Train Riders Association of California (TRAC)

Amtrak arrived at the Old Town San Diego, CA, Station as planned, about 30 minutes before the Conference start time.  Some Rail Friends were on the platform as the Surfliner stopped at Old Town San Diego.  We walked across the intersection to the beautiful Caltrans building and immediately inside found the registration table and conference room for our gathering. 

As usual, Richard Hamilton of Let's Talk Trains radio was on hand to record the entire proceedings.  Listen to all 8 hours at: http://www.letstalktrains.us/show.asp?id=98

SPECIAL GUEST

Josh Shaw, Executive Director

California Transit Association

George Chilson, President

National Association of Railroad Passengers

The San Diego Electric Railway Association (SDERA)

Mr. Chilson asked how many of the 100 attendees did not have Internet.  He counted three.  He then announced that attendees should go to the NARP website to see the 'National Map.'

He mentioned that  railroads were:  Energy Efficient, and have a Small Footprint compared to cars which require 300 sq. ft. of pavement to park.  Public funding is a necessity.  There are two bills in US Senate and House for matching funds for Mass Transit.  There must be interconnected corridors which become a grid and gateway system in a national system.  People must create demand for mass transit, then politicians will act.

Q & A followed.

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Between speakers, Alan conducted the Affirmation of the Officers: VP, Treasurer, and Secretary.

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Richard Phelps, Vice President of Transportation
Amtrak, Washington DC

Mr. Phelps will be joined by:

Jack Rich, Director of Product Management
Amtrak, Los Angles

Joe Yannuzzi, General Superinendent Southwest Division
Amtrak, Los Angeles

Mr. Phelps is visiting his former home of Southern California after his move earlier this year to Washington DC for his promotion to Vice President of Transportation for Amtrak.  He will give a "State of Amtrak" address and an overview of operating performance from a national to a California perspective.  He will address issues on all West Coast corridors and long-distance trains which traverse California, including the status of "simplified dining."  He will also discuss the challenge of future freight capacity needs and of partnering with Class I railroads and sharing corridors with other passenger and freight operations.  In keeping with our theme, Mr. Phelps will address ways to improve coordination between agencies in the region and along the LOSSAN corridor regarding scheduling, ticketing and transfers.

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Mr. Phelps began by saying that his job was to convince folks that there is a train outside of the Northeast Corridor... music to California rail advocates' ears.

He had an effective power point presentation.  Some of his points were that Amtrak has 21,100 miles of routes in 46 states with 525 stations.  They had $1.5 billion in ticket revenue last year, up 8%.

Their On-Time-Performance is 87.8% for the Acela, and 78% regionally.

Mr. Phelps' Vision for Amtrak is:  Development of Corridor Service, Frequent- Fast-Service over short Distances (100 to 400 miles), Long Distance Trains to Connect the Corridors.

Challenges are:  High Locomotive Failure Rate.  Amtrak is starting an apprenticeship program to get new crafts people.  They are losing some veteran employees now, so in 2 to 3 months things will be better.

Amtrak in California

In California, since 2001 there has been a 35% increase in ridership.  Amtrak in California is best described as multi-modal with busses (284), and commuter rail to airports.

New cars have been ordered for the Surfliner's 5-car consists for special events like the Del Mar race season.  States want increased routes and capacities.  Amtrak is ordering Northeast corridor trains, new bi-level cars for over-night trains. 

Mr. Phelps complimented the TRAC attendees for being heard in support of current funding legislature.

Long distance ridership is up, as with the Sunset Limited, even though it is not daily.  Empire Builder is 1st and the Coast Starlight is 2nd.

There will be a relaunch of the Coast Starlight May 8, which will include at-seat cart food and the Pacific Parlour Car will include meals, wine-tasting, specialty coffee, and a library.  Also, there will be a new schedule and new loading procedures in Los Angeles.

The Surfliner (San Luis Obispo (SLP), Santa Barbara (SBA), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Diego (SAN)) is the #2 corridor in the country with 2.7 million riders in 2007.  It needs more equipment to meet the demand of 11 daily round trips: SAN to LAX and 5 daily round trips LAX - SBA - Goleta (GTA) with 2 trips extended to SLP.

The Capital Corridor has 32 daily trains and had a 14.8% growth of ridership last year.

Other challenges for Amtrak include freight traffic congestion with many coal and intermodal trains.  Coal is 50% of the power generation fuel in the U.S.  There was twice as many ton-miles in 2005 as in 1990 of freight.  Also, there has been decreases in rail mileage, some abandoned, some taken over by the states,.  This is a challenge for both freight and passenger services.

Infrastructure improvements are needed.  Amtrak and freight together need to work to increase sidings and double-track.

President of Amtrak, Alexander Kummant has met with all Class 1 freight railroads and Mr. Phelps agrees that this is the right approach for Amtrak management to get changes.

