Rail News August /September 200 888

www.AllAboardWashington.org

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

Congressmen Oberstar and Mica, Transit, ridership booms BNSF CEO Rose talk passenger rail service House Transportation and Infrastruc- this level nationwide we would eliminate ture Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN); the equivalent of all oil we import from Rep. John Mica (R-FL), ranking Republi- Saudi Arabia. can on T&I; and BNSF President Matt Oberstar called for reprioritizing our Rose spoke at the National Assoc. of national transportatio n network to include Railroad Passengers (NARP) spring a much more robust rail componen t. He board meeting in April 2008. noted that Amtrak remove s 8 mill. cars In an upbeat presentation, Chairman from the road each year. While highway Photo by Jim Hamre Above, h undreds of commuters pour off Oberstar announced “we are about to expansion projects are virtually rubber- an evening Sounder train in Puyallup on see a new era for Amtrak” as he and stamped, the federal government re - July 25. Nationwide, transit ridership is up Rep. Mica were preparing to introduce quires lengthy and burdensome bene - 3.3% so far this year over last and is at a 50 the House version of a new 6-year reau- fit/cost analys es for rail projects. year high. Amtrak’s ridership is up more thorization. “After six years of a starvation Amtrak has made many reforms in than 11% this fiscal year (since October diet, we have a bill to provide substantial recent years, but continues to blasted by 2007) and th e company should approach a investment Amtrak,” the administration and some in Congress record 28 mill. passenger s carried. he declared. (The as refusing to reform. Amtrak now needs Locally, ’s Sounder ser- Senate passed its the real support of the federal govern - vice was up 31% in the three months end - reauthorization, S. ment to move forward and become a ing June 30 compared to the same time last 294, last fall. The world class transportation provider. year. More than 1.2 mill. passengers House reauthoriza- Oberstar said he and Paul Weyrich, a boarded Sounder in the first half o f 2008. In tion, HR 6003, leading conservative who is strongly pro - June, ridership was even stronger : up 37% passed on 311-104 transit and pro -rail, are joining forces to on the Tacoma - line and up 44% on vote on July 11. A blunt the “drumbeat of negat ivism [on the Everett-Seattle line, thanks in part to the opening of the Mukilteo station on May 31 st . Congressman Oberstar conference commit- Amtrak ] from the White House” for the tee has been ap- last six years. Amtrak Cascades ridership is 11.8% in the first six months of 2008 o ver 2007. On pointed to work out the differences in the Rep. John Mica began by stating that Fridays and Sundays in particular it is diffi - two versions, though the bill is now re- in the U.S. we can onl y dream about cult to get reservations between Seattle and ferred to only S. 294. No members of our having a rail system as in Europe. He Portland if you wait till just a few days be - state delegation on are on the committee, joked, “I am sometimes characterized as fore departure. but our members still need to heed Lloyd a critic of Amtrak .” But he continued, “I At a time when people are demanding Flem’s challenge; see page 2. Both the criticize Amtrak because I think we can more rail service , Amtrak and WSDOT are House and Senate passed their Amtrak do better – with innovation, with public- being stymied in their plan to extend Cas- reauthorizations by veto-proof margins.) private partnerships and with a vision.” cades trains 513 and 516 from Bellingham Oberstar easily slipped between Eng- to Vancouver , BC. They had planned to Mica’s views on Amtrak have mod- lish and French as he recalled his time as launch the extension in August. However, erated in recent years. He formerly called a student in Belgium in the late 50s and NARP has learned from Canada’s Trans - for the end of all Amtrak service except explained how Europe continues to do port 2000 advocacy group that the e xten- the Northeast Corridor, Auto Train (which transportation and passenger rail right. sion will not start until our DOT, which has has its southern terminus in his Florida Since he lived there, Paris-Brussels train underwritten capacity improvements (along district) and maybe the California corri- service has gone from six hours to 80 with British Columbia) and will fund the op - dors. He now sup ports a national system, minutes and Paris-Lyon from 4.5 hours to eration, reaches an agreement with the Ca - but one which needs to involve more pri - two hours. nadian Border Security Agency. CBSA is vate participation and innovation, partic- He noted that Boise wants is passen- reportedly demanding payment for screen - ularly in the corridors . ing passengers at any new “facilities.” While ger train service restored to improve mo- He added provisions to HR 6003 