest Bigelow, James New York: Joseph Lally. STAFF Doyle and Delmar Woods. Boston: Linda Duffaney. Editor Chicago: Tie between Edward Miami: Walter Barut. Ed Wojtas Franz and Earl Strandlund. Circulation Jacksonville: Three-way tie be­ New Orleans: Louis Cotton. Marguerite Broyhill tween Edward Johnson, Edmond Direct contact employees are Reporter Plummer and Sylvester Watts. judged on the basis of unsolicited let­ Debbie Marciniak Seattle: Donald Bryan. ters of commendation received by Los Angeles: Robert Benton. Amtrak. Employees without direct Oakland: Neil Notestine. - Amtra k News is a member o f the contact-such as chefs, food special­ Chicago: A 14-way tie. Associati on of Railroad Edito rs. ists and pantrymen-are judged on Matliteri a l in Amt rak News is not copyri ghted . Winners for November in Category ratings from stewards or other per­ Readers may use what they wish with proper at­ tributi o n to Amtrak News. II, employees not dealing directly sonnel in charge of dining cars.

11 Christmas Post Script: ______---. I Songs, Music, Food and Mail

In Wilmington, Delaware, Amtrak Freeman, who found that organiza­ dIe the holiday business. and commuter passengers were tions were eager to cooperate, plans Cars were placed on the Empire ~reated to a week-long series of holi­ to expand his activity next year. Builder and tc day concerts during the morning In that line, Amtrak's public af­ handle containerized mail between travel hours. fairs office encourages any employees Seattle and St. Paul; on the Broad­ A choral group, Joy Morrell and who have contacts with school or way Limited for containerized mail the Conquerors, from the Fairwind church choruses or bands, or other between Philadelphia and Chicago; Christian school, entertained on musical groups, to invite them to on the Limited for con­ Thursday, while on the other four entertain passengers at Amtrak loca­ tainerized mail between Boston, days, daily organ recitals of holiday tions next Christmas. Efforts should Springfield and Chicago; and on the music were presented by Nelson Rod­ be coordinated through local super­ for handling bagged ney of Wilmington. visors. mail between New York, Washin?­ In Washington, holiday travelers ton, Jacksonville and Miami. heard the McKinley High School Food Baskets Train Cakes brass ensemble play yule music from In Wilmington, too, donations the balcony overlooking the waiting On the Southern division, special from shop employees and proceeds room on the Wednesday preceding Christmas cakes -decorated wi th the from vending machine sales provided Christmas Day. legend "Seasons Greetings to All enough funds to supply 19 baskets of Amtrak's choral society sang carols Aboard" -were placed on trai ns on food which were then presented to in the lobby of the corporate head­ December 24 and 25 to be shared by less fortunate employees and retirees quarters building on Monday, De­ passengers and on-board employees shortly before Christmas. Active in cember 18. Plans are to have the who were traveling and had to be this area was Wilmington's craft group participate in a concert at away from home on Christmas Eve committee. Union Station next year. and Day. Candy canes were also put All of the entertainment was volun­ Extra Mail Cars aboard for kids. teered by participants at the request Specific trains involved included of Robert Freeman, accounting of­ Some 105 extra mail cars were add­ the , Silver Star, Silver fice, Wilmington shops, who co­ ed to Amtrak trains in the weeks im­ Meteor, Champion, and ordinated the community efforts. mediately prior to Christmas to han- .

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