Volume 2, No.3 February 1, 1975

Paul H. Reistrup, leG Senior Executive, Elected to Head Amtrak Amtrak's Board of Directors has Directors has given me this vote of elected Paul H. Reistrup, Senior Vice confidence and an opportunity to lead President for Traffic of the Illinois Amtrak as the corporation continues Central Gulf Railroad, to be the Cor­ to revitalize rail passenger service for poration's new President and Chief America in a time when the d.emands Executive Officer. He will assume of energy, economy, ecology and con­ Amtrak's top position on March 1. venience demand such progress. I Mr. Reistrup's selection by the 13- look forward to working with the men member Board followed his recom­ and women of Amtrak and with the mendation by an Executive Manage­ Administration, the Congress, the ment Subcommittee of the Board railroad industry, and the labor headed by Gen. Frank S. Besson, Jr. organizations. I believe in teamwork, (Ret.). Reistrup, 42, will succeed and it will be my purpose at Amtrak Roger Lewis, who has been President to run a teamwork railroad from top and Chief Executive Officer since Am­ to bottom with the indispensable Paul H. Reistrup trak's formation in 1971. Mr. Lewis goal of providing Americans the best will continue to serve as a member of passenger train service attainable." Ohio Railroad. While with B&O, he the Board of Directors. A 1954 graduate of the U.S. Mili­ held positions of assistant division After the Board action, Reistrup tary Academy, Reistrup began his engineer, general yardmaster, train­ issued the following statement: "I am railroad career in 1957 as a manage­ master, general superintendent-car very pleased that the Board of ment trainee with the Baltimore & (continued p. 2. col. J) AIntral{ Fleet Grows As Four Turbos Arrive Amtrak's Turboliner fleet is record on that inter-city stretch, through experience, which will further growing by over 1200 seats this month reaching a maximum speed of 132.6 improve the already high reliability of with the arrival of four additional miles-per-hour. these trains," Schmidt said. French turbine trains. Two sets will Joseph J. Schmidt, Amtrak's No final decision has been made arrive on February 4 at Port Director of new equipment facilities, about the exact routes or schedules of Elizabeth, N.J. aboard Atlantic was aboard the train when the record the new Turboliners except that all six Container Lines ship "Atlantic was set. He came away impressed with trains will be maintained at Brighton Cognac." Two other Turboliner sets the train's excellent ride character­ Park and should be in service in will arrive later in February. istics. the midwest by April. The new equipment will proceed to Amtrak's Brighton Park maintenance "The four Turboliners being The four new train sets, when facility near Chicago for outfitting delivered from France are essentially equipped with Amtrak's new reclining with newly-designed Amtrak seats, duplicates of the original two, but they seats, will have a capacity for 308 carpeting and food service equipment. incorporate Amtrak-developed passengers per train. Each new train In a recent acceptance run between improvements in seat design, interior will feature a newly-developed food Orleans and Vierson, France, one of carpeting, food service facilities, and service center. automatic doors and the Turboliners set a new high-speed mechanical modifications developed electric heating and air-conditioning. (REISTRUP,jrom p. 1) the trains, an extensive refurbishing In this position, he is responsible for utilization and distribution, and program, and an auto ferry service be­ marketing and selling the ICG's Director of Passenger Service. tween Washington and Chicago. railroad services. As head of the traffic In the latter post, he made a con­ In 1967 he went to the Illinois department of the railroad, he was siderable reputation because of his Central as Vice President of Passen­ responsible for more than $500 mil­ innovative moves to improve passen­ ger Service. Since then, he has been lion in revenues in 1974. ger service. These innovations in­ Vice President-Intermodal Services, Reistrup was born in Sioux City, cluded experimenting with discount and is now Senior Vice President for Iowa, on May 24, 1932. He and his fares, overhauling the food service Traffic and a member of the railroad's wife have four children, and now program, instituting movies on board Board of Directors. reside in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

