Vol. 4, No. 23 December 20, 1977 Canceled, Reduced Train Service ________ I To Be Restored By Amtrak All trains that were cancelled or Charleston. An immediate shift to the January 8 with a new schedule that is reduced in frequency during Sep­ Raleigh line would disrupt travel expected to attract considerably more tember and October because of the , plans of large numbers of passengers. riders. funding squeeze will be restored. New Haven-Springfield-This ser­ Chicago-Milwaukee-One daily Amtrak's management described vice will be restored on January 8 to Turboliner round-trip is to be the details of the restoration plan in a pre-October levels, although minor restored on January 8. This service letter sent in mid-December to all changes will be required to maintain cannot run exactly as it was operated members of Congress representing connections with other trains on the before September because Chicago­ districts affected by the cutbacks. The New York-Boston line through New Seattle trains through Milwaukee restorations are in keeping with the Haven, including commuter trains have been rescheduled. instructions of a Congressional con­ not operated by Amtrak. San Joaquin-The San Francisco­ ference committee that intercity train The CIamdigger-The New Haven­ Bakersfield train was scheduled for service remain substantially unchang­ Providence service is to be restored (Continued on page 7) ed until Congress reviews a Depart­ ment of Transportation study of Am­ Beech Grove Funds Approved trak's national route system that is due March I. At its December 14 meeting, Am­ - Structural and other im­ Some trains will resume operation trak's board of directors approved provements to wheel, paint, coach, on January 8, but others are not funding for the third phase of a forge and maintenance shops, and slated for full operation until next modernization program at the Beech other buildings. summer when new equipment will be Grove shops in Indianapolis. When Amtrak purchased the Beech available. The five-partlfive-year moderniza­ Grove shops from the bankrupt Penn Also, some services cannot be tion program, estimated to cost $29 , Central railroad in April 1975, the restored exactly as they were million, will result in a facility that physical plant was in very dete­ operating because times of connect­ can handle all present, as well as fu ­ riorated condition resulting in fre­ ing trains have been changed. Amtrak ture, requirements for heavy overhaul quent production breakdowns and will work closely with the respective and specialty work. higher operating costs. states to make sure schedules are The refurbished shops will also be A five-year construction program agreeable to them. able to rehabilitate car components was planned to minimize conflict with The following services are to be for the entire Amtrak system as well production schedules at the shop. restored or kept at their pre­ as provide a warehousing and distri­ Phase I, which began in fiscal year September service levels : bution point for car components. 1976, covered repairs and improve­ The Palmetto-The New York­ Phase III, estimated to cost $6.4 ments to the power plant's heating Savannah train was reduced to four­ million, will increase the productive and distribution systems, electrical times-per-week operation in capacity of the shop to handle all pre­ transmission lines, employee facilities September; was restored to daily ser­ sent overhaul programs of the and the car transfer table. vice shortly before Thanksgiving. passenger car fleet. Phase II, which began in fiscal year The train will continue in daily ser­ Specifically, the program provides: '1977, provided for purchase of new vice instead of reverting to quad­ - Rehabilitation and construction machinery and tooling for the pro­ weekly in January. of 17,000 linear feet of track; duction line and supporting shops, The Champion-This service bet­ -Rehabilitation of the coal-fired and for continued rehabilitation of ween New York and Florida, via boilers; existing facilities. Raleigh and Columbia, is to be - Parking lot improvements; Beech Grove shops were con­ restored "as soon as practicable," - Acquisition and installation of structed between 1907 and 1927 and possibly as late as March I. It cur­ production machinery and tools, plus were operated as a heavy car repair rently is combined with the Silver environmental equipment to comply facility by the New York Central Meteor on a route through with federal and state codes; and railroad and, after 1968, by PC. Rensselaer Facility Dedicated, ________ I Maintenance Moved To New Building Amtrak's new Turboliner mainte­ government through its Department were John Downing, executive depu­ nance facility at Rensselaer, New of Transportation. " ty commissioner, New York State York, was dedicated on Wednesday, He also contrasted the new Department of Transportation; November 30, with a ceremony that building with the previous work en­ Joseph P . Mink, mayor of was attended by some 150 state and vironments. "Until now our 'Tur­ Rensselaer; Thomas