Vol. 4, No. II June 15, 1977 Thousands Crowd Stations ______-----, I To See Pioneer Inaugural Run Despite temperatures in the mid- tion of the route already has passen­ support a revival of railroad passen­ 90s, thousands of persons thronged ger train service. ger service because energy-short to Amtrak stations to watch the Riding aboard the special train America needs such mass transit." Pioneer, the new Seattle-Salt Lake were members of the press and state He also predicted, "There is des- City train, roll into their cities on its and local political and transportation inaugural run . officials. The press-public preview train trip Prominent among the political took three days, June 4-6, to permit figures were Senator Frank Church persons at all of the train's stops to and Governor John V. Evans, of climb aboard and inspect the new Idaho, who rode from Ontario to Amfleet equipment that has been as­ Pocatello; and Governor Scott M . signed to the run. Matheson, of Utah, who rode from Overnight layovers were made at Brigham City to Salt Lake C ity. All La Grande, Oregon, and Boise, greeted the crowds at the various sta­ Idaho. tion stops. Ceremonial stops were made at Senator Warren Magnuson, of Hood River, The Dalles, Hinkle, Washington, spoke at the official Pendleton, La Grande, Baker and dedication ceremony in Seattle. His Ontario, Oregon; Nampa, Boise, wife, Germaine, smashed the tradi­ Mountain Hom"" Shoshone and tiona! bottle of champagne over the Pocatello, Idaho; and Brigham City, rear car's coupler to officially Ogden and Salt Lake City, Utah. christen the train. No stops were made between Said Magnuson to the Seattle Mrs. Magnuson christens the Pioneer with a Seattle and Portland since that sec- audience, "Congress will continue to bottle oj champagne.

Amtrak President Paul Reistrup addresses the crowd at Boise, Idaho, on the second day oj the inaugural run. tined to be more and more travel on ranged from high school bands at chambers of commerce jointly spon­ the energy efficient trains." Pendleton, Nampa, Pocatello and sored a reception for Amtrak per­ Crowds jammed the station plat­ Brigham City to a three-piece western sonnel working the train. forms all along the route to hear the dance band at Hinkle to the Idaho 01' Also while in La Grande, the train speakers and listen to the band music. Time Fiddlers at Pocatello to a Senior was washed by members of the city's After each ceremony the cars were Citizens' band at Baker to the Union high school wrestling team. Since open for inspection by the public. Pacific Railroad band at Ogden. there were no contractors in the city Inside the cars, visitors viewed the Spirit along the route was one of that could do the job, the washing comfortable Amcoach seats, the food greeting a long lost friend. The route "contract" was offered the students. service center and samples of Amtrak lost its passenger trains, the Portland They accepted and did the job with meals. Rose and the City of Portland, in brushes and buckets. The money they Largest crowds were at Boise where May 1971. The route had not been earned will be spent on summer 3,500 persons walked through the one of the many chosen by the Secre­ camp. cars and at Pendleton where 3,000 tary of Transportation and the Am­ The inaugural train was picketed at came out to see the train. trak incorporators for passenger serv­ several stops by Greyhound per­ ice and hence lost its trains when Am­ sonnel. One of the pickets at Boise At a few locations crowds were so trak went into operation. large the train was delayed in leaving told a reporter that "We object to the The Pioneer, which began regular the city. Time, however, was made up federal subsidy to this train." service in both directions on June 7, is in each case and the train arrived "on Senator Church took note of that equipped with Amcoaches and an time" at each point. and told the crowd at one point, "I Amdinette. The special inaugural have nothing against the bus com­ Major spokesman for Amtrak at train consisted of two F40PH loco­ panies, but I don't think this train is ceremonies between Seattle and motives, two Amdinettes and four going to hurt them at all. Nampa was Harold Graham, vice Amcoaches. "But, when they complain about president for service planning. At Amtrak President Reistrup re­ the subsidy to Amtrak, they overlook Nampa, Amtrak President Paul vealed on the inaugural trip that a the fact that the biggest subsidy we Reistrup boarded the train and took sleeping car will be assigned to the payout today is the one the public over the official host duties. train later this year when cars - con­ puts in highways that the buses use Also riding aboard were Mrs. Mary verted from steam to electrical heat and the trucks use . Head, vice chairman of Amtrak's and thus compatible with Amfleet - "Let's not forget that!" Board of Directors, and Joe become available. The crowd responded with loud MacDonald, Board member. While the train overnighted at La applause. Music at the various stations Grande, the Baker and La Grande Church continued, "I believe we'll find that this rail transportation sup­ plements the buses, supplements the airplanes and brings Idaho back where we're part of the country again, served by a national rail pas­ senger system as the people of other states have been served." Did he personally like the train ride? Church told the crowds at every stop, "It's a modern, wonderful, comfortable train. It runs in all kinds of weather, in sunshine and in fog. It's a good ride for the price." He also noted, "I'd almost for­ gotten how nice it is to see the landscape, to see the communities, to have contact with the country you're riding through." On-board crew working the inaugural special included, left to right, Gary Erford, on-board At Nampa, before some 2,000 on­ inspector, San Francisco; Jim Wong, attendant; Willie Jenkins, employee in charge; Starla lookers, Governor Evans said, "It's a Berentsen, attendant; Donald Bryan, employee in charge; Charles Larrabee, attendant; Joe Broussard, regional instructor, Western region; and Jim Burton, manager, on-board services, great pleasure for me to welcome Seattle. Amtrak to Idaho.

