Vol. 6, No. 12 November 1979 Superliners Go Into Service.______-----, I On Empire Builder Route Amtrak's Superliners went into ser­ vice on the Empire Builder with in­ augural trips from Chicago to Seattle on October 28 and from Seattle to Chicago on October 29. The Empire Builder is the first Am­ trak Irain to feature full Superliner service. The first Empire Builder with Su­ perliners left Chicago's Un ion Station at II :30 a.m., on Sunday, October 28. On the same day, a special Super­ liner display was held at King Street station in Seattle from 2 to 5 p.m. The Superliner-equipped Empire Builder rolls OUf of Chicago heading for ~Qflle. with the public invi ted to tour the new train. The followi ng day, the first between SI. Cloud, Minnesota, and tion from beginning toend. eastbound Builder left Seatlle with Seattle. The second-two coaches , a Nearly 2,000 persons visited the the Superli ners as a standard feature. diner and a sleeper-left Chicago on train at SI. Cloud. Thirteen bus loads Special inaugural celebrations were October 13, ma king all stops to Min­ of children, plus 1,200 adults, came held on the trains during the first neapolis. to see the cars at Staples, Minnesota, week of operation. Champagne was The trains were staffed by person­ and another 1,200 persons showed up offered to adult passengers during nel from the training, mechanical, a t Delroit Lakes, Minnesota, despite this period and bullons and other marketing, security. on-board ser­ 45 degree temperatures and steady souvenirs were distributed . vices and public affairs departments. rain. Several local and state dignitaries The tour was labeled a "hit" at­ Large crowds were the ru le at vi r­ boarded to ride portions of the route. tracting much press and media al1en- tually every stop. The inaugural runs were the climax of a lengthy public display-training Conference Approves Amtrak Funds trip the Superliners made all the way from Chicago to Seattle earlier in the The House and Senate Appropria­ • $211 million for capital COS tS and month. The cars followed the entire tions Conference Committ ee met on labor protecti on. This is $12 million route of the Empire Builder making Thursday, No vember 8, and ap­ short of the a uthorized level for capi­ display stops at each city that is proved a total of $873.4 million for tal funds and $10 million short for served by the train. The public and Amtrak for fi sca l year 1980. labor protection. press were invited to inspect the new Repon language stated the confer­ • $20 milli on for 403(b) state ser­ cars prior to placement inlo service. ees agreed that Amtrak should have vices, JU St under the $23.8 million au­ AI crew change poinls, Burlington the flexibility to enter into a cO nlract thorized. Nonhern personnel who will operate for purchase of up to 200 low level • $12 million for a Northeast Cor­ the new cars were given training in cars with the understanding that the ridor purchase payment . their maintenance. total order would not exceed $228 The bill was passed by the House In actuality there were tWO train­ million. on Thursday, November 15; the ing-display trains. The funding included: Senate on Monday. November 19. The first-three coaches. a diner • $630.4 million for operations. The bill was then sent to the White and two Amtech training cars-left This is $500,000 less than authorized. House for the President's signature. Chicago on October 2 making StOPS Desert Wind Inaugural Draws Crowds ____ ~ I As New Train Goes Into Service

The Desert Wind, Amlfak's new rear, pulled out of the station carry­ Angeles metropolitan area. Los Angeles-Las Vegas-Salt Lake ing some 250 federal, state, county Sam Boyd (no relation to President City-Ogden train, was inaugurated and city officials, business and media Boyd), a casino operator said, "This with a special two-day run from Los representatives. and Amtrak and rail­ will bring people back to Las Vegas. I Angeles to Ogden to introduce the road personnel. suppOrt it fu ll y. It IS feasible service to communities along the Included among those riders was a economicall y and makes a lot of route. group of Las Vegas civic and business sense. I personally intend to promote The gala fe stivities began in Los leaders who new to Los Angeles travel on it in my casinos." Angeles' Union Station at 9a.m., fri­ earlier that morning j ust to ride the Mike Shapiro, vice president, day, October 26. Major speakers at inaugural. Union Plaza hotel, where Amtrak's the send-ofr were Amtrak President The train made stops at Pasadena, station is located, said, " I think this Alan Boyd and Adriana Gianturco, Pomono, San Bernardino and Bars­ will prove to be a bonanza for Las direclOr, California Department of tow en route to Las Vegas. At each Vegas. I think this train will be run­ Transportation. George Falcon. stop. two of the AmOeet cars - an ning full within two weeks with peo­ president, Citizens for Rail Califor­ Amcoach and an Amdinette - were ple coming here from the Southern nia, presented a Gold Spike plaque to open for public inspection. On-board California area," Nevada Senator Howard Cannon services attendants greeted visitors Greeting the train on arrival in Las which Boyd accepted for the Senator. and explained the cars' various Vegas was the Mickey Finn dixieland Boyd told the crowd he thought features. Amfleet equipment wi ll be band and Santa Claus, complete with Amtrak's future was bright. Said he, used on the train until Superliners are red suit and long wh ite beard. "We've had eight years of crises. available. Former Las Vegas Mayor Oran Now we're growing and we're going Greetings were extended at the Gragson echoed what many other to continue to grow." various cities by civic leaders. AI riders had said that day. "The rest After the speeches, Gianturco Barstow, Mayor Bernard Keller gave that passengers get o n this train more smashed a bottle of California cham­ his wholehearted approval to the new than compensates for the 'time ele­ pagne on the rear car's coupler and train. "Sure, I'll ride this train," he ment.' This is about as comfortable a riders climbed aboard for the trip said, "It's something that's been transportation system as you can north. " I'm certainly delighted to see needed here for many years." find. " Gragson now is a director of an expansion of service here instead Largest crowd of the day appeared the city 's Downtown Progress Asso­ of cutbacks," she said. at Las Vegas, where townspeople are ciation. The eight car special train, with an delighted with the new service that After overnighting in Las Vegas, open end observation car gracing the connects thei r town to the Los the Ifain and its passenger guests con­ tinued north to Ogden the next day. Before departing, however, another ceremony was held wh ile the cars were on publ ic display. Incl uded in the morning festiv ities was the Las Vegas High School marching band and the Las Vegas Rhyrhmettes, a precision dance group of high school girls. First stop a fter leavi ng Las Vegas. was Mitford, Utah, where the largest crowd of the two-day trip appeared to hait and inspect the train. Extra time had to be alloted to permit the large group of townspeople to view the equipment. Music was provided by the Milford High School band and official greetings were presented On-board sen'ices ,wrsonnel who .... orked Ihe special inaugurallrain i,/C/uded. lefl ro righI, Bill Mills, Mason Finley. Clarence Stafford. John Lillard. Dixie Trimm. Darrell Bryan, Arthur Mayor Roy Young. Utah State Jones. Sharon Hill. AIi{'e Wong, Joe Broussard and Pally Saunders. Senator Whaddingham also spoke.

