Washington Rail News August /September 2007

www.AllAboardWashington.org

Publication of All Aboard Washington A NotNot----forforforfor----profitprofit Consumer Organization “Moving forward...On Rail ."."."

All Aboard Washington: Let’s start Eastside NARP’s “Grow Rail passenger rail now, not in 20 or 30 years Campaign”: a forty year All Aboard Washington announced ment of about $30 mill. the line could vision for passenger rail in a press release on July 17 its intent be upgraded to accommodate 30 mph The National Assoc. of Railroad to acquire and operate freight, com- service (comparable with I-405 much of Passengers released its “Grow Rail muter and tourist rail transportation on the day!), simple platforms with shelters Campaign” on June 25, coinciding with th the Eastside rail line between Tukwila for stations, and self-propelled train the 40 anniversary of its founding in and Snohomish (BNSF’s Woodinville cars (DMUs, from Colorado Railcar, for 1967. The campaign supports NARP’s Subdivision). Our organization recently example; www.coloradorail vision of passenger rail service expan- formed a cooperative agreement with car.com). sion and growth over the next 40 years. leading rail industry experts, which led All Aboard Washington, the Cas- It’s time, says NARP, to shift dis- us to extend an offer to BNSF on Friday cadia Center (www.discovery.org/ cussion from “What passenger train July 13, 2007. cascadia) and Talisma Corporation gets cut next?” to “Which routes do we “We are extremely pleased to be (www.talisma.com), a Bellevue-based add and how quickly can we add able to bring a coalition of business, software company, sponsored a tour of them?” The former question is the method Amtrak management used to ax the Seattle-Denver-Chicago Pioneer in 1997. Of equal importance, in conjunction with the expansion of passenger rail service, is the requirement that U.S. rail capacity must grow to permit both fast, efficient and reliable passenger and freight service. NARP Pres. George Chilson said in a press release, “In the near future, road and air congestion, worldwide competition for oil, and growing envi- ronmental concerns will make $4 a gallon gas seem cheap, today’s traffic Art by J. Craig Thorpe jams modest, and affordable flights a industry and rail experts together to the Eastside line on July 17 for busi- distant memory. Some may say ‘we provide Puget Sound residents and ness leaders, government officials and can’t afford to do this.’ NARP says ‘we businesses with a pragmatic, timely the media. The simplicity of running can’t afford not to.’” and affordable solution to the trans- commuter rail service in the Eastside The vision proposes a comprehen- portation crisis that faces us today and corridor is becoming clearer to more sive “Grid and Gateway” network that for generations to come,” said Chuck and more people. The publicity gener- will make passenger trains a widely Mott, Chairman of All Aboard Wash- ated by the media attention to our pur- available choice for all Americans. (See ington. “The railway industry profes- chase offer and tour has resulted in Vision, page 4) sionals bring a unique combination of near universal support for our plan from vision and hands-on pragmatism of rail the citizens of King County. “We were once the premier issues to All Aboard Washington. This Our proposal is a counter to the very country in the world in combination resulted in All Aboard complicated plan put forth by King passenger rail service and now Washington making the decision to County. Over the past 18 months the we are dead last…We need to move ahead with a direct offer to ac- county has worked its plan whereby the quire the Eastside rail infrastructure Port of Seattle would buy the line from start with reauthorizing Amtrak.” from BNSF.” the BNSF, who wishes to sell it, remove Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) Transportation Subcommittee on Railroads, Our proposal would be a first step the rails, install a trail and turn the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials chairwoman toward an eventual full service corridor over to King County in ex-(See at June 26 hearing of her subcommittee. commuter rail line. For an invest- Eastside, page 5) page 2 stop local, state and Federal govern- sential. But statements that the private From the desk of ments from providing massive “subsi- sector would “do better” are in vain until the Government dies” for the construction of highways the freight railroads allow other-than- Affairs Director and airports because the “free market” Amtrak intercity passenger operators bybyby wouldn’t