Frey, member of local government officials, news boliners have been maintained out­ the New York State Assembly; and media people and local employes. side, under all kinds of weather con­ Jim R!Jseman, assistant vice presi­ During the ceremony, John Piet, ditions. But even under these cir­ dent/ corporate mechanical officer, Eastern region vice president, said cumstances, our crews have done a and Robert Lawson, assistant vice that the new facility "will contribute tremendous job keeping the equip­ president/chief engineer, both of to the reliability and comfort of the ment running smoothly. Amtrak, Washington. Turboliners and other equipment that "That's proven by the fact that Lawson told the group, " We're Amtrak operates In New York since the Turboliners began operating quite proud that the total design and State. " here in autumn 1976, they have construction management of this Piet pointed out that the new facili­ had a 98 per cent mechanical reliabili­ facility was handled 'in house' by our ty is the result of 18 months of hard ty factor." own engineering staff. We're also work by Amtrak engineers and local Piet continued, "This new facility gratified the work was completed on contractors. will now provide our personnel with schedule and within the budget." Said he, "Amtrak is dedicated to the most modern equipment , A short reception followed the improving intercity rail service in this technology and working conditions ceremony featuring coffee, soft state and it is very gratifying to have they need to do their jobs well. " drinks, a special cake decorated with the strong support of the state Also participating in the ceremony a Turboliner, and products of New (L eft) Paul Baker, superintendent of maintenance, - acts as master of ceremonies a7 dedication. (Below) Employees applaud comments of one of the speakers. (Right) Turboliner straddles inspection pit that allo ws access to train's trucks. (Far Right) Exterior of north end of building shows entry doors. Enclosed car washer is on extreme left. York-wine and cheese-supplied by Amtrak Named Official Carrier_ ____ the state's Department of Agriculture. I For 1979 Special Olympics Paul Baker, superintendent of maintenance, who was master of Amtrak has been named the of­ Olympic Games will attract more ceremonies, reported most of the ficial carrier for participants and than 3,500 participants and 1,000 maintenance operation was transfer­ visitors to the 1979 International coaches and chaperones from every red inside the new facility early the Special Olympic Games in Brockport, state and over 20 countries following week. Later that same New York. The announcement was throughout the world. About half of week, the area was hit with 12-13 in­ made by Amtrak and Joseph P. Ken­ the state Special Olympics chapters ches of snow and temperatures drop­ nedy, Jr. Foundation, creator and have already indicated an interest in ped to 15-17 degrees, which along sponsor of Special Olympics for the using Amtrak trains for all or part of with stiff winds resulted in a wind­ mentally retarded, at a press con­ their trips to and from the Games chill factor of minus 15-20 degrees. ference aboard an Amcafe in site. "Our timing was pretty good," he Washington Union Station on Tues­ The 1979 Games, which will be admitted. day, December 13. held on the campus of the State The $15 million facility will now be As the "official carrier" Amtrak University of New York at the maintenance point for all Tur- has agreed to provide attractive rates Brockport, will consist of competi­ for groups of 15 or more traveling on tions in track and field, swimming, Fire Problems regularly scheduled Amtrak trains. diving, gymnastics, basketball , Some chartered trains may also be volleyball, bowling, fl oor and poly Numerous underground fires provided for the International Games hockey , wheelchair races and, fo r the were discovered in excavating for in August 1979. first time in 1979, soccer. the new structure. These were left Participating in the announcement Special Olympics was founded in over from the days when the site were Al Michaud, Amtrak's vice 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, ex­ was used as an ash dump for president of marketing; Robert M. ecutive vice president of the Joseph steam locomotives by the New Montague, executive director of P . Ken nedy, Jr. Foundation. Since York Central railroad. Special Olympics, Inc.; and a group then it has grown from a single track The fires died down each of young Special Olympians from the and field event held at Soldier Fi eld in winter, then reignited in the spr­ Washington metropolitan area. Chicago to a network of year-round ing as the water table receded. "We're very honored to have been sports training programs and com­ Before construction could chosen the official carrier for the petitive meets in which over 750,000 begin, Amtrak had to remove 1979 Games," said Michaud, "and mentally-retarded athletes take part over 3,000 cubic yards of burning we're looking forward to serving throughout the world.