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Issue 129 February 1998 Amtrakprez Major expansion of Amtrak? I answers MARP Increases may affect complaints on the region scheduling More Amtrak train and bus service is due to arrive in Indiana, Michigan, and About a week before his surprise Ohio, perhaps as early as this year. This Dec. 10 resignation, Amtrak Presi­ expansion is being sought to handle dent Tom Downs replied to sharp increases in passenger travel, as MARP' s complaint against the well as enormous growth in mail and company's Oct. 26 schedule package express shipments. changes to its Michigan services. Residents, tourists, city officials, and The following is from identical let­ business leaders in these states ought ters written Dec. 2 to MARP to welcome the new transportation ser­ Chairman James Riley and Execu­ vices with open arms. For too long, tive Director John DeLora. travelers have had to deal with the frus­ "As you know, Amtrak is facing trations of road construction, bad a severe fmancial crisis that requires weather and the increasing complexi­ difficult, but necessary business ties of airports. This surely has held Ken Prendergast photo decisions affecting both system and back economic growth in Indiana, STOPPING FOR PASSENGERS, NOT FOR SNOW. A strong rail passenger state supf>orted trains such as Am­ Michigan, and Ohio. market exist in this region, as evidenced by the popularity of recent, special trains. trak Intercitv's International and ,--·="'-·~·--,~·· ··"--"·~--"'-~---~"-'~-~--·····---·--· ------'~-"-·--~------~----· -~--·--"·-·-----~. __,_ .... - ______..._,__ . -·------Most of the new services tieing Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Until then, speczal aemur<»H• ticipates assuming $100 million in sought would add to existing ~outes.shown above, stopping November 1997 in Painesville OH, must satisfy the market's borrowing during fiscal year 1998. However, one would serve an Impor­ interest. Despite 10 inches of snowfall in a few hours time, this train was able to In addition, the Presidential Emer­ tant travel corridor that has lacked pas­ maintain 79 mph speeds. gency Board overse~ingthe dis­ senger rail service for nearly 30 years. nute with the BMWE [Brother- First on the horizon is the Pennsyl- " -- ... ~~... .,rm;.,.,;on to ronte the service over had to deal with the frus­ ---~~"-'.--~>ecr :n:u:cy miU .execu- trations of road construction, bad tive Director John DeLora. weather and the increasing complexi­ "As you know, Amtrak is facing ties of airports. This surely has held a .se:ere fmancial crisis that requires back economic growth in Indiana, dtfftcult, but necessary business Ken Prendergast photo Michigan, and Ohio. STOPPING FOR fASSENGERS, NOT FOR SNOW. A strong rail passenger decisions affecting both system and Most of the new services uvu• 0 market exist in this region, as evidenced by the popularity of recent, special trains. state supported trains such as Am­ n.uo"'""'" ·---.-.- • - dOh. Until then, special aemonsrn~uvn.,.,..,..., ····~···- -··; sought would add to existing routes. tr~[l!t~~i_ty'sIntemqtional and Indiana, Mzchzgan, an zo. b 1997 . Paz·nesville OH must satisfy the markets However, one would serve an impor­ · Novem er m ' bl ticipates assuming $100 million in shown above, stoppz~g,+. ll . fiew hours time, this train was a e to tant travel corridor that has lacked pas­ interest. Despite 10 mches of snowJa m a borrowing during fiscal year 1998. maintain 79 mph speeds. senger rail service for nearly 30 years. In addition, the Presidential Emer­ First on the horizon is the Pennsyl- gency Board overseConrail's Pittsburgh-Chicago tracks. ., hood of Maintenance of Way Em­ Altoona, Pittsburgh, and a dozen smaller cities enroute. Because no agreement exists with Contail, Amtrak of­ ployees] just handed down its rec­ Amtrak is looking at extending the service west to - See "AMTRAK" pagb Five ommendations, which, if enacted, Cleveland, Toledo, South Bend, and Chicago. Mean­ will require additional significant while, it would shorten the other end by making Phila­ NARP Region 6 meeting funding. delphia the train's eastern terminus. "The Chicago/Detroit corridor is According to Amtrak's business plan, the company one of the poorest performing wanted to extend the Pennsylvanian in May. However, set for March 7 in Detroit routes in the Amtrak system. The delays in implementing its package express program have NARP's Region 6 (IN, Ml, OH) meeting will be schedule changes were necessary forced Amtrak to postpone that desired start-up date. A held at 8:30am, Saturday, March 7 in Detroit. to improve the corridor's financial new start-up goal has not been determined. Amtrak has See article on page four for details. - See "ANSWERS" page Three

The Passenger Rail News PRESORTED . 479 Humiston Drive FIRST CLASS What's Inside... Bay Village OH 44140-3017 U.S. POSTAGE 129 PAID ~ "Train of Thought" ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Cleveland OH Permit# 2470 ~ Clinton's Budget to hurt Amtrak

~ Michigan station profile

~ Trancant wants more train service

~ Cincy transit happenings

~ fostoria station opens. Akron next

~ OAKP loses three friends The Passemter Rail News, F. 1998 Train of Thought Copyright © 1998, Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers. All articles not originated by OARP are copyrighted from OARP Executive Director by their respective originators. All rights reserved. Kenneth Prendergast Kenneth Prendergast, Editor Mark Carlson, Production Marilyn Carlson, Distribution omeone said to me a few years ago: "Wouldn't it be great if Amtrak did S not have to wait aroundfor financial support from states before it could expand rail passenger services?" My response was something like: "Yeah, it would be great. So would winning the lottery." Folks, it appears our winning number has come up. The lottery winnings, in this case, are revenues from mail and package express hauled by Amtrak passenger trains. Not only are they helping these trains to vastly improve their financial performance, but they are permitting · Amtrak to consider expanding service, as noted in the lead stories of this newsletter. The Pennsylvanian could be extended to Chicago via Cleveland, Toledo and South Bend in May. The Lake Shore Limited might become two sepa­ rate trains. Even sooner, the Cardinal, between Cincinnati and Chicago, may be carrying package express and a new sleeper service. Most amazing - and welcome - is that the Ohio Rail Development Com­ mission and Amtrak are talking about acquiring a large sum of mail/express

cars. This would ~edone in exchange for 3-C Corridor services that are free of operating subsidies from the state. This is not to say that coming up a winner doesn't have its drawbacks. Lottery winners complain that every door-to-door solicitor in the world seems .... to have descended on their front porch. Their mail boxes are suddenly stuffed WANTED . . with mail from friends they never knew they had. And, the media and . . Photos and Articles .•: telemarketers have somehow gotten hold of their newly unlisted telephone Clippings from newspapers and magazines , numbers. must include the publication's name and date. With trains, not everything is rosy with boxes of mail or soup being car­ Your articles and news briefs should be typed ried behind the same locomotives as college students, business travelers, and double-spaced, though very short items and tourists. Passenger trains lade.n U?ith mail and express shipments are rureaay requiring· sfower schedules, as longer dwell times are added at sta- copy\vith-IDM-compatible text fii~;~~£5;: tions which contribute large amounts of package shipments. or 3W' disks. Submissions via e-mail to: Some of it can be excused. The rest can be avoided. ' Intemet:72764.2020 @Compuserve.com. At Chicago, for example, arriving trains stop short of Union Station in a We reserve the right to edit all non-published rail yard while crews spend a half-hour uncoupling express cars from the submissions. Original photos should be sharp, train. Never before have I seen this as a standard practice at any train's end- • • -...., ro .• - briQ"ht nrints:-»vnid .,l;d.;,.., «nrl.n~~6 to have descended on the1r tront porcn. 1 neu mau ooxes are suuuemy stuucu ~~ It l'i l l:. lJ .. : . with mail from friends they never knew they had. And, the media and Photos and Articles . . ... telemarketers have somehow gotten hold of their newly unlisted telephone Clippings from newspapers and magazines numbers. must include the publication's name and date. · With trains, not everything is rosy with boxes of mail or soup being car­ Your articles and news briefs should be typed ried behind the same locomotives as college students, business travelers, and double-spaced, though very short items and tourists. Passenger trains laden with mail and express shipments are may be legibly written.-Preferably, send hard already requiring sl'ower schedules, as longer dwell times are added at sta­

copy with IBM-compatible text files on 5%" tions which contribute large amounts of package shipment~. or 3'12"disks. Submissions via e-mail to: Some of it can be excused. The rest can be avoided. .·: Intemet:[email protected]. At Chicago, for example, arriving trains stop short of Union Station in a We reserve the right to edit all non-published rail yard while crews spend a half-hour uncoupling express cars from the submissions. Original photos should be sharp, train. Never before have I seen this as a standard practice at any train's end­ bright prints-avoid slides and negatives. point city. It's very frustrating for passengers who are sitting in the shadows Always include your name and phone of Chicago's skyscrapers, yet are still30 minutes from stepping off the train. Claustrophobics, beware! number! There may be a tendency to stomach the negatives of winning the lottery 'fhe Passenger Rail News . . . in exchange for the overwhelming positives. I think many of us will hun­ 12029 Clifton Boulevard, #505 grily accept more passenger trains, on the backs of which gray boxcars and Lakewood OH 44107-2161 Roadrailers will ride shotgun. But we should watch out for situations where .... :·· . .. passenger service standards are being diminished at the hands of mail/ex­ press. It is the passenger that makes the train a fast, priority run. Without The Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers is incorporated in Ohio as a n?n- passengers, the mail/express service becomes just another freight train. profit association and exempt from federal income tax under the IRS Code, Sect10n But, I'll remain positive. These passenger trains will surely be a more 50l(c)(3) as a publicly supported educational organization. Dues and donations to effective means of transportation than our imaginations have been. Let's be OARP may be tax-deductible in accordance with the IRS Code. watchful while we enjoy the winnings and all the good things they promise. - • - • - • - • - • - • - • - • - • - • • - • • - • ~ cut here ' - • - • - • - • - • • • • • - • - • • • • - • - • - • • • - • - • - • • - • - • - • - • - • • - - • - - • - - • - YES! I WANT BETTER RAIL PASSENGER SERVICES! Clipthis coupon.~check the association you wish to An introductory one-year membership in the Indiana, Michigan or Ohio Association of Rail­ join. and send this alongwith a checkor moneyorder road Passengers includes a subscription to The Passenger Rail News, plus action alerts, notice of for the properdues (schedule at left) payableto: rail.:.oriented events, and local meetings. (Contributions to OARP may be tax deductible.) 0 Indiana Associationof RailroadPassengers 4 DevonshireCourt #6 Enclosed is a check or money order for..• NAME MichiganCity, IN 46360-1234

