Volume 1 No.2 May 1, 1974

Amtrak Celebrates Third Anniversary

Amtrak at three! We have been capability to direct and maintain by railroads themselves had become working hard and looking ahead to Amtrak's over a system much national in scope. The country invited this day ever since that first day in May more extensive than anything under the traveler from coast to coast; but on 1971 when only a handful of people the management of one railroad. Or we new paths of concrete, not on rails of began the task of revitalizing the should not overlook the efforts of a steel. national rail passenger system. At this Legal staff which has had to help bring It is still true that long-distance milepost in the short life-span of this order out of endeavors which in many railroad passenger service is not corporation, it is worthwhile to look cases have been milestone achieve­ profitable in the usual sense; but there back at some of our most striking ments, and equalled by the efforts of a are two fundamental goals of any achievements. Labor Relations group who have dealt corporation and they are to make a Here is a tally of some of the key with union negotiations which would profit and to exist. After three most happenings that are now in place and have tried the patience of Job and the eventful years, Amtrak exists and effective: wisdom of Solomon. And yet all of thanks to the fo resight of able men who • Nationwide computerized reserva- these things have been done in such a realize the necessity to put the National tions, ticketing and information manner that when the energy crunch Railroad Passenger Corporation to­ system .. . brought sharp increases in ridership, gether, the traveling public has found , • Over 8,000 employees now work­ far beyond even the most optimistic during the most troublesome hours of ing for Amtrak .. . five year projections, Amtrak was able the fuel shortage, it had another • Over 1,000 cars modernized and to handle the demand and continue its option when the going got rough. refurbished at a cost of more than im provement of the system. There were many times during the $63,000,000 ... It is worthwhile to look back a little first two years when Amtrak's op­ • 50 brand new diesel locomotives further. It was the coast to coast ponents and those who lacked patience with another 126 to follow by the railroad system which had opened this or vision were prepared to attend the mid-summer peak load time ... vast country to passenger travel and last rites. And yet the public, the • 57 new -type cars al­ commerce in the first place. And then Government and Amtrak's own dedi­ ready on order, nearly doubling the fleet after one hundred years of spectacular cated band of workers turned the of 61 now on hand .. . development, the Federal government corner somewhere during those busy • A new nationwide timetable list­ pumped more than 60 billion dollars days. Recent legislation has strengthen­ ing all Amtrak routes in one con­ into an unparalleled super-highway ed Amtrak's position and replenished venient publication and a renovated network so that Mr. and Mrs. America its finances and has put teeth into some fare structure with a single tariff could travel in their automobiles to see ofthe directives essential to the effective publication .. . and enjoy this beautiful and boundless operation of the national passenger • A training program which has country which railroads and railroad system. And then the gasoline shortage already processed more than 6,000 men had done so much to help build. added impetus to an already gradual personnel ... In the ensuing " age of the auto­ ridership increase and brought a • A station take-over and upgrad­ mobile", railroads were all but aban­ healthy 25% increase in gross revenue ing program as extensive as the doned by the passengers they had once as Amtrak for the first time topped the Amtrak network itself ... served so well. 200 million dollar per year mark in and the list could go on. So Americans traveled by automobile 1973. Now for Fiscal Year 1974, the Perhaps as unique and momentous on their new freeways and 87% of all company expects to gross $224.8 as anything mentioned above has been intercity travel was, by 1970, performed million. the development of an operational in the family car. The revolution begun Few people recognize and fewer understand the nature of the task which LATE BULLETIN confronted our management team as it picked up the pieces of a dying industry and began to revitalize the scattered At press time President Nixon has nominated six persons to the Amtrak Board of Directors. See details on page 5 col. 3. Continued on page 2 col. 1 1 get Amtrak service including reserva­ tions information, ticket cost and even automatic mailing--all for his credit card number. To those employees who recall the first hesitant year of operation and the thousands upon thousands of calls which were lost or turned away while individual manual service averaged 15 to 17 minutes per call, this new system is perhaps the single most revolutionary achievement in Amtrak's first three years. Not far behind on the list of notable achievements has been the intricate and laborious take-over of thousands of railroad employees from supporting railroads across the country. This too has been completed and for the first time, most on-board crew personnel are Amtrak's Northeast Centralized Reservations Center located at Bensalem, Pa. is one of five new computerized Amtrak reservations and information centers. on the Amtrak payroll directly. This process, in no small part due to the efforts of the Vice President for ANNIVERSARY-continued from page I Personnel and Administration, Mr. K. A. Housman and members of his staff, ground up with the purchase of two and tattered bits of the little that such as Nathaniel Tutt, Gloria Tate and massive Control Data 3500's, an remained of passenger service. But by Nate Fossett, along with the Central infinitely complex systems analysis the very nature of this quasi-Federal Regional Personnel Manager, Val program and eventually a total facility corporation, akin to COM SA T and the Racich and the Western Manager, conversion which has taken more than U.S. Postal Service, Amtrak's very Chris Slater. This work will continue 18 month to omplete and- install-. - existence was going to depend-in-a--Iarge until the remaining groups of railroad Now, for the first time in the history of measure on the skill of these top men in passenger-related employees have all passenger rail travel in th,is country, a weaving a fabric out of what Congress been brought into the Amtrak fold. would fund, what the private railroad traveler may dial one "toll-free" long corporations would support, what the distance number from anywhere in the In the effort to run a better railroad American public would demand, and country to anyone of five centers and and to run it safely and on-time, the what innovative marketing practices would produce in the way of ridership. This was a course which had to be set over uncharted seas and which was beset with major pitfalls at every turn. As time goes on, it may very well be that ---..------the most notable achievement of the first three years of a non-too precocious railroad system named Amtrak, may be judged to have been the signal success of this unique management team in bringing the whole thing to fruition in spite of the nature and severity of the obstacles which stood in the way. Among the major achievements which have made Amtrak what it is today, is the new, nationwide com­ puterized reservations and information system, (see Amtrak NEWS, April 15, 1974). Of the original railroads which made up the Amtrak system, none hOad invested time and money in any Fifty of Amtrak's new SDP·40F diesel locomotives currently are in service on Western routes. One successful, system-wide computer hundred additional locomotives are on order from . facility. Amtrak had to begin from the

