|
Index to recent news postings Rail Travel News is a twice-monthly print publication, published since
Dec 10, 1970.
Many more
items have been added at
New! Browse more railroad books Vintage 1950s pocket watch on sale, plus modern watches. |
REPORT OF CAPITOL CORRIDOR MANAGING
DIRECTOR
In his Managing Director's report Mr. Gene Skoropowski detailed that ridership growth not only has continued, "it accelerated dramatically in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, with an all time high of 102,135 in December. "Revenue continues to grow and the on time performance is back to
the 90% range." He reported that the UP is working very cooperatively
to keep trains running, with the railroad's on-time performance is now
at 97 to 98%, the deductions caused by the portions that were Amtrak's
fault, particularly locomotive mechanical maintenance. A new supervisor
is on hand at the new Oakland facility who will revise the way maintenance
is conducted. Preventive maintenance has fallen way behind.
The bright spot was the trains are being washed regularly now and look
much better.
U.S. WORRIED ABOUT MISSILE ATTACK PARALYZING AIRLINE INDUSTRY WHILE SEEKING TO KILL OFF PASSENGER TRAINS The Associated Press has reported that US government officials are concerned about thousands of unaccounted-for hand-launch missiles that are not in government hands. For this reason, the US and Russia have just signed an agreement to try to reduce their numbers. Officials are concerned that even a single successful missile attack on a commercial airliner could "paralyze" the airline industry. The situation would then become like that after
9/11, when airline travel was disrupted and citizens were wary of flying.
In such a situation rail travel would become a much-needed transportation
alternative, as it did following 9/11. However, the federal government
is currently attempting to kill off the Amtrak national network of trains
by forcing it into bankruptcy. Passenger train advocates are noticing this
example of the government's failure to coordinate its efforts on behalf
of its citizens' safety and mobility.
COAST STARLIGHT RESUMPTION AND CHANGE COMING The Coast Starlight will resume its service between Oakland and Los Angeles with the train that leaves Seattle Feb 28. It will resume northbound service on the same leg with the train leaving Los Angeles on March 1. Beginning Apr 25 the Coast Starlight will serve the city of Van Nuys CA, north of Los Angeles. After Apr 24 it will no longer serve Glendale CA. Glendale has been served by passenger trains on the Coast Route for about a century. The Pacific Surfliners will resume normal service
Feb 26 except for trains 768 and 774, which will resume their full route
on Feb 27. Until then, those two trains will run San Diego-L.A. with bus
connections to San Luis Obispo.
AMTRAK FUNDING: AN ANALYSIS By Carl Fowler New Sunset Limited Schedule for Mar 8 Join or donate to the National Association of Railroad Passengers. Help the victims of the South Asia earthquake and tsunami:
|
Cover of forthcoming issue Subscribe
today!
Large wind-defying umbrella. Special sale. 
Lionel
6-31960 Polar Express Train Set 
NEW! Browse
train station posters
|