0 $ 15.00 for an Basic/Individual Membership. TITLE D MichiganAssociation of RailroadPassengers COMPANY P/0 Box532 0 $ 10.oofor a Retired/Student Membership. Marquette.MI 49855-0532 ADDRESS 0 $100.oofor a Corporate Membership. Send D OhioAssociation of RailroadPassengers me __ copies of the newsletter (up to 10). CITY 752 BraumillerRoad Remember, please mail to the proper state association. STATE ...... ZIP CODE ...... DelawareOH 43015-3110 The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 Three Region loses a great advocate of passenger rail By Mark Carlson OARP President day caused Larry to actually in- churches. Also, Larry was a vol- It is with great sadness that I must report OARP crease his activities. He was call- unteer at Maumee Bay State has lost one of its most dependable members and ing Executive Director Ken Park, where he once proudly took friends. On Jan. 26, Larry George of Toledo, died Prendergast and me more often me to show the exhibits, facili- suddenly of congestive heart failure. than ever. Actually, he became ties, and the boardwalk where he Too often, you realize what someone meant to more involved afterresigning his had once walked off 140 pounds. you after they're gone. During Larry's funeral, post...and we were concerned. A retired police and fire dis- however, I realized just how much he meant to I once asked him about his patcher for Oregon OH, Larry Northwest Ohio. The outpouring of sadness from medical condition. "Oh that?, was also a former volunteer the entire community was nothing short of awe­ that's over with," he replied. "It firefighter. Most importantly, he some. I am proud he considered me as one of his was a misdiagnosis." was a devout family man. friends. A few months ago, Larry de- Such family and civic involve- First, let me tell you what happened. In Feb. cided he wanted to get officially ment drew a funeral procession 1997, Larry sent to me a letter when he was involved again by running for that was nearly a half-mile long. OARP's Area 419 Director. With much regret, vice-president. On Monday, Jan. The procession rolled past much he stated he must resign from the board of direc­ 26, after getting signatures for of his life-crossing a railroad, tors due to health problems. Larry didn't elabo­ his nominating petition, Larry passing his high school, his em- rate on his medical condition. Later, he told me became ill and was rushed to Toledo Hospital ployment, the former site of local OARP meet- his doctor ordered him to stop all stressful ac­ where he died. He was only 54. ings, and the firehouse where the flag was at half- tivities- including OARP. I came to know Larry over 10 years ago dur- staff with the volunteers' siren singing in his honor. Funny thing is, Larry couldn't stay away from ing OARP meetings, when he would encourage Larry is survived by his first family: wife, "The Cause" he loved. In fact, the issues of the us to take a stand on the increasingly sorry state Rosemary; daughter, Helen Webb; sons, of Toledo's aging Central Union Terminal. Dur- Lawrence, Jr. and Michael; father, Thomas; sis- Amtrak prez answers MARP ing lulls in those meetings, he would telephone ter, Barbara Keyser; brother, Thomas, Jr.; nine his friend Hank Harvey, now retired as a reporter grandchildren, and a great-grandson. complaints on scheduling for the Toledo Blade, to satisfy Hank's news And, he is survived by an association of rail- -"ANSWERS", from page one----­ deadlines. road passengers, many of whom know from performance while allowing the Chicago/Detroit Larry and Hank started the drive for what even- Larry George just how strong his heart really trains to remain part of our national system. A tually became a $9 million renovation of a rusty was, and how great a man can be. We will miss fossil into Central Union Plaza-easily Ohio's you, my friend ... number of considerations were factored into this mosr·nurui--t:i";.-•-~ ·= • · . · · • . Uniortunafely, twO omer nuraotc uoa.u" u ·· decision including positive impacts on market- permanent garden and memonal at the station curred in recent months. Barbara A. Brown, ing, operating, scheduling, on-time performance, has been suggested by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, OARP member who was a planner for the revenue and overall responsiveness to ridership. ~h· Ohio Rep. Sally Perz, and OARP. 0 Rail Development Commission, passed Minimal time changes have been made in the 0 However, for those who knew Larr~~~~ aw~yin December. She was ORDC's passenger International Pere Marquette and schedules. ofhm~T --~~~~~;n;.,., through OARP is to know only a Part .. 1 1 - 1\:lntrak prez answers MARP ~---~----~~ .....,..~~-::..~•a:~...... , .1.-:IIVIcca~,~~~- i~gl~lls in those meetings, he would telephone ter, Barbara Keyser; brother, Thomas, Jr.; nine his friend Hank Harvey, now retired as a reporter complaints on scheduling grandchildren, and a great-grandson. for the Toledo Blade, to satisfy Hank's news -"ANSWERS", from page one----­ deadlines. . And, he is survived by an association of rail­ road passengers, many of whom know from pe~ormancewhile allowing the Chicago/Detroit Larry and Hank started the drive for what even­ Larry George just how strong his heart really remai~ trams to part of our national system. A tual~y?ecame a $9 million renovation of a rusty number Of COnSiderations Were fa~t~~~d;_._~+J...:~ was, and how great a man can be. We will miss [2~~~1!~!~-<2~1!U:~Union Plaza-easily Ohio's decision including positive impacts on market­ you, my friend ... permanent garden and memorial at the station Untonunatety, Lwv v ...... v.~~--______ing, operating, scheduling, on-time performance, curred in recent months. Barbara A. Brown, revenue and overall responsiveness to ridership. has been suggested by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, an OARP member who was a planner for the Minimal time changes have been made in the Ohio Rep. Sally Perz, and OARP. However, for those who knew Larry only Ohio Rail Development Commission, passed International and Pere Marquette schedules. through OARP is to know only a part of him. I'd away in December. She was ORDC's passenger "The State of Michigan has invested heavily like to share with you the Larry George that I rail specialist. in the Pontiac/Detroit corridor to reduce running knew. Through his other volunteer activities, we Also, OARP member Robert L. Yahn, of times. Unfortunately the industry has changed learn of the man he really was. Columbus, passed away in January. Our sympa­ and on-time performance dropped from 60% to He was busy with model railroad activities. He thies go out to the friends and families of Barb 40% after service was extended to Pontiac. The Brown, Rob Yahn, and Larry George. original Chicago/Detroit schedule did not accu­ was a Eucharistic minister at two Toledo-area rately reflect real running times and the Pontiac of implementing these changes, but overall, we "Amtrak is most appreciative of the State's past extension compounded the problem. will benefit by better use of this equipment in and ongoing capital contributions to the corridor. "Other considerations affecting the increased other areas of our system. The State's financial assistance is helping us im­ running times include the following: change in "For example, under the schedule that was in prove the corridor's overall performance, but ul­ assigned locomotive power from F40's to Dash- effect prior to October 26, 1997, one set of equip­ timately more immediate measures such as these 8locomotives (the Dash-8locomotives are more ment consisting of four coaches and a cafe car schedule changes are necessary if these trains are reliable and more economical to operate) and operated for approximately 6-7 hours per day, to remain part of Amtrak's national system. FRA Emergency Order# 20 (delayed-in-block waiting 20-21 hours for turns, With better equip­ "I know you appreciate the hard business de­ rule at station stops) have created a noticeable ment utilization we can increase revenues gen­ cisions that Amtrak must make in order to im­ increase in running times. erated by that same equipment by as much as prove our financial condition while delighting "In addition, as most of the railroad is single 33%, while improving the financial performance our passengers. I appreciate your interest and track, the schedules have been designed to bet­ of the Michigan service. support," Mr. Downs concluded. ter utilize the number of control sidings on the "The running time from Pontiac to Detroit is Amtrak line. The new schedule makes the nec­ approximately 60 minutes, while the drive time MARP replies to Mr. Downs essary adjustments to reflect a realistic achiev­ is about 30 minutes. The number of people mov­ Mr. Downs' letter is riddled with errors. able schedule, which will result in improved cus­ ing by train from Pontiac to Detroit over last year For starters, the schedule change does not tomer satisfaction. is negligible, consisting of 231 passengers on affect equipment turns at all. Secondly, "Greenfield Village remains an important stop train 350 and 226 passengers on train 355. even though Greenfield Village remains in which all Chicago/Detroit trains will still serve. "Under the current schedule we have too many the schedule, it is highly unlikely any group Unfortunately, we cannot afford the excessive cars chasing too little revenue. By reducing the will use the stop for a 1 hour, 40 minute operating losses associated with this corridor in number of cars, we reduce the maintenance costs, visit. MARP is preparing a full response relation to actual and anticipated revenue. We increasing revenue and ultimately meeting the for Mr. Downs' successor. will lose some revenue in Michigan as a result needs of most of our customers. Four The Passemzer Rail News, Februarv 1998 Traficant seeking lllore Allltrak service NARP Region 6 meeting set for March in Detroit through Youngstown The NARP Region 6 (IN, MI, OH) meeting will . to respond was U.S. Rep. James Traficant, Jr. be held in Detroit on Saturday, March 7 at the St. By Kenneth Prendergast . n· t (D-Youngstown). Regis Hotel. It will run from 8:30a.m. to about OARP E xecutive 1rec or . "I appreciate the benefit of...the excellent work 4:30p.m. Youngstown will unfortunately be left out of the Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers con­ The St. Regis Hotel is at 3071 West Grand Bou­ Amtrak's Pennsylvanian extension. As noted in tinues to do. I have long recognized the impor­ levard, at Woodward Avenue, two blocks from the the lead story of this newsletter, the Pennsylva­ tance of the Ravenna Connection to the expan­ Detroit Amtrak station. MichARP (MARP) will nian could be extended west of Pittsburgh to sion of passenger rail service to the Youngstown provide free transportation from the Detroit Am­ Chicago via Cleveland as early as May. area," Congressman Traficant wrote. trak station to the hotel for anyone arriving Fri­ The service is slated to bypass Youngstown, "In fact, prior to Amtrak's decision to resume day night or Saturday morning. Please indicate using the route of Amtrak's Chicago-Washing­ daily service to Youngstown in May (1997) via on your reservation whether you will need trans­ ton DC Capitol Limited through Alliance, Ohio. Amtrak's Three Rivers train, I had been work­ portation, and if so, on which train or Thruway Until a track connection linking Conrail and CSX ing closely with Amtrak, Conrail, CSX, the Fed­ bus you will be arriving. mainlines in Ravenna is built, no Pittsburgh­ eral Railroad Administration and the Ohio Rail Registration fee of $25.00 includes lunch. Cleveland train can run via Youngstown. Development Commission on the Ravenna Con­ Checks should be payable to MARP, and mailed Cost of restoring the so-called Ravenna Con­ nection. I was able to get an initial appropriation to: P.O. Box 594, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080. Res­ ervations must be received by March 3, 1998. nection was estimated in 1996 by the Ohio Rail in 1996 of $200,000 for an FRA study feasibil­ The theme of the meeting will be "Developing Development Commission to be $4 million. The ity study of the project. However, once Amtrak Intermodal Service." We have an outstanding list Ravenna Connection was ripped out by Conrail resumed service to Youngstown, those funds of speakers: during the recession of the early-1980s. Conrail were reprogrammed. • AI Martin, Director of the Detroit Department still owns the land. "In my view, the potential takeover of Conrail of Transportation. Mr. Martin has wide experience While OARP has wanted to have the Pennsyl­ by CSX and Norfolk Southern presents an op­ at the local, regional and statewide levels in plan­ vanian routed via Youngstown, we do not wish portunity to have the Ravenna Connection fi­ ning and operating local transit. He will discuss to delay the train's extension until the Ravenna nanced largely by the private sector. If the merger the issues involving in linking local transit to in­ Connection can be built. OARP supports keep­ is approved by the Surface Transportation Board, tercity service. ing the Capitol Limited operating through Alli­ I intend to work closely with CSX on a plan to • Sally Billups, representative of the Michigan En­ ance, which has about 25,000 people and is close build the connection. One scenario would involve vironmental Council. She will discuss the economic to Canton. However, the Youngstown-Warren­ CSX financing most of the cost of the project, and environmental importance of being able to make New Castle area boasts more than 600,000 people, with the Ohio Rail Development Commission easy connections among transportation modes. which is why the Pennsylvanian should serve it. and the FRA providing the remainder. I also in­ • Philip Kazmierski, Deputy Director of the Recently I wrote to a number of state, federal, tend to closely examine other possible ways to Michigan Transportation Department. Mr. and Amtrak officials, asking that they locate finance this important initiative," Congressman Kazmierski is responsible for all local transit, re­ funds to restore the Ravenna Connection. First Traficant said. gional transportation, rail freight and rail passen­ ger services, as well as non-motorized transporta­ tion. He will discuss the issues involved in trying Derail ADltrak, Vranich asserts to provide integrated transportation. By Ed D' Amato, OARP Member ter dispute over the use of Guilford's tracks into We will then be transported downtown for a pri­ . .. .. vate tour of Detroit's Trollev line and _c;;:hctron1..-l'UTA. aP't riti n£ Arntr!:~.lc-?Tn~nh Vr~niP:h'ti:. -. "' Lonnecuon can oe;; ou1u. vrt~ :suppuu:s 1\.~::Nl'­ .1~a.ppiVY\..Mountaineer Rail Tours. In Administration and Amtrak, as well as other underfunding and congressional interference has the few areas where long distance trains are neces­ sources. plagued Amtrak since its inception, he feels that sity (for example, winter travel between North Da­ Although some of his arguments are sound, there Amtrak has been its own worst enemy. kota cities and Minneapolis), their management were some things that Mr. Vranich ignored or failed His basic solution has several elements. First of should be replaced by state initiatives, he said. to discuss adequately. For example, he briefly men­ all, the Northeast Corridor should be owned and Amtrak's equipment could be sold off for all of these tioned the fact that Amtrak has been woefully un­ maintained by the states it serve, and its operations purpoSes as well as for state-run commuter trains. dercapitalized, but avoided discussing the impact should be privatized. Similar arrangements should That pretty much eliminates what Amtrak does. that has had on its operations by placing even more replace other existing corridors like Detroit-Chi­ So, what involvement does Mr. Vranich believe blame on Amtrak itself. cago and Seattle-Eugene. The fact that the Guilford there should be at the national level for passenger He also didn't discuss the potential of mail and Rail Corporation offered to buy the Northeast Cor­ rail? He said he feels federal money should be spent express to help make Amtrak's long distance trains ridor in 1997 suggests to Mr. Vranich that there is on public-private partnerships to develop high­ profitable. He also never addressed the prevailing room for some level of privatization. speed TGV and Maglev corridors. Also, he said "highway-only" attitude that too many of our poli- (Editor note: Amtrak has been involved in a bit- he believes there are several corridors in the U.S. - See "VRANICH" next column