Jack Rich, Director of Product Management, Amtrak, Los Angeles, was introduced and he mentioned that Cross-Country Dining Cars are now in New Orleans and that this includes 'cart services' on the Amtrak train(s) there.  Copies of the Cross-Country Menu were handed out to attendees. (See attachment later in this report)

Q & A followed.

Notes from the Q & A:  Superliner cars are being refurbished for Surfliner duty.  Mr. Phelps feels that Las Vegas is the best untapped market in the US, but DOT now says Amtrak needs it's approval for new routes, plus it would take 2 years to get equipment for this route once it is approved.  Amtrak now has authority to run two trains to Las Vegas a month, but has no equipment for such a run.

Rudeness of Amtrak employees was mentioned by some attendees, and Mr. Phelps feels it is a 2-strikes and you're out offense.  They would be transferred to a position within Amtrak that is not dealing with riders.  Rude employees should be reported to Joe Yannuzzi, General Superintendent, Southwest Division, Amtrak, Los Angeles (Mr. Phelps' replacement).  Mr. Yannuzzi mentioned that they are recruiting employees from the military now and that the rudeness seems to be abating.

(Later in this report, see the phone, e-mail, and snail mail addresses for complaints/compliments/suggestions that were sent to me since the Conference)

There are five cars being refurbished for Southern California. 

As for the Coast Daylight, it is the number one need of Caltrans and should happen soon.

Quik-Trak machines are being added in Los Angeles and San Diego.  Also Metrolink and Amtrak are combining efforts and will be issuing tickets for both services from the same machine.  Electronic on-board ticketing is coming to Amtrak as well.

The Sunset is on line for renewal, but the problem is equipment.

Because Mr. Phelps has been an Amtrak fixture in the Western US for years, all attendees were familiar with his breadth of knowledge about Amtrak.  His pleasing approach to questions reflected, more than in his presentation, his broad knowledge base and forward thinking.  He responded to questions with wit and humor, even when the question might not have been kind toward Amtrak.  The attendees applauded him and were appreciative of his obvious pleasure in relating California Amtrak progress, and for the time he and his staff took to attend this function.

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It was time for Lunch across the street at: Casa Guadalajara, 4105 Taylor St. San Diego, 619.295.5111

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAIL TRANSIT FORUM

Patrick Merrill, Chief
Office of Capital Project Development, Operations and Marketing
Caltrans Division of Rail
Pacific Surfliner Operations and Future Plans

Wayne Penn, Manager of Rail Safety
North County Transit District
The Coaster:  Operations and Future Plans

Walt Stringer, Manager of Light Rail
North County Transit District
The new Sprinter Service

Gray Crary, Assistant Executive Officer, Operations and Engineering
Metrolink
Metrolink Operations & Future Plans

Jim Linthicum, Manager of Capital Projects
San Diego Association of Governments
The MidCoast LRT corridor, a proposed extension from Old Town to UCSD/University City
 

John Haggerty, Senior Engineer
San Diego Association of Governments
Rehabilitation planned for the Blue Line LRT; how to make upgrades while keeping a major rail line open.

Patrick Merrill, Caltrans Division of Rail, always an informed and articulate presenter that I have heard at other Amtrak Conferences and events, said it takes 3 to 4 years to get a new train set.

Of the Caltrans Division of Rail, he said there were 17 locomotives and 88 passenger cars.  He said the 2nd, 3d, and 5th busiest rail corridors in the US are in California.  The 2nd being the Surfliner, the 3d being the Capitals, and the 5th being the San Joaquins.  The California routes amount for 20% of all rail commuters in the US.  2.7 million passengers yearly ride the Surfliner, sharing rails with freight trains.  The operating budget for the Surfliners, San Joaquins, and Capital Corridor is $79.9 million.

Proposition 1B is for $400 million for Intercity Rail of which $125 million will go for rolling stock.  Six five-car trainsets with 6 locomotives would cost $150 million.

The future for Caltrans Rail, in the 10-year State Rail Plan is:  51% increase in ridership, 90% On-time Performance, Increase revenues to $67 million.  And to increase fare box recovery from 64% to 68%.

Key Projects are:  Triple track Commerce to Fullerton (15 miles), Double track in San Diego County where 60% is single track now.  New Signal system.  Improved track and signals in Santa Barbara County to Gilroy, assuming the Coast Daylight is operating. 

Equipment Purchase:  36 bi-level cars and 6 locomotives.

Coast Daylight:  Implement track and signal improvements, Acquire rolling stock, Obtain train slots (UP has not said, "No.")

Jim Linthicum, (left) SANDAG, showed future maps of light rail in San Diego County.  The next outreach LRT line is the Mid Coast Corridor from north of I-8 up I-5 to UC West and UC East (below the 5 & 805) an 11 mile route.