2 company began by putting its money been equally responsive to the unique where the most immediate require­ needs of this developing organization. ments were. The first passenger loco­ Under the direction of Earl Adamson motives, power units ordered solely for and Richard Shurtz much has been passenger service in more than a done in-house and even more with the generation, were ordered and more than use of outside contract help including 50 of them are already in service. These the type of specialized assistance which big new diesels will be joined by more is characteristic of the airline industry than 100 more as almost all long-haul in the field of customer relations. (This trains are pulled behind Amtrak-owned will be the subject of a later and more equipment. Other locomotives have comprehensive article in a subsequent been ordered for the all-electric opera­ Amtrak News.) Suffice it to say here tions along the and that the more than 6,000 people who will be placed in service as soon as they Amtrak's new opened have been through Amtrak training come available. As a bonus of this January 3. facilities to date represent a true action, it has been found that these new cross-section of the Amtrak employee In conjunction with the development locomotives use up to 250/0 less fuel than manpower pool. Many have been drawn of timetables, a new tariff publication earlier models and are more pollution from the reservoir of "Old Timers" and has been developed which not only has free than their predecessors. an even greater number have been put all cost information in one place but New equipment orders have been brand new. Much credit must be given it has listed the results of a three year harder to get started. Companies which for Amtrak's rapidly improving public effort designed to equalize and make had not been building railroad passen­ image to the results obtained by this uniform the fare structure which ger cars had to be interested in starting training organization and to the day to Amtrak inherited from the various up production lines. Novel ideas day observance of high standards by the railroads at the time it came into encompassing innovative marketing growing body of graduates. concepts had to be worked into the new existence. There were serious and car designs by Amtrak's Design group. unacceptable inequalities throughout All of these things, and there are Suspension systems designs which have the rate structure which were being many more, underscore what has been been developed to cope with track prepared for the emerging nationwide done in three years and in many ways conditions which are less than the best system. Dirk Partridge and Matt Paul they outline the nature of the task and which have the ability to control have devoted years to this action and which remains ahead. Amtrak has lateral movement to compensate for a the success of their efforts may be seen come a long way and it has accomp­ lack of proper track design, have been in what we have to work with today. lished many things in which we may tailored to meet the requirements of The systematic training program has take a measure of pride. passenger service and are being in­ corporated into the requirements for newer cars. All of these things take time Two new French·built turbos have been in service between -St. Louis since October 1. Passenger reaction to the turbos on page 4. and at a time when the demand for more seats is high, pressure has built up to speed up the day when such new equipment will be delivered. Many of Amtrak's innovations are of that subtle undersurface variety which are absolutely essential but not evident and not played up in public, eye­ catching announcements. Consider the system timetable; not too many years ago anyone wishing to put together a long-distance railroad vacation would have had to consult a shelf-full of timetables of wide and confusing variety to learn about schedules and connections. Now this can be handled by one timetable, neatly converted to easy reading. Under the guidance of Bruce Heard, one of Amtrak's most knowledgeable railroad men, the Am­ trak timetables have developed into a set of precision documents useful throughout the entire system.

3 Survey Favors Turbo PLEASE CHECK EXCELLENT GOOD FAIR POOR Reservations & 33% 43% 13% 11% information system Judging by the results of a recent survey conducted by Amtrak's Market Condition of stations Research Department, the introduction 13% 400/0 31% 16% & waiting rooms of turbo service into the Chicago-St. Louis corridor is winning converts to Courtesy of train travel. 51% 420/0 6% 1% personnel The questionnaire, distributed from February 26-Apri13 to 1,560 passengers Helpfulness of on-board the turbos, was designed to 400/0 45% 12% 3% station personnel gauge passenger reaction to the turbos which have been operating between Comfort of train Chicago and St. Louis since October 1, 36% 45% 16% 3% 1973. Cleanliness of Although fifty-one percent of the 44% 46% 90/0 1% train passengers surveyed indicated that they normally make the trip by automobile, Quality of lounge & fifty-one percent also said that they 25% 490/0 21% 5% beverage service would choose the train next time. Another forty-seven percent indicated Quality of food in 15% 43% 290/0 13% that they would consider the train when or snack car choosing transportation for their next trip. Sixty-three percent chose "very Service Directors Added to 5 Trains much" to describe how they were Amtrak Service Directors will be gers on late trains; explain delays and enjoying their train trip. Thirty-six assigned to additional trains by June 1 their causes to passengers, and super­ percent rated the trip "fair", and only under a program recently instituted by vise service employees throughout the one percent said that they were not Don Ensz, Directo~- Service. The trains train. enjoying the trip at all. And sixty-seven involved in the expanded program will Also by June 1, Passenger