~- The Passenger Rail News, Februa.ry 1998 Five Two other expansions are being considered, but Major expansion of Amtrak? Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari cautioned that these are far from becoming a reality. Thus, he - "AMTRAK", from page one At present, the westbound Cardinal leaves said he would only be speculating if he were to ficials say the extension is not yet a done deal. Cincinnati Union Terminal for Chicago at 1:55 give any details on them at this time. There are signs that suggest it may be approach­ a.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday morn­ Amtrak and the Ohio Rail Development Com­ ing, however. For example, training classes were ings, stopping in Indianapolis for 30 minutes, mission (ORDC) continue to discuss ways that scheduled in January and February for employ­ from 5:35-6:05 a.m. It arrives downtown Chi­ passenger rail service can be introduced in the ees to work the Pennsylvanian extension. Also, cago at 10: 15 a.m. Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati (3-C Corridor).

Amtrak has sent to employees preliminary s~les Eastbound trips depart Chicago at 7:40p.m. While discussions between Amtrak and the state information about the new service, such as that on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays., paus­ of Ohio have been continuing intermittently for it will be an all-reserved train. ing in Indianapolis from 1:25-1:55 a.m., and ar­ almost 30 years, innovative funding scenarios Neither MARP nor OARP have heard of spe­ riving Cincinnati at 5:25 a.m. on Wednesdays, now being reviewed offer a glimmer of hope. cific plans for a Michigan bus connection to the Fridays, and Sundays. The Cardinal then con­ Seeking 3-C Corridor passenger rail service Pennsylvanian extension at Toledo. Still, we tinues on to Charleston WV and Washington DC. was listed as a specific goal in the ORDC's en­ would be very surprised if this was not in Amtrak's Arriving the Queen City, the sleeper, with its abling legislation. Thus, OARP members should plans. Currently, Amtrak runs connecting buses, passengers still tucked safely aboard, would be find some solace that the ORDC is sticking to complete with through ticketing, between its legislative mandate. existing Amtrak trains at Toledo, and Finally, a split of the Lake Shore Lim­ Michigan Amtrak stations in Detroit, ited has been rumored for more than a de­ Dearborn, Ann Arbor and East Lansing. cade. Currently, the Lake Shore consists Amtrak has come up with a model of a single train between Chicago, South schedule for the Pennsylvanian extension, Bend, Toledo, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Al­ and is very similar to the one printed in bany. At Albany, the train now splits into the last issue of The Passenger Rail News. two sections. One train heads for Boston Bear in mind that only a few of the cities while the other heads south along the to be served by the extension are men­ Hudson River into New York City. West­ tioned in this article. bound, the process is reversed, with the Being considered are dawn departures Boston and New York sections combin­ out of both Chicago and Philadelphia. ing into a single train at Albany for the Eastbound, this would have the train serv­ 800-mile trip to Chicago. ing both Toledo and Cleveland during the Theoretically, the Lake Shore split would mid-day hours. Arrival in Pittsburgh create two separate trains, all the way from would be during the afternoon rush hour, the East Coast to Chicago. If it ever does and Philadelphia around midnight. Westbound, following a morning depar­ cago, Albany, and back. Better choices of .. ture from Philadelphia's 30th Street Sta­ arrivals and departures along this route tion, it would leave Pittsburgh in the mid­ Ken Prendergast photo could be in the offing for Amtrak custom­ afternoon, Cleveland at supper time, To­ Expanded passenger service on Ohio s 3-C Corridor may depend upon more than ers-both passengers and shippers alike. ledo in the eveninl!. and arrivinl! Chical!o - ~~--- J ------L .. _:_ ...... r"C'V' .... dr.uh.l.n_#rru ..Z...~..,n raF Lin -nuusorrKtvenn:to New York City. West­ Being considered are dawn departures bound, the process is reversed, with the out of both Chicago and Philadelphia. Boston and New York sections combin­ Eastbound, this would have the train serv­ ing into a single train at Albany for the ing both Toledo and Cleveland during the 800-mile trip to Chicago. mid-day hours. Arrival in Pittsburgh Theoretically, the Lake Shore split would would be during the aftemoon rush hour. create two separate trains, all the way from and Philadelphia around lllidnight. the East Coast to Chicago. If it ever does

~.-t--~\. --~--..,~•• ~-t~~ Westbound, following a morning depar­ tney uou·t ... .;.., .. J.LL- 1 ture from Philadelphia's 30th Street Sta­ cago, Albany, and back. Better choices of ·.~· tion, it would leave Pittsburgh in the mid­ arrivals and departures along this route afternoon, Cleveland at supper time, To­ Ken Prendergast photo could be in the offing for Amtrak custom­ Expanded passenger service on Ohio s 3-C Corridor may depend upon more than ledo in the evening, and arriving Chicago ers-both passengers and shippers alike. just Amtraks growing mail and express business. CSXs double-tracking of 40 close to midnight. miles of Conrail$ Columbus-to-Cleveland mainline to ease post-merger traffic Rail passenger transportation advocates, Next step for expansion could be expansion, may also ease Amtrak onto the railroad, too. The $29 million Berea­ economic development agencies, and tour­ Amtrak's thrice-weekly Cardinal, linking Greenwich project was well underway in October 1997 at Columbia Station OH. ism officials should rightfully be excited Chicago, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, about the prospects for expanded service. Charleston, and Washington D.C., which could switched out of the Cardinal. Sleeping car cus­ However, rail advocates have a favorite saying to soon be getting a boost. A railroad company is tomers could rest for a couple more hours in their emphasize caution: "you can be sure that a new developing a sleeper service to piggyback on to beds, long after the train has left for Washington. train will run when you see it on the second day." the Cardinal's overnight run between Cincinnati Westbound passengers could board the sleep­ Since these projects are still being developed, and Chicago. An official for the company ask ing car about midnight. When the Cardinal comes things can and probably will change. More up­ that they not be named. into town, the sleeper and its snoozing passen­ dates will, of course, appear in the next edition gers could then be picked up by the train and taken of The Passenger Rail News. Also, more details - "VRANICH", from page four----­ to Chicago. Package express shipments may also will be shared at the NARP Region 6 meeting, ticians possess, and he never mentioned the power be hauled by the Cardinal in the coming months. on March 7 in Detroit. which highway interests have had in keeping our transportation dollars away from trains. Those flaws aside, I believe that at least some of Poetic justice for Mr. Vranich? what Mr. Vranich says is legitimate and his book should not be dismissed. There is one thing that It seems that United Airlines flight #1536 was At 5:30p.m., with the plane going nowhere, pas­ we all must keep in mind. Even with the reprieve one of many stranded on Christmas Eve in Mil­ sengers can see empty airport gates; at 9:53, the Amtrak was given last autumn, its troubles are far waukee due to heavy snows in Chicago. This ailing passenger (heart attack victim) is taken off from over. This may very well be its last chance, was one of seven UA flights diverted to Mil­ the plane; at 10:20, the pilot tells passengers they and if it doesn't succeed in the next few years, we waukee with over 800 passengers aboard. will be able to get off via a ladder, but 41 min­ could see it shut down. If that happens, some new As flight #1536 was stuck for more than five utes later says no one is around to operate the thinking such as Mr. Vranich's may be necessary. hours in Milwaukee, 200 passengers were trapped necessary equipment." Personally, I don't care where our trains come from, without any drinking water or working toilets. "After midnight, passengers were still at the as long as we get reliable, usable service. Among those on the plane was former Amtrak airport getting vouchers for overnight stays in hotels," the AP said. Another 250 were stranded Mr. D'Amato is an OARP member in Columbus, spokesman come book author critic Joe Vranich. OH. Book reviews do not necessarily represent the The Associated Press reported that, "with overnight at O'Hare. Some Christmas present. stated policies of OARP's Board of Directors. plenty of time on his hands, Vranich kept notes. Perhaps Mr. Vranich should have taken Amtrak? Six The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 is the passenger train's speed. Without passengers, the train becomes just another freight run. If a Why the sudden expansion? high-priority freight shipment is delayed 20 min-