at a standstill and food was brought to Employees Please Passengers the train by a snowmobile club which had volunteered to help during the During 'Worst Blizzard' emergency. "Under existing Amtrak policy passengers were su pplied with free In a recent emergency produced by ice and snow filled switches. meals. On-board activities were under a blizzard, snow drifts and cold winds " As the train sat there for the next the coordination of Supervisor Henry in Minnesota and North Dakota, 25 hours, the dining car crew, under Castro. Burlington's NRPC Amtrak and Burlington Northern the direction of Duane Nelson, served Operations Officer, Richard employees responded with dedication hearty, free, hot meals to all 96 Mossman, was aboard and he helped and perseverance in the performance persons on board," Strecker said. keep passengers in good humor," oftheir duties. Grand Forks Ticket Clerk Norma Bresnahan said. During the second weekend in Rittal and Baggage Agent John Passengers were further comforted January the area suffered what the Hormann were confined to the station by Bresnahan's cheerful willingness to U.S. Weather Service called "the most from Friday night, Jan. 10, until send messages to their friends and devastating cold-snap of the century" Sunday afternoon, Jan. 12. They relatives. He also served coffee, soup, as the wind-chill factor dropped to 85- described the scene: cocoa and tea to employees who below and winds were gusting up to "Passengers were great. T hey helped keep the train warm during the fifty-seven miles-per-hour. accepted their plight in good spirits. night. At the height of the storm Amtrak Most understood the gravity of a and Burlington Northern held North Dakota blizzard and were passenger trains in stations equipped grateful to be warm and well fed . Minneapolis with steam heating facilities for the Conductor Arnold Johnson and his On that same Saturday two trains safety and comfort of passengers and Brakemen Henry Volenchenko and out of Chicago, the North Coast crews. Clayton Sundre said they had the Hiawatha and the following Empire "It was a real emergency. question 'When do we go? ' pitched at Builder, were held in Minneapolis. Employees at Grand Forks, Willmar them at least a thousand times." Burlington carmen attended the trains and Minneapolis performed untiring Meanwhile, the engine crew moved throughout the night and both trains and relentless efforts in keeping the train back and forth every thirty departed by Sunday afternoon. passengers informed, fed and minutes to keep the wheels from "All personnel in Minneapolis and comfortable," said Frank Strecker, freezing. the on-board service crews were on Amtrak's Manager-Station Services in duty for their shifts and remained Minneapolis. beyond as circumstances required," Willmar, Minnesota Strecker said. A similar situation existed in "Of special mention would Grand Forks, N.D. Willmar when the eastbound Empire commend Baggageman Thor Lewis On Saturday, Jan. 11, the Builder, carrying 112 persons, was who is always on hand during westbound Empire Builder pulled into stopped in the station and connected emergencies, whether on ~cheduled the Grand Forks station only after to the steam heating facilities. service or not, with his pick-up-plow Burlington Northern section men went Ticket Agent Joe E. Bresnahan attachment keeping the station into the frigid, windy night to clear the reported that automobile traffic was accesses open," concluded Strecker.