build them!) on their properties. Flake continually quoted a study ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ Lloyd H. Flem done by the Heritage Foundation (au- thored by the infamously anti-rail Supposedly, laws and regulations, Passenger Rail Wins a Round; Ronald Utt and/or Wendell Cox) with whether passed by elected officials or Unintended Consequences; the economic absurdity that each instituted by hired public administrators, Celebrating Centennial Station added Amtrak passenger increases are for the public good. Often they are. Part of my job is monitoring and re- losses and “subsidies.” (Reality: Rail’s Certainly, traffic laws and regulations sponding to the federal government’s fixed costs, like air travel, are high. But protect the public safety. Nearly all of actions and inactions concerning pas- as seats fill up with passengers, fare us support government efforts to senger rail. On July 24, the U.S. House revenues increase much more rapidly ensure safe food and water. And most passed 268-153 a $104 bill. Transpor- than the relatively minor added costs of of us support the Americans with Dis- tation, Housing and Urban Develop- fuel, supplies, cleaning, etc.). Flake’s abilities Act (ADA), a federal law which ment funding proposal, with $1.46 bill. two amendments to cut Amtrak funding allows citizens with limitations access designated for Amtrak. Only one-third (to ostensively reduce the size of the to transportation and other pubic is operating “subsidy”; most is for overall bill) flopped miserably. The facilities. capital, debt payment and retirement votes were 94-328 (to cut $475 mill. The U.S. public transportation sys- for both Amtrak and non- tem is clearly behind that of Amtrak railroad workers. All of our state’s House Democrats Europe and east Asia, with their Pres. Bush has threat- voted correctly on the Amtrak much more complete and ened to veto the entire otherwise superior urban and proposal, as it is about amendments, as did Cathy intercity passenger rail systems. $3.5 bill. above his budget McMorris-Rogers…. Their We are ahead of these places, request. Should Bush veto, however, in our concern for and the question is whether constituents need to praise them. means for physically-challenged people to enjoy a reasonable enough Republicans will from Amtrak operations) and 104-312 stick with their July 24 votes to approve level of personal mobility. At least in (to eliminate $425 mill. in Amtrak 1998, some of Europe’s finest high- the override. capital and debt service funding). The Administration had proposed speed trains did not have the level of I accept the need for Amtrak to access found on our most humble bus only $800 mill. total for Amtrak, nearly strive for economic efficiencies. Cost- $600 mill. less than the House ap- transit systems, much less on Amtrak benefit analyses of any and all trans- and commuter trains. Good for America proved number. During the two days portation investment are appropriate leading up to the final vote several at- in this regard. but they must consider long-term and Our own Amtrak Cascades trains tempts were again made to damage or wide ranging external costs and bene- destroy our country’s only national were designed with input from a dis- fits. When so done, passenger rail abled veterans group. As one who had passenger rail system. John Mica (R- fares well. Now again my cliché: but FL) tried arcane procedural grounds to to use a wheelchair in the summer of why do the thrifty, conservative, capi- 2005, I can attest that the Cascades block consideration of the Amtrak ap- talist Swiss continue to invest billions of propriation. Pete Sessions (R-TX) has are fully accessible. I understand all francs to make the world’s best rail Amtrak and commuter trains accom- tried twice to kill “money loosing” system even better? routes, including his own Sunset Lim- modate wheelchair-bound and other All of our state’s House Democrats physically limited passengers. ited! His attempt last fall fell way short voted correctly on the Amtrak amend- 130-299 and the July 24 attempt also But such accommodations are ap- ments, as did Cathy McMorris-Rogers parently not sufficient for some un- failed 139-283. (R-Deer Lake) on four of the five votes. Freshman legislator Michelle Bach- elected zealots within the Federal Rail- Their constituents need to praise them. road Administration. Their proposed man (R-MN) attempted to shift $106 The constituents of Dave Reichert (R- mill. in Amtrak money to “homeless rules dictate that passenger train plat- Auburn) and Doc Hastings (R-Pasco) (See Flem, page 4) housing.” Her