By Ken Prend~rgas~ would be like pouring water on rich, seeded soil. utes, the shipper usually won't complain. A pas- OARP Executive Dtrector With $2 billion now in hand and new business senger, on the other hand, will become very rest- Several months ago, congressional leaders and already blossoming, the stage was set for Amtrak's less. It's in Amtrak's best financial interest to keep special interest groups were wrangling over the operations to expand by an order of magnitude hauling trainloads of finicky critics. Amtrak can future of Amtrak. Many wondered aloud if pas- unseen since its creation 27 years ago. offer speed, like no freight railroad can. senger trains had a future. But, while all that was For much of the past year, the goal has been to Some observers may say Amtrak is taking the going on, outside of Amtrak's control, something acquire as much mail and package express busi- easy way out to improve the economics of the pas- fascinating was going on inside. ness as possible. To keep costs low, the new ship- senger train. These uninformed skeptics might ar- Mid-level management at the financially ments were being hauled by existing passenger gue that, without mail/express, passenger trains strapped railroad were being instructed to go out trains. This plan, now almost fully realized, has would disappear. Well, of course they would dis- into the hinterlands and find new business. They appear, because it almost happened before. had to hustle in finding more revenue sources, Mail/express and passengers were good bedfel- and ignore the fact that the company might fail if lows for over a century. The last year that passen- they failed. ger trains broke even as an industry was 1959. In The reasoning was simple. It's called acting like that year, passenger fares comprised 54 percent a business. Amtrak was already being left for of the average passenger train's revenues. The dead, anyway. So, if those managers came up with remaining 46 percent came from hauling mail and new passenger and mail/package express busi- package express. In 1996, only 6 percent of the ness, only to see the company pulled out from average Amtrak train's revenues came from mail/ under their feet, the end would still be the same. express. This philosophy was borne out in the fact that, In the mid -1960s, passenger rail travel was on a while Amtrak's grave was being dug by political slow decline. Yet, top management of a number pundits, the company was buying or leasing hun- of major railroads like Santa Fe, Southern, Sea- dreds of mail handling cars, express boxcars, and board, Burlington, and Kansas City Southern said Roadrailers (truck trailers with removable steel they had no intention of getting out of the passen- wheels ). . Ken Prendergast photos ger train business. More evidence of Amtrak's hoping for the best Amtrak's mail and express has brought new jobs to Toledo. Their minds were quickly changed a few years came in November, when mail/express manager increased the length of some trainsto the point later when the post office canceled most of their Ed Ellis was promoted to a newly created post- where so many switching moves must be made railroad contracts. A sudden and massive number vice president of mail and express. A team of man- along a route that fast schedules are being hin- of passenger train discontinuances nationwide fi- agers was appointed to work alongside him. Mr. dered. At Toledo, for example, mail and express nally forced the federal government to act, and

Ellis came to Amtrak from RailTex only a year business is so good, Amtrak is s~ekimLto_.nur~Amtrak was bom in 1971.

1 hefnnrE~mreR~trOllliteight niilroads: b~iictingat--thetr~;;;;~~~ ~~~~:~ --~--:::::;;;;;;;::. --~- -- L:II':"',-"_------Ai""!. motor camer:s, or mte~odalunits. sort out all the shipments. 0~course, there was still a chance Amtrak might · Growth cart be displayed in raw survive. If ~o?gresscame through with a pro- numbers. In 1996, Amtrak generated

