Vol. 3, No. 23 December 20, 1976 Milwaukee Named As Top Station, I Salinas, St. Albans Are Runners-up

Amtrak's Milwaukee, Wisconsin, stations this year. The race was very major capital improvements at a cost passenger station has been chosen close and picking one of the three of over $2.8 million. "Station of the Year" and a large over the other two was a tough deci­ In addition, some $275,000 has plaque depicting the honor was pre­ sion. been spent for new station furnish­ sented to station personnel there by "I hope the three will serve as ings and equipment. David A. Watts, Jr., Amtrak's vice models for the rest of our station Approved and presently in the pro­ president and general manager, facilities and motivate them to fight cess of being completed are several national operations, in ceremonies for the honor next year." other major capital improvements held in the station waiting room on Amtrak has over 480 passenger sta­ amounting to more than $5.7 million. Friday, December 10. tions throughout its system. Amtrak's Milwaukee station Runners up in the contest, which During 1976, Amtrak has up­ operates with a force of 22 em­ will be an annual affair, were stations graded a total of 110 stations, with ployees, plus two managers. It is open at Salinas, California, and St. Al­ (Left Leroy bans, Vermont. Palmer, left, When the contest was first an­ district super­ nounced, each district superintendent visor, accepts checked stations in his district, picked trophy from Dave one as the best and forwarded his Watts, center. choice to the regional vice president. Looking on are Each vice president then picked one Patty Bretl, shift from the list of candidates and for­ supervisor, and warded his choice to corporate head­ Paul Harris, . quarters. Judges, composed of repre­ director, station sentatives of the marketing, public af­ service. (Below) fairs and national operations depart­ Interior of ments, then visited each of the three Milwaukee station stations to make their final selection. is bright, Stations were rated on appearance I; cheerful, and and attitude of employees, neatness of the facilities, sales increases and accuracy of information distributed to the traveling public. Cleanliness of the facilities was of major importance with inspectors checking floors, restrooms, windows, water fountains, indoor and outdoor lighting, landscaping, signage and availability of luggage and baggage carts. Said Watts, "Since the station is, in a sense, Amtrak's living room where we receive our visitors, we want it to be a friendly, attractive and informa­ tive place. "Milwaukee, Salinas and St. Albans have proven to be the top from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., daily, ex­ cept for Sundays when it is kept open Amtrak Employees In Milwaukee until 12:30 a.m. to accommodate a late train. Amtrak employees at Mil­ baggageman; John Thomas, All service to Milwaukee, at waukee who earned the "Station Michael Warren and Jim Kroll, present, consists of Turboliners, ex­ of the Year" award include: baggagemen; Arthur Miller, cept for the North Coast Hiawatha Clair C. Daley and Howard G. Leonard Wachniak and Aaron and Empire Builder, which pass Holz, lead ticket clerks; Harold Lirette, baggage men and gate­ through the city enroute between Heil, Joe M. McDonald, Ruth C. men; and Jim Dauner, Earl Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul. Zirwes, Leonard A. Artz, Wil­ Kubitz and Dennis Dollarhide, The Milwaukee facility is one of liam F. Becker, William H. red caps. the last railroad passenger stations Sielehr, Terry A. Ladwig, Casey Also, Leroy Palmer, district built in this country by the private R. Ratkowski, Robert C. Huck supervisor, North Central dis­ railroads. Ground was first broken and David A. Schwartz, ticket trict, and Patty Bretl, shift super­ for the station in August 1964 by the clerks. visor. Milwaukee Road. And James J. Suputo, lead The completed three-story station, styled in what might be termed When it opened the new Milwaukee offices. "modern renaissance" and accented station was the first new passenger When first opened, the new station by a 92-foot-high bell tower, was facility on the Milwaukee Road in 35 served only trains of the Milwaukee dedicated on August 4, 1965. years and the country's newest rail­ Road. Later, trains of the Chicago The old Milwaukee Road station, road station. and North Western Railway ran into built in 1886, was located about two All of Amtrak's offices are located the facility. Both lines operated trains blocks to the north and was doomed on the first floor, including a joint into the station until April 30, 1971, by a downtown redevelopment pro­ sales and service office, ticket office, the day before Amtrak took over ject 'that needed the land for an ex­ and baggage room and office. The operation of the nation's intercity pressway. upper floors house Milwaukee Road trains. ------The Runners-up ------(Left) Salinas employees include, left to right, Jack Still, lead ticket clerk, and Ken Burns and Kevin Franklin, ticket clerks.