2 Chicago Crew Base: Biggest Of All

Hours before the "All aboard!" is Getting Things Ready crews", more officially called given for any Amtrak train departing A crew member is officially on duty "Ground Support Crews", now stock Chicago Union Station, the crew when he signs in. At this time the the train. base is buzzing with activity as hun­ supervisors perform a uniform inspec­ A ready crew consists of people dreds of crew members check in tion. The uniform must be clean and on call, ready to go on a trip should for duty and receive briefings on what pressed and consist of a white shirt, that be necessary for any reason. In to anticipate during the runs. red jacket, navy blue trousers and each crew IS a chef, food specialist, "We're the largest crew base in black bow tie. Socks and shoes must and three service attendants. the Amtrak system with over 900 on­ both be black. A nametag must be board personnel assigned to us who worn on the jacket. Proper Stocking staff 18 outgoing trains per day," "An absolute necessity, and some­ These personnel have to be certain said Ted Wiktor, Manager-on-Board thing we're always watching for, that the train is stocked with the Services. "These personnel include is good grooming. It makes the pas­ right amount of food, beverages, sleeping car porters, service attend­ senger feel at ease in the presence linen, pillows and so forth. ants, food specialists and dining of an Amtrak employee. That's our " Our people stocking the trains car stewards." job- in every way possible make have received a lot of help from Major tasks facing the crew base the passenger feel comfortable," Claude Thompson, Manager-Com­ are to ensure that the operation runs Wiktor said. missary Operations, and Paul Batt, smoothly, that comprehensive reports Purchasing Agent for the Central are filed with Amtrak's Washing­ Region," said Wiktor. ton office, and most importantly, (continued p. 6. col. J) that crew members are fully con­ Pre-trip Briefing versant with the on-train tasks they Another duty, according to General are assigned to perform. An experi­ Supervisors Verne Hutson and Ernie enced team of Shift Supervisors Mnichowski, is to keep crew members and Traveling Service Supervisors IS informed of special circumstances the mainstay of the operation. which will exist on their train. " As soon as they check in, we tell them of anything unusual they may Growth expect. A good example would be the "Chicago is the hub of our Central boarding of a special group downline Region on-board services operation," which would require special arrange­ said James E. Munn, Regional Man­ ments anywhere on the train," said ager-On-Board Services. "Amtrak Mnichowski. is growing out here by leaps and When the inspection and briefings bounds because of new regional are complete, a crew member must routes in and out of Chicago. Exam­ wait in the base-which is now located ples are the Black Hawk to Dubuque adjacent to the Amtrak Services and the Blue Water to Port Huron." Office-until train time. He then pro­ It may seem simple for a crew ceeds directly to his train. A crew base to staff a train with the right member is not permitted to lounge number of people and supplies, but in in any of the station's restaurants reality it is very complicated. or waiting rooms. Base managers have to be certain that personnel on board are qualified for the position they are assigned, that services advertised are available Ready Crew on the train, that the diner is not over­ Until recently, the on-coming or under-supplied, and that the crew's crew provisioned the train with the Ted Wiktor, Manager·on-Board Services (top) performance en-route is at the proper proper quantity of supplies. In a re­ and James E. Munn. Regional Manager On· standard. cent change in policy, Amtrak "Ready Board Services.