2 At Salt Lake City, the train was Congressman McKay; and Maury At Ogden, the Desert Wind con­ greeted by Governor Scott Matheson Moler, of the Ogden Standard-Exam­ nects in both directions 10 the San and Congressman Gunn McKay. iner, who was the sparkplug behind Fran cisco Zephyr for Cheyenne, Den­ Matheson noted that he was wearing the station's recent restoration and ver, Omaha and Chicago. Similar a tuxedo. "That's how much I think creation of a railroad museum connections are available at Salt Lake of this train and its importance to our located in the building. City to and from the tri-weekly Rio state, II he said. The train was named for the condi ­ Grande Zephyr for Grand Junction, Another large crowd greeted the tions that range over most of the dry Glenwood Springs and Denver. train at Ogden. Passengers were es­ sage-covered terrain it traverses on its The U.S. Department of Transpor­ corted to the station's huge waiting 81 I-mile route through th ree states. It tation specified the new route as a room where a band greeted them with operates across the Mohave desert needed operation in its report on spirited music. and through hiSlO ric Cajon Pass. The reslTuclUring the Amtrak system. Incl uded among speakers here were Desert Wind is t he first regularly­ Congress approved this segment in ils Ogden Mayor Steven Dirks; John scheduled train through Las Vegas recent ratification of the Amtrak Kirkwood, of San Francisco's BART; since 1971. budget for fi scal year 1980.

(Riglll) Amlrok Presidell/ Boyd speaks 01 Ille departure cere­ mony in /..OS Angeles. (Below) Collrans Direrlor Adriano Cian­ lurCQ cllriSlens Ihe new Iroin.

(A bow) Wind makf'S it ....a y Ihrough Ihf' rough Ulall tandscape.

(Abolle Le/I)CroM'(is 01 Mil/ord, Utah, j am Ihe plal/orm 10 lIif' w Ihe equipmenl on Ihf' Iroin. (/..1'/1) The welcoming crremony 01 Ogden " 'os hf'ld in Ihf' stolion 's huge " 'oiling room.

M ickf'Y Finn, bederkf'd ....i lh an A mlrak hal . ...,.lcomt'S Ihf' new Irain 10 Las Vf'gas. New Dearborn Station Opens, ______I Serves Detroit's Growing Suburbs

Amtrak's new Dearborn, Michi­ ing will be open daily from 6:45 a.m. for Amtrak serving one of Michigan's gan, station was dedicated with to 11 :59 p.m. most active markets for tourism, speeches and other ceremonies on Speakers at the ceremonies in­ business and shopping. The repre­ Tuesday, October 23. cluded Bob Herman, Amtrak's vice sentatives also emphasized the im­ In use since October 1, the new president, operations; Dearborn portance of a unified transportation $348,000 station is built of brick, con­ Mayor John B. O'Reilley; Lawrence system and noted that the station was crete and steel and has 2,600 square C. Patrick, Sr., commissioner, Michi­ evidence of the state's interests in rail feet of floor space. The station can gan Department of Transportation; transport. accommodate up to 150 persons and and Scott Hercick, acting manager, The station was paid for jointly by has parking spaces for 175 cars. rail passenger operations, Michigan Amtrak and the state of Michigan The station complex includes a DOT. Members of the city council and was built on 2.3 acres of land large waiting room, modern ticketing were introduced to the persons at­ leased from the city of Dearborn. and baggage facilities, ramps for the tending the dedication. Mayor O'Reilly told participants elderly and handicapped, signal and Master of ceremonies for the event how proud he was to have the new communications equipment and a was Jim Barber, manager, state and station and that he was looking for­ large platform. local services for Amtrak. ward to his citizens making good use Located near the Dearborn Civic The state representatives pointed of it. "Amtrak's eight daily stops Center complex, the one-story build- out that Dearborn is a major station here," he said, "offer an attractive alternative to our congested high­ ways. " Dearborn is served by the Twilight Limited, St. Clair, Wolverine and Michigan Executive. Following fhe ceremony, visitors were invited into the station for a short reception that featured sweet rolls, coffee and soft drinks. Travel literature was distributed promoting the Amtrak services available to resi­ dents. Amtrak's new station is located in Dearborn's new station follows the architectural style of Amtrak's standard station design . a potentially good market area. De­ troit's western suburbs have been ex­ panding at a rapid pace and the facili­ ty should attract much new business to the rails. Before a stop was insti­ tuted at Dearborn, residents of the western suburbs had to go all the way to downtown Detroit to board trains. The new facility is also located near the Henry Ford Museum and Green­ field Village, probably Michigan's top tourist draw. The station is built on property originally deeded to the city by the Ford Motor Company. Train service began at Dearborn on Sunday, July 30, 1978, after installa­ tion of a temporary modular station at the site. Work began on the perma­ Passengers waiting for the next train mingle with ceremony participants. nent station shortly after that.

