Vol. 7, No.6 July 1980 Superliners On Desert Wind, Zephyr; ______I 403(B) Activity In Several States

Train activity was accelerated at Scheduled next for conversion to and a food service car. One train­ Amtrak last month with a series of ~ead-end-power is the Silver Meteor. the extension of the Chicago-St. developments that included some 403(8) Service Louis Ann Rutledge-currently oper­ possible new trains, as well as actual ates over the route. Interesting developments have also and proposed implementation of new been occuring on the 403(b) front.. equipment on other trains. Georgia Missouri The state of Georgia, too, has ex­ Desert Wind Amtrak has notified the state of pressed interest in 403 (b) service, The Desert Wind was equipped Missouri that it would, if Missouri specifically between Atlanta and Sa­ with Superliner cars northbound on desires, operate a second train be­ vannah/Brunswick. June 30, and southbound on July 1. tween Kansas City and St. Louis. No Amtrak was asked to conduct a The train will operate with a baggage start-up date has been set but it is ex­ feasibility study to determine the car, an Amdinette, a transition car pected that, if the 403(b) train did most suitable route. To do this, a and the required number of coaches operate, it would begin sometime this special inspection train was operated until August 3 when a head-end­ autumn. over several days in late June between power sleeping car will be added to The proposed consist would be an the cities. the consist. F40PH locomotive, plus an Amcoach The three routes the inspection San Francisco Zephyr One of the six sets of cars needed to Amtrak Stars On "In House" TV operate the San Francisco Zephyr was converted to Superliner service on Amtrak TV News, a special video­ their local news programs. Monday, July 7, when the train left tape presentation of company events Hosted, directed and produced by Chicago. As more cars arrive from is undergoing a four-month viewer Jim Bryant, director, audio-visual Pullman Standard, they will be test that began last May. projects, public affairs department, phased into service on the 2,390-mile Distribution of the program at pre­ the 20-minute programs also make sent is limited to points on the system run. Included in the consist of the use of other Amtrak employees­ that have 3/4-inch videotape play­ both at headquarters and in the first train were two Superliner sleepers, a Superliner diner, five back units. Cities include Albany­ field-as "street reporters" for par­ Rensselaer, New York, Philadelphia, Superliner coaches as well as single ticular segments. Washington, Chicago, Beech Grove level baggage cars, an Amdinette for July's "edition" is typical, with and Los Angeles. use as a lounge car and a transition segments on the inaugural run of the Local employees have also ar­ dormitory car. Pennsylvanian, the test train for ranged to borrow or rent tape units at possible 403(b) service in Georgia, a Crescent Seattle and Jacksonville to view the special report on Beech Grove's HEP One set of the Crescent's four con­ shows. program, and an interview with sists was scheduled for conversion to At the end of the four-month Angelo Caputo, assistant vice presi­ head-end-power cars about July 22 period, Amtrak will evaluate the pro­ dent .and controller, and Ed Cour­ and could very well be operating by grams to see if they should be con­ temanche, director of performance the time this issue of Amtrak News tinued on a regular basis. measurements, 'on Amtrak's per­ reaches its subscribers. Each general superintendent is formance for first eight months of the As more HEP cars come out of the responsible for publicizing and set­ current fiscal year. Beech Grove shops, the other three ting up times and places to air the Employees who are not located in sets of cars will be converted. The program for employees locally. cities of the present "network" but Crescent will be the third long­ Many of the features used have do have access to 3/ 4 inch videotape distance train to be completely outfit­ been made available to Amtrak by playback units and would like to bor­ ted with the "like new" all-electric commercial television station that row a tape can contact Bryant at (8) cars. had shown the material originally on 733-3863. train ran over were: resolutions passed recently by the the state of Pennsylvania to deter­ • Atlanta-Macon, over the Missouri House of Representatives mine if funding for a requested Southern Railway, continuing to and the Oklahoma legislature. Pittsburgh-Altoona train has been Savannah over the Seaboard Coast While neither state has formally settled. Stumbling blocks to a quick Line. applied for such service under section start-up of such a train include the • Savannah-Jessup, over the SCL, 403(b), the study does provide Am­ fact that cost estimates originally sub­ then a side round-trip to Brunswick trak's best estimates of potential mitted to the state are old since they before going on to Macon and Atlan­ ridership and costs should such a were predicated on a life of 60 days ta, all over the Southern. train be considered by both states. and are now three months old, plus • Atlanta-Macon-Savannah, over the fact that Amtrak can not guaran­ the Central of Georgia. Pennsylvania tee that capital work could be done Amtrak is also waiting word from now to begin service by October. North Carolina Amtrak has begun feasibility stud­ ies of four potential rail passenger Payroll Problems? Call Hot Line routes in and through the state of North Carolina. A payroll Hot Line has been put in­ Employees should be prepared to The four routes requested were to service as of last month so em­ give their full name, home and work submitted to Amtrak by the North ployees can call the department dir­ telephone numbers, work location Carolina Department of Transporta­ ectly at any hour of the day if they and Social Security number. tion. Amtrak is now analyzing the have problems with any payroll mat­ The Hot Line number from any­ revenue potential, and capital and op­ ter. where in the United States, except the erational costs involved in providing Employees had been able to call the District of Columbia, is 800-424- the services. department during regular business 5067 . For D.C. calls, the number is The routes under consideration hours for some time but the service 383-3517. are: has now been expanded and convert­ The number will be listed in the box • Greenville to Charlotte, ed to an " all-hours" nationwide Hot that accompanies monthly Hot Line • Raleigh to Charlotte, Line. answers in Amtrak News. • Winston-Salem to Charlotte, During normal working hours calls Whenever possible, supervisors arur Will be answered by staf personne an time eepers s ou d continue to • Norfolk, Virginia, to Memphis, but in off-hours they will be handled use the payroll inquiry unit number Tennessee. by an automatic answering machine. on Amtrak's regular telephone net­ A Norfolk-Memphis train would The machine will ask five questions work. The Hot Line is designed to require participation by the states of that employees must answer so the give employees a capability to reach Virginia, North Carolina and Ten­ department can assist with the prob­ the payroll department at any hour nessee. lem and return the employee's call. under any condition and at no cost. A starting date for any new rail ser­ vice, and the costs involved, would depend on how much track and signal Europeans Coming To See Us work would be required to operate the trains; how much time it would For the first time in modern his­ abroad. There are, for example, re­ take North Caroina, Amtrak and the_ tory, there may be more tourists from ciprocal sales agreements with the contracting railroads to agree upon a Europe visiting the United States this German, French, Irish and Scandin­ schedule and other operational as­ year than vice versa, according to the avian railways. pects; and how long it would take the United States Travel Service. Amtrak's newest sales brochure­ state legislature to appropriate neces­ The Service predicts that more than printed in German, French, Spanish, sary funds to support the service. three million will visit America in Swedish and Finnish-capitalizes on 1980, with 1.25 million coming from the increasing interest of Europeans Oklahoma Great Britain. One British tour opera­ in Florida. Amtrak has also forwarded results tor alone is flying 6,000 English tour­ It describes the long-popular of a preliminary cost analysis and ists each week to Florida. "Week of Wheels" plan, which of­ market projection on proposed ser­ While they're here, many of those feJ;s unlimited use of a rental car with vice linking Oklahoma City with St. tourists will be using Amtrak service the purchase of three round-trip fares Louis. The results went to the states to cross the country. Amtrak issues between the Northeast and Miami, as of Missouri and Oklahoma who an unlimited-travel U.S.A. Rail Pass, well as a "Week of Hotels," which would participate on a 403(b) basis. plus other tickets and tours, through provides seven nights' lodging at a se­ The evaluation was requested in travel agents and transportation firms lection of hotels throughout the state.