Service percent of those surveyed rated turbo be the , George Wash­ Representatives (PSR's) will be aboard service "superior" to conventional train ington' , Panama additional trains to implement a more service previously available between Limited and Zephyr. All extensive entertainment package for the Chicago and St. Louis. trains presently operating with Service pleasure of our customers. Christy Passengers were asked to rate Directors will continue to do so. Koontz, General Supervisor - Special individually everything from Amtrak's Hank Hankinson, Manager - On­ Services, said the entertainment pro­ reservation system to the food service as Board Operations, said "The product gram will be found on the Coast either "excellent, good, fair or poor." we are offering the public is a double one Starlight, , Silver Star, ---­ The majority of passengers surveyed -- transportation and service. The , , chose the "good" category to describe On-Board Service Director program and Super . everything except the courtesy of train provides the vital link between these The programs will be offered from personnel. Fifty-one percent rated the two aims, as each Service Director is June 1 thru Sept. 15; they may operate courtesy of train personnel as "excel­ responsible for the operation of the year-round on certain trains depending lent;" forty-two percent rated it as train as it affects our service function. It on public acceptance. The entertain­ "good." is his job to ensure the safety and ment package may vary from train to Riders were almost equally divided comfort of the passengers and to assure train, but items featured may include among men and women and among them that the trains really are worth films, live entertainment, Bingo, Keno, those traveling for business and per­ traveling again." Take-A-Chance and Horserace games sonal reasons. An encouraging sign for To meet this goal the Service Director (with prizes for the winners). A "Happy the future of rail passenger travel, the has specific responsibilities in a variety Hour" with drinks for one dollar will largest percentage (390/0) of those of areas. He must check dining and also be scheduled. Amtrak "Fun and surveyed were young--between the ages inventories to insure they are Games" books, as well as a "Children's of 18 and 29. Although the largest adequately stocked; review the consist Hour", will be available for youngsters. percentage (23%) were in the under and manifest to assure the availability It is expected that most passengers $5,000 annual income bracket, there of proper accommodations; advise will consider the program an "extra" was a good representation of all passengers when problems are en­ treat, making the trip seem more like a economic backgrounds, with 14% in the countered; assure connections or $25,000 and over range. alternative accommodations for passen- Continued on page 8 col. 1

4 Brighton Park Officially Opens May 1

Although May 1 is the official open­ specially designed for self-propelled According to Peter Schlax, Quality ing day for Amtrak's new Brighton equipment and now services four Rail Control Supervisor for the facility, Park Maintenance Facility, the $3 Diesel Cars in addition to the turbos. "preventative or continuous main­ million shop actually has been in Cleaning (on an exterior wash rack), tenance" means that "equipment is operation since last Fall when two inspection and on-board maintenance never out of maintenance. It is operated French-built turbo trains were intro­ of equipment has been in progress since or utilized but always within a duced into the Chicago-St. Louis last Fall. However, by May 1 the "back pre-planned maintenance schedule." corridor. Since that time, its modular shop" sections will be completed This includes complete cleaning and concept of preventative or continuous enabling the maintenance facility to servicing on a daily basis. It takes three maintenance has helped the turbos handle all maintenance for the turbos or four people on one shift or 22.5 achieve 98.6% " availability and comple­ and RDC's except heavy engine over­ man-hours to turn a train, 30 man­ tion" records for the year 1974 which haul and wheel press operations. The hours if heavy cleaning is required. includes a perfect record for February "back shop" is a support area for Inspectors inspect equipment daily. and March. maintenance work not done directly on First the inspector checks the train; Located five miles southwest of the train. Components which may have then the mechanic checks it; and finally Chicago's near the failed on-board the train are removed system operations is checked by the Brighton Park Railroad yards, Am­ and checked in the "back shop" before inspector who "signs off' on the train's trak's first maintenance center is being replaced on the train. readiness for service .. On a weekly basis the exhaust system After six months' experience with the air coming in from the sides and and light fixture covers are cleaned; the new French-built turbo trains, Brighton compensated for this by also taking in bar grills steam cleaned; seats wiped Park's Quality Control Supervisor Peter air from the top of the car thus down; and rugs shampooed. Every Schlax is pleased with the equipment's eliminating snow injecting into the three months curtains in the turbos are maintenance record. " Since the turbos turbine compartment. Also air warmed replaced and all equipment receives a have two power cars, the majority of our from cooling the alternator was chan­ complete interior washdown. The maintenance problems don't ever sur­ neled into the air intake compartment underside of the train is also cleaned. face as operational problems," he said. to melt the snow. "We could have a turbine shutdown Gerard Taquet, one of a three man and if you were a passenger, you'd never French technical advisory team BULLETIN·continued from page 1 know it." stationed at Brighton Park for the Schlax was one of four Brighton Park trains' one-year warranty period, says Maintenance Facility supervisors who that minor alterations had to be made On April 23, President Nixon received maintenance instruction in to compensate for the Chicago area's announced his intention to nominate France directly from the maker of the cold weather. For example, water in the the following six persons to the Board of turbos, ANF-Frangeco and also from fuel froze in the severe cold and plugged Directors of Amtrak: Turbomeca, designer of the trains' the fuel filter, stopping the engines. Roger Lewis, present Chairman of turbine engines. Although there were This was easily rectified by adding a bit the Board and Chief Executive Officer some problems during the first six of alcohol to the fuel, something not of Amtrak. necessary in France. "In France we months of turbo operations with Charles Luna, President Emeritus, turbine air intake, engine shutdowns, have two or three days of bad cold United Transportation Union and and