4 Board Approves Locomotive Purchase, ____--, I Electrification Of Conventional Cars

At its October 31 meeting, Am­ management to reserve production sition of the 30 locomotives will bring Irak's board of directors approved line positions insuring that Amtrak Amtrak's total of diesel-electric units spending $30.5 millio n to expand the will have the locomotives as soon as equipped to supply head and power successful program of rebuilding and they are needed to power new or con­ to 193. Amtrak projects a need for modernizing the best of its passenger verted passenger cars going inlo ser­ 235 head end power diesels to convert ca r neel as well as $31.6 million to vice. the entire system, including new buy 30 more diesel-electric locomo­ The new locomoti ves will be four­ trains that are expected to be added in tives equipped with head and electri­ axle, 3,OOO-horsepower units. Acqui- state-supported 403(b) service. cal power. Cars Lake Shore Gets Upgraded Cars The massive rebuilding program in­ Rebuilt, all-electric passenger cars shops at a cost of $8.4 millio n. volves converting cars which were have been phased into service on the A similar conversion of 68 cars for built for the private railroads after Lake Shore Limited. the Broadway Limited is also under­ World War II so that their healing The refurbished cars went into ser­ way at Beech Grove al a cost of S9.8 and air conditioning systems will op­ vice on Monday, October 15, depart­ mill ion. The rebuilt equipment will go erate from the eleclrical generator in ing Chicago for New York and inlo service on the Broadway next the locomotive instead of being de­ BOSlOn. year. pendent on Sleam. The first westbound all-electric Because the converted cars are At the same time, the cars wi ll be trai n left New York and Bosto n o n compatible with Amneet. some Am­ given a heavy mechanical overhaul Tuesday, October 16 . neet cars may be used on the Lake and be completely re furbished . The cars are part of a neet of 59 Shore until the entire rebuilt neet has Work will be done at Beech Grove. which are being converted to head been deli vered. This latest program involves 158 cars, end power at Amtrak's Beech Grove funded over twO fiscal years, and is sc heduled for completion by spring 1981. The total number of cars in­ Handicapped Access Program Begins cludes 72 coaches, 31 sleepers, 16 Amtrak's management has out­ coaches and 36 sleepers-will provide lounges, 10 di ners, five slumber­ lined to the board of direclOrs its space to park and secure one wheel­ coaches and 24 baggage and dormi­ plans 10 spend $27. 1 million during chair, a rest room which is accessible tory-baggage cars. the next twO fiscal years 10 begin to the handicapped. a nd an ortho­ The 10 diners will receive alI-e lec­ compliance with recent handicapped pedic storage area. tric kitchens to replace wood-burning access requiremenls. Modified cars are initially slated stoves and ice boxes. Lounges will be Of this total , $15.6 million will be for operation on the Broadway fitted with food service bars. spent to alter passenger cars 10 make Limited a nd the Lake Shore Limited. The conversions are simi lar to them barrier free. Another SII.5 mi l­ those al ready done at Beech Grove. lion has been earmarked for re nova­ Some of those cars are already in ser­ tions to passenger stations. vice on the Lake Shore Limited, the I Builder Goes Daily I Examples of such renovations in­ Cardinal and Pioneer. Eventuall y. clude additio n of special reSITooms The Empire Builder will go on a Amtrak plans 10 have an all-electric and accessible coaches and sleeping daily schedule for the holiday season neet. accommodations on trains and. in beginning December 15. The train The conversion program approved some cases. const ruction of ramps will revert to its normal tri-weekly op­ by the board depends on Congres­ and lower ticket counters at stations. eration after January 5. sional approval of Amtrak's capital Initial action to compl y with feder­ The "extra" !Tains-departing appropriations already authorized for al regulations for handicapped trans­ Chicago on Monday, Wednesday, fi scal years 1980and 1981. portation was taken at the board's Friday and SalUrday, and Seattle on Octoher 31 meeting when it approved Sunday, Tuesday. Wednesday a nd Locomotives funding for modification of 72 con­ Friday-will consist of Superli ner The board's approval of the loco­ ventional cars at a cost of$6.9 million. coaches and di ners. There wi ll be no motive purchase will permit Amtrak's Modifications to the cars-36 sleepi ng ca rs on the extra trains. , The safety ratio is a figure denoting the ratio of injuries per 200,000 man­ Keeping Track Of Amtrak hours of work. All injuries or job-re­ lated illnesses that require more than Superliner Press Preview cisco Zephyr, Desert Wind, Pioneer, first aid are counted in the statistics. Southwest Limited, Coast Starlight Amtrak unveiled ils new hi-level and Sunset Limited. Post Road Reopened Superliners to the press and public in The Superliners," said Boyd, "will Scheduled running time on the Bos­ Chicago on October 11 as President provide Ihe modern, dean, comfort­ ton-Albany leg of the Lake Shore Alan Boyd hailed the new trains as able kind of rail travel the American Limited has been reduced by 30 min­ "the beginning of a new era in rail people deserve. utes as a result of the new "short cut" travel" for the 19805 and beyond. "We at Amtrak chink [hal our Su­ between Post Road and Rennselaer, Boyd spoke 10 the newsmen at Chi­ perliners will mean as much !O long. New York. cago's Union Station before a press dislance rail travel as the jumbo jets Amtrak has restored the 12.6 miles trip to show off the world's neweSI did for the airliners." long-distance passenger cars. The reo of track during the past year under a porters and photographers then took Safety Standings $4.1 million capital grant from the a ride to see for themselves what the Southern led the nine divisions in federal government. new trains are like. September in the President's safety The segment , on the former Bos­ The press display train was made contest with a 1.6 ratio. Beech Grove ton-Albany mainline, had been aban­ up of three Superliner coaches, a led the four shops with a 6.6 figure, doned by the Penn Central railroad in diner and a sleeping car. An f40PH while eight mechanical facilities went 1972 and track was removed. diesel locomotive was placed on each through the month with no injuries In 1975, when Amtrtak initiated end-for push-pull operation-to fa­ and a resultant zero safety ratio. the Lake Shore it was forced to use a cilitate photo runbys which were The eight were Minneapolis, De­ complicated and time-consuming scheduled for the benefit of still and troit, Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas­ detour of almost 18 miles. motion picture photographers. Fort Worth, Houston, Philadelphia When Conrail was created, the At the press conference, Boyd also and Jacksonville. right-of-way of the missing section of announced that the Superliners were for the first nine months of the track was conveyed to Amtrak. to go into mainline passenger service year, S1. Louis leads the divisions Work on the Post Road section gOI on October 28 between Chicago and with a 3.7 ratio, followed closely by underway in mid-1978 and included Seattle on the Empire Builder. Southern with 4.7, Western with 5.7 grading; brush removal; acquisition Other routes will get the double­ and Philadelphia with 5.9. of materials including rails, tie plates deck luxury cars as they roll out of New Haven leads the shops for the and ballast; and, finally, installation the Hammond, Indiana, Pullman yea r with a 9.7 figure, while two me­ of the track. Standard plant. chanical facilit ies-Minneapolis and Six other long-distance western Kansas Cit y-continue their injury­ New Buffalo Station routes are scheduled to receive the Su­ free performance with their coveted Amtrak trains serving up-state New perliners. These include the San Fran- zero ratios. York began making stops at a new Buffalo suburban station at Depew begin ning Sunday, October 28. Buffalo's Central Station is no longer used . It was closed after de­ parture of the westbound Lake Shore Limited at 4: 10 a.m. on October 28 . The move was motivated by the ex­ cessive costs at the outmoded and ex­ pensive-la-operate Central Station. Expenses there were unduly high and, if Amtrak were to remain there, large sums of money would have been re­ quired to repair the facil it y. Heating bills alone amounted to over $150,000 per winter. The station at Depew is housed in a trailer-formerly used as the tem­ Central Region Sales Manager AI Kalella points out Superliner diner features to Chicago reser­ vations center personnel. Left to right are Eugene Warden. Mary Swindell. Brenda Plakke, Ka· porary facility at Dearborn, Michi­ leI/a, Kathy Kirby, Lois Willis and Penny Caul. gan-until a permanent facility is