to new international flights to Canada are not bility and reduce pollution. Boise is on have the Federal government seek pro - subject to such fees, CBSA views the extra the route of the Seattle-Chicago Pioneer posals for a new TGV -style high speed train as a new “facility” and is demanding that Amtrak eliminated in a false econ- corridor in the Northeast that would be $1,500 per day to screen passengers. The omy move in 1997. separate from the existing infrastructure travel industry is supporting Amtrak o n this In New Jersey, ten percent of all trips that also supports thousands of commu- issue because they fear its spread to all are now made by transit. If we reached (See Talk, page 5) other modes of transportation. page 2 cent drop in total miles driven (first since would require ve ry significant state fund- From the desk of the mid -70s), that nasty traffic, plus a ing for infrastructure and equipment as the Government rapid drop off in the quantity and quality well as fares from the growing numbers Affairs Director of commercial air service, plus a concern of passengers to support operation of the among some c onscientious people about trains. Eight round trips daily in a rail cor - bybyby the external costs of driving – environ- ridor such as our Northwest Corridor Lloyd H. Flem mental, dependence on oil and safety – would probably come close to paying the compared to transit and trains (Not ev - costs of operating the trains, but would The Change to Passenger Rail: eryone makes all decisions based on not pay capital costs. And contrary to Permanent? Midrange Plan and Your “What’s in it for me, right now.”) may be myth, gas taxes and other driving fees do Efforts; Save a Life, Maybe Yours leading folks off the roads and out of the NOT pay nearly all the ca pital costs of all air and onto the rails. I surely hope so. street, road and highway infrastructure, For so many reasons, our country would and particularly the external costs of In addition to the hard data that all benefit from a better transportation modal driving and parking, either. forms of passenger rail, from streetcars balance. The WSDOT presenters at the meet - to light rail to metros to commuter trains At a recent meeting of the Advisory ing correctly said the money to continue to interurbans to corridor and national Committee to WSDOT’s “Midrange Plan the incremental “building blocks” of a network Amtrak trains, are experiencing for the Amtrak Cascades: 2009-2016,” on larger Amtrak Cascades system is not strong growth in ridership, I like to think which I serve as the representative of AA currently in sight. Existing sources of we are beginning to see an actual WA and Amtrak riders generally, funds will probably allow continuation of change in perception and behavior in WSDOT’s rail marketing person said ongoing projects but the system growth transportation modal choice among a many new riders are “trying the train” for that sold-out trains suggest will require significant percentage of the more and bigger bucks. Essen - American people. Not in dec- tial to the Legislature coming ades have the non-rail media, I like to think we are beginning to through with sturdier funding from the evening news to the see an actual change in perception sources is the Federal govern- Wall Street Journal to Parade ment at lo ng last taking the now- magazine and to commuters and behavior in transportation recognized need and apparent who would “never” have not dri- modal choice among a significant popular desire for a much larger ven to work are talking about percentage of the American people. role for passenger trains. And and taking the train. The profes- this is where you, fellow rail ad - sional rail press is upbeat about gains in the first time and are said to “love it and vocates must do more than just wish, or passenger rail, and, with a very tempo- will ride again .” I maintain the Cascades worse, complain about our region or rary pause with a slumping general yield a much m ore pleasant travel expe- country’s “backwardness” in pa ssenger economy, freight rail. Railway Age is not rience than I -5. I cannot speak to the rail compared to other industrialized de - a railfan mag, but a hard-nose journal for short -hop air service in the corridor. mocracies and now, even such “Third the industry. The lead article for July: While I have and will fly to the East Coast World” awakening giants as China, India ”America Takes the Train and Railroads or Europe, I cannot conceive of a need to and Brazil. As I am weary of writing and are Enjoying the Ride.” fly from, say, Seattle to Portland. As the you may be weary of reading, you MUST Or has the recent rather dramatic in- marketing person said, o ne can use train contact your Congresspeople. Perhaps crease in motor fuel prices, so rapid that travel time productively, while a driver many of you hav e, but I have little evi- the public was shocked into considering cannot or certainly should not