ice build up around the under­ weather; it snows maybe a total of one present Amtrak board member. frame component, snow ingestion week. Here in Chicago, you have two or Joseph V. MacDonald, Manager of three months of snow," Taquet said, on the trailing car required the most Purchases, Production ' Equipment, still obviously in awe of Chicago's attention. During the Chicago area's Continental Can Company, Inc. weather. infamous winter, snow was getting into Frank S. Besson, Jr., retired Army the air filtration system and freezing. Taquet has not been surprised by the General, Consultant to General Ice was braking the engine blades and American public's acceptance of the Research Corp., and present board causing engine failure. (Luckily, what French turbos. He explains that similar member. Schlax calls the "fantastic redundancy" equipment was added to three routes in Mary J. Head, member of United of the two-power-car turbos kept this France a year ago: Lyon-Nantes; Transportation Advisory Council. from becoming a major operational Lyon-Strasburg; and Lyon-Bordeaux. Edward L. Ullman, Professor of problem.) All three routes were considered Geography, University of . A structural modification was needed "secondary track" because their low to lessen the impact of snow ingestion density of freight operations had not Of the Presidential appointees, Mr. on the engine. Previously air was taken warranted electrification. However, Ullman, Mrs. Head and Mr. Mac­ in from the sides of the car only. within the year, there was about a 300/0 Donald are designated as "consumer Modification decreased the amount of increase in ridership over the routes. representatives. "

5 quick measurement at speeds up to 180 French, VA Turbos & Hi-Level Coach Tested mph. However, accuracy of the non­ contact capacitance car decreases in bad weather, particularly rain--a prob­ In a move destined to open the door to check three types of vibrations or come less desirable from a freight lem the contact type of car does not to meaningful improvements in the jolts: vertical, lateral and longitudinal. standpoint. Many railroads have, there­ have. Like the Santa Fe and other quality of railroad passenger service, At the same time FRA's specially fore, been reducing or removing the railroad-owned Track Geometry Cars, Amtrak, with the assistance of Federal designed and instrumented Track su perelevation." FRA' cars measure all track geometry Railroad Administration (FRA) Measurement Car was used to record Therefore, while Amtrak and FRA characteristics. officials recently tested the French the smoothness of the track segment are testing cars for quietness and Jack B. Stauffer, FRA's Rail Systems , the United Aircraft Turbo­ under survey, its lateral deviation quality of ride, we note that this is but a Division Chief, explains the relation­ Train and a reconditioned, bi-level (horizontal alignment), vertical profile, beginning. The discomfort problems ship between ride quality and the Track coach of the type currently used on the super-elevation (banking on curves) and which are associated with sound and Geometry Car this way, "A coaster Chicago- run to compare gauge (deviations from standard). with the kind of measurements which wagon would ride smoothly on a perfect the noise level and quality of ride of Data from all ofthese tests have been an accelerometer can test are only a piece of track. On a section of track these cars on existing track. These tests recorded on magnetic tape and sent to part of the problem. Track which has which deviates from perfection, the were run under controlled conditions on the National Aeronautics and Space had superelevation removed is uncom­ of the rail car must absorb these the same track, at the same speeds and Administration (NASA) for computer fortable and slow. As a consequence, deviations. Our Track Geometry Cars with the same instrumentation for each analysis. Amtrak will learn of the Amtrak's systemwide average speed for Burlington Northern's spanking-new Track Measuring Car is moved onto the main line outside of can measure the ability of different type of car. results early in May. 1973 was slower than 1972 and 1972 the company's Como shops in St. Paul where it was built. BN engineers and workmen constructed types of equipment to absorb these According to Joseph J. Schmidt, Although objective evaluations are was slower than 1971. The handwriting the special car from an 86-foot former buffet parlor car. deviations, as we did recently between Director of Planning-Equipment & not in yet, Joe Schmidt said that the is on the wall. Chicago and S1. Louis." Facilities in Amtrak's Operations general conclusion of those who The Regional Rail Reorganization What Are Track Geometry Cars? Department, the purpose of these observed the tests was that the French Act of 1973 goes even further than the comparison tests, conducted during the Turboliner performed best in both Report of the Secretary cited above. Since 1937 when they were first specially modified business car, is Rail Book Offer first two weeks of March on the categories of sound and ride quality. He The Act says that rail properties (track) introduced by the C&O Railroad, capable of surveying 300 miles of track Central Gulf Railroad (lCG) track added, "I would be surprised if the shall be leased, or be purchased or Track Geometry Cars have helped a day. It measures all the usual track For Employees between Chicago and St. Louis, was to computer results are different." One otherwise acquired by the National several railroads get the most out of parameters: warp, the surface of both determine, "how each particular kind interesting conclusion observed by the Railroad Passenger Corporation and their maintenance dollars. Today's rails, superelevation, alignment of both Searching for a positive book about of car responded to each piece of track, Amtrak observers was that the old shall be improved to meet the goals set owners (including C&O/B&O, Sante rails, and lateral and vertical accelera­ rail passenger service? Look no further particularly-to various amounts of track bi-Ievel coach - did -not- a-ppear to forth in the Act. This will-ma-ke~it Fe, Southern, Canadian National, tion. Its on-board computer records on than The Way To Go by William D. irregularities." Joe Schmidt added that perform, on those tracks, as well as possible for Amtrak to design the track & Maine and Burlington magnetic tape mileposts, distances and McCleery and Thomas C. Southerland, the Chicago-St. Louis segment of ICG anticipated. These coaches were built in for comfort and safety in addition to Northern railroads, New City key landmarks along each mile of track. Jr. track was chosen because its relatively the late '50's, and there have been designing cars for that purpose. The Transit Authority, and DOT) use their Computer printouts include one-mile This is a very different book about good condition in selected areas allow considerable