(Right) St. Albans' staff includes, left to right, Tom Walsh, George Surprise and Norm Jette, ticket clerks.

2 They Helped Milwaukee Win

Patty Bretl, ShijfSupervisor Terry Ladwig, Ticket Clerk \ Clair Daley, Lead Ticket Clerk

Ruth Zirwes, Ticket Clerk

Jim Kroll, RedCap

Leonard Wachniak, Gateman

Jim Suputo, Lead Baggageman Pan Am, Braniff Airlines ______------, I To Sell U.S.A. Rail Pass

Pan American World Airways, Braniff International and Amtrak have reached agreements whereby the two airlines will sell Amtrak's U .S.A. Rail Passes through most of their international sales offices. The Pan Am announcement was made in New York City at a press conference hosted by Al Michaud, Amtrak's vice president-marketing, and Dan A. Colussy, Pan Am's senior vice president for marketing and services. The Braniff agreement was made a few days later and announced by Michaud and Charles S. South, senior vice president, Braniff. Both agreements go into effect on January 15 . Al Michaud, left, and Dan Colussy announce ticketing agreement. Michaud noted that Amtrak's U .S.A.Rail Pass offers unlimited travel on trains serving more than 480 novel and inexpensive way to include to advertise its new service. This will cities and towns in the United States more cities on their trip to America." include a "Visit U .S.A.Rail kit," plus some Canadian gateway eities-,- It Both Pan Am -ana- Braniff vice --with travel tips and other useful in- - has been increasingly popular with presidents added that the agreements formation in various foreign lan­ visitors from abroad, just as the signed by the companies would help guages. Eurail pass has proven to be a winner promote travel to the United States Amtrak personnel who worked up with Americans going to Europe. and was a further step towards the new programs included William Colussy pointed out that the agree­ further cooperation that would Smith, manager-sales planning, ment has been set up on a world-wide benefit travelers and tourism. agency and tours; assisted by Mike basis, except for Pan Am offices in Discussions on the arrangements Harding, manager-special projects, the Americas and certain countries began two months ago. Said and Dieter von Schramm, chief of overseas , among them Japan, Michaud, "We really worked hard to international sales. Australia and New Zealand. In get the program going in such a short countries where the agreement is in a time." Daily Hiawatha effect, Pan Am-accredited travel Pan Am's Colussy said, "Pan Am, To better accommodate holiday agents will also sell the U .S.A.Rail for one, is dedicated to doing things travelers, Amtrak's North Coast Pass. that make a profit and we think this Hiawatha will operate daily between Braniff will sell the U .S.A.Rail program will add to our bottom line. Chicago and Seattle from December Pass in its offices in Central and "There's a lot of grass roots in­ 15 to January 5. South America. Michaud noted that terest in rail travel in the foreign Amtrak's other Chicago-Seattle Braniff is in the unique position to countries. " train, the Empire Builder, will con­ work with Amtrak since it not only An overseas traveler will now be tinue to operate daily and both trains serves a vast area of Central and able to go to a Pan Am or Braniff will operate with extra passenger cars. South America, but has an extensive overseas office, purchase his air Starting January 6, the Hiawatha network of routes to key cities in the tickets to and from the United States will revert to its three-days-a-week United States that feed into the plus a U.S.A.Rail Pass for travel operation, leaving Chicago on 26 ,OOO-mile Amtrak system. within the United States, all at the Monday, Wednesday and Saturday Braniff's South said, "Braniff will same time. and Seattle on Monday, Wednesday now be able to expand its services and Amtrak will provide Braniff and and Friday. The Empire Builder will offer South American air travelers a Pan Am with promotional materials continue its daily operation.