be using dence of same. Again, a personal, as non-driving means of travel, been the electronic gadgetry while driving. She opposed to pre -prepared correspon- major and perhaps temporary cause of also distributed some excellent postcards dence is better. Your representatives in sold-out Amtrak Cascades and standing- of the dramatic natural and urban Washington , DC need to hear from you, room-only Sounders. scenery along the Cascades . Yes, three their constituents, not near -duplications Or like the young LA man, who of t he most photogenic big cities in North of what AA WA or NARP leadership switched back to driving alone following America are served by the Cascades . might author. repair of earthquake-damaged freeways Also, plans to cooperate with quality ho - Only if the Feds come through with rather than riding a cheaper, faster, right- tels in these cities is planned. But some monies for intercity passenger rail now to-his-job train that had been quickly es- would argue our problems along the Cor - authorized (but not appropriated), will we tablished following the quake, because, ridor involve capacity supply, not cus - have a reasonable chance for the state, ”Man, I just didn’t feel right without my tomer demand, which far exceeds avail- with the money shortfall and increasing own wheels!”, when today’s riders get able seats on increasing numbers of demands for all kinds of transportation used to today’s high motor fuel prices, days. infrastruc ture, to come through with pas- will many revert back to personal motor The WSDOT rail people, while cau- senger rail investment dollars. Concen - vehicles. I never believed Americans tious and careful , are optimistic about trate on Congress for the moment; we’ll “love our cars” any more than do Euro- moving to the future in their Midrange address our Legislature early in 2009. peans, but we may be addicted to driving Plan. The original plan, which emerged in in a way Europeans and East Asians the mid -90s, but was sidetracked by the ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ have never been. Certainly, the LA dr amatic loss of state funding as a result Another young person, this time on a dude’s behavior was an example of clini- of an unfortunately successful state initi- bicycle, rode in front of an Amtrak train, cal addiction, not rational behavior! ative, would have allowed eight round this time in Centra lia, and was killed. While street and highway congestion trips Seattle -Portland by now. Hope of What a tragic and needless waste of a on freeways and in urban areas seems achieving such, plus at least one addi - young life. Several of us will be giving bad as ever, despite a reported two per- tional round trip Seattle -Vancouver, BC (See Flem, page 5) page 3 Gunn when he headed up Amtrak, the Wright brothers’ first flight, and how it The View something that everyone working with the changed the world. His comment was equipment appreciated. “any right-minded capitalist who had Down the In a recent interview with Reuters , seen the Wrights' contraption take to the Tracks Amtrak Pres. Alex Kummant answers skies in Kitty Hawk might have shot it ======most of those questions, and even hits down and saved investors 100 years of with Jim Cusick the tired arguments against Amtrak head agony.” Why? Data from the International on, with concise and accurate figures. He Air Transport Association sh ows airlines Pouring money understands the “who gets what subsidy” around the world have lost $5 billion I used to have a great way to limit my argument, and has a good understanding since 1982. Warren Buffet even went as gas usage. I used my standard credit of the need for freight and passenger rail far as to say airlines as a whole hadn't card. Gas pumps I visited had been set investment. He actually makes almost all netted a dime since 1903. to stop pumping at $75. And with an av- the same arguments for passenger rail Before you act too smug, don’t forget erage price of $4.25 per gallon, my Im- as we at All Aboard have over the years. what was happening to the passenger perium Condescender regularly hit that I’d love to think he got all his ideas from rail industry when it was privately run limit. (Although they “fixed” the pumps to reading our newsletter. during times that also got a little rough: allow a higher limit, I still haven’t hit the Now that the House and the Senate crowded cars, poor schedules, poor (or $100 fill-up mark yet!) vot ed to authorize significantly more non-existent) customer service. While it really didn’t prevent me from money to Amtrak, it appears that Amtrak Sounds like the current air travel situ - filling up, it allowed me to stop and think. might just get what they’ve been asking ation, doesn’t it? “Jet Set” carries a dif - Think about whether I really need to take for. ferent connotation now than it did in the that extra trip. Think about combining Editorials, letters to the editor, political sixties. trips. Think