2 1960. McLurkin joined Amtrak in Amtrak People 1974. As an Amtrak employee he has McLurkin, Duffany­ they've even been back." worked on the Montrealer, Broadway Duffany has a simple philosophy in Limited and James Whitcomb Riley. Tops In Service tending to her passengers. "When At present he is assigned to the Cres­ you give good service, give it for the cent. Chef John McLurkin, Washing­ entire trip. I've seen some attendants How did he begin railroading? ton, and Train Attendant Linda Duf­ start our pretty good but then they "I guess 1 just naturally drifted in­ fany, Boston, were honored on Tues­ disappear and can't be seen for the to the industry," he says. His father day, May 20, for being Amtrak's top rest of the trip. was a chef-cook for the B&O, retiring on-board services personnel during "I want my passengers to have a after 49 years of service. McLurkin's 1979. good trip from start to finish. " brother, Sam, also retired from the As part of their day's activities, the Duffany started with Amtrak in B&O, in 1974, as a chef-cook. two had lunch with Amtrak President March 1975 as a snack car assistant McLurkin, who has traveled sever­ Alan Boyd and Rima Parkhurst, vice on the Boston-Washington run. After al million miles during his career, president, passenger services. During working several food service jobs, she albeit mostly on the East Coast, has lunch, Lew Jackson, assistant direc­ became a coach attendant on the Bos­ cooked for many celebrities, in­ tor, on-board operations, presented ton section of the Lake Shore Limited cluding Presidents Truman and the pair with plaques that named when it went into operation in Oc­ Roosevelt. He also remembers a spe­ them the best in their respective cate­ tober 1975. The following July she cial Mardi Gras train to New Orleans. gories. became a sleeping car attendant and "I spent two weeks in that kitchen," The two also qualified for six-day, has worked that job on the Lake he recalls. five-night vacations for two. Duffany Shore ever since. " I've met a lot of good people on has picked Grand Canyon, while McLurkin began his railroad career the trains," he notes. "It's been a McLurkin is still contemplating his with the Baltimore and Ohio railroad good life. " choice. in June 1946 as a third cook. He was Does he have any special recipes? Accompanying Duffany to Wash­ promoted to chef-cook in 1949, then "Not really," he says . "But, the ington were her mother and father. went over to the Seaboard Air Line in waiters in the cars 1 work, usually ask McLurkin was escorted by his daugh­ ter, DeHavalyn. Duffany now has won the honor for the second year in a row in Cate­ gory I, employees who interface with the traveling public. McLurkin was cited in Category II, employees-like chefs and food specialists-who do not have public contact. Duffany won by receiving the greatest number of unsolicited letters praising her work. McLurkin won by getting the most commendations from his supervisors. Duffany topped this year's compe­ tition despite the fact that she was off work for three months with torn liga­ ments in her leg. Still proud of being "Boston's only lady sleeping car porter," she adheres to a strict policy of paying close atten­ tion to her passengers' needs. One trip was particularly memora­ ble. She says, "On this trip 1 had two little old ladies in the car and they just kept complaining about everything. "So, 1 made up my mind to 'kill them with kindness.' It worked be­ Linda DUffany and John McLurkin were the top on-board services employees for last cause they got off the train happy and year. They received plaques at a special luncheon in Washington.

3 I

for my fish cakes." What's so special about them? "Just left-over fish, but I spice them / up with a secret ingredient," says McLurkin. i1/ 1/ I I Dominic Assetta­ Dominic Assetta Boston Clock Expert oils the clock in South Station, What do you do when you get bids Boston. Assetta repaired the clock of $6,000, $21,000 and $39,500 to get after having two a particular job done? parts fabricated. You hire the best man and get it Bids from outside sources were in the done for $400. thousands of dol­ That's what happened in Boston lars. Final cost? when the large, 14-foot-wide clock in $400.

South Station had to be fixed. The " aged timepiece had seemingly ticked its last tick two years ago. As part of the $90 million rehabili­ tation of South Station, the Massa­ \ chusetts Bay Transportation Authori­ ty, which is in charge of the project, decided to get the clock fixed and The two parts - an oval bearing and fully every Friday to keep the " eight­ called for bids. a "flipper" for the second hand day" mechanism operating conti­ They came rolling in but the collec­ -cost $360. The remaining $40 con­ nuously. Ironically, the only things tive decision, after reviewing the sisted of labor. electrical about the clock are the varied proposals, was that it would After the two parts were fabricated seven 150 watt flood lights that are cost too much money to put even as and installed, and Assetta had aimed at the concave reflector behind famous a clock as this one back in cleaned and oiled the rest of the ma­ the clocks transluscent dial. operation. chinery, the hand-wound, eight-day Otherwise the operation is all It's at this point that Dominic clock-installed in 1898 when the sta­ mechanical. To wind the clock, Assetta, electrician, enters the pic­ tion was fi rst built-started right up Assetta uses a jumbo two-foot-Iong ture. without even a slight hesitation. key, which looks much like an old When he came to work for the Some adjustments had to be made automobile crank with a gear on one Boston Terminal Company in 1970 after the first few weeks to correct end. This locks into a two-foot­ one of the responsibilities that came slow running, but the clock has run diameter round gear that pulls up a with the job was maintenance of the perfectly ever since. one-ton counterweight. As the clock. Assetta is now an Amtrak Assetta noted that the clock seemed counterweight descends during the employee. to have wound down along with the week. it keeps the clock running. Before joining the BRC as an elec­ fortunes of the railroads that once Says Assetta, "You might think it trician, Assetta spent four years as a used the station. "The guy who would be a hard job to wind the mechanic in the Air Force. Prior to tended the clock before I did retired clock. But with all that gearing it's that he took electrical studies at a as soon as he showed me how to keep really pretty easy and only takes me trade school after graduation from it running," he said. about three to five minutes." high school. "The Boston Terminal Company What keeps the clock ticking and He said, "I just couldn't believe maintained it, but then Conrail took on time is an 18 foot pendulum those bids so I took my supervisor over, then Amtrak, then the Boston weighted down with a 250 pound and the MBT A's project chief up in Redevelopment Authority. No one hunk of concrete. the clock tower to take a closer look would come up with the money to Keeping the clock lubricated is an­ at what was wrong. " keep it going. other of Assetta's responsibilities. The end result was that two parts "Now we've got it working again What does he use? Just plain Singer had to be fabricated. and maybe it's a symbol of the resur­ sewing machine oil. The needed parts were manufac­ gence of the railroad business here. " Says Assetta, "I've been using it tured from brass by a machine shop One of Assetta's chores now is to for 10 years and it's worked per­ in nearby Peabody, Massachussetts. wind the clock. He does this faith- fectly. "