3 required for a customs inspection of Pacific Dude Ranch Holiday Pacific International the passengers. International Al Moore, a Service Attendant Train #793 southbound and #794 northbound Amtrak's first dude ranch pack­ on the Pacific International, said that Vancouver-Seattle route, ISS miles Two coaches, one counter-diner/ lounge car aged vacations offer a choice of 10 some passengers "worry" about cus­ Extra coach holiday periods guest ranches set in the mountains Celebrates 25th Anniversary toms "even though there is very little One set of equipment utilized Home maintenance base is Seattle or desert around Tucson's sun country to worry about. We help to put the Also serviced in Vancouver holiday center. They're called the passengers at ease by explaining Seattle connections with Coast Starlight and Empire Builder Rail!Air Tucson Holiday. when they have to be at their seats Few rail trips in the United States "The International" by the Great Clauson, Manager-Stations, Seattle, Burlington Northern and Canadian Na­ Vacationers from the Middle West and what the customs procedure tional trackage introduce the traveler to so varied a Northern Railway. Other rail service, it was determined that 23.6 percent of No checked baggage service or Northeast take Amtrak's South­ entails." scene in so short a distance as does although less spectacular, existed the travelers arriving at Seattle aboard U.S. Customs at Blaine, Washington west Limited to Albuquerque, for a One way this is accomplished is Canadian Customs at White Rock, the route of the Pacific International. before that. the Starlight transferred to the Pacific British Columbia quick connection via Frontier Airlines by distributing a notice throughout For nearly half of the ISS miles When Amtrak began operations on International. to Tucson. Returning from Tucson, the train which outlines customs pro­ separating Seattle and Vancouver, the May 1, 1971 , this route was not in­ there's a Frontier flight to Denver to cedures. One of the suggestions is rails skirt the pebbled beaches of cluded in the "Basic System Plan" Shoppers and Skiers board Amtrak's San Francisco Zephyr that " Identification should be ready Puget Sound, often referred to by na­ for Amtrak as issued by then-Secre­ "We also have people who ride into eastbound to Chicago. for inspection by Immigration offi­ tives as the "great inland sea" of the tary of Transportation John A. Volpe. Seattle from Bellingham or Everett Service Crew: The Tucson area is popular with cers, not stored in trunk or baggage." Pacific Northwest. Consequently, the route was not oper­ for a day of shopping. And some 1 coach attendant horse-oriented winter vacationers be­ The customs agents always try to The Pacific International dips be­ ated by Amtrak. skiers ride to Vancouver heading for 1 waiter-in-charge cause of the ' 3800 hours of sunshine establish the reason for trips across neath the tall buildings of downtown Congress later amended the Am­ Grouse Mountain, a popular Cana­ 1 waiter yearly, which the Tucson Tourism the border. The usual questions asked Seattle, penetrates the woodland of trak Act permitting connections be­ dian skiing area," Rittenhouse said. 1 food specialist Bureau claims is the best in the U.S. , by the officials include, " Why are Larrabee State Park near Bellingham, tween the U. S. and its friendly north­ Even though the Pacific Inter­ and the many miles oftrails and "wide you taking this trip?" "When will yo u crosses the International Boundary ern neighbor by train. This resulted national arrives in Vancouver late at open spaces." be making the return trip?" " Do within a stone's throw of the famous in the first run of the Pacific Inter­ night, a respectable numbeqt of pas­ Amtrak's brochure describes the Peace Arch and crosses over some of national as an Amtrak train on July sengers are aboard who will /layover you have anything purchased in ranches: One offers "unlimited beau­ the richest delta land in the world. 17, 1972. in Vancouver and connect the next another country that you must de­ tiful scenic rides in the Coronado day to other Canadian cities. cl are?" National Forest." Another ranch says, Silver Anniversary In one recent survey taken by a " Experienced wranglers will guide you Medium Haul reporter, passengers were connecting to Indian ruins, a ghost town, or you Railroad passengers have enjoyed It's on Time this ride for a long time. This year is With the exception of the Los An­ to Canadian trains bound for Mon­ may wish to try your hand at rounding the 2Sth anniversary of the first run of geles-San Diego route which is 128 treal, Que.; Winnipeg, Manitoba One of the joys of riding the Pacific up cattle ... " miles long, the Seattle-Vancouver and Prince George, B. c., operated International is that passengers The current rates, Dec. 15 to May 1, route, at ISS miles, is the shortest by Canadian Pacific, Canadian Na­ know they will arrive at their destina­ average about $200 each, double occu­ Amtrak route west of the Mississippi. tional and British Columbia Railway. tions on schedule. During November, pancy, for seven days and six nights, 1974, for example, the train had an including meals and ranch activities. BRI TISH "The train is a difficult one to de­ COLUMBIA scribe," said Seattle District Sales Customs on-time record of 91. 7 percent. It has (After May 1, rates often are lower.) Manager Bill Rittenhouse. "It's not a Because the train crosses the inter­ consistently operated with high on ­ Rail and air fares are extra. long,haul route nor is it a commuter national boundary, it makes two time marks throughout all of 1974. run as some are in the east. I'd say it's stops, one in Blaine, Wash. and the The Pacific International is a good a medium haul route which is an other in White Rock, B.C., to permit train with its diner-lounge, friendly Ivan Alexander. Waiter-in -charge (above) and important feeder to the Coast Star­ U.S. and Canadian customs officials crew members and scenic route. The Ernesto Aguiluz, Food Specialist aboard the Pacific International. Amtrak Appoints light and, to some extent, the Empire to survey passengers aboard the train. "little train", as some employees Mt. Vernon·Burlington Builder and an important link to the The customs agents from both call it, has made international travel Mark Miller as Regional Manager­ Canadian railroads." nations usually work together as a more pleasant in the Pacific Everett Station Services, Northeast. Edmonds In a September study done by Ken team to reduce the amount of time Northwest. Responsible for all activities taking place within stations, with the exception of ticketing functions in THE PACIFIC INTERNATIONA L WASHINGTON several large terminals, in the territory from Washington, D.C. north to Montreal and Pittsburgh east to Boston. He reports to Jim Larson, •••••••••• ' • 00 0 Manager-Station Operations in •••••• • ••••••••• ~~--~~~~~~ headquarters. Miller has been with Amtrak since May 1972, having held several positions in the services and marketing departments. Most COUNTER-DINER recently, he was Regional Manager­ COACH LOUNGE COACH LOCOMOT IV E Station Services in the Central Region.