about taking Transporting humans is alternate transportation. Now the question is, can Amtrak, which not a profit making enter- Time to take transit, prise. and of course I’d think was born as the unwanted stepchild of the The problem is, we’ve about taking the train. As railroad industry and having suffered under neglected rail for so long, we all know the problem is we no longer have a pas- that there aren’t enough of more than 35 years of the same refrain of senger rail infrastructure, them. “passenger rail is no longer needed,” equipment manufacturer Sounder schedules base, or station operations aren’t yet quite robust actually change to a growth company? that comes close to pas- enough for me to use, but prognostications are all evidence that the senger rail’s heyday after the trains are filling up. Amtrak trains are time is ripe for passenger rail to be part World War II. selling out regularly. Some see that as a of a balanced transportation system in Except for Amtrak. good thing, some see that as a bad thing. this country. Amtrak’s challenge now is how do you Seeing as we’re a rail advocacy group, Now the question is, can Amtrak, take all that “tribal knowledge” they’ve we’re never satisfied with the status quo. which was born as the unwanted step - accumulated and transfer it to all the new Amtrak schedules need to be a bit more child of the railroad industry and having people that will have to be hired to sup - robust, too. suffered under more than 35 years of the port their expansion and to replace Sold out trains frustrate those who same refrain of “passenger rail is no retirees. hope to make a quick painless trip. Plan- longer needed,” a ctually change to a Amtrak’s other challenge is how do ning early can alleviate this. However, growth company? you build that esprit -de-corps that comes while Sound Transit has many extra rail This is a major shift in perception. when you invest in a corporate future cars (leased to agencies in various parts Amtrak personnel have shown that based on growth. of the country), Amtrak has always had to they can perform despite the predictions A good example is Nordstrom’s push contend with equipment shortages. of their impending demise, ancient to the East Coast back in 1990. They ex - Thanks to the perennial budget battles, equipment and inadequate funding for panded with a well thought out and deli - Amtrak has at least become expert at the basic resources such as new cat e- berate, but not too aggressive , growth keeping equipment operational with li- nary wire on the Northeast Corridor. plan. I was there when it happened. They mited resources. Even when things that are out of their were heady times. What would happen if Amtrak did control, Amtrak on -board personnel con- My advice is that rail travel must re - have the funds to replace the basic sistently earn accolades from customers. main the quality transportation of choice. equipment? It appears that the political Not that we have any bias here in the Passenger rail’s value lies in the level “perfect storm” is brewing thanks to high Pacific Northwest, but the routes rated of comfort, the scenery, and the total ex - gas prices. Now it seems that Amtrak is high most consiste ntly on customer sa- perience that draws people to it. Raise on everyone’s radar. tisfaction surveys are the Empire Builder , fares if needed, but maintain that comfort “Why aren’t there more trains?” they our Cascades service, and the Coast level. ask. Starlight . Shorter distance travel can be slightly less, but still at a superior comfort level Amtrak: a growth company? Who should get the chance to spend because of the nature of rail vehicles. More trains are just what Amtrak this newfound political windfall? Before you jump on the “privatization” That job falls to the regional providers. would love to have. However, the critical The problem still exists, though. part of that argument is that Amtrak bandwagon, remember a comment made by billionaire Warren Buffet when asked We need MORE TRAINS . needs new equipment, not just more (See Cusick, page 5) trains. That is what was evident to David what he thought about the anniversary of page 4 Bridge-Building in Montana deed, think how southern Montana has pared me to give a sizzling talk that even- By Alfred Runte suffered since the loss of the North Coast ing; after all, I had come within minutes of A small bridge across the Yellowstone Hiawatha in 1979. No wonder Montana being stranded on the island, leaving my River in Livingston, Montana, connects a wants that route back – and southern audience at the museum in the lurch. residential island with the city. More about Idaho, the Pioneer . Neither train is a luxury; Afterwards, the good people of Living- that shortly. rather each is a necessity. When the tour- ston took me to dinner and gently calmed My purpose in visiting Montana during ists are gone, the residents remain. Most of me down. But they agreed with me, as did June