4 headquarters. Membership also allows members a Keeping Track of Amtrak ten per cent discount at over 400 Howard Johnson motor lodges, dis­ Dick Coo k Dies working conditions for approxi­ counts at other hotels, special Richard "Dick" Cook, Amtrak's mately 2,500 carmen craft employees package tours, special rates for car general manager of sales planning, throughout Amtrak's system and is rentals and reduced admissions at died on November 13 during heart the end result of over two years of in­ Florida's Cypress Gardens. surgery. tense negotiations. It is a "full schedule agreement" He had worked for Amtrak since Railroad Retirement Rises which supercedes the interim agree­ 1971, first as district sales manager in Payroll deductions for Railroad ment that had been in effect. It also New York, later as Eastern regional Retirement will be going up for a allows for employees in the craft to sales manager. He was assigned to majority of Amtrak employees be­ choose to transfer voluntarily from Washington about a year ago . ginning January 1. one work location to another Born in Milwaukee, he attended Although the rate of deduction throughout the nation-wide system . Purdue University and then operated (5 .85 per cent) remain s the same, the Provisions for training programs a travel agency in Milwaukee from base toward which it applies will be were included in the contract, which 1950 to 1963 . In 1969, Cook became raised from $1,275 per month to was ratified by the membership. director of special services for the $1,375 per month. American Society of Travel Agents, Check Your Expiration Date Employees making less than that in New York, and also was a con­ amount per month will not be af­ Amtrak employees are reminded tributing editor to ASTA Travel fected . that many who are members of the News. Employees who do make the maxi­ Magic Kingdom Club, which pro­ He is survived by his wife, Jeanne; mum amount of salary will have their vides discount admissions and attrac­ monthly deduction raised from a son, Steven; and a daughter, tions tickets to both Disneyland and Suzanne. $74.59 a month to $80.44. Walt Disney World, will have the;r Railroad Retirement taxes are paid membership cards expire at the end of Carmen's Agreement Signed by both employees and Amtrak. Each the year. employee pays 5.85 per cent monthly, On December 6, Amtrak and the The free membership can be while Amtrak pays 15 .35 per cent into J oint Council of Carmen, Helpers, renewed by contacting Missie the fund . Coach Cleaners and Apprentices Truban, c/ o Personnel Department, signed a major rules agreement which Amtrak, 955 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Western Ridership Gains becomes effective next February 1. Washington, D.C. 20024. Remarkable gains have been made The agreement governs rates of Missie can also be reached on ex­ this fall on three West Coast ·routes· pay, hours worked, rules and tension 3548 at Amtrak's Washington where new Amfleet equipment has re­ placed older conventional coaches. Ridership for September 1976, compared to the same month last year, was up 72 per cent on the Seattle-Portland route; up 69 per cent on the Seattle-Vancouver run; and up 64 per cent on the Los Angeles-San Diego route. Rail Fares Increase Many eastern intercity rail fares are being raised beginning December 15 , and most fares in the West will be higher as of February 1. Fares on Amtrak's Metroliners, however, are not being changed, and Signing the carmen's agreement are, left to right, A I Terriego, chairman of most end-jX>int city pair tariffs are re­ the joint council; A .R. "Bob" Lowry, Amtrak's vice president, labor maining the same. relations; and William Crawford, vice president of the carmen's organization The fare increases, necessitated by and vice chairman of the joint council. continuing inflation, will average