6 completed on the site in rail 1980. Work will be perrormed under a between Albany and Amsterdam. Lo­ Ticketing and checked baggage are contract with the Santa Fe . comotive-hauled Amfleet trains were available and station personnel are on permitted to operate at speeds up 10 duty ror arrival and departure or all 100 miles per hour. trains. Bi-Levels For Commuters Further track improvements, wh ich Also errective on October 28, ser­ will be made over the next two years, After taking over rrom Conrail the will permit extension or the high­ vices at Burralo's downtown Ex­ Chicago-Valparaiso, Indiana, com­ speed service to Poughkeepsie and, change Street station were improved. muter service on October 29, Amtrak finally, to New York City. The state's Ticket office and waiting room hours allocated S2.9 million to upgrade and were expanded and the orrice is now objective is two-hour service between modernize a l2-car fl eet or former New York and Albany by 1982. open rrom 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pre­ Chicago and North Western bi-level viously, the ticket orrice closed at cars ror eventual use on the route as 5:40 p.m. Checked baggage and well as on the Detroit-Jackson, Mich­ Sub way Car Owner package express service are also avail­ igan Executive. able here. The ca rs will be modified to make Alan Zelazo, block operator. New New York-Niagara Falls trains, the them compatible with the all-electric York division, and a director member Niagara Rainbow and Empire State Amneet cars as well as equipping or the Branford Trolley Museum, Express, stop at both EXchange Street them ror "push-pull" operation. For East Haven, Connecticut, recently and Depew stations. The Lake Shore this purpose, four or the cars will be purchased a 1928 su bway car ror the Limited stops only at Depew. Con­ equipped with cab comrols and head­ museum rrom New York City's necting train service to Toronto is end equipmem such as headlights and PATH. available rrom Exchange Street sta­ signal horns. PATH orricials sold the car to the tion. In push-pull operations, the loco­ museum for a handshake and a single The permanent racility at Depew is motive always remains on one end of dollar bil l. being financed by New York State's the train. The engineer operates the The 4O-ton rail car will be com­ Department or Transportation under train- depending on which direction pletely restored by the museum, ac­ the 1974 Rai l Preservation Bond Act. it is going-from either the locomo­ cording to Zelazo. The car was turned tive or the head end cab control car. over to him in a ceremony at the The upgrading expenditure will be PATH rail yard near Jersey City's Tempie Track Work recovered in cost savings in less than Journal Square. Track modirications at Temple, rour years. Savings will result rrom The car was immediately shipped Texas, to improve operation of the the pu sh-pull operation which elimin­ to Connecticut on a flat bed truck at a Houston leg of the Inter-American ates the need for turning the locomo­ cost of S3,OOO. have been approved by Amtrak's tive at destination, as well as less board or directors. maintenance on the cars. The S176,342 expenditure will in­ Work on the cars is scheduled ror Missing clude combining and lengthening or completion by late 1980. Electric some station tracks and installing standby power is also to be installed Merchandise switches. The improvements will en­ at Valparaiso for servicing the equip­ able Amtrak to split and recombine ment. In the past, some orders ror the Houston and Laredo sections in a Amtrak merchandise which the more efficient manner. High Speeds in New York marketing department se lls­ Although the trai n is being split such as cofree cups, fri sbees, cal­ and put back together at Temple at Travelers in New York State have endars and such -have either the present time, the operation is been gelling their first taste of hi gh­ been unnecessarily delayed, or done on the mainline under a tem­ speed rail service as Amtrak slashed even lost, because they were mis­ porary arrangement with the Santa Fe rrom 10 to 30 minutes rrom most directed within the company. railroad. train schedules begi nning Sunday, Employees should re member Termination or that temporary ar­ OClOber 28 . that any orders, or requests ror rangement would result in spli tting The shortened schedules were made inrormation about available mer­ and recombing the train in Fort possible by improvements to Con­ chandise, should be mai led to Worth, 128 miles to (he north. rail's main line tracks and signal sys­ Amlrak. P.O. Box 311 , Addison, Running two separate sections of tems which were runded by New York Illinois 60101 . In rormation can the train from Fort Worth south State's 1974 Rai l Preservation Bond also be received rrom Dave Hal­ would cost an additional $400,000 per Act. Beginning October 28. Turbo­ perin, marketing distribution, year. The capital expenditure will liner trains were authorized to oper­ Washington, FTS 657-201 8. thus be recovered within six months. ate at speeds over 100 miles per hour