was for the centennial of West Yel- Montana’s bus service has already evapo- the people of Bozeman and West Yellow- lowstone. In cooperation with the Yellow- rated, and now the airlines are leaving, too. stone, that a train for southern Montana is stone Historic Center, town officials had in- Butte is just the latest to lose air service. long overdue. vited me there to speak. On June 11, 1908, Southern Idaho fears the same. It is wonderful when people start waking the first passenger train of the Oregon Enough of this nonsense, more people up. All along, we have been right to believe Short Line, a subsidiary of the Union Pacific are saying. Consider another example, Ian in the passenger train – and in the need for Railroad, arrived with visitors to Yellow- H. Fennell, editor of the Idaho State Journal rebuilding our railroads. To the country, the stone National Park off the main line in Pocatello. On my return to Seattle he failure of a small bridge in Montana may not through Ogden, Utah. Essentially, the 25- asked that I abridge my West Yellowstone mean much. We know what it really means. year monopoly of the Northern Pacific Rail- speech for Insight, the paper’s opinion sec- It further explains why we are so committed way, approaching Yellowstone from the tion. And would I add something about the to the Eastside Rail Line, for example. And north via Livingston, had been broken. This Pioneer . Accompanied by a J. Craig Thorpe why, after the Washington State Depart- is the story told by the Yellowstone Historic painting of the Empire Builder , the speech ment of Transportation gets through wi- Center – and a marvelous museum it is. appeared in the paper on Sunday July 13. dening I-405 at the Wilburton Tunnel, we Included within the complex of historical “The article looked great and generated will insist they put back the railroad. We buildings are the original depot and Union more comments than any Insight I can re- need commuter trains on that line – and lots Pacific dining hall designed by Gilbert member,” Mr. Fennell writes. “I'd also like to of them. We need to start taking better care Stanley Underwood. Imagine providing a know how I could start a rail advocacy of what we have. Once the trains are gone, palatial dining hall, built of native stone and group in Idaho.” they have a habit of never returning. Look wood, just for arriving and departing pas- Again, if this were coming just from us – at southern Montana and southern Idaho. sengers. It is another reminder that our rail- from the people and organizations we al- Look at Livingston and West Yellowstone. roads once believed in the public good – in ready know – its significance would not be Certainly, when the police start handing civilization, not merely profit. As of 1908, as great. Finally, our message is getting out out life jackets to cross bridges in this two major railroads served Yellowstone Na- into the culture – a hotel worker in Boze- country, you know our transportation sys- tional Park; by the 1920s three more could man and a newspaper editor in Pocatello. tem is a wreck. Our politicians will then for- make that claim. Now the closest Amtrak And don’t forget West Yellowstone. These give us for being just a little persnickety trains are the Empire Builder and California are not rail fans; rather they are citizens. when it comes to saving railroads. We have Zephyr , stopping 300 miles to the north and They cannot be accused of “loving” trains. the country to think about, not just the south, respectively. As of 1997, southern They want trains that serve everyday Highway Lobby. Idaho at least had the Pioneer , and then needs. In that spirit, I thank our new friends in that train was cut by Amtrak. Which brings me back to that bridge in Montana for their hospitality. I thank Ian Believe me, the people of the greater Livingston. I had crossed it to the island to Fennell and the Idaho State Journal for Yellowstone region are taking notice. West locate the home of my host. The Livingston publishing our speech. Thank you for be- Yellowstone is just one among several Depot Museum had asked, after I spoke in lieving in us – and inviting us to share your communities asking that its trains be re- West Yellowstone, that I give my lecture on history. We will indeed help you get your stored. In my speech June 11, I was de- railroad development of the national parks trains back. After all, we believe in Yellow- lighted to support their proposal. The point for them. One of the museum’s volunteers stone and your mountains, too. is that it hardly took any prodding from me. living on the island had graciously invited A woman working at the Gallatin Gate- me to spend the night. I was not to worry The Washington State History Museum way Inn, just south of Bozeman, spoke for that the Yellowstone River was at flood in Tacoma is sponsoring the exhibit “The dozens of people I met. Several times a stage; ten years ago, the river had actually West the