4 Larry DeRespinis­ Commissary Artist When Commissary Worker Larry DeRespinis, Sunnyside yard, New York, isn't loading Amfleet modules with food, he's probably got a paint brush in his hand. That's because the young New York native is an accomplished artist. An example of his work decorates a wall in the commissary and he is mak­ ing plans for a mural for the commis­ saryoffice. "It's going to be a stylized skyline of New York City," he says. DeRespinis plans to have two stripes DeRespinis' f irst piece of art work at the commissary was a pen-and-ink running around the room-one rust, sketch of an Amtrak train and two steam-powered trains. the other brown-and interlock to of time after it came into being but fi­ painted a collage of Amtrak locomo­ form a frame. Inside that frame will nally came over to Amtrak as an tives as a going away gift for Pat be an art deco scene of New York Ci­ usher. Gallagher, former commissary gener­ ty with an Amtrak locomotive burst­ He subsequently worked as a time­ al supervisor, when he moved to a ing through the center of it. keeper, train announcer and in the new assignment in California. At Another task ahead is to paint the package express and baggage area be­ present he's working on a picture of truck that delivers supplies from Sun­ fore moving to the Sunnyside com­ the electrified Broadway Limited nyside to Grand Central and Pennsyl­ missary two years ago. (which appeared in Amtrak News) for vania Stations. The mural he's already done and the current General Supervisor Mark The young artist has an impressive the future jobs were done in his spare Rose's office. background. He attended the High time between work stints. The first When he isn't actively painting School of Art and Design on Manhat­ picture took him about two days to something, DeRespinis keeps busy by tan, a specialized institution of the complete. attending art shows to see what the New York City school system which In his off duty hours, he works out noted artists of today are doing. screens applicants through a battery of a studio at his home in Queens "You've got to keep up with the of art tests. There he took courses in where he offers his services as a free­ trend," he says. "You've got to keep all art media, including watercolor, lance sign painter. He recently current. " oil, sculpting, advertising art and photography. After graduation, he worked a Expand, Remodel Austin Station short time for Raymond Loewy, the man who designed the GG 1 locomo­ At its regular monthly meeting on of exterior lights and paving of park­ tive. One of his prized possessions is a June 25, Amtrak's board of directors ing areas and access roads. picture of a GG 1 autographed by approved funding for expansion and A canopy will be built on two sides Loewy. remodeling of the Austin, Texas, pas­ of the station to protect passengers in senger station. bad weather as they walk from the "I was a touch-up artist there," he Owned by the Missouri Pacific rail­ parking lot to trackside. says. "But, after six months they had road', the building is used for both The approved expenditure also in­ a lay-off and the bottom 10 guys were railroad freight operations and Am­ cludes $22,000 to provide barrier-free gone. I was one of the 10." trak passenger service. The $367,000 access to the station by the physically After that he worked in several capital expenditure provides for the handicapped. graphic arts studios but found the relocation of MoPac operations to Renovation of the station will re­ commercial art business too hectic another site and renovation of the ex­ sult in an area large enough to accom­ and haphazard. isting building. modate Amtrak's present volume in DeRespinis began work for the Improvements to the station will the city as well as expected growth. Penn Central in December 1975 as an include exterior repair, expansion and Work on the station will begin in usher at Pennsylvania Station. He remodeling of the interior, resurfac­ mid-August and is expected to be stayed with Conrail for a short period ing of station platforms, installation completed in early 1981.

5 New Orleans Intermodal Station __~ ___---, I Serves Rail And Bus Passengers

Amtrak's New Orleans station, ticket counter. half-mile from the station with 42 which celebrated its 26th birthday in The station building also houses road and two switch units assigned to May and was the site of the latest Amtrak offices for operations, engin­ the terminal. Heavy car repairs, in­ Family Days exhibit, is a transporta­ eering, marketing and police and se­ cluding wheel change outs, are done tion center that serves over a million curity. A material control center is lo­ at the coach yard shops, about two rail and bus passengers each year. cated at the nearby coach yard. blocks from the diesel shop. Located just a block from the Located on the ground level are a The majority of car repairs, includ­ famed Superdome sports stadium and cafeteria, lounge, news stand and gift ing such work as upholstering, rep lac- near many of the city's major hotels, shop. Besides Amtrak offices, the it must be, and is, attractive as well as second floor has space for various Krewe's Base? functional. railroad sales departments, the City The New Orleans Union Passenger Transit Administration and the Ter­ It could only happen in New Terminal, or NOUPT, which has minal and Post Office credit unions. Orleans. served rail passengers for 26 years The station is open 24 hours a day, When Jim Miller, regional di­ and Greyhound bus riders for the primarily to serve Greyhound's rector, passenger services, past 11, recently was given a "face needs. Amtrak's ticket office, which ordered a sheet cake for the re­ lift" by the city, which owns it, and draws from a pool of seven clerks, is cent Family Days celebration Amtrak, which operates the terminal staffed from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. there, he asked that it be deliv­ and its passenger trains. Amtrak provides janitorial personnel ered to the crew base. New trees and landscaping in front for the station and mechanical per­ It was, although the label read, of the station on Bienville Plaza and sonnel for the car and locomotive " Deliver to Krewe's base office." cleaning and repair of the exterior shops on an around-the-clock basis. Krewes, please note, are the lo­ facade have made the facility a more Amtrak took over the ticketing and cal organizations that sponsor the attractive neighbor as well as a pleas­ baggage functions from NOUPT on various Mardi Gras parades. an place for passengers to oegm or July I, 1976. I ne oalance or me em­ end their visits to the Crescent City. ployees joined Amtrak the following ing broken pipes and electrical work, The station has four tracks to serve June 1 and these included mechani­ is done at the 'I," or Intermediate, the Panama Limited, Crescent and cal, operations, tower and janitorial shop which is located near the station Sunset Limited. All three of the trains employees as well as police and se­ directly in back of Greyhound's load­ handle checked baggage and package curity people. ing ramps. express which are accepted at the Locomotives are serviced about a A commissary and crew base serve all three trains. Amtrak took over the on-board services personnel from the Southern Railway a year ago last April 1. A maintenance of way force takes care of track work in the station area as well as over nearly 13 miles of NOUPT property. The responsibility for overseeing Amtrak activities in New Orleans is split three ways . Jim Miller, regional director, passenger services, tends to all station and on-board services functions including baggagemen, ticket clerks, the crew base and com­ missary. Art Mousteiko, as assistant superintendent, transportation, oversees all operations, including the yardmaster, tower and switch crews. Coach and diesel shops report to One oj the highlights in the large modern waiting room is the series oj brightly-colored C.R. "Chuck" Conners, manager, murals depicting the history oj the state oj Louisiana. mechanical maintenance.