improvements in suspen­ distinction is that the real problem lies own version of the Track Geometry Car summaries of track defects (called public transportation, a book which for Amtrak's current equipment to run at sion technology since then. Some of with the track and with its physical to plan maintenance work and set "anomalies") and a listing of "priority" the first time gives Americans realistic higher than average operational speeds. these improvements are built in to the design; but these tests cited above mark guidelines for freight car design. and "emergency" locations which hope that a new day is dawning for rail He also added that this is one of the few newer French Turboliner. and important beginning of a return to For example, Santa Fe's Track require immediate maintenance atten­ passenger service. tracks "where normal conversation At this time, when everyone is comfortable railroad travel. Geometry Car 85, a 220,000 lb. tion. The authors candidly discuss the between passengers is not a big looking forward to significant improve­ history of how and why rail passenger problem". Although this statement may ments in the quality of ride on board From this information is derived an service declined in pre-Amtrak days, be open to argument, i.e., there are Amtrak trains, we are reminded of two overall rating index for each mile of what it is like in other countries, how we other routes where conversation is important factors which are becoming Santa Fe track. Eventually Santa Fe's can overcome the problems that have possible, his point is well made. Things increasingly important. On March 15, data bank correlates traffic, speed and held up improvement here, and what is could be better, and Amtrak is doing 1973, the Secretary of Transportation rate of track degradation. now beginning to happen with Amtrak. something about it. submitted a report on Amtrak to FRA's Track Geometry Car, recently This is an optimistic book about Standard decibel meters were used to Congress. This milestone report con­ used to compare the ride quality of railroads that will be good news not measure the noise levels in each type of tained a brief, little-noted statement three types of Amtrak-owned equip­ only to Amtrak passengers and em­ car. Readings were taken at several which underlies ride-quality problems: ment, was acquired by the Department ployees but also to those concerned with points in each car to ascertain noise "Superelevation affects the passenger of Commerce in 1964. It was first used national ecology. variables within the car. Schmidt feels train use of mainline track. This is a to "profile" the Washington- The publishers offer this book to that a quiet train adds a lot to the technique in which the outside rail on a corridor to assess the capability -'of that Amtrak employees at a 300/0 discount. pleasure of the ride itself, "It's a little curve is raised above the inside rail to track to sustain the high speeds of the Normally selling for $8.95plus handling easier to overlook other minor allow a train to take curves faster While then proposed Metroliner service. Since charges, employees can purchase The deficiencies in the quality of the ride it­ maintaining passenger comfort." Note that time, FRA has been surveying U.S. Way To Go by sending a check for self if it is relatively noiseless." the stress on the fact of "comfort" as roadbeds upon request of the railroads $6.95 to Simon & Schuster, Box AMT, Quality of ride is the real concern. well as speed, and then it goes on to say, involved. Unlike Santa Fe's Car 85, 630 Fifth Ave., New York 10020. Two types of FRA equipment were used "But as freight trains have become FRA's instruments are a particular kind The book will be mailed in the same to measure ride quality on these heavier and freight cars larger and Two men comprise the Track Measuring Car crew. The observer, left, reads out railroad signs, of non-contact type; they do not touch week that the publisher receives the mileposts, bridges, etc., to his fellow worker who pencils in the data on wide paper tape. Various selected cars. Accelerometers were used higher, superelevated tracks have be- the rails that they measure. This allows track information automatically is indicated on the tape. order. 6 7 DIRECTORS-continued from page 4 Effective June 1, 1974, Amtrak expects to have a Service Director aboard cruise for travelers riding long distances each of the following trains on a daily basis: on Amtrak. Many complimentary services, such National Limited as wake-up coffee and orange juice, and North Coast afternoon soda and Amtrak cookies, Coast Starlight will also be special features on the Empire Builder San Francisco Zephyr above trains. An Early Bird (budget) Floridian Silver Meteor dinner will be featured from four to six George Washinton/ Silver Star p.m. and all-night coffee, sandwiches, James Whitcomb Riley and other snacks will also be available. Inter-American / Washingtonian Chief Ads Named Best of '73 New Train Runs A lot of people have been noticing Rated among the top visual presenta­ During Expo '74 Amtrak's advertisements, including the tions from all media was Amtrak's editors of "Art Direction" Magazine. "Plane-Train Vacation" ad, a two-page Two of our ads were cited recently by spread which appeared as an advertise­ Amtrak will operate a new train, that magazine as among the "Best of ment in "The American Way" Ameri­ "Expo 74", between Spokane and 1973." can Airlines in-flight magazine. The Seattle May 19 through September 14, add illustrates a "hitch your plane to a 1974, during the peak times of VP Edel Defends train and expand your vacation hori­ Spokane's World's Fair. zons" theme by picturing a plane whose The daily daylight service will be part Headquarters Staff mid-section is an Amtrak dome/ coach. of a step-up of Amtrak's schedule at Spokane from a current 20 trains a "Is Amtrak filled with bureaucrats?" Amtrak's "Next Time ... Take Our week to 42. Also on May 19, Amtrak That question was recently asked by Car" ad placed in the magazine's "seen will upgrade service on the North Coast Peter Putnam Bretz, reporter for Rail and noted" category. "Art Direction" Hiawatha, linking Spokane with both Travel Newsletter published in Berke­ described the ad as " bold graphics and Seattle and Chicago, from three times ley, Ca. in an extensive interview with a hard-hitting visual with a message." weekly each way to daily. Spokane is Amtrak Vice President - Public Rela­ Originally a Los Angeles billboard, the also served by Amtrak's daily Seattle­ tions, Edwin Edel. ad proved so effective that its visuals Chicago Empire Builder. Bretz: "Is Amtrak filled with bureau­ were later used as the basis for a Schedules of the two current services crats?" newspaper campaign in Chicago, New to Spokane provide for night or early Edel: "Let me ask you this, have you York and Washington, D.C. morning arrivals. The new "Expo 74" ever been to Amtrak headquarters