po_sed $2.3 _"':l~honr~sc~ep~c~~e__,~~mpletewith $64 million in revenues came from --~ wheels). Ken Prendergast photos ger tram busmess. Amtrak s mail and express has brought new jobs to Toledo. More evidence of Amtrak's hoping for the best Their minds were quickly changed a few years carne in November, when mail/express manager increased the length of some trains to the point later when the post office canceled most of their Ed Ellis was promoted to a newly created post­ where so many switching moves must be made railroad contracts. A sudden and massive number vice president of mail and express. A team of man­ along a route that fast schedules are being hin­ of passenger train discontinuances nationwide fi­ agers was appointed to work alongside him. Mr. dered. At Toledo, for example, mail and express nally forced the federal government to act, and Ellis carne to Amtrak from RailTex only a year business is so good, Amtrak is seeking to pur: Amtrak was born in 1971. before. His management team also is comprised chase or lease a former Conrail __ _ _ ~- _ of people with experience from freight railroads, building at the train station so it can · motor carriet:s, or intermodal units. sort out all the shipments. Of course, there was still a chance Amtrak might Growth cart be displayed in raw survive. If Congress came through with a pro­ numbers. In 1996, Amtrak generated posed $2.3 billion rescue package, complete with $64 million in revenues came from reforms to free Amtrak of many regulations, it mail and express shipments. That· figure skyrocketed to about $400 million in 1997. Amtrak's goals are COTA gets new chief much loftier, however. The company wants one percent of the nation's Ron Barnes, 48, was recently named gen­ $230 billion package express mar­ eral manager of the Central Ohio Transit Au­ ket so it can become self-sufficient thority, and could help boost the prospects for by 2002. building light-rail transit in the capital city. It doesn't take much imagination Mr. Barnes was the #2 man for the Greater to realize what has to happen for Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, where Amtrak to attain a six-fold increase in mail/ex­ It would be easy to criticize Amtrak manage­ one of his last big projects was to oversee press revenues. The natural outcome is especially ment for taking so long to realize the importance the construction of the $55 million light-rail evident when its existing trains are becoming so of hauling mail/express. But, times were very dif­ Waterfront Line. Mr. Barnes left behind in lengthy that their capacities are nearly tapped out. ferent during the 1970s and, like a welfare recipi­ Cleveland a transit system which carried 61 Much of Amtrak's growth in mail and express ent, the complacent company became dependent million people in 1997, for COTA which car­ has occurred on medium- to long-distance trains on federal grants. ried 18 million. Also, while Cleveland RTA which serve multiple population centers. That ac­ Amtrak is now being forced to fight for rev­ has a permanent, countywide, 1-percent sales curately describes the area between Chicago, St. enues, or else it won't survive past 2002. There is tax, COTA has a temporary, 1.4-percent sales Louis, and the East Coast. And, thatis why no way Amtrak can generate the kind of revenues tax. Amtrak's need for expansion across Indiana, it needs to break even by relying on just one train In Columbus, the transit agency is seek­ Michigan, and Ohio is so critical. a day on most routes. Similarly, it cannot con­ ing pei:manent, local funding, but the com­ Cou~dAmtrak's mail and express shipments ex­ tinue to ignore important markets like the 3-C Cor­ munity hasn't yet decided what the future pand without any passenger services corning along ridor, routes south and east from Detroit, and of COTA should be. Should it include light­ for the ride? Maybe, on the rare occasion. Amtrak routes east from the St. Louis gateway. runs a Springfield MA-Washington DC train which many of the proposed expansions take place rail, commuter rail, community circulator If doesn't carry passenger equipment. That is the only (see lead article), the role of the passenger rail ad­ buses, or other features? Central Ohio one in the nation, and operates on a route already vocate will probably have to change. We have been OARP members are continuing to make brimming with passenger trains. preservationists for too long. Now, we may have to their voices heard on these important devel­ One of the things making Amtrak attractive to become more analytical, critical, and forward think­ opments. distributors of high-value, time-sensitive packages ing. Those are roles we should happily embrace. The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 Seven Cincinnati transit happenings 1 Clinton's budget Much rail transit-related activity is occurring bid packages for building a new multi-million­ in Cincinnati, most of which surrounds the In­ dollar courthouse a day before the bids were to to hurt Amtrak terstate 71 Corridor Study. As many OARP be opened. Butler's company won the construc­ Is the fight never over? President Bill Clinton's members know, this study is looking at what tion contact, and his competitors are suing. 1999 Budget proposal looks to be a bad one for transportation investments should be made in the Hopefully, Butler will be too pre-occupied with Amtrak. The National Association of Railroad 33-mile corridor between the Cincinnati Inter­ the lawsuit to worry about pushing his billion­ Passengers, along with MARP and OARP are national Airport in Covington, KY and King's dollar monorail on the wary public. According complaining that the president's budget request Island. to OKI surveys, light rail is preferred by 69 per­ would break an agreement made with rail pas­ Conducting the study is the consulting firm cent of residents in Greater Cincinnati. sengers, Amtrak, labor and the Congress only Burgess & Niple Ltd., for the Ohio-Kentucky­ Finally, Citizens Transit Alliance, a new asso­ several months ago. Indiana Council of Governments (OKI). Light­ ciation representing the public's interest in Cin­ The Budget Request would fund Amtrak's rail transit generally is considered to be the fa­ cinnati-area light rail, has released a full-color operating grant entirely from out of the $2.3 bil­ vored transportation investment by many OKI brochure. While those on the Ohio end ofthe I-71 lion in capital funding in the Taxpayer Relief officials, but a couple other modes are still in Corridor are favoring light rail, Kentuckians still Act passed in 1997. This would short-change the running. More study results are due this are battling Butler and his monorail idea to link Amtrak by depriving it much needed capital spring. Greater Cincinnati with the airport. funding, which the Clinton Administration ac­ In preparation for a mass transit investment Membership in CTA is open to all, not just knowledged last fall was so important. Despite (either a busway or light-rail alignment), the · Kentucky residents. To request a limited supply President Clinton's recent support for Amtrak, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority of these brochures, contact Citizens Transit Al­ the budget request would create yet another cri­ (SORTA) continues to acquire right-of-way on liance, Inc. at P.O. Box 17605, Covington, KY sis for Amtrak. the Ohio side of the river. 41017-6305. Perhaps the only good news from President Its latest purchase totalled 10 miles Clinton's budget is that it calls for increasing of the Blue Ash Line, once a property from $60 to $165 the monthly transit fare that of the Pennsylvania Railroad, running an employer could provide tax-free. northeast of downtown Cincinnati. But, the Amtrak amount is totally unaccept­ Total mileage now under SORTA own­ able. Please send letters to these four people­ ership is 13 miles-or about one-third the president, your two senators, and your rep­ of the I-71 Corridor's mileage. The resentative! Urge them to honor last year's bud­ Cincinnati Enquirer editorialized in get agreement on Amtrak, which barely provides support of the land acquisition. for adequate capital and operating funding of Another bit of good news is that, on Amtrak. Tell them President Clinton's budget the Kentucky end of the I-71 Corridor, phot;~~i~~I,.";io~b;-8~;g~;~&-Ni~~~-Limited proposal would unravel that agreement and pos­ the main proponent of building a CINCINNATI GETS LIGHT-RAIL TRANSIT! Thanks to computer sibly kill Amtrak. monorail (instead of light rail) has got- imagery, a Dallas Area Rapid Transit light-rail train can be seen traveling . l,f · l l h northbound on Main Street at 6th Street in downtown Cincinnati. Dallas' The President ten h1mse mto ega ot water. d · · h ·d h · b · · H ,+, 11 . system opene m 1996, wit n ers tp a ove proJectwns. ope;u y, The White House Seems that B1ll Butler, head of r.rPntPr rinrinnnti will he eauallv as successful in f!ettimz lif!ht-rail transit ,,T __1_~"- _..._ ___ ~£'""' 1"'\1"\.c:'£"\£\ of the Blue Ash Line, once a property from $60 to $165 the monthly transit fare that of the Pennsylvania Railroad, running an employer could provide tax-free. northeast of downtown Cincinnati. But, the Amtrak amount is totally unaccept­ Total mileage now under SORTA own­ able. Please send letters to these four people­ ership is 13 miles-or about one-third the president, your two senators, and your rep­ of the I-71 Corridor's mileage. The resentative! Urge them to honor last year's bud­ Cincinnati Enquirer editorialized in get agreement on Amtrak, which barely provides support of the land acquisition. for adequate capital and operating funding of Another bit of good news is that, on Amtrak. Tell them President Clinton's budget the Kentucky end of the I-71 Corridor, photo-simulation by Burgess & Niple Limited proposal would unravel that agreement and pos­ the main proponent of building a CINCINNATI GETS UGHT-RAIL TRANSIT! Thanks to computer sibly kill Amtrak. monorail (instead of light rail) has got­ imagery, a Dallas Area Rapid Transit light-rail train can be seen traveling northbound on Main Street at 6th Street in downtown Cincinnati. Dallas' ten himself into legal hot water. The President system opened in 1996, with ridership above projections. Hopefully, The White House Seems that Bill Butler, head of Greater Cincinnati will be equally as successful in getting light-rail transit Washington, DC 20500 Corporex Companies, peeked at some rolling in their town. (comment line: 202-456-1111) (e-mail: president@ whitehouse.gov) Fostoria's Amtrak station The Honorable ____ _ U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 reopens, Akron coming next The Honorable ____ _ U.S. House of Representatives By Robert Boyce Lang, manager of government affairs for Am­ OARP Columbus Area Coordinator Washington, DC 20515 trak Intercity; Paul J. LaClair, Eastern Business (Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121) OARP helped celebrate the return of Amtrak Group service manager, and sales manager Frank service to the Fostoria station on Dec. 17. Eight Stoy. Central Ohio OARP members in addition latest renovation, which resulted in a clean, pleas­ members from central Ohio with "Welcome to Mr. Zweifel were Karl Gelfer, Larry and Meg ant place to wait with restroom and telephone Back Amtrak" signs and banner were on hand Grey, John Manning, Pat Paterson, Bob Rietz, service. A convenient lighted parking lot is for the noon celebration conducted by Mayor and myself. across the tracks from the station. Evert Pruitt, Jim Bailey and Tom O'Leary, Executive Direc­ The CSX-owned depot, which was opened in owner of Fostoria Cab, staffs the station at train tor of the Ohio Rail Development Commission. 1907 by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, under­ times and keeps it cleaned and maintained. Amtrak's Three Rivers trains began Fostoria stops went some 1,500 hours of renovation by 50 vol­ Meanwhile, in Akron, the city has approved on Monday, Dec. 15 at 2:47 a.m., eastbound, and unteers to serve as a stop for Amtrak's Broad­ bids to establish a modular station facility (ie: 4 a.m., westbound. First aboard was a Tiffin couple way Limited from Nov. 1990 to Sept. 1995. trailer) at the site where the previous station stood bound for California to visit their daughter. The original station included a general wait­ from 1990-95. OARP member Harold Zweifel, who was invited ing room, ladies' waiting room and men's smok­ Construction of the foundation and utility work to join speakers at the microphone, told the group ing room. When Amtrak discontinued the Broad­ should begin once spring arrives, and trains of 300 or so persons that "ridership is what will way, CSX occupied the passenger area for its should begin stopping in Akron again by keep this train going." Fostoria Safety Director Ron own use. Upon resumption of service with the summer's end. The trackside platform, which re­ Reinhard joked that he awoke every day wonder­ Three Rivers trains last year, CSX agreed to lease mains from when the Broadway served Akron ing what time Mr. Zweifel would be calling to see a small adjoining unused utility room to the city until1995, will need only minor sprucing up to what was happening to the station's renovation. for a passenger stop. be ready for the Three Rivers' passengers. _..._ .._,_- ______.._ ------fl~-· Tl.~ r~;1~~...-.....,.;.,.,;,.,. .. nr<>nt"'rl '\(1(1 thP 'tl'J for Ken Prenderva.~tcontributed to this storv •I l