4 5 (CREW BASE, from p. 3) straints and company policy, is in all, he deals with passengers and he Besides supplies, base managers making crew assignments. must be able to present himself well," are concerned about cleanliness. "Scheduling personnel into certain continued Engle. It is expected that each crew member crews is done under set procedures," check his car when first boarding said Vern Stein, Chicago's Supervisor­ and continually do sQ. en-route. Crew Scheduling and Planning. "A passenger wants things in order. "First, an employee bids on the route Good Cooks No Amtrak car should be dirty inside, he wishes to work. The bids are then Finding qualified cooks can be dif­ or out of paper towels, or pillows, or awarded based on seniority." ficult at times. The most qualified anything like that. A crew member A service attendant, for example, that Engle finds are people with gets paid to see that things are ship­ might want to work the Southwest military experience. He stays in touch shape. That's one big reason he's Limited, staying away for six consecu­ with trade schools and especially there," declared Wiktor. tive days, but do so only a few times with the Veterans Employment Bu­ per month. reau. This bureau sends candidates Or, if he wants to be away for short­ to Amtrak when they're released from Crew Staffing er durations, he will bid on the Black the military. Hawk. This means he will work to One out of every five people inter­ The train in Amtrak's system Dubuque one day and be back on the viewed by Engle is seen by Munn who that requires the largest crew is the next, but will make more such trips makes the final decision on whether Southwest Limited, staffed out of Chi­ per month. to hire. cago. On its average consist, 36 people are needed on each train set to provide the public with various services. One reason for the large number Bright Future is that on this train, unlike others, Hiring there is a Service Attendant for each "Most of our people are middle­ hi-level coach because of its 72- According to Hank 1. Engle, Per­ aged with their future still ahead of passenger capacity. The train also sonnel Administrator-On-Board Ser­ them," Munn said. "I think both our carries two diners. vices, many people are interested in new and old people have applied Munn said that all of the crews are working for Amtrak because the com­ themselves to Amtrak's problems. made up of "seasoned railroaders." pany is new and has received consider­ We have people here from all roads­ Even the younger people working out able pUblicity. Milwaukee, Santa Fe, Burlington, of Chicago have been with Amtrak "I do all the initial interviewing and B&O, Penn Central, and ICG. With long enough to understand the opera­ screening in Chicago and I look for that talent we should be able to pro­ tion of their train and of Amtrak people with certain experience. For vide good service and solve our generally. example, a steward must have had problems. " previous food experience. We also Munn concluded: "An example of want people to be physically healthy this talent is Ted Wiktor. He came and strong to be able to handle heavy with Amtrak as a Service Director Scheduling bags, and at least 5'6" so if he's in a and, because of his energy and zeal, The one job at the base which sleeping car he can handle the has received three promotions in one probably requires the greatest pa­ bunks," Engle said. year. The fact that he's now a man­ tience, because it must be done pre­ "He must also be personable and ager speaks well for anyone in this cisely within union contract con- be able to express himself well. After company applying himself to his job."