in will make a scenic daylight trip on the Washington?" Amtrak's Advertising Program, un­ route which includes the Cascades Bretz: "No, I never have." der the direction of James Mariner, Tunnel, longest in the Western hemis­ Edel: "What you ought to do is take Manager of Advertising and Sales phere. a trip across country and come in and Promotion, has already produced Adjustments have been made in the spend a few days with us. Go through several notable campaigns this year, schedules of trains arriving in Seattle each department and meet the people particuarly the Northeast Corridor both from Portland, Ore., and Van­ who are back there working their tails "suitcase" ad. Designed to help the couver, B.C., to provide better connec­ off trying to make this thing go. And I traveler combat the weekend travel rush tions with the new Seattle-Spokane think you'll find that a large percentage which has been compounded by the "Expo 74." of them are putting in 50-60-70 hours a energy crisis, the ad shows Northeast The northbound Puget Sound from week trying to do what you want to do_ Corridor schedule and fares informa­ Portland will depart a half-hour earlier You, meaning the people who are tion. Its headline reassures travelers than the present schedule, at 8 a.m. interested in better train service. Now, that Amtrak has plenty of trains to beginning May 19, with an 11:50 a.m. let's say on the bureaucratic end of it: a Boston, Washington, Albany and Buf­ arrival at Seattle. The schedule of the bureaucrat is a word that has been falo with unreserved seating. It advises southbound will tossed around by a lot of people. When "Don't call, just come. Buy a ticket - be 15 minutes earlier from Vancouver, someone is a bureaucrat, automatically board the train." Utilizing the results of with arrival in Seattle in adequate time that conjures up an image of somebody recent Amtrak Market Research sur­ for a connection. sitting in Washington drawing a big, fat veys, it stated that Tuesday, Wednesday "Man and His Environment" is the salary who doesn't know a thing about and Thursday are the best days on theme of Expo 74 which will open May what he's doing. That's not the way we which to travel, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. do business." the best time period. Continued on page 10 col. 1

8 Passenger Mail Praises Amtrak Progress

During the last three years, the received from passengers who have Is this the way to run a RAILROAD? National Railroad Passenger Corpora­ followed our three year progress and Yes! YES, indeed! tion has received hundreds of letters who have taken time to tell us that they My hearty thanks to each and every from passengers sharing their rail travel can see im provements in rail passenger individual involved. experiences--good and bad--and from service. Sincerely, potential passengers seeking informa­ A. W. Weinkle tion about this corporation called Amtrak. We have profited from this March 6,1974 Dear Mr. Graham: January 2, 1974 exchange of ideas, perhaps most of all Dear Mr. Graham: from the criticisms which have pointed In view of your statement that out areas of most needed attention in Amtrak would like to hear from its You and your staff deserve much the problem-ridden system inherited customers, I would like to make these praise for extreme effort over the 1973 from thirteen different railroads. It is observations. holidays. Rail passenger service is not also encouraging to know that our The journey I made on your an easy one to market, yet it seems that efforts to improve rail passenger service Broadway Limited from New York to you have accomplished just that. do not go unnoticed. The following Pittsburgh on the evening of March 3 My wife and I had the pleasure of letters are representative of those was the first time everything went well traveling the Panama Limited from for me on Amtrak. Effingham to Jackson, Miss. on Decem­ All About Amtrak If this is a sign of the restoration of ber 22 and return on the 25th. Our your service, it restores my faith. I will accommodations were excellent and the not take up your time with the atrocities Stan Federman in the Portland service top quality. of some of my past experiences riding Oregonian: "The kids are discovering May you have all of the good in the your Iron Horse. Suffice to say, if future , Amtrak. Every weekend, more and more New Year. Thank you so much for service is comparable to that which I high school and college age youths are making the rails worth traveling again. experienced on my March 3 trip, you boarding passenger trains for Seattle. Tracks are definitely back. will have my business. And they are learning what their E. Allen Knight Yours very truly, grandparents always knew: Traveling V. Rev. Father by train can be fun." Dear Mr. Graham: George Appleyard George Cantor, travel editor of the I recently traveled the "" Detroit (Mich.) Free Press: "After from New York to Hollywood, Fla., and December 28, 1974 becoming accustomed to the tight returned on the "Silver Meteor" along confines of a jet or a car, it's the same route. First, I must commend exhilarating to enjoy the freedom of Amtrak on the tremendous improve­ To Whom It May Concern: movement you have on a train ... And ment in service I have noticed since I traveled the same way in January 1972. the personnel on every train we traveled Would like to compliment you on the On both trips, I was pleased to see seemed ... sincerely friendly and eager improvements you are making in the the situation much improved. Both to help out ... " station and service at , Fla. porters on my trips were excellent-­ John Butner in the Cleburne (Tex.) Things are looking up out there. Your courteous, efficient, helpful. Pillows Times-Review: "Dr. John Fike of staff there are very courteous, also. were free, a pleasant change. The cars Southern Methodist University rode Especially did I notice the nice new were cleaner, and many of them were from St. Louis to and said the blood you're getting associated with train (Amtrak's new Inter-American) Amtrak. the right temperature. I might note especially the efforts made on the Silver surpassed the old Super Chief ... Fike Keep up the good work - I think Meteor to make the passengers feel at said the train had the finest appoint­ people really need the trains. home--the PSR, the excellent schedule ments he had ever seen--carpeting on Sincerely, of events, the complimentary coffee, the walls, use of color ... " Mrs. A. Beswick Gary Ellis in the Long Beach (Calif.) orange juice, the champagne and Independent Press Telegram: "The popcorn. scenery to San Diego is delightful ... We Dear Mr. Graham: In general, I was very pleased with passed cars, knowing the drivers were About two years ago uncertain flying my trip. The price was right; the trains thinking about gasoline and wondering weather prompted me to try Amtrak on were no more than 5 minutes late overall where to buy some, while we sipped a trip from New York to Providence, despite one derailment problem which beverages and rolled along the rails ... " RL Was so pleased I've repeated the affected one trip, and the service was Michael Woods, science editor of the exercise over 40 times, constantly excellent. Toledo (0.) Blade: "Amtrak had the recognizing improvements in the Sincerely, best coffee I've tasted in years." service. Dan Biederman