amendment failed 110- need to educate them concerning their 308. “different” votes on Amtrak. To see more details on the votes in the But Jeff Flake’s (R-AZ) efforts were Stout defenses of Amtrak were in a class alone! He offered that since House see the NARP Hotline for July made by Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and 27, 2007. Go to www.narprail.org/cms/ currently intercity passenger rail has a Corrine Brown (D-FL). House Appro- small percentage of total trips, there is index.php/hotline and click on the priations Ranking Member Joe Knol- appropriate date. Registered NARP “no market” for trains in the U.S. (Be- lenberg (R-MI) joined Chairman John fore 1920, an equally small percentage members can also view detailed voting Olver (D-MA) in vocal support of Am- records on these five amendments by of intercity trips were made by private trak’s recent improvements and re- motor vehicle or commercial airplane. logging in to the members section at forms. I agree with reasonable Amtrak www.narprail.org. Flake should have been around then to critics that more improvement is es- page 3 about parking. Smart Parking. again. The View That sounds transit related, doesn’t If you’d like an example of Smart it? Parking, just visit Redmond’s Town Down the Actually, I made that comment at Center. There is a large parking garage Tracks one of the early I-405 meetings, and roughly in the middle, (there is also a ======was promptly looked at like I was some large outdoor area around the restau- with Jim Cusick planning amateur. rants), but once you exit, you are in a Okay, maybe I am just an amateur. I very pedestrian friendly/shopper Rail proponents, not anti-… didn’t pursue it further, since the people friendly environment. Yes there are there had much more experience than I streets, and many stop signs, but it is a Ah, the Woodinville Sub. What more did in those matters, even the very effective mix. is there to say. Not much, since it is the politicians, and who was I to question major news story for All Aboard Wash- the conventional wisdom. Well I proba- All part of the mix ington this issue. I can only say that I’m bly should have, since it works. Smart In fact, there is even potential to add grateful. Parking is an effective way to get peo- some Rail Transit to go with the Transit What I will add is some comments ple out of their cars. Oriented Development. The rail line is about what the public’s reaction is, es- Yeah, I know, how is he going to still there between Redmond and pecially just after the announcement of make this work? Woodinville, and we know where there All Aboard’s bid. Other than the regular What my approach was is this – that are some transit vehicles that would “What are these people up to?” com- people go from strip mall to strip mall work just fine. You do remember, don’t ments on the Internet forums, I was in- because the distances between the you? trigued by one that said They are at the other that years ago Ron Sims We support RAIL, we are not Anti-Ron end of Lake Sammam- put his political reputation Sims, Anti-Light Rail, nor even Anti-Roads. ish. The place to where on the line to back Sound there used to be tracks Transit. He felt it was a stores they want to visit are too far from Redmond. That gamble because at that time, they were away from each other to walk. Also, the place? Issaquah! dealing with all their setbacks. way that the intersections are laid out, it What is happening with the Issa- However, when I attended the can be an anxious walk spending that quah Trolley? groundbreaking ceremony for the Cen- much time in the realm of moving Funny you should ask, since the Is- tral Link Maintenance Facility, I heard traffic. saquah Historical Society is in the him make the comment that when he This is where Transit Oriented De- process of getting the grant money it was first introduced to the issues of velopment can merge with the auto- has received distributed through the Link, he was told to just look at the centric culture by making it easy for proper channels so they can make use numbers, and they would speak for those who can not, or will not leave of it. What this will result in is that the themselves. Hence, that is why he be- their cars at home to shop. Issaquah Trolley will be running in came a Sound Transit supporter. Even My twist is that we no longer have 2008. though Mr. Sims is the focus of any the government design and maintain Since they have 3 trolleys on site, it discussions about the Woodinville Sub, intersections, but instead give the land will be interesting to see if there is po- simply because