5 three and a half per cent in the East stitching and red 100 per cent wool began operating as separate trains on and three per cent in the West. Ac­ zip-in lining. The 65 per cent polyest­ separate routes as of December 15. commodation charges for parlor and er, 35 per cent cotton coat is in A-line The move adds about 30 per cent sleeping car space are also being in­ style, double-breasted with Amtrak more capacity to the New York­ creased on those dates, generally by buttons, a detachable belt and large Florida passenger service. the same percentage as the rail fares. pockets. The Champion has been rerouted The new fare hikes cover only The··· raincoat comes in even sizes over the inland route through the about three-fourths of the rate of in­ only, from 4 to 18 inclusive. No Carolinas, adding a second daily train flation as measured by the consumer special fittings are available. Normal on that line, which was already being price index. cost of the coat is $59.75, but Amtrak served by the Silver Star. Amtrak's last fare increase was five employees pay only one-half, or The Palmetto, Amtrak's daylight per cent in coaches as of June 15, $29.88. Amfleet train, supplements the Silver 1976. The last increase in accom­ Female employees in the Central Meteor between New York and modation charges was in April 1974. and Western regions may contact Savannah, via Charleston, South their regional office for information Carolina, giving both routes two Amtrak Raincoat Available on purchasing the coat. Eastern re­ trains each. An all-weather uniform raincoat is gion personnel should contact Charlie now available for Amtrak's female Sutter, administrator of Amtrak's Bi-Ievel Contest Status service attendants, certain ticket per­ uniform program at corporate head­ Entries in the recent bi-level sonnel and certain supervisors. quarters, extension 2828 or 2829. naming contest are still being judged Criteria for eligibility are that the and checked for copyright clear­ employee must deal - with the Mexican Connection ances. public as part of her regularly Amtrak passengers making their As soon as the final winners are assign~d duties and must also be re- way to Laredo for connections to in- chosen, they will be reported in quired to work out of doors. terior Mexico will now have 15 min- Amtrak News. Male employees had such a rain- utes less time for the transfer to the coat available to them previously. Aztec Eagle as a result of a schedule Jensen Survey Update The coat is navy blue with red top change by the National Railways of .~~:iII~,;~=~.. :;a_J t'k;1(lCO . Between the time the employee The change which went into eff~ - survey results were Trrst received 6Y on November' 29, has the Eagle de- Amtrak and the results printed in parting Nuevo Laredo at 6:55 p.m. Amtrak News and the present, Am- instead of 7: 10 p.m. Amtrak's Inter- trak management has taken several A merican arrives in Laredo at 6: 15 steps to implement the information p. m. gathered .from the questionnaire int? Amtrak had recently bettered its constructive programs for the benefIt schedules to provide a more conveni- of employees. ent connection at Laredo-Nuevo Input from the survey has been Laredo for its southbound passen- used, for example, in creating a train­ gers. ing program for on-board service The Aztec Eagle is now also re­ personnel. Employee input has also routed to serve two tourist centers, been integrated into the design of the San Miguel de Allende and Quere­ new bi-Ievel cars being built by Pull­ man Standard. taro, at mid-day in both directions. One of the more significant ac­ Florida Winter Trains complishments has been the creation of a committee to study the survey re­ Amtrak has expanded its New sults and make recommendations on York-Florida service, effective De­ how each department can make im­ cember 15, to offer improved sched­ provements in its own employee re­ ules and more space to winter vaca­ lations. tioners. It also added service on the A good cross section of Amtrak de­ line through Raleigh, North Caro­ partments is represented on the com­ lina, and Columbia, South Carolina. mittee. As further developments occur The Silver Meteor and the Cham- as a result of committee action, Linda Kroner, senior secretary, pion, which had been operating as a Amtrak News will report on them. national operations, models raincoat. combined train since last spring,