6 The three work closely together, each panel is more than 60 feet long and finally dedicated on May 1, 1954. with Mousteiko and Conners keeping and eight feet high. The four panels One of the highlights of the colorful Miller informed of any operating and depict the history of the state in four ceremony was the official christening mechanical problems so arrange­ periods; exploration, colonization, by the mayor's six-year-old daughter ments can be made quickly to min­ struggle and modern times. who used a bottle containing water imize any negative impact on passen­ Union Station, as it stands today, is from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, gers. the end result of a lengthy campaign the Great Lakes, the Gulf of Mexico Miller's responsibility also includes by the city to consolidate its various and the Mississippi, Missouri and stations along the Sunset's route to EI individual rail stations into one facili­ Ohio rivers, the extremities served by Paso, the Inter-American's route ty. Those efforts began about 1882 trains using the new station. from Laredo and Houston to Little and continued over the years without In 1954, there were 44 of those Rock, the Panama's route to Mem­ much success. trains arriving or departing each day. phis, the Crescent's route to Slidell, Serious moves to obtain a new Louisiana, as well as the crew base in Union Station began anew in 1938 As built, the terminal complex con­ Houston. but were thwarted by World War II. sisted of 43 acres of land, with the For day-to-day operations, all Finally, in 1945, the mayor appointed modern station building and its six three men report to the general a board to finalize the project. station platforms serving 12 tracks. superintendent at St. Louis. Miller, On October 22, 1947, the com­ Each platform had train sheds exten­ on the other hand, is responsible to pleted draft of a "terminal agree­ ding 1,200 feet to protect passengers the corporate passenger services ment" was signed by Mayor from rain. department in Washington for policy, deLesseps Morrison and officials of As part of the complex, also built budgets, goals and performance. the several railroads serving the city. were a coach yard with adjacent shop Two locomotives do the switching A companion project was a grade buildings for servicing, repairing and chores at the station and in the shop separation program to build 22 under inspecting passenger cars and a diesel areas. NOUPT owns the units but and overpasses. shop for servicing locomotives. Those Amtrak operates them and has had The $16 million station was built are now in use by Amtrak. them painted in its own silver, blue and red colors. They are, however, lettered NOUPT. One switcher works from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., daily, while the other works a Sunday-Tuesday-Thursday evening schedule that coincides with the arrival of the Sunset Limited. New Orleans is also responsible for servicing 70 passenger cars that are assigned there, including Crescent cars that came to Amtrak when it took over the route last year. One interesting aspect of the New Orleans operation is that because of its warm climate, freeze-damaged cars are sent there routinely for re­ pairs. (Above) The tri­ Amtrak's station is a two-story, weekly Sunset steel-framed building that is faced Limited prepares to with limestone and granite and con­ leave New Orleans Union Station for tains 45,000 square feet of space on its 2,032-mile run to the ground floor. Interior walls are Los Angeles. (Left) Ready to serve their finished in marble and aluminum customers are, left with the building's major feature be­ to right, Craig ing the sweeping 140-foot-wide wait­ Carter, Freddie ing room. Roane and Roger Rapp. The brightly colored murals that look down on that waiting room are among the most unique and interest­ ing features of the station. Created by Louisiana Artist Conrad Albrizio, salem's CRO. A party called in the other day to tell us they found a re­ Hot Line To President Boyd served seat ticket. But, whoever had sold this ticket-in Rochester, New Question: I'm a ticket seller in at Chester station that the Chesa­ York-failed to put the passenger's Washington and wonder why some of peake's crew won't let them board. telephone number into ARTS when the ticket offices don't allow their Why not? they entered the reservation. employees to cash Amtrak paychecks A: Our timetable shows this train We run into this problem quite a at the ticket office. Some do and as a "discharge only" stop at lot also when we try to contact pas­ some don't. There doesn't seem to be Chester. sengers regarding schedule changes or The problem is that the people who · any consistency. fare increases. I also wonder if Amtrak plans on board there refuse to pay the Amtrak Could a memo, perhaps, go out to changing ticket sellers' uniforms fare and expect us to honor Conrail ticket offices instructing personnel soon. Where I work, men are allowed tickets and Conrail off-peak fares. there to put some kind of telephone black or navy blue slacks, but women number contact into ARTS so that we are allowed only navy blue slacks or Q: I'm calling about the "talk-a­ have a chance to help passengers in skirts. It seems there is no real coor­ phone" devices that have been put in­ situations like this? dination on what our people wear. to the glass partitions at the ticket of­ A: A notice has been sent to all Answer: Having money to cover fice here in Baltimore. station personnel telling them to enter the daily transactions of our cus­ They don't work well. Some a telephone number with every ad­ tomers obviously takes priority. squeal, some give you feedback, vance passenger reservation. However, subject to that, the priv­ others don't work at all, and one of ilege of cashing paychecks is offered them gives you an electrical shock to all ticket office employees. when you touch it. Q: I'm a ticket agent at Tex­ Regarding the uniform, the stand­ They get on everybody's nerves, arkana, Texas, and have a suggestion ards are clearly specified in the Ser­ ticket sellers and customers alike. regarding prepaid order sales. Let's vice Policy and Procedures Manual. A: My understanding is that the say that someone in New York sold a The mandatory policy calls for navy speakers do leave a lot to be desired ticket from Texarkana to New York blue trousers and navy blue ties only. and are being repaired almost con­ via a prepaid order. Our office is Deviations from this are not allowed stantly. I'm told that the one that open during the night hours so when and supervlsory personne s ou shocked people, however, has been the person arrives to pick up the take action to insure that ticket office fixed some time ago. ticket it's sometimes quite difficult to employees are properly clothed. Baltimore station is supposed to be call New York and find out if an Suggestions regarding changes or refurbished, as part of the NECIP order was, in fact, issued there and modifications in the ladies' uniform program, and new-and better-de­ how it was paid for. are being evaluated right now by the vices will be acquired when this work We should have a requirement passenger services department. takes place. that, whenever a reservation is entered in ARTS for a prepaid order, Q: I'm a ticket seller in Pennsyl­ Q: I'm a lady usher at Pennsyl­ it show the prepaid order number and vania Station, New York. One Satur­ vania Station, New York. As part of how it was paid. Then we at outlying day we had a breakdown of the air­ our uniform, we're required to wear a points, who don't work during day­ conditioning system and ended up cap. The only problem is that they light hours, can find out through with some very uncomfortable work­ have been designed for men. When ARTS exactly what went on and can ing conditions. we put them on, they look awkward then issue the ticket. How about some sort of summer and they're just too big. A: Your suggestion has merit. We uniform for us? Can Amtrak come up with a cap hope to incorporate this concept in A: We are looking into a summer for lady ushers, maybe something like the next publication of the Reserva­ uniform option for ticket sellers women wear in the Army or the tions and Ticketing Manual which is along with the review of the entire Navy? scheduled for publication on Septem­ uniform program mentioned in the A: At the present time, we're re­ ber 1. previous Hot Line answer. viewing hats for both ushers and red Final implementation of your sug­ caps to see if a new style cap is more gestion is pending coordination bet­ Q: I'm a conductor on the Conrail feasible. We've gone out into the ween the marketing, finance and pas­ local from Wilmington to Philadel­ field, to the people who must wear senger services departments. phia and one of my trains, No. 944, them, to get their input before we stops at Chester about 50 minutes make a final selection. Q: Why does it take so long to re­ before the Chesapeake. ceive our Title V payments? We have I've gotten complaints from people Q: I'm a reservations agent at Ben- some men here who haven't received