he has been the one to to private developers, preferably the tential for another interested party to head up the King County/BNSF/Port of ones surrounding the intersection, with borrow one, speculative as that may Seattle negotiations, he is not the target certain restrictions. Those being that be. There has been interest from Red- of Rethink Rail. The target is simply the they allow free movement of traffic and mond and Woodinville about having Woodinville Sub, that is, keeping the specifically transit through the intersec- their own version of the Issaquah Trol- rail line intact. tions. ley, which of course could be used on We support RAIL , we are not Anti- What the government does then is the other leg of the Woodinville Sub. Ron Sims, Anti-Light Rail, nor even take over the center of the properties You remember the Woodinville Subdi- Anti-Roads. within each block. This allows for the vision don’t you? I have a suggestion for Mr. Sims. He use of that land for whatever they deem If things work out, maybe there should take the chance again, just like is the most effective. Maybe a transit could be connecting rail service be- he did when he decided to support center, maybe even a parking garage. tween some of those interested, for- Sound Transit. This time, his payoff will Smart parking. If the retail develop- ward thinking municipalities. happen after he comes to the inescap- ers now own the intersections, they able conclusion that the rest of the re- would start designing them to make it Amtrak Cascades ridership is booming in the first six gion has: that Commuter Rail now on easier to navigate between their stores, months of 2007: January, up 18.4% over 2006; Feb- the Woodinville Sub will be good for his and would end up cutting down their ruary, up 23.7%; March, up 16.8%; April, up 15.7%; May, up 12.4%; and June, up 13.2%. Each month set political career. size, hence making them Pedestrian Trust us. a record for ridership for that month since inception of Friendly. Pedestrian friendly means the Cascades service. Year-to-date, ridership is up Everybody parks shopper friendly. 16.1% to 329,335 riders. Total passenger miles to Now lest you think ideas just rattle date are up 22.6%, partly due to the average trip At sometime or another. around in my head, falling out ran- length increasing from 145.0 to 153.1 miles. Okay, enough of that, I want to talk domly, with no basis in reality, think page 4 and your state. Reach out While in DC in mid-March and early to other organizations with May, I and other Northwest NARP mem- shared goals – environ- bers addressed the issue with our sena- mental and smart growth tors and representatives and their staff groups, community service people. We have found that our electeds organizations, chambers had not been informed about something of commerce, schools, that would hurt existing rail service and colleges and universities. keep new stations from opening. Attend town hall meetings Access for the physically challenged: and meet face-to-face with of course! Costly, counterproductive mandates: lawmakers. Tell them how of course not! making this vision a reality will improve your quality of ☯☯☯☯☯☯☯ life. Thurston County rail advocates are “The more voices we justly proud of Centennial Station, a truly The National Assoc. of Railroad P assenger’s Vision Map have calling for growth, fine facility – with classic design and for growth of intercity passenger rail service over the expansion and improve- next 40 years is depicted above. To view the full-size modern technology – built at an amaz- ment of passenger train ingly low cost substantially due to the version of the Vision Map and NARP’s entire report go to service, the more effective www.narprail.org/vision . In the Northwest we would work and dedication of local people with our chorus becomes. see restored Amtrak service between Seattle and the Tri minimal, albeit important, taxpayer Cities via Yakima (cut in 1981); restored Amtrak service “Get active in the Grow monies. between Portland and Denver via Boise (cut in 1997); re- Rail Campaign!” AAWA member Rich DeGarmo is stored Amtrak service through southern Montana (cut in overseeing the writing of a book re- 1979); and extension of the Northwest Corridor south of cording the story of Olympia-Lacey’s Eugene to Medford. Expanded service in the Northwest Amtrak station. Most of the authors were Corridor is also proposed. Flem, from page 2 members of WashARP (our predecessor forms be exactly the same organization) during the long and some- height above the track as the floor of what arduous saga, based on motivation