6 responsible for aiding in the establish­ ment of operating and capital budgets Amtrak Appoints for the fiscal year, and monitoring, controlling and reporting of such Christopher P. Wah mann as As­ administration of budgets and expen­ budgets. He will also be responsible sistant Vice President, Operating ditures, performance evaluations for special cost studies such as as­ Staff, National Operations. Wah­ and labor appeals. He will also co­ sumptions or operational changes. mann reports to David Watts, vice ordinate with headquarters on most Wood joined Amtrak in 1975 as a president and general manager, na­ non-operational activity. contract administrator, and was pro­ tional operations, and will be respon­ Thornton joined Amtrak in 1972 as moted to senior analyst, budget & sible for providing basic programs an accountant after seven years with cost administration. Wood's ex­ and procedures necessary for the day­ Allegheny Airlines. His position prior perience in his pre-Amtrak days in­ to-day operation of Amtrak trains to this new appointment was mana­ cludes various positions in the ac­ and services. ger, railroad budget and cost admin­ counting, marketing and personnel Wahmann joined Amtrak in 1971 istration. fields with several private companies as assistant general superintendent­ over a IS-year period. David M. Zurowski as Manager, operations standards and has, since Railroad Budget & Cost Adminis­ Joyce Greene as Advertising then, served as superintendent­ tration, National Operations. Zurow­ Specialist Vertical Marketing, operations standards, superinten­ ski reports to James Ramey, director, Marketing department. Greene re­ dent-train operations and director, budget & cost administration, na­ ports to Joe Falsetti, director, train operations. Before joining Am­ tional operations, and will be re­ marketing services, and will be re­ trak Wah mann spent three years with sponsible for the budget and costs of sponsible for advertising efforts for the Penn Central and three years be­ the railroads, including preparation package express, government/mili­ fore that with the Southeastern Penn­ of budget change requests which per­ tary, travel trade and tours advertis­ sylvania Transportation Authority mit Amtrak to assume new functions ing. She will also act as liaison coor­ (SEPTA). from the railroads. He will also be in­ dinator between sales promotion and James E. Ramey as Director, Bud­ volved in project costing for new merchandising and the areas listed get & Cost Administration, National train service or changes in functions. above. Operations. Ramey reports to Jim Since joining Amtrak in 1971 as a Greene joined Amtrak in 1972 with Larson, assistant vice president, ad­ financial analyst, Zurowski has the accounting department as a pay­ ministrative staff, and will be re­ served as budget analyst and budget roll clerk and transferred the follow­ sponsible for all financial and ad­ and cost administrator. Prior to join­ ing year to the marketing department ministrative aspects of national ing Amtrak, he was assistant general as a timetable analyst. She was pro­ operations. manager for Illinois Tool Works. moted to advertising assistant in' Ramey joined Amtrak in 1971 as a 1973, and last year was promoted to James L. Cira as District Superin­ senior contract auditor and was sub­ advertising specialist handling news­ tendent, Southwest district, Western sequently promoted to manager, paper, radio and yellow page adver­ region. Cira reports to Neal Owen, general accounting, manager contract tising. vice president, Western region, and administration and regional director, administration, Central region. will be responsible for all facets of Amtrak's operations in the Southwest William H. Thornton as Regional district, including on-board services, AMTRAK NEWS Director, Administration, Central re­ train operations and maintenance. Published twice a month for gion. Thornton reports to C. James Cira joined Amtrak in 1973 as employees of the National Rail­ Taylor, regional vice president, and transportation supervisor in Seattle, road Passenger Corporation and will be responsible for all administra­ and subsequently became district those of participating railroads tive and financial work involving superintendant, North-west district. who are engaged in rail passenger national operations in the Central Before joining Amtrak, Cira spent six service. region, including the preparation and years with Penn Central in both the maintenance of way and transporta­ NEWS STAFF Because of the Christmas-New tion departments. Ed Wojtas, Editor Years holiday period, Amtrak John Jacobsen News will not publish a January I F. Jack Wood as Manager, Budget Gayle Fedrowitz issue. The next issue will be dated and Cost Administration, Western region. Wood reports to William January 15. Material in Amtrak News is not copyriahted. Happy Holidays! Godfrey, regional director, adminis­ Readers may use what they wish with proper tration, Western region, and will be attribution to Amtrak News.

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