Vol. 4, No. 13 July 15, 1977 Flag Raising, Speeches, Open House Highlight I Dedication Of New Cleveland Station I Amtrak's new station at Cleveland, transportation, Conrail; and William on the Conrail tracks that the Lake Ohio, was officially dedicated on Sanzenbacher, member of the board Shore uses would mean faster and Tuesday, July 12, in ceremonies at of directors, Ohio Rail Transporta­ more reliable schedules in the future. the lakefront site. tion Authority. Alban noted the amount of ties and Some 300 persons attended and the Other civic dignitaries, including new rail that had been put into the event was covered by all three Cleve­ several representing Congressmen tracks between Buffalo and Chicago land television stations, plus radio and Senators, plus Amtrak personnel during the past two years and prom­ and print reporters. active in operations and sales work in ised Lake Shore patrons a smoother Speaking at the ceremonies were the Ohio and Cleveland areas, were ride in years to come. Mary J. Head, vice chairman of introduced to the crowd from the The Cleveland ceremonies began Amtrak's Board of Directors; Cleve­ audience. Master of ceremonies for with Mrs. Head and Station Super­ land Mayor Ralph J. Perk; C.B. the event was John H. Lathe, Jr., visor Santo J. Cala raising a specially­ Alban, general manager, passenger president, Greater Cleveland Growth designed Amtrak flag. Cala says the Association. flag will fly alongside the American Cleveland is served by the Lake flag there from now on. Shore Limited, which runs along the After the speeches the participants southern shore of Lake Erie to con­ moved to the main doors of the nect Chicago with the eastern sea­ station for a ceremonial ribbon board. cutting. However, there was no Mrs. Head praised Cleveiand's actual ribbon. Instead, there was a acceptance and usage of the train. symbolic silver rail that was chained She pointed out that ridership had to the door handles. Mrs. Head and been increasing until this past winter Mayor Perk cut through the chains when it dipped slightly because of the and the crowd swarmed inside to extremely bitter weather plus the an­ inspect the new station. nulment of several trains because of An open house followed. Visitors heavy blizzards and bad snow con­ were treated to cake, coffee and soft (Above) Mrs. Mary Head and Mayor Ralph ditions in the Buffalo, New York, drinks. Music was supplied by a three Perk cut the chains to officially open the new station. A t left is Station Supervisor Santo J. area. piece band provided by the local Cala. (Below) Crowds mill through the new She also told the audience that musicians' organization. station during post-ceremony open house. track work presently being performed Amtrak's marketing' department had its mobile office van parked out­ free parking and future freeway struction. Severe weather conditions side the station to permit visitors to access. The site - combining city­ of the past winter posed many diffi­ discuss rail travel with sales repre­ owned land, freeway right-of-way cult problems that had to be over­ sentatives, pick up brochures and and land from the then Penn Central come in order that the project be kept inspect seating and dining facilities railroad - was leased to Amtrak on schedule. that are available aboard Amtrak's through the cooperation and support The exterior of the building is trains. of the City Council. covered with 8-by-8 inch brown The 5, 7()()-square-foot station, Amtrak's engineering design/ masonry blocks. Spacious canopies costing $552,000, provides Cleveland construction department prepared the provide protection from the weather with an Amtrak facility second to project's original design. A good and an overhead canopy leads to none. It has modern ticketing and Amtrak image, extensive weather trackside. baggage counters, rest rooms, food protection and improved auto access The Lake Shore Limited is one of dispensing machines, newspaper dis­ were assigned top priorities. Amtrak's better success stories and pensers and a comfortably-furnished Marvin Kagan, who was Amtrak's the Cleveland station one of the most red-carpeted waiting lounge that can architectural coordinator, states that important on its route. seat 80 persons. Overall, the station the design incorporates many new After the ridership drop in the early can accommodate 150 persons at any ideas for efficient passenger handling part of this year, passenger counts one time. The station, which is and makes use of many of the new began rising again in May. For the staffed by eight, plus Cala, will be standard station elements which are first six months of the year, the sta­ open 24 hours a day. being designed by the engineering de­ tion handled over 22,000 passengers Groundbreaking for the station partment. The skylight over the that either boarded or