Vision, from page 1 every passenger car and a certain exact to alleviate our shame, to get from the Amtrak’s network would grow from distance from the side of the car. In our graffiti-laden shack (with the misspelled about 22,000 miles to 45,000 – about Northwest Corridor, we operate four bad words) that then served the Capital the same size as the Interstate High- different passenger car types, all with community to what became literally Am- way System. It connects 237 of the different floor heights; at least three of trak’s (J. Craig Thorpe-painted) poster these wouldn’t fit the rule! And the higher country’s 292 metropolitan areas and child on their 1993 calendar: Centennial the platform above top of rail the farther state capitals. All tracks would be in- Station. Not only did Thurston County the railroads require it be set back from crementally upgraded to Class 4 (79 people build Centennial, but local volun- the tracks to maintain the ability to teer station hosts have welcomed mph). NARP envisions a complete mo- operate their freight trains safely and bility system that provides convenient EVERY Amtrak train these last 14 years, efficiently. no matter how late. transfers between intercity passenger The proposals would be very costly; train, air, bus and transit services. But Centennial Station has had im- detrimental to the movement freight (out- portance beyond Thurston County. The vision is based on government side the Northeast Corridor, most Amtrak statistics for travel volumes and popu- Around 1989, generally skeptical Repub- and commuter trains operate on tracks lican state senators were so impressed lation growth trends. The plan incorpo- owned by the freight railroads); have by the community efforts to build the sta- rates routes already proposed by stymied the opening of at least 15 com- tion, they publicly chose to fully support USDOT, American Assoc. of State pleted or proposed Amtrak stations (in- the beginnings of what continues to be Highway and Transportation Officials, cluding Stanwood and Leavenworth); one of the nation’s best state passenger States for Passenger Rail Coalition and, most of all, do not really improve rail programs. This was at a time when (www.s4prc.org; our state is a mem- access to rail for physically-challenged state investments in rail were small and ber), and individual states. people. tentative. But as one who has been The NARP vision is similar to one Those actively opposing the FRA pro- through an entire history of state rail ef- used over 50 years ago by Pres. posals include WSDOT, the state Trans- forts (first discussions with two or three Eisenhower to promote his Interstate portation Commission, BNSF Railway legislators who seemed interested back Highway System proposal. It illustrates (and all other freight railroads), Amtrak, in 1973), we must remain vigilant, as the comprehensive interconnected transit agencies, other states, NARP, there is still a tiny cadre of folks who feel passenger train network that America other rail advocacy groups, our state the state should “get out of the railroad needs. Getting there will require a Sens. Mary Margaret Haugen (D- business,” except of course to tax and Camano Island) and Linda Evan Parlette strong federal partnership and that over regulate the rail mode. (R-Wenatchee) and, of course, All must include funding. The states have Our work will not soon end. Aboard Washington. Mayor-elect and been waiting for this federal leadership AAWA member Rob Eaton of Leaven- (Where did Centennial Station get it’s name? The idea for decades and continue to wait. worth. He has done exemplary work with started in 1987 as a project to mark Washington’s one NARP Pres. George Chilson tells our state Congressional delegation in hundredth anniversary of becoming a state on Nov. 11, 1889. But the challenges of a mostly volunteer project rail advocates, “Join this campaign. dealing with this ill-conceived rule making Spread the word in your community meant the station didn’t open for business until March proposal. 