Eight The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 Ohio Rail Development STATION PROFILE: .Niles, Michigan Commission happenings part of a series with a functioning clock tower, and has been used By John Manning The Niles, Michigan depot is a pleasure to in several movies. A garden on the west end of OARP Area 614 Director use. It is easy to access, being adjacent to a the station is maintained by the Four Flags Gar­ major highway route. The station is about 10 den Club. The interior of the station has been Chairman James Betts announced the reap­ miles north of downtown South Bend, reach­ lovingly restored to an appearance that is prob­ pointment to two-year terms of Larry Sowers, able by taxi cab from Niles. It has nearly 100 ably better than the original. There is adequate Don Yerks and Charles Brown, all original com­ free parking spaces, is fully staffed, and an seating for about 50 people. If the station has missioners. Also, he noted the new appointment architectural gem. The only drawback to its any deficiency, it is the lack of a nearby restau­ of Pat McCune (regional vice president of Nor­ appearance is the Amtrak main­ rant. folk Southern). The appointments were all by tenance-of-way yard opposite Governor George Voinovich. the station on the south side of In his executive director's report, Thomas the tracks. The station is located O'Leary stated that the commission's opposition about eight blocks north of a to the acquisition of Conrail's assets by CSX and very attractive downtown area. Norfolk Southern will be supported by increas­ The station is a brown sand­ ing information to the Ohio congressional del­ stone Romanesque building egation. Also, procedural rules of the Surface Transportation Board (a federal body which regu­ lates railroads) require Ohio to be a continuing litigant, and that the commission will continue to rally community support, especially in the Cleveland area, for this issue. Mr. Yerks congratulated the staff for the commission's "white paper", which details ORDC's stance on the CSX/NS/Conrail merger. Mr. Betts commented that U.S. Rep. Dennis John DeLora photo Kucinich (D-Lakewood) has also filed as a party of record with the STB on the merger. Mr. O'Leary also noted that the Conrail breakup Indiana HSR group wants federal approval might adversely impact short-lines, specifically By Deborah L. Cohen the Ohio and Indiana and that the commission GARY- It's full steam ahead for the Indiana tration, high-speed trains are those traveling at may have to take action in the future to assure High Speed Rail Association (IHSRA). The speeds of 90 to 150 miles per hour. The federal the continued operations of the few short lines Highland-based advocacy group has been push­ government has been accelerating the develop­ that now exist to serve the interstate carriers. ing since 1994 to win federal approval for a cor­ ment of high-speed rail service since it passed On the Amtrak Express proposal, Mr. O'Leary ridor for high-speed passenger trains between the High Speed Rail Development Act in 1993. expressed optimism that Ohio can put together a Chicago and South Bend or between Northwest Already, five corridors nationwide have been £l,:a.c-1on0Jit-Arl coO":JoirlTi...,... r-!nnT~-r~ C>T'\nlr,:a.co""~'"-.f'n.. ... --·~-1-~Ll------1 .£ ___ ,.., ,...., ,....,_ ----~...1------·- Tnrli::.n::. ::.nrl Tnrli::.n::.nnli" 's stance on the CSX/NS/Conra11 merger. Mr. Betts commented that U.S. Rep. Dennis John DeLora photo Kucinich (D-Lakewood) has also filed as a party of record with the STB on the merger. Indiana HSR group wants federal approval Mr. O'Leary also noted that the Conrail breakup might adversely impact short-lines, specifically By Deborah L. Cohen the Ohio and Indiana and that the commission GARY- It's full steam ahead for the Indiana tration, high-speed trains are those traveling at may have to take action in the future to assure High Speed Rail Association (IHSRA). The speeds of 90 to 150 miles per hour. The federal the continued operations of the few short lines Highland-based advocacy group has been push­ government has been accelerating the develop­ that now exist to serve the interstate carriers. ing since 1994 to win federal approval for a cor­ ment of high-speed rail service since it passed On the Amtrak Express proposal, Mr. O'Leary ridor for high-speed passenger trains between the High Speed Rail Development Act in 1993. expressed optimism that Ohio can put together a Chicago and South Bend or between Northwest Already, five corridors nationwide have been - workable proposal for 3-C Corridor service. Indiana and Indianapolis. designated, said Tim Gower, a spokesman for Commissioner Tom McGowan remarked that To do so, Indiana must meet four criteria, said the Washington, D.C.-based Federal Railroad this proposal poses "very little risk for commis­ W. Dennis Hodges, association president. The Administration. The corridors run between Chi­ sion and the state." criteria involves demonstrating advocacy, con­ cago and Detroit; Chicago and St. Louis; New Concerning the Midwest Rail Initiative, an al­ ducting a feasibility study, upgrading rail safety, York and Washington, D.C.; Miami, Orlando and ternative route between Cincinnati and Chicago and winning the governor's support. Mr. Hodges, Tampa; and Houston and Dallas. is being evaluated. This route would save 2 112 . whose group presented a R_rogress report before "In many of these corridors, high-speed rail is hours of travel time, and the final analysis should the Indiana Department of Commerce in Novem­ already a reality," Mr. Gower said. "In 1999, be completed soon. Mr. O'Leary commented that ber, said he has already fulfilled some of the we'll be seeing speeds in the neighborhood of the Midwest Rail Initiative was at an important goals. But the IHSRA has yet to win support of 150 mph." juncture, and that political support at participat­ Governor Frank O'Bannon. The government has appropriated $20.4 mil­ ing statehouses must be achieved. Ohio Rep. "He pretty much is a highway governor at this lion for high-speed rail development in 1998, he Sally Perz (R-Toledo) had attended a meeting in point," Mr. Hodges said. "He needs more infor­ said. With the exception of a few local commuter St. Louis recently concerning the Midwest Rail mation. The public meeting will review what lines, Amtrak controls the passenger trains run­ Initiative, and cost allocations to the states. we've done to this point and where we hope to ning on those corridors. Commission Treasurer William Tampos then go in the near future. Because we're meeting at "We're very interested in working with state reported an October, 1997, balance of $5.7 mil­ the chamber, we hope business groups will sup­ departments of transportation and other inter­ lion, with $2.1 million appropriated, in the port us." ested groups to be their partner in operating high­ commission's budget. Mr. Hodges said the group has invited trans­ speed trains," said Amtrak spokesman Marc portation planners, politicians, railroad manufac­ Magliari. turers, and union groups to attend the meeting in Magliari said an Amtrak representative will be MARP by-law change Indianapolis. attending the Indiana Chamber meeting. "Just Citing increased congestion on Indiana's high­ north of Porter, Ind., we're already involved in a ways at a Gary Chamber of Commerce meeting project with the state of Michigan and the Fed­ approved by members earlier this week, Mr. Hodges stressed the im­ eral Railroad Administration to increase speeds At the December meeting, MARP's By-laws portance of developing improved rail passenger on the Chicago-Detroit corridor," he said. Mr. were changed, extending the terms of officers service throughout the state. Hodges said the federal government is expected and directors from one year to two. The next elec­ "To add another car to the Borman (highway) to select three more corridors in 1998. tion of officers and directors will be in the fall of is nonsense," he said. This article appears courtesy of Knight­ 1998. According to the Federal Railroad Adminis- Ridder Tribune Business News The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 Nine Amtrak Intercity tests.food service changes T raveiAlerts In what could be a most disturb­ 5. Testing non-traditional meth­ riod of several months. Vmyl table­ ing development, Amtrak's Inter­ ods of serving in the dining car. cloths are being used for all meals. One, Two, Free fares city business unit is conducting a This five-point program is being On point #4, which details devel­ Amtrak, in conjunction with its test of possible food service tested on several routes, including oping more consistent menus, the "Where in America is Carmen

"change~"to partially reduce a the California Zephyr and Silver memo states that "by mid-January Sandiego? The Great Amtrak Train $74.2 million shortfall. The goal in Service trains (which link the 1998, Amtrak intercity trains will Adventure," promotion is offering fiscal year 1998 is to reduce this by northeast to Florida). Reports in­ have more consistent menus. Each their spring discount fare package.

$6.2 million. dicate that most food is pre~pre­menu will contain the same num­ When a full fare ticket is bought, a Amtrak Intercity, in a memo to pared and pre-cooked, coming in a ber of items per meal... for example, companion rides for half price, and employees, has identified a five­ tray meal format and that only one five dinners, four lunches, etc. a third person rides for free. point action program, plus a review item or so will be made on train. There will be standard core items, Reservations must be made by of the current pricing structure, The second action, which Am­ steak (we may change from strip May 9, for travel March 1 thru May which would result in price in­ trak Intercity hopes will have the to filet), chicken, etc. Each train 21, 1998. Seats are limited. Call creases and service cuts. The five­ greatest impact, would use "value will have a 'signature' item which Amtrak for details. point program includes: added products" such as pre-cut is unique to that train... " which will Amtrak, Broderbund Software, 1. Reducing inventory in the vegetables, some fruits, individual be the decision of the product line. and Carmen Sandiego; the cunning commissary; containers of sour cream and The memo, from AI Edelston, crook who has taught millions of kids geography, have partnered to 2. Use of different products in the cheese and pre-prepared chicken Vice President of Customer Service develop the special edition interac­ diner to reduce preparation work; and salad mix c~ntainingred cab­ for Amtrak Intercity, notes that a tive educational CD-ROM game. 3. Substituting plastic ware for bage, carrots, etc... survey would.be conducted to as­ Designed for kids ages 7-12, the china; The third point, substituting plas­ sess customer satisfaction and that game showcases geography and train 4. Developing more consistent tic for china, will also result in employee input would be sought. travel by featuring Amtrak destina­ menus among the long distance staffing reductions and "adjust­ This information will be presented tions, routes, and its fleet. The $9.95 trains; and ments" to the menu for a test pe- to the Amtrak Board of Directors. game must be bought thru the mail. Brochures are available at all Am­ Railway safety RoadRailers assigned to region's trains trak stations. Revenue service of RoadRailers of the train. Since the RoadRailers A reservation tip has begun on the Lake Shore Lim­ must be on the rear, this means that improvements Want to reserve a sold-out sleeper ited. Amtrak projects as many as private cars can no longer be or that hard-to-find accommoda­ 5-6 trailers/day coming into Al­ handled on the end of the train. in Royal Oak tion? Call Amtrak reservations at bany-Renssalaer. This will provide Meanwhile, the Three Rivers has (800) USA-RAIL after 3:00 a.m. The Royal Oak City Commission Amtrak's Intercity Strategic Busi­ been carrying as many as many as (ET). That's when Amtrak purges its has approved a series of safety up­ ness Unit with some much-needed 25 mail and package express cars, computers of expired reservations. grades for the Canadian National additional revenue. in addition to the usual 4-6 passen­ (ex-Grand Trunk) rail line through The schedule for the westbound ger cars. Amtrak officials say this New schedules in May the city. Lake Shore has been lengthened by train is the company's most finan- ~'-- ~~------·~ --.- __ r_.- ...... ,J Amtrak's Spring/Summer time- nons, routes, ana ns neet. Tne :J;'9 :9:> trains; aha ments" to the menu for a test pe- to the Amtrak Bo~~i Directors. game must be bought thru the mail. Brochures are available at all Am­ Railway safety RoadRailers assigned to region's trains trak stations. Revenue service of RoadRailers of the train. Since the RoadRailers A reservation tip has begun on the Lake Shore Lim­ must be on the rear, this means that improvements Want to reserve a sold-out sleeper ited. Amtrak projects as many as private cars can no longer be or that hard-to-find accommoda­ 5-6 trailers/day coming into Al­ handled on the end of the train. in Royal Oak tion? Call Amtrak reservations at bany-Renssalaer. This will provide Meanwhile, the Three Rivers has (800) USA-RAIL after 3:00 a.m. The Royal Oak City Commission Amtrak's Intercity Strategic Busi­ been carrying as many as many as (ET). That's when Amtrak purges its has approved a series of safety up­ ness Unit with some much-needed 25 mail and package express cars, computers of expired reservations. grades for the Canadian National additional revenue. in addition to the usual 4-6 passen­ (ex-Grand Trunk) rail line through The schedule for the westbound ger cars. Amtrak officials say this New schedules in May the city. Lake Shore has been lengthened by train is the company's most finan­ Amtrak's Spring/Summer time­ The improvements are expected 20 minutes to allow for extra time cially successful. Amtrak employ­ tables will be valid effective May 17, to cost about $400,000 and be com­ to add the RoadRailers to the rear ees call it, simply, "the freight train." 1998. pleted within 18 months. One pe­ destrian crossing will be elimi­ College visitation nated, and additional gates and North America Rail Pass for sale warning devices will be added to Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada's agents (especially OARP member discounts on Amtrak crossings at Main and Fourth new North America Rail Pass is now travel agencies!-See Page 11) or Amtrak has provided approxi­ streets. Also, crossing circuitry will on sale. It is the first pass designed through Ticket By Mail (800) mately 50,000 high school guidance be improved to eliminate excessive for travel in both the United States USA-RAIL in the U.S.; (800) 561- counselors nationwide with dis­ gate downtime when Amtrak is and Canada for one low price. 8630 in Canada. count coupons for students and their stopped at the Royal Oak station. The 30-day pass with unlimited Travelers may upgrade to first­ family who visit college campuses In addition, Royal Oak police stopovers allows travel along class sleeping accommodations prior to enrollment. announced they were beginning a 27,000 miles of scenic railways in (Amtrak/VIA), Custom Class, Each coupon offers a 50% dis­ concerted enforcement effort to the U.S. and Canada, with more than Club Service (Amtrak) and VIA 1 count off the lowest available round ticket people who were ignoring 900 destinations from which to (VIA) for an additional charge. All trip rail fare for one student and his/ warning lights or gates. They were choose. Connecting terminals are in segments of travel will require a her parent(s) or guardian(s). Offer also citing pedestrians crossing at Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. reservation. To minimize the is valid through June, 1998. any place other than a legal cross­ The introductory off-peak fare chance of encountering sold-out Lake Shore Limited's ing. Minimum fines will be $80.00. for the North America Rail Pass is trains, it is recommended that all In the first three hours of the $450 ($625 Can). Those prices are reservations be made when the pass schedule adjusted crackdown, 23 people were tick­ good until May 31. Peak season is purchased. Some restrictions ap­ To accommodate the switching of eted, including five motorists, for fares (June 1-0ct. 15) will be $645 ply. Roadrailers on to train 49 at Albany violating crossing lights, crossing ($895 Can). Fares apply to all cus­ For more information about the NY, Amtrak has adjusted its sched­ at unauthorized places, or trespass­ tomers ages two and over. No other new North America Rail Pass, call ule. All departures west of Albany are ing. discounts will apply. (800) USA-RAIL from the U.S. or now 20 minutes later than what ap­ Since 1990, Royal Oak police The North America Rail Pass is (800) 561-8630 from Canada. · pears in published timetables. This have investigated 12 traffic or pe­ for coach/economy class travel and Details are also available on the includes all stops in Ohio and Indi­ destrian accidents with trains. Ten can be purchased at any Amtrak or web sites: www.amtrak.com or ana on trains 49/449 and in Michi­ of the cases were fatalities. VIA ticket office, through travel www. viarail.ca. gan on Thruway bus 6049 .. Ten The Passenger Rail News, February /998 Does less government mean more transportation? By Bill Hutchison OARP Vice President this sort of thing-a move toward spinning off pay system. of these facilities which are in the hands of gov­ It seems to me that a conservative would see I recently read an op-ed piece by Patrick ernment. One could carry this a step further and the sense in this and really exploit it to his or her Cowell called "Privatized Airports Ready For envision the entire transportation system off the advantage because of the many groups that could Takeoff' in USA Today. It talks about the move dole and standing on its own, at least with inter­ connect with this approach. In one fell swoop, by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) city transportation. you appeal to others ... to approve the privatizing of five airports and Imagine the FAA charging carriers for the use of • Conservatives- since it is advocating elimi­ the way managements are seeking to enhance the air traffic control system, or interstate high­ nation of big government and those evil subsi­ revenues by adding new amenities like on-site, ways charging tolls, which would not only make a dies; top-rank hotels and restaurants. profit for the operator, but pay taxes and cover debt. • Liberal urban groups- who will see their con­ If this is successful, we could see a wave of This ''user-pay" concept is where Amtrak has stituents gain mobility they don't presently have; been heading, mainly because it must play by a • Environmentalists- since the long-term ef­ different set of rules than the competition, which fect will be that people will drive less; hides behind powerful lob?ies. Amtrak has no • Pro-transit groups- since public transporta­ really powerful lobby to represent its interests, tion will be better; INTERNAL so it bumps along year after year on a pittance • And, groups representing seniors, disabled, Ali. AA while highways and airways get fat. and others who may not be able to drive. Still, the idea has enough merit to interest the (Ji) Amtionof RailroadPamlgers FAA in trying a new approach, and is fascinat­ In fact, everybody but highway types who like Bylaws Correction ing since one would think a government agency the status quo, with its universal auto ownership At the NARP Region 6 meeting in Detroit, dur­ would be loath to welcome the private enterprise with no real choice, would be the only voices of ing an OARP-only session, members will vote which might replace many of its functions. dissent. Heck, even truckers might like this ap­ on an amendment to the association's bylaws. This is nothing new-I remember writing a proach since it will get cars off "their" highways! This change will allow the new mail ballot pro­ letter of rebuttal to columnist James Kilpatrick Unfortunately, past Republicans of national cedure to be in synch with current dues renewal after he wrote an anti-Amtrak piece a few years stature either attacked Amtrak's subsidies, while procedures, which are now carried once-annu- · ago. In my rebuttal, I said I would not be afraid ignoring the far larger support enjoyed by other ally rather than quarterly. Speciffcally, the to let Amtrak stand alone, without subsidy IF modes, or remained silent on the subject. The amendment would eliminate the words appear­ the same applied to other forms of transporta­ time is ripe for somebody to take advantage of ing in [brackets 1: tion and that we should be moving toward a user- this issue. Any takers? ARTICLE VII-ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION 2- MAIL BALLOT. Each member in good standing [as of January 1 Sandusky depot gets $100,000 gift of each year] shall be entitled to vote for Will the anonymous rich man please take a the city's director of engineering services, in a each state-wide office and any regional bow? recent Sandusky Register article. office within that member's telephone area After two years on the shelf, plans for reno- In addition to Amtrak, prospective tenants in- __ ...J _____ ..]1 _____ ..._ ___ , _____ £.£""___ ---- £ __ ~ 1 This change will allow the new mail ballot pro- etter o re utt to co ummst ames patnc UnfortunateTy;past Republicans of national cedure to be in synch with current dues renewal after he wrote an anti-Amtrak piece a few years stature either attacked Amtrak's subsidies, while procedures, which are now carried once-annu- ago. In my rebuttal, I said I would not be afraid ignoring the far larger support enjoyed by other ally rather than quarterly. Specifically, the to let Amtrak stand alone, without subsidy IF modes, or remained silent on the subject. The amendment would eliminate the words appear- ~esame applied to other forms of transporta- time is ripe for somebody to take advantage of ing in [brackets]: tion and that we should be moving toward a user- this issue. Any takers?