9 ------TRAIN-continued from page 8 routes. (Each window will feature routes in one of our three regions.) In addition, Disney World Club 4 for a six-month run. One of the Amtrak guides are positioned through­ environments to be explored is the out the simulated train as they would be Offers Discounts modern train. Amtrak's exhibit is during an actual train trip. Amtrak employees may join the described as a "walk-through, sensory Also part of the Amtrak environ­ "Magic Kingdom Club" to enable them environment." Visitors experience four mental exhibition is a fully-staffed, to visit Wait Disney World in or separate train environments: the computerized ticket counter and an Disneyland in and enjoy recreation car, coach, diner and information center. advantages not available to the general roomette. The New York-based design firm of public. Club members are entitled to Kissiloff and Wimmershoff created special ticket books and travel package As visitors move from section to Amtrak's exhibit. plans all year round, plus savings on section, the exhibition's story line is Louise Lassen, Sales Promotion hotel rooms and a 20 percent discount carried by taped voices presented in a Assistant describes Amtrak Expo ex­ on Hertz rental cars throughout the naturalistic fashion as if they were hibit as the "closest thing to actually nation. being "overheard" on-board an Amtrak riding an Amtrak train. We hope that There is no membership fee for train. Three "windows" will show this exhibit will be of great educational Amtrak employees. To join, simply films of actual scenery along Amtrak benefit to children and adults alike." write to Missie Truban, Amtrak, 955 L'Enfant Plaza, North, S.W. , Seventh READ DOWN EXPO 74 READ UP Floor, Washington, D.C. 20024. Please give your com plete name and address 8:00 AM Lv. Spokane Ar. 9:00PM and indicate if you have children or 10:30 AM Lv. Ephrata Lv. 6:20 PM grandchildren between the ages of one 11:50 AM Ar. Wenatchee Lv. 5:05PM through ten. A completed card will be 12:01 PM Lv. Wenatchee Ar. 4:55 PM sent which must be signed by the 3:20PM Lv. Everett Lv. 1:30PM member. 3:45PM Lv. Edmonds Lv. 1:05 PM Along with the card, employees will 4:30 PM Ar. Seattle Lv. 12:30 PM be sent a pamphlet that describes in further detail the advantages of club membership. Zephyr Hosts Railway Post Office Services Increase The Railway Post Office (RPO) will deposited in the RPO will be cancelled be revived for one day as part of a with a special pictorial stamp depicting On-Board Trains ceremony to commemorate the 40th the Zephyr .. anniversary of the - Chicago The train will be haIted briefly at Amtrak will soon be expanding , "America's first diesel Riverside, Ill., home of the Midwest on-board services and restoring powered streamliner. Railway Historical Society, to discharge checked-baggage service to many trains Amtrak, the Midwest Railway His­ the mail into the postal system. under a program being developed by torical Society and the U.S. Postal The Pioneer Zephyr is being com­ Don Ensz, Director - Service. Service will co-sponsor RPO service memorated because it was the first train Service on-board trains will be aboard the eastbound San Francisco to prove the merits of diesel power in improved through addition of Service Zephyr on May 26. Postage stamps will high-speed train operation. On May 26, Directors and Passenger Service Repre­ be sold to passengers and all mail 1934, this first Zephyr dashed across sentatives to many trains (see story, p. 1,015 miles nonstop from Denver to 4), and by keeping lounge cars open 24 Chicago in a record-breaking 13 hours hours a day. This will allow food and and five minutes, averaging 77.6 miles beverage service to be available at all AMTRAK NEWS per hour. times to our passengers. Mr. Ross "Never before had a train powered by H iggin botham, Manager-C om missary Amtrak News is published twice a any means traveled nonstop for a & Crews, said Amtrak will hire month for Amtrak employees and distance greater than 775 miles," said additional service attendants to staff employees of participating railroads Jim Adams of the Midwest Railway the lounge cars. Further plans are who are engaged in passenger service. It Historical Society. under development to add lounge cars is pubished by: In May 1960, the Pioneer Zephyr to all conventional Boston - Washing­ National Railroad Passenger became a permanent outdoor exhibit at ton trains. Corporation Chicago's Museum of Science and Amtrak will also begin to provide 955 L'Enfant Plaza North, S.W. Industry, located on the only checked baggage service on nearly every Washington, D.C. 20024 a few miles south of the 1934 World's Fair site. Continued on page 12 col 2

10 New Tour Manual Amtrak Grows to 8,000 Employees Amtrak now has approximately 8,000 beginning that Amtrak had to build its Where would you expect to find out employees on its own payroll, 85 own organization to begin the awesome about the" Alaska Spirit". the " Bonan­ percent of whom are people with prior task of revitalizing rail passenger za Americana" or the " Evangeline railroad experience. The company has service. To do so, Amtrak had to Americana"? It's all in the big, new, come a long way since May 1, 1971, accomplish two basic goals. One was to glossy and colorful Amtrak Tour when it began operations with a very negotiate labor agreements so that Manual just off the presses in time for small staff consisting of President conditions of employment were clearly the 1974 travel season. Under the Roger Lewis and several assistants. understood. Second was to modify C-l guidance of John Lombardi, Director, "This was the first time in history labor agreements to enable people to Market Programs, Fred Timms and his when a company, already in operation, come to Amtrak without having to Tour Development staff have been was created overnight on a national bump seniority rosters on their own working for more than a year to turn basis while having practically no railroads. out the best looking and most detailed employees of its own," said Kenneth A. "To build an organization we had to Tour Manual possible. There are Housman, Vice President - Personnel bring top management people in first, approximately 150 inviting tours and Administration. "We started from then create supporting staffs, then take splashed across the color coded pages scratch -- we didn't even have employ­ over field employees. It had to be a with such eye catching names as "San ment applications." process of evolution," Housman said. Francisco