7 a.m. departure from Vancouver was Hot Line To President Boyd too early to attract substantial patronage. Our research also showed Question: Mr. Boyd, what I'm in­ schedule conOicts with MT A com­ that most travelers leaving Vancouver terested in is getting a mailing address muter trains that use the same tracks. were headed for Pacific Northwest where I can write you instead of We do hope to restore the Rye points and not California. So, the telephoning. Can you please oblige? stops, if at all possible, with the next schedule was changed for a more con­ Answer: You can write me here al timetables. venient departure time for travelers corporate headquarters, 400 N. going to cities in Washington and Capitol St.. NW., Washington, D.C. Q. I am a ticket agent here at Oregon. 20001. Put the words "President's Niles, Michigan. I'm concerned Secondly, when Amtrak was re­ HOI Line" conspicuously on the about some poor connections we have structuring its trains to meet Congres· envelope. to some of our trains in Chicago. s ion~l criteria for continuation, it was We've made note of this fact be­ Why can't we have the early morning discovered that the only way the fore, but we will include the address train from Michigan - the Blue Pacific International could meet permanently in the box that lists the Water - make connections in Chica­ those criteria was to be combined HOI Line telephone numbers. co to Texas and Seattle? with the Mount Rainier which ran to A. I appreciate your concern and Portland. Q. Two com ments. First, sleeping realize it can be very frustrating not If we had stuck with the 6:05 a.m. car 2614 that runs out of Los Angeles being able to sell tickets to certain departure, we would have had no is in dire need of new windows. Also, points because of a lack of connec­ choice except to discontinue the train. a lot of cars arc leaving 8th Street tions. Yard without going through the car However, when we have only one Q. I would like to call your at­ washer. train a day to points in Texas and tention to Paragraph D, Page 2 of On another subject, nobody has Seattle, connections cannOi always be Amtrak's Rules ofConducl booklet. ever given us a reason why there is no established with all other points. "The use of tobacco by employees sleeping car on the Desert Wind. The trains you mention are the only while serving the public in ticket of­ A. Los Angeles was directed to ones to western destinations that the fices, in passenger stations, or on check the car the next time it arrived Michigan trains miss. passenger trains is prohibited. All and replace any windows that aren't We do not believe that advancing smoking regulations shall be ob­ in compliance with Amtrak stand­ the departure of the Blue Water out served ... ards. of Port Huron to 4:45 a.m. - which This practice, however, continues All trains are washed daily after ar­ we would have to do - is justified to day after day, week after week, riving at 8t h Street. If a train is late, make these additional connections month after month, and nobody does it's washed just before it leaves the because of the greater inconvenience anything about it. Are smokers ex­ yard on its next run. The motor that of the early departures to travelers empt from the company rules? I work ran the brushes on the section that ap­ from eastern Michigan points. in a ticket office and all that smoking plies acid cleaner was out of service bothers me. one day in early November. Trains Q. I'm a reservations clerk here at A. Your call is just one of many that day received only a water bath. Bensalem and work mostl y with the that we have received on the subject. Regarding the Desert Wind sleep­ Canadian trains ... Montrealer, The smoking rule has been inter­ ing car, there just aren't enough head Adirondack and Pacific Interna­ preted over the years to apply while end powered sleepers to protect the tional. People from Vancouver used employees serve the public. Other service. The Desert Wind should be to make connections at Seattle to the Hot Line ca lls, like yours, referred to equipped with sleepers by summer Coast Starlight for points like San smoking inside ticket offices. 1980. Francisco and Los Angeles. This is speci fically where the inter­ With the change of time, the pretation applies. When handling a Q. As ticket agent here at Rye, PaCific International passengers have customer at the ticket window, an New York, I'm wondering why train to overnight in Seattle if they want to employee should not smoke. When 172 no longer stops here. This incon­ go south. And there isn't a single bus doing other duties in the ticket office, venience is especially apparent with connection that meets the train at such as paperwork at a desk, Thanksgiving and Christmas ap­ Seattle. employees are allowed 10 smoke. proaching. Would you please recon­ What's the reasoning for changing sider stopping the (fain here again? the times of the Pacific International? Q. Regarding the Superliners, A. With the issuance of October A. There were two reasons for have three suggestions. 