1993.) page 5 which ran at 30 mph, or from Boe- interviewed on the KING 5 news on the Eastside, from page 1 ing, which ships 737 fuselages to its 17 th . Jim O’Farrell had a compelling op- change for Boeing Field. This proposal Renton plant. ed commentary published in the Seattle resulted in a firestorm of emotion, with th • There is no freight potential for the Times on the 17 . (To view the news the public and private sectors either line. No opportunity has been given articles go the various news supporting or attacking the deal. The for potential buyers/operators of the organizations’ websites and search on real issue – that of saving a working line to even look at this possibility. All Aboard Washington. To view Jim’s urban rail corridor – has been lost in • The line has no commuter potential commentary use the Times’ Advanced this ongoing exchange. If the rail line is Search, putting “Jim O’Farrell” in the removed it is unlikely it will ever be re- because it doesn’t go where the population is. Actually, the line goes topic box and selecting the Editorials & built. Rather than tear out rail, other Opinions category.) cities in America – including Seattle – right through the heart of the East- side, whose population is expected BNSF wasted little time in turning and around the world are rushing to down our proposal. The railroad’s July build rail lines. If the line is removed, to burgeon by at least 50% in 10 years. In fact, in 1992 the Regional 17 statement said, "We have the public is the loser and must wait responded to All Aboard Washington until 2024, at the earliest, for and indicated that we will a light rail line to the East- I live in Newcastle, and work at Microsoft in continue to exclusively discuss side. "We feel that if the rail Redmond. A train along 405 would be great the line status with King County line goes, it will never come if I could hop on a train to get to work, or and we are not considering back," said Mott. "Therefore even get close enough that I could take a other offers." we want to save the rail line. But our organization intends We're not opposed to putting single bus. I would be all over that. Email received by Lloyd Flem as a result of our media coverage to keep the issue alive. "We a trail there along with it." will still proceed to do what Track removal also we're doing," Chuck Mott said. means loss of a back-up rail line to the Transit Authority (predecessor to Sound Transit) proposed commuter "We considered this to be a long shot north in the event of a catastrophic clo- from the very beginning.” sure of the main line through the tunnel rail from South Kirkland Park & Ride under Seattle (the tunnel is atop the to Seattle via Bellevue and Renton. (To view our press release and our Green Trans- • Rail-banking will save the line for fu- portation Now brochure (including Craig Thorpe’s Seattle fault line and there is no other art of additional potential station designs, visit rail line to Canada west of Spokane). ture rail use. Very few rail-banked AllAboardWashington.org.) All Aboard Washington also used corridors have ever returned to full the tour to counter much of the misin- rail use. The need is NOW, not in Oak Ridge National Laboratory's newest formation that has been put out about 20-30 years. Further, the costs to data on national energy consumption, re- the Eastside rail line: restore rail at that point would be leased in May, show that Amtrak continues • No one has expressed interest in prohibitive. to be more energy efficient than either air- The Seattle Times, the Seattle Post- lines or automobiles. Oak Ridge reported buying or operating the line. The the following energy efficiency measures, players have worked the deal in se- Intelligencer and KING 5 TV covered the July 17 tour of the rail line. Chuck stated in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per cret and have given no opportunity passenger mile – the lower the number, the for public discussion. Mott had an hour on KIRO radio’s Dave greater the efficiency. One passenger mile • The tracks are in terrible shape. Ross Show on July 18; Jim O’Farrell, is one passenger traveling one mile. Only the track from Woodinville to Sr. Vice President, Global Marketing at • Amtrak: 2,709 Redmond is in poor condition. The Talisma, was on KIRO radio’s Dori • Commuter rail: 2,743 main corridor tracks are actually in Monson show (with fill-in host Frank • Rail transit: 2,784 • good condition, with 115lb-132lb (to Shiers) on the afternoon of July 17; and Certificated air carriers: 3,264 (ex- the yard) rail, reasonably good ties Al Runte was on KTTH radio’s Sitman cludes international services) & Bowes show on July 19. All received • Cars: 3,445 and relatively clean crushed stone cta.ornl.gov/data/Index.shtml (click “Edition 26 in PDF”) ballast. The BNSF would simply not nearly all positive feedback from the risk a lawsuit from the dinner train, hosts and from callers. Chuck was also