Fix 'em Up

Amtrak has broadened its efforts magnificent job," said Chester Wil­ trical systems on passenger cars," to overhaul passenger cars by estab­ son, Amtrak's Resident Mechanical said Wilson. Each car is also given an lishing a maintenance base at Rocky Representative. The priority at the extraordinary cleaning, commonly re­ Mount, N.C. The facility, operated shop is to repair "underneath ferred to as an "E-cleaning" (where in conjunction with the Seaboard mechanical problems", thereby en­ everything is scrubbed, including the Coast Line (SCL) Railroad, is staffed suring maximum operating reli­ car's ceiling), and spot painting. with employees who have had experi­ ability. Rocky Mount has a production line ence in passenger car maintenance. "We have the capability to com­ capability-the number of cars that "These people, and their Shop pletely rebuild running gear, air may be worked on at one time-of 10 Supervisor Frank Taylor, do a conditioning, steam heat, and elec- cars.

6 Sales Manager Ron Rhodes Is Sold On South

"We may not have the scenery of by the number of industries that the west, but there's nothing more have located along Seaboard Coast exciting to an easterner or mid­ Line and Southern Railway. We also westerner than to see our orange have more working people, retirees, groves, our lakes, or our man-made college students and visitors." attractions like Disney World." That's Ronald H. Rhodes talking, Amtrak's ebullient District Sales New Records Manager for the Southeast. Visitors One example of the visitor boom Ron Rhodes, District Manager for the Southeast to his Orlando office are quickly con­ is the experience of Walt Disney vinced that he is enthusiastic about World which reported a record­ Amtrak and is "sold on this area." smashing 439,906 visitors for the week The biggest group move is an What are Florida's attractions? ending Dec. 28, 2974. Despite the annual one between West Palm Beach Rhodes can tick them off one-by-one: cloudy economic climate in the nation, and Washington, D.C. of 1500 young­ Marineland, St. Augustine, Walt this count shattered an older record sters who are in the Safety Patrol. Disney World, Sea World , Busch Gar­ set in April 1973. This involves round trip moves of 750 dens, Cypress Gardens, Ringling Another indicator of visitor growth each, amounting to $100,000 in reve­ Circus Museum, Miami's night clubs, is a survey done by the "Kiplinger nue for Amtrak. They are continuous good boating, fishing, beaches and, of Forecast" which showed that the rail users despite vigorous solicitation course, that terrific sunshine. number of travelers to the Orlando from airlines and bus lines. area in 1974 was up 26 percent as The district also originated over 200 compared to 1973. Orlando is now group moves last year, making it the Amtrak's busiest Florida terminal. South's Potential second busiest district in the nation Rhodes is pleased with the strength "My thrust to my fellow employees (after New York) for this business. in visitor travel because Amtrak is through Amtrak News is to assert the Many of the groups are from Carolina, "entrenched" in the market. He un­ importance of the Southeast in the Kentucky and Tennessee moving into derstands the business after having overall picture of Amtrak," said Florida. spent 25 years in railroad passenger Rhodes. "We who work here are sold work with the Seaboard Coast Line on this area and where it fits in with Railroad where he was District Man­ Amtrak. We want the entire system Future Factors ager-Passenger Sales in West Palm to know the size and scope of our Beach. He's also held various passen­ "We're now better able to handle all business; to be aware of the potential ger posts in Richmond, Sarasota and this business in Florida now that we for this area." Tampa over the years. have the Poinciana station. In view of The Southeastern Sales District the area's growth, both in tourism includes the States of South Carolina, and permanent residences, this sta­ Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and the Tour Success tion will help relieve the growing eastern sections of Tennessee and The Southeastern District is enjoy­ congestion at Orlando," said Rhodes. Kentucky. ing success with practically every Another factor is the expanding Thumping on volumes of reference Amtrak program, according to route structure of Amtrak. For in­ data, Rhodes, said: "We're talking Rhodes. Package Express is running stance when the Montrealer began about a growing market for Amtrak "strong". Travel Agent business operation, it opened the railroad for in the south. Large businesses have (360 agents now have ticket stock) Canadians, creating additional busi­ moved into the area as can be verified is growing. Tour business is booming. ness for Amtrak. Of course, those "Our biggest tour operator is Cos­ tickets are not sold in Florida but mopolitan Travel in Jacksonville, Rhodes can see the passengers AMTRAK NEWS headed by Bill Bailey, another former coming. "Also, from past experience I know NEWS Staff SCL passenger man. He's noted for that restoration of the Norfolk-Cin­ Joseph Vranich Ronnie Daly operating educational tours to Wash­ ington, D.C. and Williamsburg," cinnati service on the Norfolk & West- Gayle Fedrowitz said Rhodes. (continued p. 8. col. 1)