2 He als~ suggested that Amtrak con­ in all United States cities, is squar, ly More sider, sometime in the future, a Salt up to the rail travelers. If enough I naugural Pictures Lake City-Los Angeles train. patronize the train, it will continue." Whether or not the train does be­ The Idaho State Journal, of Poca­ On Pages 4-5 come a permanent part of Amtrak's tello, told its readers, "We now have system depends on how well the peo­ assurance of at least two years of Am­ "As the train begins service, I want ple support it. The train is designated trak service. We hope it will be much to remind each Idahoan that it de­ as a two-year experimental route. At longe r than that." pends on his or her support. The need the end of that time, it will be I f the crowds that greeted the train' for passenger service for some of our examined and a decision made as to are an accurate indicator, its future areas is critical. whether it does or does not meet the bodes well. Said Rei strup at the end "For many, this train can and will route criteria standards. of the tou r, " It's the best inaugural tie the state of Idaho together and Editorials in papers along the route run I've seen." bring together friends and family. pointed this out to their readers. Trai n commander for the run was But for it to succeed, it must have Said .the Boi se Statesman, "Am­ Bruce Heard, manager, on board your support and patronage. I urge trak has accommodated Idaho. Now service. The on-board service crew all Idahoans to get into the habit of it's time for Idahoans to show it was consisted of Donald F. Bryan and riding the train again and to use it worth the trouble. The next trip, con­ Willie Jenkins, employees in charge; frequently in their travels." sider the train." and Starla Berentsen, James Wong Governor Matheson said he hoped Wrote the Ogden Standard and Charles Larrabee, on-board serv­ the new route would become a per­ Examiner, "The future of railroad ice attendants. All five are based in manent part of the Amtrak system. passenger service through Ogden, as Seattle. Convert Sleepers To Operate With Amfleet Cars At its May 26th meeting, Amtrak's ventional sleepers along with the Am­ program will be from a series of Board of Directors approved a $2.75 fleet on these trains so the trains have Budd-built stainless steel cars. Two million program to convert 25 con­ been operating, in the interim, cars had been converted earlier to test ventional sleeping cars to make them without sleeping cars. The new con­ the feasibility of such a project. compatible with the all-electric verted sleeping cars will alleviate the The entire fleet of 25 cars should be Amfleet cars. problem. available for use on the trains by the Work will consist of removing the Cars chosen for the conversion end of the year. steam heating system, the axle-driven generators and associated equipment and replace them with an all-electric Frayer Top April Salesman heat and air-conditioning system. The cars will be used on three trains Fred R. Frayer, senior sales repre­ Rockies" promotion, following his already operating with Amfleet sentative, Cleveland, has been appearance as featured speaker at the equipment; the Washington-Boston honored as Amtrak's "Salesman of club's travel show, and Night Owl, the Washington-Chicago theMonth" for April. • Selling the Alcorn State Alumni James Whitcomb Riley, and the In addition to handling over Club on a tour to New York in June Chicago-New Orleans Panama $25,000 in group business from ten for a total revenue of$I ,7 1O. Limited, plus the Washington­ travel agencies, Frayer's accom­ Frayer joined the Amtrak sales Montreal Montrealer, which is plishments include: force in February 1976 after working sc heduled to be Amfleeted sometime • Appearing as featured speaker at for 10 years as vice president of Way­ in the future. the Ohio Association of Railroad farer Group Travel, of Cincinnati, The Night Owl has been using Passengers' annual meeting in where he organized rail tour pro­ Amfleet cars for sometime now but Columbus. grams on a nationwide basis and carrying a steam generator car to • Arranging for station WTOL­ helped establish Wayfarer as a power the one sleeping car in its con­ TV in Toledo to ride and film the dominant force in group rail travel. sist. The Riley and Panama have been Lake Shore Limited in preparation Prior to that, he was district sales equipped with Amfleet cars since last for a 30 minute show titled "All manager for the Northern Pacific winter's damage had "bad ordered" About Amtrak," railroad in New York City. He also so many of Amtrak's conventional • Attracting eight additional on­ taught a rail course for New York's cars. There were not enough steam the-spot enrollments in the Tiffin ASTA School for several years. generator cars available to use con- Auto Club's "Springtime in the

3 Pioneer Inaugural Run Brings Out The People

Shoshone townspeople walk through the Amdinelle.