Sophisticate" or just plain At first, recruiting experienced rail­ This chronological order was indeed "San Francisco Spree"; or the "Golden road personnel was difficult because followed, resulting in all personnel Cities Round-up" for a long leisurely prospective employees had serious working in sales, reservations, ac­ trip though Denver-Seattle-San Fran­ questions on their minds. They were counting, commissary, on-board ser­ cisco and Los Angeles; or if you like asking, for example, " Is Amtrak an vices (except in very small stations), now Florida there is the " Gadabout" and organization that will grow? What will officially members of the Amtrak the " Family Fling". Then you can go to happen to me after two years? What corporation. A milestone was reached Washington, D.C. for a "Theatre about my railroad pension? on April 16 when the transfer of Weekend" at the fabulous John F. "But," Housman said, " Amtrak has on-board service employees was Kennedy Center. Or up to New England turned the trend, even before the energy accomplished on Penn Central. This for "Yankee Holiday". There is even crisis, and people feel more secure means that every on-board service :..----one for the motorhome or camper about the company. It's easier now for employee (non-operating) on every train enthusiast "Roamin' Holidays". railroad people to come to Amtrak." throughout the nation is an Amtrak Right off the press and soon to be in It was clearly understood from the employee. the hands of more than 6,000 travel Furthermore, all maintenance per­ agents as well as with all Amtrak Sales ICC Recommends sonnel involved with advanced-design personnel from coast to coast, this new trains are with Amtrak in Providence, Tour Manual is the work of Fred Rail Fuel Program RI. and Brighton Park in Chicago. Timms' staff headed by Al Kaletta and Both shops perform work on Turbo­ with Carl Combe, Bill Kleinsteuber and The Interstate Commerce Commis­ trains with Brighton Park also servicing Jeanne Jones. This is a big manual sion, in an annual report to Congress on Rail Diesel Cars (RDC's). almost the size of the familiar Tariff Amtrak, has recommended that rail­ Amtrak has done the job in three Manual. It is in full color, well roads be required to set aside fuel in short years in establishing its own illustrated and color-coded so that you advance to meet the needs of Amtrak organization and bringing aboard can easily find the major sections, such and its passengers. people who were working for individual as National, Cruises, International, Although Amtrak's fuel allocation is railroads. There's a lot of action on this Honeymoon, Sports and Visit USA. expected to be sufficient for overall railroad and Amtrak now has fewer Another milestone: Amtrak's new Tour needs, "spot shortages" could occur recruiting problems as compared to Manual. during the year, the ICC said. Since fuel those early days of 1971. is not segregated between freight and The growth in the number of Employees Praise passenger operations, the Commission employees directly on the Amtrak is concerned that railroads may give payroll is outlined below: Each Other priority to freight operations because of Date No. of Amtrak Employees profit considerations. May 1971 75 Employees of all ages are saying nice The ICC also says that "fuel cost will Nov. 1971 335 things about each other in public. be the biggest factor contributing to the May 1972 598 Nationally-syndicated columnist Nick increased deficit" this year, estimating Nov. 1972 1,394 Thimmesch interviewed employees that Amtrak is billed for 150 million May 1973 2,756 recently on New York-Florida trains gallons of diesel fuel a year. The ICC Nov. 1973 4,926 and he was told some interesting things. said the increase in the fuel bill will be May 1974 8,000* Continued on page 12 col. 1 $22.5 million in 1974. *Estimate

11 EMPLOYEES-continued from page 10 Gary Mauch, 25, service director, Amtrak Ridership Up 410/0 told Thimmesch that employees are "really interested in the future of Amtrak_ When I first came on, the Ridership statistics just in show that ridership over the entire system for the old-timers were cold to me, maybe months January through March 1974 is up a good 41% over the same three because they thought they would be laid months of 1973. The System Totals are: off. But they're the ones who eventually 1973 1974 %Change taught me the most about trains." James Goodman, 64, FIRST 99,524 127,252 28% attendant, told Timmesch, "There's Coach 3,156,756 4,468,315 42% going to be more train travel coming. People like it on here. Part of it is G RAND TOTAL 3,256,280 4,595,567 41 % because it's nice to see these young people on the crews. Most old-timers New York to Florida traffic was up 80%. Chicago to Florida traffic up 52%. like me like the new approach. And I'm Chicago to New Orleans up 58% and Chicago to Oakland traffic was up 78%. glad we now have young white fellows Short haul segments were up considerably with more than 2,000,000 riders on the and girls working in the and NYC to Washington run lduring this period. sleeping cars, too." Services-continued from page 10 train in the fleet. In some cases baggage perform on-board checked-baggage MAY 15 ISSUE cars and on-board baggagemen will be handling. AMTRAK NEWS restored; in other instances, particu­ According to Carroll Hines, Manager larly on Metroliners and Turbotrains, of Mail, Baggage and Express, these Watch for these articles in the service attendants will be hired to baggage improvements are vitally im­ next issue of Amtrak News. portant because of the tremendous Amtrak Streaking? increase in the number of bags carried -- Newly Manufactured Diesel in our checked baggages service. This Locomotives Scheduled for Many people ride trains to view the growth is expected to continue as Service scenery outside the windows.- On the Amtrak expands the numb€ F>-of- citi~s,,-===-~ Montrealer in early April, however, where baggage may be checked; as -- Explanation of the Pass passengers got quite an eyeful right Amtrak runs more trains, and as Policy inside Le Pub. ridership keeps increasing. -- A Look at Amtrak's Commis­ Jerry Jordan, Amtrak's piano player Amtrak's services in its stations will in Le Pub explained it this way: "I'm also be improved, according to Neal saries playing the first set and this guy says Owen, System Manager - Passenger -- New Summer Tours 'can you play some streaking music?' I Service. New Personnel will be hired say, O.K. I give him something throughout the nation to fill additional -- Inside the new Jacksonville up-tempo. Then I look up and this ticketing, baggage and relief positions Reservation Center guy's streaking!" permitting more stations to be open "First time on Amtrak," he said. befow..and during train time.

First Class M ail U.S . POSTAGE PAID 1 oz Permit 44651 Washi ngton, D.C. Natio Passenger 955 L'Enfant Plazll Washington

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED 12