7 (SOLD ON SOUTH from p. 7) in Miami; Manager Reed Garcia in we've had just one resignation from ern Railway will produce additional Clearwater; Manager Mike McElveen our sales force and a total of eight Florida traffic through the Peters­ in Jacksonville; Representative Earl promotions. That record speaks for burg connection. When I was with the Eal gle in Columbia; Representative itself," Rhodes declared. SCL, the Roanoke-Lynchburg area Bria'1 Lee in Nashville; Representa­ For the first five months of the cur­ was considered one of the top 'off tive~ Pete Smith, Sr. and Dennis rent fiscal year, the Southeast District 1 line' sales areas for us. I hope that's Gordon, and Secretary Ellen Hocken­ had revenues in excess of $5 / 2 million true again," continued Rhodes. smith in the Orlando office. which is 111/2 percent beyond the quo­ "We have an excellent sales force ta set for the district. Sales in Novem­ The People and the credit is due my predecessors, ber 1974 are 20 percent over the same Spearheading the Amtrak sales Myron Humphrey and Tom Fortier, month in 1973. These figures do not efforts in other parts of the South­ who hired the majority of them. include Alabama and the eastern east District are Manager Ralph Man­ Our people are dedicated and are de­ part of Kentucky or Tennessee which gum and representative Eileen Urban termined to produce. In three years were recently assigned to the district.

Trends In Railroading

cord year. The AAR pointed out that Class I roads average about 525,000 To paraphrase the old General Mo­ these figures were most significant in or about 5,000 over 1973. This marks tors slogan, "What is good for the view of the decline in truck traffic for the first fu ll year increase in railroad railroads is good for Amtrak. " While the same year. "The railroads have employment since 1951. With the in­ Amtrak was running up its best year increased their share of intercity crease in unemployment in almost in 1974 in terms of revenue passenger freight traffic for the second straight every sector of industry, this is a miles, total number of passengers and year," notes the AAR. most remarkable achievement. It total revenue, U.S. railroads ended At the same time, total operating underscores the basic health of the a busy 1974 with a "newall-time revenues are estimated to have railroad industry, despite certain record in ton-miles of freight reached " an all-time high of $17 areas of serious problems particularly handled." billion," up 15 percent from 1973. Ex­ in the Northeast. According to the Association of penses also hit a new high but earn­ During 1974 the national freight American Railroads (AAR) early data, ings showed "a significant improve­ car fleet increased for the first time with some statistics yet to be received, ment" to a rate of 4 percent, accord­ since 1966 and about 1,300 new and the traffic handled hit a high of 855 ing to AAR statisticians. more powerful diesel units were add­ billion ton-miles. This is slightly Among other highlights of the year ed, boosting overall horsepower by above the 1973 level which was a re- the AAR noted that employment on about 4 percent.

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