Railroads Made.” From its website year, she drives the 600-mile roundtrip bet- crested over the bridge. With the water still (washingtonhistory.org ): “Learn about how ween Bozeman and Whitefish to put her five feet below the roadbed, the bridge and this one form of transportation reshaped the children on the Empire Builder . Her parents my rental car should be fine. West and helped create a truly continental pick them up in Edmonds, then also put Right! An hour later, wearing a life nation. Beyond iron tracks and coal-fired them on the train heading back. Why don’t jacket and with my hands full of luggage, I engines, the story of railroads is a story of you just fly them from Bozeman, I asked? was racing back into Livingston across the transformation. By bringing in immigrants, Do you realize how much that costs, she bridge. Moments later it closed behind me – railroads changed the character of the replied? And think of my parents having to and stayed closed for a week – until a region's population. By building depots, drive to the airport. That is 60 miles round- Bailey Bridge brought in by the Army Corps bridges and tunnels, it changed the area's trip for them – and most of the time in horri- of Engineers could be built across the landscape. By promoting agriculture, ble traffic. In Edmonds, they live just a few sinking span. As reporters gathered around ranching and mining on a grand scale, it minutes from the station. Although my drive me for comments, I let go with what can changed the people's way of life. Railroads to Whitefish is far longer, at least it is only be considered my best All Aboard brought the modern world to the West and stress-free. Washington barrage. “There it is. This is the West to the modern world.” All Aboard Washington has pointed out now the story of our country. Our highways The exhibit is showing through Jan. 24, 2009. repeatedly that the long-distance trains are are shot; our bridges are falling down; our The museum is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. six more than end-to-end services just for airlines can’t pay their fuel bills. And what days a week (opens at noon on Sundays; closed tourists. Each train serves all kinds of corri- did we do with our fuel-efficient, land-saving Mondays starting Sept. 1). Every Thursday hours dors, in this example, the Whitefish to Ed- railroads? Why, those we just threw away. extend to 8:00 p.m. with free admission after 5. The monds “corridor.” Think where Montana Meanwhile, most politicians are too stupid museum is easily accessible from Tacoma Dome would be without the Empire Builder . In- to even care.” Believe me, it further pre- Transit Station via Tacoma Link light rail. page 5 appropriate for him to urge government by Greg Nickels’ arguments in the Seattle Talk, from page 1 funding to fix bottlenecks and improve Am- Times titled “ 10 Lame Reasons to delay ter trains and some freight trains each day. trak’s service. mass transit .” His tongue-in-cheek, but Intermodal connections in many cities BNSF is a leader in providing Amtrak poignant observations almost make me are lacking and that is something that trains good service. “Our dispatchers pri- think he too is a secret All Aboard member, needs to change. This includes not only in- oritize Amtrak and it’s very rare for us to making transportation decisions armed with tercity and transit buses serving train sta- stab their trains,” Rose said. Current on- information gleaned from the vast reservoir tions, but also more rail connections to time performance for Amtrak on BNSF is of knowledge on these pages and within airports. 87.7%, but “that’s not good enough.” The our organization. Mica noted that he and Oberstar have a railroad wants Amtrak on-time performance Ouch, my arm is hurting from patting good working relationship. above 90%. It expects to earn $14 mill. this myself on my back. Matt Rose, the highly regarded CEO of year in on-time incentive payments. Rose This is going to be another watershed BNSF Railway, became the first CEO of a also noted that Sounder on-time perfor- event if Sound Transit’s 15-year plan major private railroad to speak at a NARP mance so far this year is 99.3%. passes in November, but I think that our meeting. Rose, who served on the National (rail) perfect storm is going to make that a possibility. Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Flem, from page 2 Study Commission, outlined the transporta- The plan is not perfect, but it addresses public Operation Lifesaver presentations. the needs for a more robust rail system. tion capacity issues facing our country and All rail advocates must emphasis to friends the funding gaps that must be filled to fix The funding isn’t perfect, but we’ve de- and family that trains are very safe for pas- cided to hamstring the process with various the problems. sengers and are good for our communities Between 1980 and 2005 rail route miles tax initiatives limiting the taxing resources. and our environment, but are huge powerful The price isn’t perfect – $13.5 billion, decreased 39% while gross ton miles in- machines which cannot avoid people who creased 65%; highway route miles in- the basic “budget dollar amount” before all get in their way. Trains cannot swerve and the finance charges, operational costs, and creased 7% while vehicle miles traveled in- do take a long time to stop. Please tell folks creased 96%; and port container traffic in- inflation are factored in (a.k.a. year of ex- all of us associated with railroads want penditure dollar amount). creased 400% (measured in 20 foot equiv- them to be safe and stay alive! And you alent units). Rose said the nation’s rail net- The best part is that it’s a transit only must set examples when around train package. No roads included. No guessing work hit equilibrium in 2002. tracks with the young and not so young. The Commission’s report is a call to ac- as to who doesn’t like it. The vote will tell. tion, said Rose. The railroads face a $39 ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ For me personally, the best part is bill. shortfall in the amount of capital they To a final pleasant note: Kudos to where it says “Eastside rail passenger part- can fund to meet freight needs between Olympia’s Pete Van Zantan, who will be nership – Provides funds for a potential now and 2035. Rose noted one way BNSF manning an All Aboard Washington booth capital contribution to a partnership for is increasing capacity at little cost is in- at the very popular Olympia Farmers Mar- Eastside passenger rail operation on freight creasing trains lengths on the LA-Chicago ket. I have much material than can be right-of-way there. Sound Transit and the Transcon line (which is now virtually all passed out at such booths. Let me know if Regional Council are currently double track or more) to 10,000 feet. any of you would like to spread the word evaluating the potential benefits of passen- Rose emphasized the environmental about passenger rail and AA WA. I’ll be ger rail operation on this corridor.” value of rail over truck transport: better fuel glad to help you. And kudos to C.B. Hall, Yes it’s a bold plan, but now is the time efficiency, reduced air pollution and re- who is doing some excellent research that for action. Given that the current economy duced highway congestion. will help us forward the cause of passenger might make this a struggle this year for the On passenger rail service, Rose stated rail in our state. Many AA WA members taxpaying public, I for one expect the econ- that he’d be happy if he didn’t have to run have excellent knowledge and commitment omy will make a turnaround, and since this passenger trains on his railroad. But, since to passenger rail. Do pass on your laudable plan is not an “instant gratification” solution, BNSF has an obligation to run passenger ideas and insights. They will be put to work. there will be plenty of good times to make trains, the railroad is committed to providing Active, not just passive rail advocacy is now the plan a reality. excellent service. Passenger train operators required. I’m not voting for it for the sake of my wanting access to BNSF tracks will be re- grandchildren. quired to pay for infrastructure upgrades so Quite frankly, I plan to live long enough Cusick, from page 3 that freight capacity is not reduced. As to see the results myself. CEO, Rose said it’s not his job to talk about 10 reasons the future of passenger rail service, but it’s I must admit I was pleasantly surprised

All Aboard Washington Officers Important Addresses and Phone Numbers Chuck Mott, Mukilteo..Chairman ...... 425 710-9665 ... [email protected] U. S. House of Representatives: Tony Trifiletti, Shoreline..President ...... 206 440-9451 ... [email protected] Washington, DC 20515 Jim Hamre, Puyallup..Vice President ...... 253 848-2473 ... [email protected] U. S. Senate: Washington, DC 20510 Rocky Shay, Federal Way..Secretary ...... 253 925-2085 ... [email protected] Capitol Switchboard (all members): 202 224-3121 John Carlin, Edmonds..Treasurer ...... 425 778-4529 ... [email protected] State Legislature: State Capitol, Olympia 98504 Al Runte, Seattle..Executive Director ...... 206 525-3608 ... [email protected] Hotline for leaving messages: 800 562-6000 Lloyd Flem, Olympia.. Government Affairs Director ...... 360 943-8333 ... [email protected] Amtrak Reservations/Information: 800 872-7245 Office FAX ...... 360 943-0136 Address ...... 3704 22 nd Ave SE, Olympia 98501 All Aboard Washington: AllAboardWashington.org NARP: www.narprail.org Jim Hamre, Puyallup..Newsletter Editor .....253 848-2473 ... [email protected] NARP Hotline: www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/hotline/ Warren Yee, Seattle..E-newsletter ...... 