ARTICLE VII-ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION 2- MAIL BALLOT. Each member in good standing [as of January 1 Sandusky depot gets $100,000 gift of each year] shall be entitled to vote for Will the anonymous rich man please take a the city's director of engineering services, in a each state-wide office and any regional bow? recent Sandusky Register article. office within that member's telephone area After two years on the shelf, plans for reno­ In addition to Amtrak, prospective tenants in­ code quadrant, whose .office is up for elec­ vating the 106-year-old Sandusky train station clude Sandusky Transit System and North Cen­ tion in a given year. Voting for all elected were given a huge boost by a $100,000 dona­ tral EMS. STS is seeking to build a garage for positions shall be conducted by mail bal­ tion from an anonymous, albeit generous donor. 12 buses, while North Central would have their lot. All ballots shall be anonymous, but The depot, located on State Route 4, is used daily dispatching operations at the site. This would each member voting shall be required to by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited. provide a 24-hour presence at the station, and set forth that member's telephone area code A great deal of repairs need to be made to the therefore, offer better security for rail travelers. on the face of the ballot. The Secretary shall old depot. In fact, the station's reconstruction Of course, Amtrak officials are looking forward cause an official ballot and candidates' turned out to be more expensive than the city to expanding its rail services to Sandusky, which statement to be mailed to each member in thought. The lowest of three bids received for is home to the sprawling Cedar Point amusement good standing at such member's last known the project was $734,215, while the city had bud­ park and ferry boats to the Lake Erie islands. The address at least sixty (60) days prior to the geted only $655,915. Pennsylvanian extension (see front page article) Annual meeting. A ballot may be mailed to the election committee at least ten ( 10) Much of the funding is comprised of a $520,000 is tentatively scheduled to serve Sandusky at days prior to the Annual meeting, or per­ grant from the federal Intermodal Surface Trans­ about 12:30 p.m. eastbound and 7:30p.m. west­ sonally delivered to the designee of the portation Efficiency Act (ISTEA-pronounced bound. Service could begin later this year. Election Committee at the Annual Meet­ iced-tea). ISTEA is ing. being renewed this year by Congress. May Election According to San­ Deadline for appearing in this year's OARP dusky city officials, election has now passed. Statements of candi­ the anonymous do­ dacy and letters of endorsement were received nation has rescued by Election Committee chairperson Howard the station project, Harding prior to the February 20 deadline. which was feared Who are the declared candidates? The Elec­ dead. No ground­ tions Committee will release those names once breaking date has it has determined who has met all the require­ been set. ments of candidacy, as prescribed in the bylaws. "It looks like if s The first word of who is running will be learned going to be a go," when the mail ballots are mailed out in mid­ said Brent Smith, Ken Preudergast photo March. The Passenger Rail News, February 1998 Eleven