Peach Tetz, station supervisor, Seallle, helps people board at Hood River.

At Shoshone, speakers include, left to right, Governor Evans, Mrs. Church, Amtrak President Reistrup, Senator Church, Amtrak Board Member Joseph MacDonald, and Board Vice Chairman Mary Head.

4 Bruce Heard, train commander, and Lou Maxberry, regional director, national operations, San Francisco, view crowds at The Dalles.

Large crowds, such as at Nampa, greeted the train at all stops.

The "01' Time Fiddlers" entertain at Pocatel/o.

One oj the "Jolly Senioretles," oj Baker, toots her hornjor the Pioneer.

IN uatJRAL TRAIN

Senator Magnuson speaks at Seatlle.

Viewing the train was the most popular activity at Ontario on Inaugural day.

5 On-board Service Department Reorganized, __------, I Future Plans Outlined Amtrak's on-board service depart­ provements. The job of the head­ coming in the near future. They will ment has undergone a major change quarters staff will be to coordinate be much more attractive and profes­ in management, concept and ap­ the improvement ; for standardiza­ sional looking than the old ones. proach to employees in the field. Its tion, quality control, variety, all with Stewards are already being fitted for new director, H. Rex Holland, hopes a view to catering to regional tastes their uniforms which are being the new organization will quickly and preferences." phased in at the present time. boost morale and bring long-needed Holland is fully aware that many Sub-standard hotel accommoda­ changes in an area where passengers employees feel ignored or misunder­ tions used by crews away from home deal with Amtrak employees on a stood by headquarters management. will be changed. All accommodations one-to-one basis. "My first determined effort," he will also be inspected regularly to in­ Holland's philosophy is simple. He points out, "is going to be to put that sure that they meet standards that says, "The headquarters staff, in feeling to rest, once and for all. Bad crew members have a right to expect. actual fact, will be working for the morale means bad working condi­ Food on the new equipment will be field organization. It will rely on tions. We're going to deal with improved so attendants can have direct communication with field specific problems and solve them one pride in the level of food service they managers and employees and use by one." provide. their input to improve the facilities Along with changes in manage­ Menus will become more "re­ and working conditions on board our ment, which were designed to support gionalized" beginning this winter. trains. " more effectively the on-board service Those will be developed from a series Holland is realistic. "There is no employees, are coming other changes of regional meetings that are aimed at way that a headquarters group, what­ that will directly address some em­ providing food items that most please ever size it may become, can remain ployee grievances of the past. the passengers. fully abreast of all the individuals and The new bi-level equipment, going Service attendants will receive new, operating details throughout every re­ into service this year, will pleasantly and more clear and concise, service gion in the country. So my staff will surprise employees usgd to working manuals defining the duties and re­ be working closely with the regions to on the older equipment. High quality sponsibilities for each craft. develop solutions to our problems. of the new cars will make working Other changes? There will be an in­ We want to be visible, we want in­ conditions much more pleasant. One creased emphasis on promotion from teraction with the field, and we want example? The bi-levels are designed within the ranks. Plans are also the people out there to believe us so service attendants will sleep right underway to decide where new com­ when we say we care what they think in the bi-level sleepers, rather than in missaries might be built or opened to and what their problems are. dormitory cars. eliminate one of the greatest com­ "Regions will now plan their own New uniforms, designed with direct plaints, namely improper or late menus and work with us on all im- input from the people in the field, are stocking and missing items. The success of assigning two full­ time service supervisors to the Mon­ /realer will be expanded and si milar Hilltopper Begins Service supervisors will be assigned to other Amtrak's new Hilltopper, linking A ticket agent will be on duty in trains in the Eastern region. Em­ Washington with Richmond, Peters­ Norfolk from 10: 15 a.m. to 7: 15 p.m. ployees working aboard those trains burg, Roanoke, southern West Vir­ for a 30-day trial period to determine will have a person to whom they can ginIa and Tri-State Station in the volume of ticket sales generated. go when problems occur. Catlettsburg, Kentucky, began serv­ The station in Suffolk will not be "We want the people out in the ice on June 1. staffed but passengers riding the bus field to understand that we mean A connecting bus service is avail­ will be ticketed in Petersburg. business," Holland says. "The job able between Amtrak stations in Nor­ Amtrak has doubled the number of they perform is absolutely critical to folk and Suffolk, Virginia, and trains - from six to 12 - in the Amtrak's success and the problems Petersburg, to permit Tidewater resi­ Washington-Richmond corridor in they have are very real. We mean to dents, formerly served by the the last year through the addition of ensure that they have the best train­ Mountaineer, to connect with the the Hill/opper, the New York-New­ ing, the best equipment and the full Hill/opper for travel to both western port News Colonial and the New support of my staff to do a damn and northern points. York-Savannah Palmetto. good job."