8 their money in over three months. Also, the restrooms need help. the suggestion in the August 3 time­ A: Claims for compensation had They're too small and inaccessible to table. been progressed to payroll for pay­ the handicapped. ment on a 60 day cycle through De­ I've talked to my supervisor and he Q: When will Master Charge be in­ cember 1979. tells me they're waiting for capital im­ corporated into the ARTS system? Wage negotiations, in late 1978 and provement funds. Improvements like A: Not having Master Charge in early 1979, resulted in lump sum pay­ these should be top priority. ARTS is a problem. The reason MC ments for retroactive pay effective as A: In April, members of our en­ is not presently automated in ARTS far back as January 1, 1978. We are gineering department surveyed the has to do with the non-uniformity of now calculating adjustments needed Riverbank station, as well as other the various member bank numbers in for claims processed during the retro­ stations along the route of the San relation to required system validity active period. This reexamination of Joaquin. They recommended im­ checks. Hopefully, by the time the about 9,000 claims must be done provements for handicapped access at next ARTS system is developed and , manually and this process will take all stations as well as other improve­ implemented-in about two years­ several months to complete. ments such as the roof you mention. MasterCard-please note they're Unfortunately, this severely limits Caltrans may share in the cost of changing the name-will be included. our ability to process claims submit­ these improvements since this is a Q: I work in the Chicago res office ted for the current months as long as 403(b) route. The engineers are cur­ and am at my wits end. What's going that project is underway. We an­ rently preparing cost estimates and a on with the delivery of Superliner ticipate, however, that the adjusted proposal will be submitted soon to cars? Also, what's going on with the claims for retroactive pay and claims Caltrans. We do not anticipate any Empire Builder? It was everybody's through June 1980 should be process­ major delays in getting the project understanding that it was to remain ed to the payroll department by the moving. end of August. Q: For many years now the Los President's Hot Line Q: Can you tell me when the San Angeles CRO has had busy phone Diegans will begin stopping at Ana­ lines during the summer. Again, this U.S.A. 800-424-5191 heim stadium? I've heard they were year it's just terrible. Can't you D.C. only 383-2027 going to do this for years and it hasn't please hire enough people to handle appened yet: We could get a lot of the calls so we're not deluged with business serving this sports stadium them? Personnel Hot Line especially since the Rams are moving A: As you well know, a lot of our there this fall. business is seasonal and that explains U.S.A. 800-424-5190 We might even consider running the huge increase in calls during the D.C. only 383-3636 special trains since there's a spur summer. track there where the trains could lay Within the limits of the facilities, over. budget and the ARTS system, every Payroll Hot Line A: We haven't reached a conclu­ CRO is staffed to capacity right now U.S.A. 800-424-5067 sion yet whether Amtrak should in­ so we do not plan to hire any addi­ vest in a facility at Anaheim. tional people. D.C. only 383-3517 Arguments against such a stop are As information, for the second Payroll personnel will answer calls live during day shift hours, Monday through that it would add additional running straight year, phone activity has ex­ Friday. At all other times calls will be time to a route whose market is rela­ ceeded our projections. We are hand­ handled by an answering machine. tively. speed conscious and that the ling more calls than at any time in our location is relatively near two existing history. The number of calls handled stops, namely Fullerton and Santa in May at the five reservations offices All Hot Lines are in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ana. was up to 26.2 per cent. By com­ We hope to have a decision on the parison, your Los Angles CRO was matter within 90 days. up 70 per cent. Callers to the President's Hot Line can either identify themselves or remain anonymous. Personnel Hot Line callers, Q: I'm a ticket clerk at Riverbank, Q: In the timetable for the obviously, must identify themselves if California. Our station needs some Pioneer, why don't they show Twin they wish a reply to their questions. repairs badly. For one thing, it needs Falls in parantheses alongside the Employees also have the option of writ­ ing instead of calling. Write the specific a new roof. During the winter months stop for Shoshone. Twin Falls is one Hot Line you want. c/o Amtrak, 400 N. we use cans and buckets to catch the of the more important cities in Idaho Capitol St., NW, Washington, D.C. rain as it leaks through the roof. This and it's only 29 miles from Shoshone. 20001. is not only unsightly but hazardous. A: Good idea. We'll implement

9 daily permanently once it went so in Q: I'm on the Philadelphia divi­ personally called the toll-free number June. There's no line of commun­ sion and want to know why I can't get a couple of times asking for rate in­ ication between Washington and Chi­ safety sun glasses. formation. I specified that I would be cago and the other reservations A: We've had safety sun glasses traveling over the Memorial Day centers. available for employees since Septem­ weekend and was quoted the discount A: Because of the lack of funding ber 1978. A notice has been posted rate every time. People show up at the for fiscal year 1981, the Empire reminding everyone that we have a ticket offices to buy a discount ticket Builder cannot operate daily as plan­ catalog of available personal protec­ and we have an impossible time ex­ ned. tive equipment. It includes these plaining that they were quoted the Superliner deliveries are regularly glasses. wrong rates. featured in Dateline: Amtrak, our A: Discount fares are offered to ARTS news service. attract passengers at times of low Q: I'd like to see a jukebox on the Punch up CTY NEWS on your ridership. Offering discounts during Silver Star so we could have singing peak periods is simply not good busi­ monitor in mid-afternoon on Tues­ and dancing and make the train a day and Thursday for the latest in disco train. ness. news. A: Our present capabilities with a We do try to make our blackout 115 volt electrical system, which a periods as uniformly applicable as Q: I'm a Conrail fireman and possible to avoid confusion. We re­ work on Amtrak trains in the North­ jukebox would require, are marginal. However, the biggest draw back alize the difficulty in communicating east Corridor. Why are E60CP loco­ these blackouts on occasion. But, motives used when Amfleet is used in would be the vibration of the equip­ ment which would cause the phono­ they are necessary if we are to offer a Metroliner service instead of the revenue-effective discount program. GG 1, when the E60 has more speed graph needle to skip grooves and ruin records. Under the present environ­ Our CRO managers have been restrictions on interlocking moves. asked to conduct training to present A: The GG 1 does not have head­ ment, a juke box on trains is not feasible at all. employees regarding excursion fares, end-power capability and thus re­ with particular emphasis on blackout quires a power car which are in short dates and their restrictions. Super­ Q: I work in a busy ticket office in supply. There also have been prob­ visors at the CROs have also been the Northeast and we get a lot of re­ lems with failures of both the GGI asked to pay particular attention to quests from people to have us issue an tbe !tower c r when we 0 erated fare quotations when they monitol cash to them on their American Ex­ both on the trains. phone calls. This should reduce the press credit cards. Hotels offer this We analyzed the performance of an problem. E60 with GG 1 in such Metroliner ser­ service. Could it be possible for us to vice with a Train Performance Calcu­ do the same? lator. The test showed a difference on A: American Express has no pro­ only three minutes in performance. gram which allows cash to be given to Superliner Update The mechanical department recom­ its card members and charged on mends that we use the E60 in this ser­ their credit card. They do provide Amtrak received in June the last of vice when AEM-7s are not available. emergency funds to card members at 102 Superliner coaches that it had on their offices. order from Pullman Standard. Q: The new A TS phone system is "Gold Card" members have exten­ Completion of the coach order is pretty bad. You can't hear a station sive check cashing privileges at "Gold expected to speed up delivery of the 30 miles away. Card" participating banks. other types of Superliner cars. A: After implementation of a new American Express will not Up to July 9, Amtrak had received telephone system, like A TS, a three­ guarantee checks for cash to Amtrak 11 of the 39 diners ordered, nine of to-four-month period of correction as they do when card holders charge the 70 sleepers and 10 of the 48 and refinement must be undergone. tickets. coach/baggage cars. Low audio volume on remote and The first Superliner sight­ off-network calls is the AT&T's main Q: Why do we have blackout seer /Iounge car passed its sample car priority in our refinement process. periods on excursion fares? It seems inspection in May and was sent to the The Washington-Philadelphia/New to me that we irritate a lot of people Budd Company facility in Philadel­ York circuits are presently being and lose customers when they show phia for climate tests. Twenty-five of tested to insure that transmission, up expecting to pay a cheaper fare the sightseer /lounge cars are on noise and volume goals are being met. and we have to tell them that it isn't order. After these are brought up to accept­ in effect during a particular holiday The sleeping car and diner that had able levels, there will be improvement period. been involved in the derailment near over the system as each location is Some of this misunderstanding is Glacier National Park have been re­ tested and improved. the fault of the res centers because I paired and returned to service.