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] Lloyd Flem, Olympia.. State Legislature: State Capitol, Olympia 98504 Government Affairs Director ...... 360 943-8333 [email protected] Hotline for leaving messages: 800 562-6000 Office FAX...... 360 943-0136 Amtrak Reservations/Information: 800 872-7245 Address...... 3704 22 nd Ave SE, Olympia 98501 All Aboard Washington: Jim Hamre, Puyallup..Newsletter Editor.....253 848-2473 [email protected] AllAboardWashington.org Warren Yee, Seattle..E-newsletter...... 206 723-0259 [email protected] NARP: www.narprail.org NARP Hotline: www.narprail.org/cms/index.php/hotline/ All are evening numbers, except Lloyd's, which is available 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Amtrak: www.amtrak.com Amtrak Cascades: www.amtrakcascades.com Sound Transit: www.soundtransit.org page 6 All Aboard News Fireworks stand fundraiser a is donating about $1700 for Bill’s vol- success! unteer time. Several members sup- ported our endeavor through cash do- August 11: All Aboard Washington Bill Kelley, left, All nations. And All Aboard now owns the Aboard Washington picnic at noon at Jim Hamre’s modular booth and can use it for other th board member, home, 13307 104 Ave. Ct. E. on events. came up with the Bring a Puyallup’s South Hill. potluck item. Hamburgers and beverages idea and then spear- will be provided. Our guest speaker will be headed our fireworks Ken Uznanski, WSDOT Rail Office stand fundraising manager. Call or email Jim for more effort. He took over a information. See p. 5. week of vacation September 8: All Aboard Wash- time from his employer Verizon and ington meeting at 12:30 p.m. in was on-site at our Burien location Ephrata at Basaltz Restaurant, 26 nearly around the clock during the sales days before the 4 th of July. We Basin St. NW (509-754-0300). We could have used more people to staff will order off the menu (sandwiches, bur- the booth but with the hard work of Bill gers, salads, pasta, steaks, seafood at Photo by Jim Hamre $10-20, with 20% service charge added). and all of our volunteers, we pulled off The Ephrata Travelodge, 31 Basin St. SW, quite a feat with the short lead time we Above, Jeff Schultz, left, is intro- 509-754-4651, has offered rates of duced by Lloyd Flem at our June 9 $55/single and $65/double. Call the hotel meeting at the Lewis County Historical directly and say you are attending the All Museum in Chehalis. The museum is Aboard Washington rail meeting. The housed in the former Northern Pacific Empire Builder departs Seattle at 4:45 Railway station. Jeff shared with us his p.m., arriving Ephrata at 9:42 p.m. trip to India where he and his wife Traci Westbound, the train departs Ephrata at rode the Deccan Odyssey luxury tourist 4:26 a.m., arriving Seattle at 10:20 a.m. Ephrata is the home of Jim Neal, an early train. Jeff entertained us with pictures member of our organization and a long- and a narrative of both their time riding the rails, telling about beauty and luxury time vice president. Call Lloyd Flem or Jim Photo by Bob Lawrence Hamre for more information. See p. 5. of the train and the on board service, had to put this project together. As the and off-train sightseeing. He also talked All Aboard Washington welcomed the calendar moved closer to Independ- about Indian rail equipment, in- following new member in June: Roger ence Day, the crowds of buyers in- frastructure and operating practices. Kammerer, Mercer Island. creased substantially. Everyone staffing Most of those attending the meeting All Aboard Washington members contrib- the booth kept busy but that didn’t stop arrived by Amtrak in Centralia and were uting to this newsletter include: Bill Kel- all our sellers from having a good time. shuttled to Chehalis for lunch at ley, Jim Neal, Jeff Schultz, Warren Yee, All Aboard Washington netted al- downtown restaurants. After the meet- Zack Willhoite, Bob Lawrence, Loren most $3500 from the sales and Veri- ing and a tour of the museum, a num- Herrigstad, Craig Thorpe, Jim Cusick, zon, through its matching gift program, ber of people enjoyed a ride on the Lloyd Flem, Chuck Mott, and Tony Chehalis-Centralia steam train. Trifiletti.

All Aboard Washington P. O. Box 70381 NONPROFIT Seattle, WA 98127 ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE PAID Return Service Requested PUYALLUP WA 98371 PERMIT NO. 468

A/S MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION RENEWAL FORM ADDRESS CHANGE Basic Membership ...... $25.00 per year Name______Student/Fixed Income ...... $18.00 per year Address______Family Membership ...... $50.00 per year Patron...... $75.00 per year City/State/Zip______Leadership or Business Circle.....$100.00 per year Phone______Extra Contribution ...... $ (always welcome and appreciated) Note: if you move, let us know in advance and save us 75¢ for address correction service.