28 timetables, two nonhbound trains this. 1 - A handicapped emblem now bypass Rye. This is because of First, it was believed that a 6:05 should be put on the outside of the • handicapped bedroom, so firemen - I got the job of waiting on two I - Hold train 172 wh ich was in case of emergency - could spot it handicapped persons in the coach. scheduled to depart at 9: 10 a.m. This immediately. They were in wheelchairs and could was done when not more than 45 2 - A second handrail should be not walk to the diner to eat. minutes delay was anticipated. installed in Superliner stairwells. I see the need for having trays so 2 - Transfer passengers to train 3 - The lock used on the trap that people who can't go to the diner \08, the \0 a.m. Metroliner. But, this door that covers the stairwell in the can sit at their coach seats and eat could only be done when there was Superliner diner is rather fragile. their food. The o nly trays I had were enough room o n this reserved train. It Some son of plate should be installed the regular large, round ones that we also required that all passengers to cover this to provide better securi­ use to carry food from the kitchen to transfer at Washington, breaking the ty. the tables. advenised through connection. A. Handicap symbols are located We need some new types of trays 3 - Make the connection on Irain at entrance doors on coaches and that a perso n can use at his seat. 174, which left Washington at 11 : \0 sleepers equipped with such facilities. A. Apparently you have not been a.m. This was only done when the We will check out the feasibili ty of instructed in just such a procedure. Crescent was sufficiently late so perhaps applying a permanent metal Our "Service Policy and Procedures passengers from the south didn't have symbol under the windows. Manual" describes how such passen­ to wait a long time for nonhbound Also, access from the outside is gers should be served. service. possible by removing the glazing rub­ A sleeping car·size pillow is placed When the first three alternatives ber and popping out the glass first on the passenger's lap and a standard were inappropriate fo r the cir­ and then the Lexan. Contact has been size cafeteria tray - wi th raised edges cumstances involved, and there was a made with the safety department to - is then used to serve the food. crew and locomotive available, an ex­ insure that the removal method has A "0" bulletin will be issued im· tra section was operated. been given to va rious fire and rescue mediately to remi nd all on-board Now, effective with the October 28 units along our train routes. supervisors to check that these trays timetables, the Crescent connects to a Secondly, our equipment engineer­ are stocked on all diners and that ing depanment thought of putting a employees are instructed in this pro· President's second handrail in the stairways but cedure. Hot Line decided that, because of width restric­ tions, this was not practical. Q. We need a train baggageman U.S.A. 800-424-5191 Thirdly, our mechanical forces in o n the Empire Builder between Seat­ D.C. only 383-2027 Chicago are checking out all diner tle and Spokane. Is this on the agenda security locks to make sure they for the near futu re? 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) operate correctly. A. The labor agreement permits Monday through Friday step-up of the head brakeman to a Q. I'd like to suggest that the combination head brakeman/ bag­ Desert Wind stop at Victorville, Cali­ gageman job but the Burlington Personnel Hot Line fornia. It 's a decent-sized city of Northern does not consider this about 20,000 persons and is located necessary. U.S.A. 800-424-5190 half-way between San Bernardino Thus, Amtrak station employees D.C. only 383-3636 and BarslOw. handle baggage and express at East 24 Hours a Day, Why don 't we try this for six mon­ Auburn, Ellensburg, Yakima, Pasco 7 Days a Week ths or so and see how it goes? and Spokane. A. We're currently reviewi ng our experiment al stop policy to see how Q. Why in the world do they hold Callers to the President's Hot many such stops have reached an ade­ up train 172 at Washington fo r the Line can either identify them­ quate number of daily on-offs to Crescent when that train is an hour selves or remain anonymous. justi fy retention. late? Can't those people take train Personnel Hot Line callers, ob­ Once this review is fi nished, we'll 174 or one of the Metroliners? viously, must identify Ihemselves decide whether we should add any A. On the average, 155 persons are if they wish a reply 10 their ques­ future experimental stops. We'll be handled on the Crescent for points tions. happy to include Victorville in any north of Washington. The train is Employees also have the op­ study of future stops. scheduled to arrive at Washington at tion of writing instead of calling. 8:30 a.m. but when it is late there are Write either "President 's Hot Q. I'm currently working as a ser­ several options. Line" or " Personnel Hot Line." vice attendant out o f Jacksonville and Previously when the Crescent was c/ o Amtrak. 400 N. Capito l St., recently made a trip as a waiter. late we could: NW, Washi nglOn, D.C. 2(00). • new Washington-New York train that over now passengers between Lonon, seen its effectiveness. Thank you for leaves at 9: 10 a.m. Virginia (really Washington, D.C.) caring. Train 172, the Boston train, now and Florida. This should be imple­ A. Well, thank you for your com­ leaves at 10:10 a.m., an hour later, mented soon. ment. As I mentioned on many occa­ and will be used for cars off the Cres­ Auto-Train is working on some sions, I can not answer each Hot Line cent when it is late. plans for a new service from either query. There are just too many calls. New Jersey or Pennsylvania . We are But, I want to assure all employees discussing an agreement with them to that each call is directed to the proper Q. I have a suggestion regarding handle their Florida passengers once person for an answer to me and, AUIO-Train and Amtrak. They've got a decision is made on the origin city. when needed, corrective action . a new proposed service where they I hope you notice the results of would take a person's car to Florida, our work, even if you don't get a while the passenger new. Amtrak di rect answer. should get a lot of those customers. Q. To finish off your day, I want to take lime to express how I feel (Note: The number of Hot Line A. We've just fi nalized an agree­ about the President's Hot Li ne. Our calls soared above the 1,000 mark the ment with Auto-Train to handle their office has used it three times and I've first week of November.)