10 Satellite Commissary Opens, ______------, I Recycles Items Previously Lost

Amtrak's new satellite commissary ployee in charge or lead service at­ other Amtrak trains, which are only in the basement of Chicago's Union tendant. partially stripped. These eight are Station was opened officially on In the commissary, a supervisor in­ long haul trains. Salvageable food is Tuesday, May 20, in a ceremony led ventories the material, after again secured under refrigeration right on by Bill Grimmer, assistant vice presi­ checking temperatures of the perish­ the train and stays aboard for the out­ dent, field services. able items. The inventoried stock list bound trip. The opening culminates a year-long is secured inside a locked blue bag The new system virtually eliminates program in Chicago to improve com­ and given to the attendant who takes any possibility for bad inventorying missary control and accountability it to the crew base for a sales audit and auditing procedures. It also saves for train provisioning. prior to turning in the cash remittance administrative crew and accounting The new 1,700-square-foot facility, for items sold. time, and insures that Amtrak gets costing $130,000, consists of an of­ In the commissary, in the mean­ the proper amount of money due. fice, stripping and counting room, re­ time, salvaged refrigerated and The concept is being expanded by frigerator and freezer. frozen food articles are placed in the providing increased refrigeration cap­ The primary purpose of the mini­ refrigerator /freezer while the other ability at New York, Oakland, Seattle commissary is to control inbound items are also returned to the shelves. and Washington for handling in­ food stripped from food service cars Reusable stock is repacked into bound food. Inbound inventorying and to preserve perishable items with­ modules and recycled back onto the and control of paper work and audit­ in their expiration dates and tempera­ Turboliners and select Amfleet trains. ing has already been expanded to all ture limits. Commissary workers also meet locations systemwide. The new facility is expected to save (Right) Mike Belmont, commissary supervisor, money by recycling food that other­ goes over in ventory list with Sam Azzo, lead service attendant. (Below) Earl Jones, commissary worker, wise would be condemned. The very checks dates on meals in walk-in freezer. first day the new facility was in opera­ tion, over 600 sandwiches were recy­ cled. Since Amtrak train crews are re­ leased in the station, the food service cars are stripped there. With no re­ frigeration capability available be­ fore, many food items were con­ demned because they weren't brought under refrigeration quickly enough. Now the story is entirely different. A commissary worker meets each of 19 Turboliner, Amfleet and Super­ liner trains and strips their food ser­ vice cars accompanied by the em­ ployee in charge or lead service at­ (L eft) Fred Grogan, tendant. Refrigerated items are commissary worker, checked for temperature and those returns from track­ that can be recycled are immediately side with f ood that has been stripped put into a refrigerated cabinet that is from an inbound towed by the electric haulster. train . Most of the To pass the test, refrigerated items items will be re­ cycled for use on must be below 45 degrees, frozen later trains. foods below 15 degrees. All of the stripped materials-re­ frigerated items, non-refrigerated items, liquor cabinets, et ai-are then taken on the haulster to the satellite commissary acompanied by the em-

11 Affirmlf"ive Ae,ion Newsletter Vol. 2 No.2 PublisIJed 2ullrterly July 1980 Sex Harassment Guidelines Issued The Equal Employment Opportuni­ curring. specific circumstances w ill be required ty Commission recently issued interim Because this is a new area for EEOC from harassed employees to eliminate guidelines on sexual harassment on the attention, a very clear definition of frivolous complaints. job to aid employers in understanding their responsibilities. Amtrak managers Networking Sessions For Women and employees needing more informa­ tion on the federal law prohibiting Amtrak's women in management, larly for an hour to an hour-and-a- half sexual harassment should contact Am­ like others moving up corporate lad­ during lunch once a month. The infor­ trak's Affirmative Action Office at cor­ ders in private industry over the last mal discussions revolve around devel­ porate headquarters. decade, are increaSingly networking oping new resources, refining job with one another to build support sys­ strategies and solving work-related Eleanor Holmes Norton, chairper­ tems to get their jobs done better. For problems. At each session, one mem­ son of the commission, said that the years, work ing women were forced to ber discusses her job and tells how it guidelines were necessary because, rely almost totally on work relation­ relates to the corporation's goals. despite previous court rulings which ships with men for information on how Discussion is focused to be supportive support EEOC's position that sex­ to succeed in their jobs. Now, as more in f inding solutions to job problems related intimidation in the workplace and more women enter Amtrak's ranks that will benefit the department, the is sex-based discrimination, the prac­ of middle and upper management, corporation and the individual tice still remains widespread. women mentors and role models are women's career goals. bec~. ~ ______-Ae-guidel~nes.-Norto n said, are The netwo~kiAg _session s wer~- es ta b­ meant to encourage employers to "af­ The networking program at corpor­ lished as a follow-up to the Women in firmatively and convincingly inform ate headquarters is similar to what is Management program conducted their employees that sexu al harass­ happening in major corporations and throughout the country and jointly ment is illegal and to take specific government agencies. Several groups sponsored by the Affirmative Action steps to prevent it." of women, from different departments Office and the Corporate Human Re­ holding different positions, meet regu- source Development training staff. The commission has Iqng con­ tended that sexual harassment, like racial intimidation, in employment Jobs For Visually Impaired generates a psychologically harmful After working with personnel staff that applicants be tested for their atmosphere that inhibits performance members in Los Angeles and Chicago, peripheral vision capability. on the job. Employers have a duty un­ Dr. George Hayes, corporate medical " We are stressing that visual exam­ der Title VII to ensure that the work director, has opened up opportunities inations include peripheral vision as situation is free of discrimination in to applicants with visual impairments well as straight acuity," said Hayes. any form based on race, sex, color, who were previously disqualified. " Th is represents an increased emphasis religion or national origin. Several recent applicants, who orig­ on the ability of an individual to per­ inally were diagnosed as visually im­ Under the guidelines, an employer is form not only a particular job but to paired in pre-employment physicals in responsible for the actions of its super­ perform it safely in the environment both cities, have now been successful­ visory employees and, in some cases, where it will be done." ly placed in jobs at Amtrak. for the acts of others when the em­ To better delineate the company's ployer or supervisory employee knows, needs, Hayes performed on-site inspec­ Job Opportunity Hot Line or should have known, of the behavior. tions of work locations in Los Angeles No reason to miss out on job oppor­ The commission, in issuing the where some of the potential employ­ tunities if your work site doesn't have a guidelines, emphasized that preven­ ees would be working. His visit deter~ bulletin board! tion is the best avenue for elimination mined the physical requirements of Call Amtrak's nation-wide toll-free of sexual harassment. It cautioned em­ particular jobs. He also talked to su­ number for the latest personnel job ployers to take steps necessary to pre­ pervisors about factors limiting affect­ listings - 800-424-5190. vent such sexual harassment from oc- ing vision requirements and directed