206 723-0259 ... [email protected] Amtrak: www.amtrak.com Amtrak Cascades: www.amtrakcascades.com All are evening numbers, except Lloyd's, which is available 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Sound Transit: www.soundtransit.org page 6 All Aboard Washington welcomes tw o new At All All Aboard News members to the board of directors: Ron Aboard Sheck and Rob Eaton. Ron has worked in Washing- August 9: All Aboard Washington transportation most of his career, including ton’s June meeting at noon at Jim Hamre’s home, 14 meeting th be ing the entire “rail office” at New Mexico 13307 104 Ave. Ct. E. on Puyallup’s DOT at one time. He most recently work ed at the South Hill. Bring a potluck item. Ham- for WSDOT as project manager for the King Kelso train burgers and beverages provided. Call or St. Station rehab project and the agency’s station we heard from Photo by Jim Hamre email for more information. See p. 5. liaison to Sound Transit on rail issues. Rob Kelso City Manager Paul Brachvogel and Cowlitz- September 13 : All Aboard Washington is mayor of Leavenworth and has spear - Wahkiakum Council of Governments transportation meeting at noon in Leavenworth at a lo- head ed his city’s efforts to build a train sta- planner Rosemary Siipola. Brachvogel stated there is cation to be determined. We hope to have tion and establish a stop for the Empire much interest in development in Kelso and the the Friday eastbound and Sunday west- Builder. Bill Kelley has resigned from the dow ntown core is seeing slow but steady progress. bound Empire Builders make a special board because his work has taken him to The city’s is a major part of the revitali- Leavenworth stop for the meeting. Details: California. zation . “Youth is fleeting; trains are forever,” say the Lloyd Flem (360-943-8333) or Rob Eaton city manager. Siipola emphasized the need for stra- Do you want to be greener, save All Aboard tegic thinking on integrated transportation issues. (509-548-8042) and at the August meeting. Washington money and get your newsletter November 8: All Aboard Washington She discussed area rail project s designed to reduce sooner (with color pictures)? Send your congestion and improve Amtrak reliability. Our thanks annual general membership meeting at email address to Warren Yee (see p. 5) and Freighthouse Square in Tacoma. We are to local members Ron and Pat Scha uer and Tedine we’ll start sending you Washington Rail Roos for hosting the meeting and providing lunch. moving the annual silent auction to this News as a PDF every two months in lieu meeting so that we have more room. We of a paper copy. Save the Date ! are already collecting items or services (rail On October 25, All Aboard Was hington, in coop- related or not) for the silent auction so be eration with the Washington State Historical Society, thinking about what you might donate. If will host a conference on railroads and the environ- you need items picked up contact Jim ment at the State History Museum in Tacoma. The Hamre or Darleen Flem (contact info on p. tentative title of the conference is “Earth As Only a 5). Details in the next newsletter. Railroad Can Make It: The World and Environmental All Aboard Washington welcomed the Sustainability.” Invited speakers include Gov. Bill following new members in June: Elizabeth Richardson (D) of New Mexico, whose office assures Sheppard, Longview; Marc Zaharchuk, us that he is interested, and Cesar Vergara, a world - Washington Crossing, PA; Bob Ebinger, renowned industrial designer, who has accepted and Photo by Jim Hamre will attend. Dave Ross, of KIR O 710 radio, will Livingston, MT; Paul Shea, West Amtrak ’s Rich Mason, center facing cam- Yellowstone, MT; Rick Hoeninghausen, moderate a panel of distinguished commentators. era, leads All Aboard Washington members A registration charge, commensurate with the Yellowstone National Park, WY; Scott on a tour of King St. Station after the May Moore, Roseville, CA; Diana Seider, quality and significance of this event, is yet to be de - 10 National Train Day festivities. Rich ex - termined. Registration will include admission to the Livingston, MT; Richard Luckin, Golden, plained what the current restoration plans CO; Carsten Lien, Seattle; Scott Silver, museum and its current exhibit “The West the Rai- are for the station’s main flour to better ac- lroads Made,” a buffet lunch and conference events. Bend, OR; Richard Schrock, Lynnwood; commodate Amtrak ’s and the passengers’ and Kurt Anders, Centralia. This is a serious step for All Aboard Washington needs. The tour included a behind-the- and the campaign for passenger rail. Our continued All Aboard Washington members contri- scenes look into Amtrak’s operations. We success in Olympia and the region depends on form - buting to this newsletter include Warren thank Rich for taking time to provide the ing new alliances. Funds raised above th e cost of the Yee, Al Runte, Rob Eaton, Jim Cusick, tour for us. It was interesting and enjoyed conference will support the work of our organization. Lloyd Flem, and Tony Trifiletti. by all.

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