I Communications, Signal School Opens In Lancaster I

A new training school, combining Irate on training new employees in Still in the planning stages is an both classroom work and "hands groups of 10. Eventually, it will also automatic block system wh ich, when on" experience, has been opened by retrain older employees in application built, will run 95 feel in length show­ Amtrak's communications and sig­ of new techniques and use of new ing both a two-way and a one-way nals depanment in Lancaster, Penn­ equipment which have developed in track operation on double track . The sylvania. the railroad industry over the past system will have an actual grade The school is housed in t he former few years. crossing, plus all associated equip­ Railway Express Agency, or REA, Jim Crighton. engineer training, ment, including a full grade crpssing building which has been converted in­ communications and signals, Phila­ gate mechanism_ to class and training rooms where delphia, who designed and is in Also found in the school are the various working models of actual charge of the new school, said that communications and electronics railroad equipment arc being built approximately 100 new employees room wh ich contains hot box detec­ and assem bled. will go through the Lancaster facility tors and audio frequency relay equip­ In it ia ll y, the school will cOllcen- and complete - in two years - what ment, a heavy equipment room, and a normally would be a four year ap­ ballery room_ prentil.:e program. Highlight of the "hands on" sec­ Employees start their training by tions will be an actual piece of going {a school five days a week for railroad conStructed inside the b'uild­ two week s. During that time they are ing. It will include switches, an inter­ familiarized with everything they are locking, a crossover operated with going to sec lat er as well as getting electric switch machines, a turnout some fir st hand expcrience before go­ with an electro-pneumatic machine. ing into the field. and eight signals, all controlled from The students then rotate between an interlocking machine. field work and classroom work. Crighton estimates it will take at Classes are taught by Zane Baulit z least a year before all equipment is in and Bill Wiedmann, in struct o rs, com­ place. munications and signals_ Comparatively little renovation The 50-by- 150-foot one-story had to be done to the brick and con­ building that houses the school is crete bu ilding. A new electrical sys­ divided into six sections, including a tem, including high pressure sodium traditional desk-blackboard class­ lighting, was in stalled along wit h new roOIll. This room features a working mew I interior doors and cllstom­ board model of the track circuitry made exterior doors_ All work. except and automatic block signaling sys­ for lighting, was done by Amtrak's tem. bridge and buildings department.