12 premier guide to steam and trolley Book Reviews tourist operations in this country and Canada. A person taking a vacation Amtrak, Trains and Travel: By original station architecture and who likes to look at and ride steam Patrick Dorin, 184 pages, 8 112 by 11 engineering details, including the trains or streetcars should have one in inches, hard cover, $15.95, Published river tunnels - under both the Hud­ his luggage. by Superior Publishing Co. , Box son and East rivers - which were Even if one's not going on vaca­ 1710, Seattle, Washing ton 98111. vital to the Pennsylvania Railroad's tion, it's a handy guide to have to see Book available at hobby shops, book direct rail entrance to Manhattan. Re­ what is available in one's immediate stores or from publisher. member, most railroads terminated territory. The book is enhanced with on the west bank of the Hudson and ads from rail-oriented merchants who Lay a railroad subject in front of passengers were ferried across. offer books, post cards and a sundry Dorin and he'll write a book about it. The second part of the book, writ­ supply of other railroadiana. One ad­ This is prolific Dorin's 12th book ten by Westing, describes the elec­ ditional benefit: discount coupons for published by Superior. Dorin, who trification between Sunnyside yard, 30 of the attractions. worked for several railroads during Long Island, and Manhattan Trans­ The car spotter lists all Amtrak his earlier college years, is now work­ fer, New Jersey, a distance of 13.66 equipment-cars and locomotives­ ing on his doctor's degree. miles. After Pennsylvania Station in service as of April 1980. In this volume he sets out to tell was officially opened at 12:01 a.m., After each Amtrak number is listed Amtrak's story. A good place to Sunday, November 27, 1910, the the former owning railroad and the start, obviously, is with the history of Pennsy's ferry service across the specific number and name the loco­ the company. He progresses to a Hudson was discontinued. motive or car had when it was ac­ motive power review and shows pic­ The side rodder locomotives West­ quired by Amtrak. Then follow any tures of everything that pulled Am­ ing speaks of had a large motor preceding names, numbers or owners trak trains from the earliest railroad­ mounted on the frame. This was con­ back to the time of the equipment's painted E units to the latest F40PHs. nected to one of the locomotive's construction. There are also chapters on pas­ wheels by a drive rod, much like a Neither book is recommended for senger cars, sleeping and dining cars, steam locomotive. The rest of the general bedtime reading, but both are mail and express traffic, and the com­ wheels, in turn, were connected with excellent reference sources. paRY's f-r-eight~equipment. One chap­ the drive wheel by side rods. ter deals mostly with the work being Before the Pennsy's electrification Amtrak Heritage: By John Taibi, 48 done in the Northeast Corridor. from Harrisburg and Washington, pages II-by-8'h horizontal format, The book winds up with a gallery each train's locomotive had to be paper cover, $4.50, Published by of Amtrak trains in action plus a changed at Manhattan Transfer from Railroad Heritage Press, 424 W. 33rd chapter of "Summary and Conclu­ steam to electric for the run through St., 7th Floor, New York, New York sions." There, Dorin notes, regarding the river tunnel. Four minutes were 10001. passenger train service, "A big job allotted to the process but the job was At only nine years of age, Amtrak must be done if the United States is to often done in two. avoid a real crisis. The time to start is certainly doesn't lay claim to a "heri­ now. The nation cannot wait much tage" as yet. The term is used because Steam Passenger Service Directory, it is the key word tieing together a longer. Let us hope that sound think­ 1980 Edition; 168 pages, 50 by 80, ing will prevail. " series of similar picture books that soft cover, $4, Published by Empire the publisher is offering. State Railway Museum, P. O. Box Amtrak Heritage sets no publishing Penn Station, Its Tunnels and Side 666, Middletown, New York 10940. Rodders: By Fred Westing, 184 worlds on fire but is a pleasant collec­ pages, 8 112 by 11, $14.95, Superior tion of photographs of Amtrak trains Amtrak Car and Locomotive Spotter, spanning the years from 1971 to 1977. Publishing Company, (See previous Fourth Edition; 122 pages, 4 by 7, book's reference.) There are plenty of pictures to satisfy soft cover, $5.75, Published by most Amtrak fans and the re­ This is an unusual book in that it Wayner Publications, Box 871, An­ production of the photos is very really is two smaller volumes under sonia Station, New York, New York good. If you want to look at electric one cover. 10023. locomotives, diesels, conventional The forward half is a facsimile There is really nothing to review re­ equipment, Amfleet, Budd cars, et ai, reprint of an old - 1912 published garding either book. They're both the $4.50 is well spent. -treatise printed shortly after com­ good books but are simply updated, Other books in the series include pletion of New York's Pennsylvania 1980 versions of what has been Grand Trunk Heritage, Lackawanna Station. published before. Heritage and Baltimore and Ohio The first section describes the The passenger directory is the Heritage.

13 trak's uniform program office, Keeping Track Of Amtrak Washington, (8) 733-2368. Amtrak Romance Philly Health Checks aged to use Pass Exchange Checks for unreserved travel thus eliminating the Joanne Herko, of New York, has Approximately 700 health con­ need for tickets and the standing in written the public affairs department scious Amtrak employees and passen­ line to get them. to tell of her approaching marriage. gers took advantage of free medical Pass riders on reserved trains will What makes the upcoming ceremony tests conducted at 30th Street Station, be advised by reservations and ticket unique is that if she hadn't been Philadelphia, on May 14 during Na­ offices when to pick up their tickets. aboard an Amtrak train at exactly the tional Hospital Week. right time, she would never have met This was the third time in four her husband-to-be. years that the nursing staff of Presby­ Need A Shirt? Writes Herko, "Last October I terian-University of Pennsylvania Applications are now available at went to Philadelphia via Amtrak Medical Center conducted the testing system crew bases for women's white which was my first trip on this train. in the main waiting area of the sta­ shirts at special prices. The author­ "I bought a book to read witli the tion. ized Van Heusen "Classic" shirt is idea that it would prevent or deter Originally begun as a three-hour available at $8.55 for long sleeves; whoever sat next to me from any con­ program just to test blood pressure, $7.85 for short sleeves. versation. I'm not unsociable but the program has expanded into a full­ Sizes, for the blended polyester and have run into many 'characters' in my day operation of blood pressure and combed cotton broadcloth shirt, travels. visual acuity tests as well as demon­ range from six to 18. The shirts can "After leaving Pennsylvania Sta­ strations of cardiopulmonary resusci­ be purchased with Visa', American tion, a man sat down next to me ---.,. I tation. Express or Master Charge credit didn't even look up - and asked, Tom Kennedy, regional director, cards or personal check. 'Are you a manager?' He had ob­ passenger services, and his staff, as Men's shirts are also still available viously noticed the title of my book, well as employees from General and order forms for their purchase The Managerial Woman. Superintendent John Piet's office are also at crew bases. Prices for "Rather than be rude, I looked up helped the medical staff. men's shirts are $7.35 for long and said, 'of sorts.' That was the start sleeves; 7 for short. of a lovely conversation and we made Pass Travel Request Although the shirts are primarily arrangements to see each other All pass travelers are urged to pick designed for on-board services per­ again. " up their tickets at stations at least 30 sonnel, any Amtrak employee can The couple now plans to be mar­ minutes before train time. The re­ purchase them at this special price. ried and hopes to do this aboard an quest is made so ticket agents can Order blanks have also been sent to Amtrak train between New York and more easily accommodate full district supervisors who should distri­ Princeton Junction, where the future revenue paying passengers who might bute them to stations. Employees husband was heading when the cou­ arrive late. having difficulty finding order forms ple first met. Amtrak employees are also encour- should contact Charlie Sutter at Am- Herko now sports a miniature Am­ trak locomotive mounted on a plaque Extend Michigan Train To Toledo on her desk. A bronze plate on it is in­ scribed, "Are You a Manager?" Amtrak will begin providing Boyd made last year to reestablish rail through service from Chicago, via service between Detroit and the Super Commuter "Retires" Detroit, to Toledo, Ohio, as of eastern seaboard. The additional cost August 3. of extending the train from Detroit to Amtrak lost a "super commuter" The service will be provided by Toledo is expected to be matched by early this summer when Terry Will, modifying the schedule of the Saint an increase in revenue from the larger of New York, finished her studies at Clair and extending it through to market the train will serve. Hahnemann Medical College in Phil­ Toledo. The train will also be renam­ With the cooperation of the state adelphia. ed the Lake Cities. Turboliner equip­ of Michigan and local communities For the past four years, Will took ment will be used and there will be a along the route, Amtrak is working to an early morning train to Philadel­ convenient, cross-platform connec­ raise the relatively slow scheduled op­ phia at least three times a week. tion-to and from the east coast­ erating speed of the train between De­ The commuting cost her an es­ with the Lake Shore Limited at Toledo. troit and Toledo. Hopefully, the run­ timated $12,000 and on her last The new service fulfills a commit­ ning speeds can be increased in the homeward trip to New York, after ment that Amtrak President Alan future. finishing her studies, she received