6 On-board Managers Named Free Kiddy Rides In the reorganization of the on­ commissary and coordinated caterer Children between two and I I years board service department, five mana­ operations. of age will be able to ride an Amtrak gers, four of them new, will report to Ernie Tosi, as acting manager of train free, from selected cities Holland. They are: food and beverage planning, will de­ between June I and November 30, if velop food, beverage and equipment an adult accompanies them. Bruce Heard, as manager, on­ standards. He will work with field The free kiddy ride is an experi­ board service, will establish levels of personnel to develop the new "re­ ment to help acquaint families with service standards and provide the gionalized" menus, new recipes and Amtrak service and will be tested in policies, procedures and manuals for improved products. He will also de­ nine Amtrak markets; Albany­ all on-board activities and personnel. velop specifications for food and Rensselaer, Seattle, Houston, Dallas, Heard will also participate in deter­ beverages as well as determining pric­ Fort Worth, Louisville, Nashville, mining training requirements for new ing levels. Cincinnati and Washington, D.C. employees and will coordinate train­ Lew Jackson, continues as To qualify for the free children's ing schedules on new equipment or manager of crew scheduling. He is tickets, rail travel must originate newly configured service areas to be responsible for all on-board crew ,'rom the selected Amtrak stations but used with the newall-electric fleet. scheduling and planning, developing it can extend to any destination. An Important to field personnel is the crew base standards and future crew official Amtrak "Free Kiddy Ride" fact that he will also provide them requirements, and corporate policies coupon must be presented and an with technical advice and assistance consistent with employee contract adult paying full regular fare must and will follow the service facilities . provisions. accompany each child. John Chambers, as manager, sup­ Austin Noll, as manager of sanita­ The coupons have appeared in ad­ port methods, will continue his for­ tion and quality assurance, will be re­ vertisements in newspapers on May mer responsibilities for commissary sponsible for identifying and elim­ 31 in the participating areas. Each operations, revenue and inventory inating health hazards on trains, con­ coupon is valid for one free kiddy control but will focus more attention ducting sanitation programs, inspect­ ride when accompanied by an adult on the coordination of outside ing on a regular basis a ll Amtra k paying full fare. caterers. Two areas where he will facilities and work environments for Additional children, two to II , concentrate efforts are in proper train safe operations, and reviewing may travel along for the regular half stocking and development of better inspection reports. fare and children under two continue to ride free. The special children's tickets are effective for daily ra il service except during the following holiday periods; July 1-4, September 2-5, October 7- 10, October 21-24, and November 23- 27 .

AMTRAK NEWS Published twice a month for employees of the National Rail­ road Passenger Corporation and those of participating railroads who are engaged in rail passenger service.

NEWS STAFF Ed Wojtas, Editor John Jacobsen Gayle Fedrowitz managers go to the design to find out about bi-Ievels. Director Rex HoI/and, seated, listens to Senior Designer Martha Whitaker explain seat details. Standing, left Material in Amtrak News is not copyrighted, Readers may use what they wish with proper to right, are Lew Jackson, Ernie Tosi, John Chambers and Bruce Heard. attribution to Amtrak News,

7 New Stewards' Uniforrns I Feature Style And Comfort

Dining car steward~ will soon be traditionally-styled vests that have donning bright new" Amtrak Blue" three double-piped pockets sewn into uniforms designed to look and wear each front. The pockets are trimmed better than the old two- piece red suits in matcl':ng bJl'P anc ' '1e vests feature they replace. five logu buttons. The new polyester uniforms will First vests will be of polyester with featur-= blue tailored jackets with satin linings, but future orders will be rounded collars and two silver In oxford cloth, making them Amtrak logo buttons and matching machine washable. flared, cu ffless trousers. The uniforms will be completed Jackets will be worn over white with matching blue neckties and white shirts. Stewards, who will purchase the new uniforms on a 50-50 shared cost Daily To Laredo basis with Amtrak, are now being Beginning June 15, Amtrak's Inter­ fitted. First deliveries are expected American began operating daily all soon. the way from Chicago to Laredo, Conversion to the new stewards Texas, on the Mexican border. uniforms is the first phase of an on­ The formerly tri-weekly train was going program for re-outfitting all changed to a daily one between on-board service personnel in new Chicago and Fort Worth last October uniforms. That will occur later this 31, but had remained as a tri-weekly year to coincide with the introduction Charles SUller, administrator, uniform one between Fort Worth and Laredo. of the new bi-Ievel Superliner cars. proRram, models the new stewards' uniform.

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