disembarked in was held last August 31, and con­ waiting area is not only an attractive Cleveland. struction began immediately there­ architectural feature of the building Construction of the building and after. but saves electrical energy by elim­ its surrounding walkways and drive­ The station site is just north of inating the necessity for lights being way was done by lance & Company, Cleveland's City Hall, along the on during the day time. of Willowick, Ohio. The architec­ Memorial Shoreway and near the George Slocum, Amtrak's project tural/engineering firm of Richard L. Cleveland Indians' baseball stadium. engineer in charge of construction Bowen and Associates, of Cleveland, The site was chosen because it offered throughout the project, provided developed the construction docu­ convenient access to public trans­ liaison with city officials and various ments for the new station. portation and the downtown area, Amtrak departments during con- Station Supervisor Cala and Mrs. Head prepare to fly the new Amtrak banner over the station. (Above) Cleveland station forces include, left to right, Cala; Bob Walls, ticket seller; Becky Mulquin, ticket seller; Steve Lehman, baggageman; Jack Hancock, baggageman; Richard Sherwood, baggageman; Guy Bonnay, baggageman; Betty Kubasky, _ ticket seller; and Mary Alice Darr, ticket seller. (Right) New station is a one-story, modern structure. View isfrom Pulaski Square, adjacent to City Hall. Montrealer Chosen As Pilot Project I For Eastern Region Service Upgrading A program of personalized supervi­ other is always available on the Mon­ all Florida trains, the Northeast sion has been started in the Eastern trealer's arrival or departure. Both Corridor trains, the Empire Service, region that is aimed at upgrading also make periodic trips on the train. plus the Hilltopper, James Whitcomb service and making the train ride a Crews are asked their grievences Riley and Shenandoah. more pleasant one for Amtrak's pas­ and suggestions on how Amtrak can sengers. make their working conditions better. Explains Frank Forcione, regional The pair keeps in close touch with director, on-board services, "What the commissary to insure that sup­ we did was take two trained supervi­ plies get to the train in time for serv­ sors, assign a specific train to them ice to begin as quickly as possible and then give them full responsibility after departure. for it. The two are also responsible for "They are responsible for all em­ discipline which they attempt to ployees working the train, the service handle through counseling and train­ standards on it, the stocking of the ing sessions. train and the handling of personal or Is the program working? After six business problems of the employees weeks of operation, crews working working the train." the Montrealer were surveyed with a First train picked for the program questionnaire. Eighty-six per cent re­ was the Montrealer. Says Forcione, sponded favorably to the program. "We thought it would be a good test Morale of employees has improved J . C. McNeill model. It's an international train, it's and reports from the field indicate the only long-distance train out of that service has improved consider­ As part of the program to up­ Washington with a full diner and it is ably. Passenger complaints have also grade service on the Montrealer, one of the first trains on our system dropped. Darcy Shipman and Harry with an Amtrak-recruited and an The program was expanded in late Rogers have come up with a Amtrak-trained crew." June to include the National Limited monthly "Employee of the On-board Service Inspectors Darcy with the assignment to the train of Month," who receives an Shipman and Harry Rogers were as­ On-board Service Inspectors James Amtrak pin, a certificate of merit signed to the Montrealer pilot pro­ Wilson and Charles Maxey. On and a Savings Bond. ject. August 1, another train, the Silver First winner in the program is Says Shipman, "Our goal is to Meteor, will be added to the J .C. McNeill, waiter-pantry, a make the employee feel that he or she program. veteran railroader who began his is an integral part of the Amtrak sys­ Supervisors assigned to a train con­ career with the Seaboard Air Line tem. Our function is to counsel them tinue to report directly to the mana­ Railway in September 1940. on service standards, personal ap­ ger for on-board services for the city Says Rogers, "McNeill is a very good employee and demon­ pearance, safety rules and regulations to which they are assigned. and to engender a feeling of confi­ Forcione hopes that the program strates leadership by helping trainees develop similar personal dence in their job and in their man­ will be in progress throughout the en­ high standards for on-board agement. tire Eastern region within the next service. "The greater goals of the company three months.