14 some VIP treatment courtesy of Am­ the divisions with 2.6; Wilmington • In the Northeast Corridor make trak. leads the shops with 8.0; and five use of the 175 Ticketron outlets to Her husband, Geoffrey, came mechanical facilities - Minneapolis, buy tickets for unreserved travel be­ down for the occasion and both were Kansas City, Dallas-Fort Worth, tween Washington and Boston. treated to Metroclub seats where they Houston and Niagara Falls - con­ sipped some complimentary cham­ tinue their injury-free record main­ Minority Business pagne on the way to New York. taining their zero ratios. Contracts Roland H. Jones, Amtrak's direc­ Flag Pole Dedicated Summer Guidelines tor for minority business develop­ The country's National Transpor­ As a result of hiring additional em­ ment, reports that, by the end of tation Week was highlighted in Min­ ployees and installing extra phone April, contracts amounting to over neapolis-St. Paul by a "Railroad lines, Amtrak's five reservations cen­ $27 million were awarded to minority Day," during which a new flag and ters are better able to handle the extra and women-owned firms. "In view of pole, purchased by Amtrak employ­ volume of calls during this year's the increasing level of activity, espe­ ees working in the Twin Cities, was peak summer travel period, but there cially in the Northeast Corridor," he dedicated at the station. still are times when people will have said, "it seems that our investment in Present at the ceremony, on May trouble getting into the system. minority firms will again surpass our 17, were Duane Johnson, district Amtrak employees can help allevi­ goal which is $31 million for this manager; Pat Moore, district super­ ate the problem by suggesting to their fiscal year. " visor; Al Kaletta, regional sales direc­ friends that they: During last fiscal year, Amtrak set tor; station and local employees and • Avoid calling during peak hours, a $25 miIion goal and subsequently members of American Legion Post which are 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 5 awarded over $28 million in contracts 39's color guard. Music was provided to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. to minority firms throughout the by the Burlington Northern band. • Go directly to an Amtrak station United States. After Kaletta's dedication speech, or city ticket office to buy tickets. Last year, 11 ,091 minority firms the American Legion members offi­ • Use a travel agent whenever were solicited with a total of 5,971 cially raised the flag for the first time. possible to make reservations or buy contracts awarded to minority enter­ Over 1,500 persons came down to tickets. prises in 24 states. the station to view var' us t _es of passenger and freight equipment on Air Conditioning Dies, Work Continues display. Included were a Superliner, Amfleet cars, a Northern Transporta­ Employees at the Los Angeles operated-employees, union repre­ tion Company bus, modern Burling­ reservations center performed their sentatives and management-in an ton Northern freight cars, plus an duties under some extremely difficult Amtrak team effort to provide unin­ old-fashioned Northern Pacific circumstances in late June when terrupted service to the public under triple-combine car, a two-man rail in­ power supplying the building's air some very adverse conditions. They spection car and a vintage two-man conditioning system failed from sure did a great job." hand-pumped track car. noon, Wednesday, June 25, to 9 p.m., Friday, June 28. AMTRAK NEWS May Safety Figures The office remained open, despite Published once a month for em­ outside temperatures that hovered in ployees of the National Railroad Philadelphia led the nine divisions the mid-90s and inside temperatures Passenger Corporation and those in standings of the president's safety well above 100, because of the deter­ of participating railroads engaged contest for the month of May with a mination of the employees who work in rail passenger service. 3.4 safety ratio. there. STAFF In the shops category, Wilmington As they answered telephones, em­ Editor was way out in front of the other ployees were provided free cold Ed Wojtas three locations with a 5.7 ratio. drinks, ice cream, coffee, tea, milk, Circulation Ten mechanical facilities went doughnuts and sweet rolls. All were Marguerite Broyhill through the month with no injuries also allowed an extra half hour for 400 N. Capitol St. , NW , thus earning the coveted zero figure. lunch so they could get to an air con­ Washington, D.C. 20001 These were 8th Street in Los Angeles, ditioned restaurant to relax. Minneapolis, Brighton Park, Detroit, Roy Nyquist, manager of the re­ Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas-Fort servations bureau, praised his em­ - Amtra k News is a member o f the Worth, Houston, Niagara Falls and ployees. "We're proud of this office Association of Railroad Editors. MatlfIeri al in Amtrak News is not copyrighted. Philadelphia. and the people who work here. When Readers may use what they wis h with proper at­ For the year to date, St. Louis leads the · chips were down, everyone co- tri bution to Amtra k News.

15 Adirondack To Continue; _' ______I New York, Amtrak Sign Agreement

After lengthy negotiations, Amtrak York to accommodate this change The agreement also calls for the use and the state of New York announced but direct service between New York of Amfleet equipment on the train on Friday, June 20, an agreement City and Montreal will continue. permitting more flexibility in adjust­ that will permit continued operation The cost for the new arrangement ing to passenger demands by addition of the Adirondack. to New York State will not exceed or subtraction of cars from the basic Amtrak had previously announced $574,000. consist. that the jointly-funded service would have to end after August 2 because of TV, Radio Commercial Record Enclosed the state's reluctance to continue fi­ Enclosed with this copy of Amtrak Says Boyd, "With some help from nancing it on a 403(b) basis. The new News is a "floppy" record that the energy crisis, Amtrak is now at­ agreement insures that there would be tracting more support and passengers no break in Adirondack service. features three versions of Amtrak's current jingle used in radio and televi­ than ever before. Under federal law, the train, which sion commercials promoting Amtrak. is outside Amtrak's basic system, can "I want everyone of our em­ The special record contains a brief ployees to be as proud of Amtrak and be operated only if the state agrees to introduction from Amtrak President cover 50 per cent of its operating as excited about its future as I am. I Alan Boyd and three different ver­ want them to be involved. " deficit. New York's share of the 1981 sions of the " America is getting into deficit was projected to be $888,000. training" song; " pop," country and The record is the culmination of an The new agreement took place July western and Spanish. idea by Carole Foryst, vice president, 1 and under the compromise plan, The purpose of the 45 rpm record­ public affairs, with the help and co­ New York will help fund that section ing is to let any Amtrak employees operation of the advertising and sales of the Adirondack's run between who may have missed the theme hear promotion department. Albany and Montreal. As of August it as well as having it be a practical (Amtrak News uses two mailing 3, Amtrak will modify its schedule of souvenir or-Amtrak's 'latest adver­ lists. The record is being mailed only service between Albany and New tising effort. to employees.).

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Passenger Corporation 400 N. Capitol St.. NW Washington. D.C. 2000)