10 Quarterly Winners Picked ______--, I In On-Board Service Contest

Winners for the second quarter. Second runners-up include: East, a leiter of commendation and were ending June 30, in the on-board ser­ Johnny Sm ith, Jacksonville; and awarded a dinner fo r two at a local vices Employee of the Year program Central, James Davis, Chicago. No restaurant. Runners-up received let ­ have been chosen. second ru nner up was picked in the ters of commendation wh ich were Winners in Category I, employees west. placed in each employee's individual who have direct contact with the trav­ The regional winners each received personnel file. eling public, such as wa iters, car at­ tendants and lounge car personnel, include: Ridership Sets Fiscal Year Record East Six-way tie between Paulette Bal ­ Amtrak carried more passengers, of Amtrak's tickel sales, up 52 per lard and Melvin Thompson, Wash­ generated more revenue and showed a cent over last year. ington; Steve Kau fm an and Jo higher ratio of re venues-to-expenses The largest single cos t category Sephus, 8 0Slon; and Robert Lazzaro in fiscal yea r 1979-which ended on within Atmrak's $998 million operat­ and Robert Si mmons. New York. September 3D-than in any previous ing budget was for personnel. This year in its history. amo unted to 63 per cent of total Central Ridership was up 14 per cent with a costs. Richard Morris, Chi cago. record 21 .5 million passengers, some Wes' 2.5 mi llion more than last year. Grade Crossings The company's ratio of revenues to Sigbjorn Askvi k, Los Angeles. expenses was 41.5 per cent compared Amtrak will contin ue to cosponsor Runners-Up to last year's 38.5 per cent. Recent grade crossing improvements in the state of Florida as a result of a Runners-up were chosen only in the Congressional legisla tion requires $426,500 expenditure approved by West region. These include f loyd that Amtrak achieve a 44 per cent rev­ Ihe company's board of directors. Beacham. Oakland, and Lewis enues-to-expenses ratio by the end of Amtrak is sharing expenses of a $2 Greenway, Seattle, as first Tunners­ fiscal year 1982 and 50 per cent by million improvement project with up. 1985. Florida and the Seaboard Coast Line Second runners-up incl ude Linda Average trip length for an Amtrak railroad . McAtee and Toni Allari, Oakland; passenger was 229 mites, also an in­ Dennis Bowden, Donald Brya n and crease. This contributed to a tota l of The board also approved a capital Gerrie Shaw, Seaule; and Frank Per­ 4.9 billio n passenger miles, a 22 per expenditure of $240,000 as Amtrak's ry, Los Angeles. cent increase. share of a $1.4 million grade crossing Amtrak experienced it s highest rev­ program in New York State. Calegory II Winners. enue year with $38 1.3 millio n in lotal Category II winners, personnel operaling re venues, a 22 per cent in ­ AMTRAK NEWS who have no di rect contact with the crease. Ticket sales accounted for 83 Published once a month for em­ public, such as chefs, and pantrymen, per cent of th is IOta I. The strong rev­ ployees of Ihe Nalional Railroad included: enue performance, induced by the Passenger Corporation and Ihose fu el crisis, produced a $10 million of parlicipaling railroads engaged W, favorable revenue balance, a situa­ in rail passen2er service. John McLurkin , Washi ngton. tion forecast by Amtrak and laken in­ STAFF Editor Cenlral to account by Congress during the fis­ cal year 1980 authorization and ap­ Ed Wojtas Pcrcy Lee, Chicago. Circulation propriations process. Marguerite Broyhill Wes' While coach ticket revenue was up Reporter Corneli us McDowell , Oakland. 23 per cent, other categories also Debbie Marciniak showed impressive gains. Sleeping ca r Runners-Up revenue was up 30 per cent, food ser­ First runners-up include: East, vice revenue up 28 per cent, and pack­ ,m Amlrak N~w s is a memberoflhe Au odal;oo of Railroad Edilors. Leslie McFadden, Miami; Central, age express business up 29 per cent. liIiI Maler;al in Amlrak New ~ is 001 oopyriShlt'd. Conrad Guild, Chicago; and West, Travel agent business accounted Rnlkr\ mly u".- ..· hal lh~ wish with pr~r al_ Cesar Arguelles, Oakland. for over 19 per cenl , or $62.5 million, lribulion 10 Amtra k N""'$_

II - Calendar Available'l I Price Remains $4_ Amtrak's 1980 calendar is in pro­ cess of being printed and will be avail­ able for sa le to the general public in (Left) Artist Gil Reid. at Ihe bridge sill'. early December. makes u prl'liminury The calendar fo llows the format es­ rough sketch o/this year 's calendar arl tablished in past years. It is 24-by-3 3- work. (8elo w) f"inishnl inches in size, vertical in format and picture sho ws A EM-7- displays the entire year on the lower fXJ ""'ernl AmJ1eet train port ion. mefi'/ing a consist 0/ re­ furbished Ml'trofiners. Featured on the top half of Ihis year's edi tion is a full colo r paint ing of a meet between a new AEM-7- powered Amnect train and a consi st

of fo ur refurbished Metroliners on 7 the bridge that spans the Susque­ hanna river between Havre de Grace a nd Perryville, Maryland, in the Northeast Corridor. As in past years, the painting was done by Gil Reid, noted rail art ist from Milwaukee, Wisconsin . The calendar is printed on heavy paper a nd the piclUre can be cut off at Ihe end of the year for framing. Each office on AmlTak should re­ that the price has not risen since last 1979 calendars is still avai lable for ceive a calendar Ihrough their depan­ year. collectors. Price of those a lso is $4 • ment channels. To order send a check, made oul to each. The 1978 ca lendar featured EXIra copies for personal use by Amtrak Calendar, 10 Amtrak Calen­ Amtrak 's Superliners, while the 1979 employees, or by the general pUblic, dar, Dept. AN , P.O. Box 31 1, Ad­ issue showed Ihe Amneel-equipped can be purchased for $4, lax and dison, Illinois 6010 1. Notional Limited rounding Horse­ postage included. Readers will nOle A limited supply of both 1978 and shoe Curve.

First Class Mail U.S. POSTAGE PA ID Permit 19 11 Merrifield. VA

Passenger Corpo ral ion 400 N. Capitol St .• NW Washinglon. D.C. 20001

FIRST CLASS ADDRESS CORR ECTION REQUESTED

.