PLEASE PATRONIZE THESE AUTHORIZED TRAVEL AGENTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS: Akron/Stow Parkside Travel U S A (330) 688-3334 Joel Brown Alliance Alliance AAA Travel (330) 821-2323 (330) 456-6315 Canal Fulton Massillon AAA Travel (330) 854-6616 Cleveland Ohio Motorist Association/AAA Travel {216) 361-6080 Cleveland Randall Park Mall Travel Agency (440) 475-8747 (800) 999-2434 Robert Peck Columbus Accessible Travel Agency (614) 792-3555 (800) 837-2822 Jude Cuddy Columbus Ohio Automobile Club/AAA Travel (614) 431-7823 Elyria Tours & Travel Service, Inc. (440) 323-5423 (800) 443-7789 Mike McCiister Mansfield Mansfield Travel Center (419) 756-8747 Jay Gilbert Massillon Massillon AAA Travel (330) 833-1 034 Cheryl Anderson Piqua Miami County Auto Club/AAA Travel {937) 773-3753 Sandusky Sandusky Travel Service, Inc. (419) 626-4633 Roberta Slyker Solon Astro Travel Service (440) 248-7740 (800) 759-7404 "Amtrak" AI Mladineo Troy Miami County Auto Club/AAA Travel (937) 339-0112 Authorized Amtrak travel agents who wish to join OARP, maintain current membership status, and be listed in the TRAM DIRECTORY should send a $50 check, made payable to OARP, to: Tom Allen, Treasurer; 752 Braurniller Road; Delaware OH 43015. The TRAM annual listing fee entitles you to list your CITY, the NAME OF YOUR AGENCY, one LOCAL PHONE NUMBER, one LONG DISTANCE PHONE NUMBER, and the nl!IIle of one CONTACT at the agency. Renewals will be billed by the Treasurer. Updated: Sept. 1997 Directory of the region's association of railroad passengers Ohio Michigan PRESIDENT Mark D. Carlson 440 I 331-3161 CHAIRMAN James Riley 479 Humiston Dr. Bay Village 44140-3017 I 3017 Lowefl Kalamzoo Ml49001 I PAST-PRESIDENT J. Howard Harding 330 I 867-5507 VICE-CHAIRMAN Alan Gebauer 248 I 338-8447 t 489 Overwood Rd. Akron 44313-5327 t 2705 Warwick Dr Bloomfield Hills Ml48304-1861 VICE-PRESIDENT Bill Hutchison 614 I 262-7308 SECRETARY John DeLora 810 I 772-7842 202 Oak Park Avenue Columbus 43214 ~ 20707 Edgewood St. Clair Shores Ml48080-1862 TREASURER Terrance Donnelley ~SECRETARY Vacant 91 0 Highland Dr Marquette Ml 49855-9319 I DIRECTOR Clark Charnetski TREASURER Tom Allen 614 I 369-5804 2646 Traver Blvd Ann Arbor Ml 48105 752 Braumiller Road Delaware 43015-3110 I AREA 21613301440 Ron Bergen 330 I 922-9923 DIRECTOR Jeff Godshall 2866 Park Drive North Stow 44224-37 44 s 406 Oakland Royal Oak Ml48067 AREA 419 Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 t3 DIRECTOR Robert KinKead 4411 N. Lockwood Ave Toledo 43612-2352 506 Lakeshore Ln Grosse Pointe Woods Ml48236 ('!I ·-·~ -~TT'"I,;,~ PAST -PRESIDENT J. Howard Harding 330 I 867-5507 VICE-CHAIRMAN Alan Gebauer 248 I 338-844 7 489 Overwood Rd. Akron 44313-5327 t 2705 Warwick Dr Bloomfield Hills Ml48304-1861 ~ VICE-PRESIDENT Bill Hutchison 614 I 262-7308 SECRETARY John DeLora 810 I 772-7842 20707 Edgewood St. Clair Shores Ml48080-1862 202 Oak Park Avenue Columbus 43214 ~ ~ TREASURER Terrance Donnelley 0 SECRETARY Vacant 91 0 Highland Dr Marquette Ml 49855-9319 I DIRECTOR Clark Charnetski TREASURER Tom Allen 614 I 369-5804 2646 Traver Blvd Ann Arbor Ml 48105 752 Braumiller Road Delaware 43015-3110 I AREA 21613301440 Ron Bergen 330 I 922-9923 DIRECTOR Jeff Godshall 2866 Park Drive North Stow 44224-37 44 s 406 Oakland Royal Oak Ml48067 t3 DIRECTOR Robert KinKead AREA 419 Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 506 Lakeshore Ln Grosse Pointe Woods Ml 48236 4411 N. LocKwood Ave Toledo 43612-2352 ~ t! AREA 5131937 Frank Gordnier 937 I 435-6094 DIRECTOR Geor~eSchlaepfer s 1430 Weatherfield Court Dayton 45459-6205 ~ 1423 Brentwood Livonia Ml 48154 (,J See listing above AREA 614 John Manning 614 I 443-8742 I EXECUTIVE John DeLora ~ 204 Reinhard Avenue Columbus 43206 DIRECTOR John DeLora 810/772-7842 ~ AT-LARGE Dan Roberts 614 I 899-7848 METRO DETROIT CHAIRMAN 12 Westerville Sq., Ste 275 Westerville 43081 WESTERN CHAIRMAN David Vanderbee 616 I 452-3495 AT-LARGE William Schuler 614 I 927-8808 3785 Headleys Mill Rd. , Pataskala 43062-8680 EAST CENTRAL CHAIRMAN Richard Pekarek 810 I 695-1091 AT-LARGE BobWickens 5131677-3330 JYOOPER CHAIRMAN Terrance Donnelley 8109 Southern Pines Dr. Maineville 45039-9442 EXECUTIVE Ken Prendergast 216 I 529-7677 ) DIRECTOR 12029 Clifton Blvd. #505 Lakewood 44107-2161 Indiana GOV'T AFFAIRS Bill Hutchison see listing above PRESIDENT Paul D. Arden 219 I 87 4-8909 NEWSPAPER EDtTOR Ken Prendergast see listing above I 4 Devonshire Ct #6 Michigan City IN 46360 AREA CODES 2161 Cleveland James Stevenson 440 I 234-5885 DIRECTOR Phil McGeath 317 I 546-7218 I 3301440: Elyria Phil Copeland 440 I 365-7970 5346 Chipwood Ln Indianapolis IN 46226-1465 Warren G. Douglas Hudson330 I 544-3203 s t3 DIRECTOR Joe Krause 765 I 7 43-8853 AREA CODE 419: Toledo Vacant 221 Connolly West Lafayette IN 47906 j Lima John H. Keller, Sr. 419 I 224-9936 ~ Mansfield Richard A. Fry 419 I 526-3775 DIRECTOR John Patrick 812 I 448-3061 ·~ Sandusky Steve La Conte 419 I 668-6225 ~ P. 0. Box 108 Carbon IN 47838 AREA CODES 5131 Cincinnati W. Mike Weber 513 I 891-9251 DIRECTOR Tom Wood 812 I 988-2419 l I I 937: Dayton Linda Leas 937 I 253-9448 P. 0. Box 785 Bloomington IN 47402 Clermont Ronald D. Garner 513 I 444-3098 a Springfield Stephen Klipfel 937 I 882-6521 NARP Region 6 Directors I AREA CODE 614: Columbus Robert Boyce 614 I 486-7038 Paul Arden See list above Mark Carlson See list at left J\T • l' A~ Qel~waref'RaTQQl Alleq n 614 I 369-5804 1 ~ationa.l'UiSOCiation o UrocuJ,rassengers Alan Gebauer See list above Phil McGeath See list above NARP Passenger RaiiNews Hotline (24-hours - Not a free call) 900 I 988-RAIL Keith Dover 440 I 357-8120 James Stevenson 440 I 234-5885 Executive Director Ross Capon 202 I 408-8362 1021 Skinner Avenue 192 Franklin Drive Assistant Director Scott Leonard fax-202 I 408-8287 Painesville OH 44077-4256 Berea OH 44017-1445 900 Second Street, NE #308 James Dingus, Jr. 440 I 561-9200 J. Howard Harding See list at left Washington DC 20002-3557 20600 Chagrin Blvd. #701 e-mail: [email protected], Web www.worldweb.net/~narp Cleveland OH 44122-5996 Updated: Sept. 1997 l \

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Ken Prendergast photos GETTING THE PUBLIC INVOLVED. Commuter rail feasibility studies are underway in Northeast Ohio, and funded by metropolitan planning organizations in Greater Cleveland, \ ! Akron, and Canton. Consulting firm Parsons Brinckerhoff conducted seven public hearings in the region. One of the last hearings was Feb. 4th in downtown Cleveland (photo at left), where business people perused informational displays and gave mostly positive feedback to consultants. Hopefully, the results of the analysis will translate into actual commuter service­ a demonstration of which along the Lake Erie shore routes drew standing room-only crowds last November. Regional Calendar of Events/Meetings March 1998 Date Event Time Location Address Contact person & telephone number 7 NARP Region 6 Annual Mtg 8:30a.m. St. Regis Hotel-Detroit MI 3071 West Grand Blvd. John DeLora 810 I 772-7842 12 ORDC -Committee Mtg. * 9:00 a.m. Riffe Center 77 South High Street Lynda Nelson 614 I 644-7176 ORDC -. Full Commission *10:45 a.m. Riffe Center 77 South High Street Lynda Nelson 614 I 644-7176 * approximate. Full Commission meeting follow Committee Meetings 14 Columbus Local Meeting 9:30 a.m. Red Door Tavern 1736 West 5th Avenue Bob Boyce 614 I 486-7038 18 Cleveland Local Meeting 6:30p.m. Max & Erma's 1106 Old River Rd (The Flats) Ken Prendergast · 216 I 529-7677 20 Toledo Local Meeting 7:30p.m. Amtrak Station Central Union Plaza Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 April1998 Date Event Time Location Address Contact person & telephone number 11 Columbus Local Meeting 9:30a.m. Red Door Tavern 1736 West 5th Avenue Bob Boyce 614 I 486-7038 15 Cleveland Local Meeting 6:30p.m. TBA TBA Ken Prendergast 216 I 529-7677 17 Toledo Local Meeting 7:30p.m. Amtrak Station Central Union Plaza Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 ORDC -. Full Commission *10:45 a.m. Riffe Center 77 South High Street Lynda Nelson 614 I 644-7176 * approximate. Full Commission meeting follow Committee Meetings 14 Columbus Local Meeting 9:30a.m. Red Door Tavern 1736 West 5th Avenue Bob Boyce 614 I 486-7038 18 Cleveland Local Meeting 6:30p.m. Max&Erma's 1106 Old River Rd (The Flats) Ken Prendergast 216 I 529-7677 20 Toledo Local Meeting 7:30p.m. Amtrak Station Central Union Plaza Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569

J April1998 Date Event Time Location Address Contact person & telephone number 11 Columbus Local Meeting 9:30a.m. Red Door Tavern 1736 West 5th Avenue Bob Boyce 614 I 486-7038 15 Cleveland Local Meeting 6:30p.m. TBA TBA Ken Prendergast 216 I 529-7677 17 Toledo Local Meeting 7:30p.m. Amtrak Station Central Union Plaza Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 J ' l' May 1998 Date Event Time Location Address Contact person & telephone number I 9 Columbus Local Meeting 9:30a.m. Red Door Tavern 1736 West 5th Avenue Bob Boyce 614 I 486-7038 15 Toledo Local Meeting 7:30p.m. Amtrak Station Central Union Plaza Mark Buckley 419 I 476-4569 I 16 OARP Annual Meeting 9:30a.m. Holiday Inn "On the Lane" - Columbus OH Bill Hutchison 614 I 262-7308 20 Cleveland Local Meeting 6:30p.m. TBA TBA Ken Prendergast 216 I 529-7677 All meetings are subject to change. We firmly suggest that you confirm dates, times, and locations for all meetings. Anyone wishing to have their meeting or event listed in this directory, please send the information to: Ken Prendergast, Editor 12029 Clifton Boulevard #505 Lakewood OH 44107-2161 216 I 529-7677 Internet:[email protected]. Deadline for submissions is the 15lh of the even numbered months

NARP Regional Six Meeting (Indiana-Michigan-Ohio) Saturday, March 7 - 8:30 a.m. The St. Regis Hotel is at 3071 West Grand Boulevard, at Woodward Avenue, two blocks from the Detroit Amtrak station.

Name Phone,______MARP will provide transportation to members who Business sessions for each state Address Apt __ _ request a ride when they register. will be in the morning; a luncheon City State ZIP ____ _ My party will need transportation from the Detroit will be served, and guest speakers Amtrak Station. We will arrive on: will be in the afternoon. The regis­ Number in Party __ @ $25.00 each = $ Enclosed, SatUrday's connecting Friday night on tration fee is $25.00, which also payable to "MARP", P.O. Box 594, St. Clair Shore MI 48080. Amtrak bus from the: Amtrak train: includes free transportation down­ Questions? Call MARl>Executive Director John DeLora _ Capitol Ltd. or _ # 352 or town, a tour of the Detroit Trolley at (810) 772-7842, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Lake Shore Ltd. #354. line, and the Detroit People Mover.