John Haggerty (right) also of SANDAG, spoke of the rehab. of the 16-yr. old Blue Line that runs from San Diego to the Mexican border.  Their Goals are to have low-floor cars easily accessible by wheelchairs and to rehab. the track to 150-lb. rail with concrete ties, the current standard.

Wayne Penn showed images he had taken during the San Diego County wildfires in October, 2007.

His images of the fire were taken while he and a small track crew tried to protect railroad property along the section of track that parallels I-5 in Camp Pendleton.  Some shots were from a high rail and some from a vacated I-5.  They protected single track wooden approaches and short bridge structures.  Track gangs with some fire training put out spot fires.  The fire stopped when the wind shifted to onshore winds just before it started burning cross ties.

You could tell that Wayne had never been in such a dangerous situation before, but he had the forethought to take pictures.  He built suspense and awe in the attendees as he told us how proud he was of his track gang who literally saved the only rail link to San Diego from the north.

Gray Grary spoke of the Union Station renovation.  The east side, "Mail Dock," is to be a new passenger platform with an added track 14.  The canopies throughout will be refurbished with new signage and ADA ramps at a cost of $35 million.  There have been two failures of crossover signals recently - Mid October and earlier this week.  There will be an added 'Keller Yard' for storage of trains and light maintenance, and an emergency platform.  This is a $16 - 18 million project.

Another project is the "30-minute Service Expansion," by OCTA between Fullerton and Laguna.  Layover facility at Laguna Niguel and one at midpoint.  There may also be some facilities at the Great Park.

New equipment

107 new rail cars, including new cab cars (right) with crash failure technology will be added.   They were made in Korea by a company that makes trains for countries around the world like India, Iran, Denmark, etc. 

15 new locomotives (left), FRA compliant, are ordered.  New Cab cars (right) are 10 feet longer than current cars.

OCTA is planning safety improvements of sealed corridors over 3 years for $60 million.

There will be an extension of the "91 Service" to Perris, UC Riverside, 21 miles through Box Canyon.

Walt Stringer spoke about the Sprinter.  All attendees were interested in the Sprinter since an Excursion on this brand new train was planned for the next day.

The route of the Sprinter was the SP branch to the "Avacado Captial - Fallbrook and Escondido"  The whole section was rebuilt.  Freights use this line Friday and Sunday nights from 9:30 pm to 3:30 am.

This new fleet has 12 German DMUs by Siemens.  They have 15 stations and 1 control center in Oceanside.  Service will be at 30-minute intervals and there can be 4 trains on the line at one time.  The future of this yet-unopened project would be double-tracking. Units are 130 ft. long with 136 seats, with standing room that equates to over 200 capacity.

Opening Ceremony will be December 28 and on January 13, 2008, NCTD Bus System will convert to be fully integrated.

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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RAIL TRANSIT FORUM

This forum will feature speakers from up and down the LOSSAN corridor and south state.  They will discuss operations and future plans for their individual operations.  We will encourage a creative discussion of ways to improve interline transfers, seamless ticketing between agencies, and coordinated scheduling.  Each agency will give a talk for this Forum, followed by a lively discussion spurred by questions from the audience which will include all Forum participants and our guests from Amtrak.

Patrick Merrill, Chief
Office of Capital Project Development, Operations and Marketing
Caltrans Division of Rail
Pacific Surfliner Operations and Future Plans

Wayne Penn, Manager of Rail Safety
North County Transit District
The Coaster:  Operations and Future Plans

Walt Stringer, Manager of Light Rail
North County Transit District
The new Sprinter Service

Gray Crary, Assistant Executive Officer, Operations and Engineering
Metrolink
Metrolink Operations & Future Plans

Jim Linthicum, Manager of Capital Projects
San Diego Association of Governments
The MidCoast LRT corridor, a proposed extension from Old Town to UCSD/University City
 

John Haggerty, Senior Engineer
San Diego Association of Governments
Rehabilitation planned for the Blue Line LRT; how to make upgrades while keeping a major rail line open.

After each guest speaker gave his future plans, they joined for a panel to answer questions.  Below are some random responses to questions written by attendees using the 3 x 5 card system and asked by Alan C. Miller:

• RCM to be expanded from Acela to the rest of the Amtrak system.
• New Orleans has 24 cars contracted to FEMA, but not used, nor can they be brought out of that contract.
• The Run-Through project for LAX:  The funding has dried up, but the idea is still warm.  It will take $300 million and will require Federal funding.
• Cross-Country Café is what the Café on Amtrak Diner/Lounge combination cars will be called.  They will include Regional Dining Menus.  Some copies of these Menus were passed out, but I did not get one.
  
• [ I e-mailed Mr. Phelps on Monday asking for a copy to post with this article and he responded that he had assigned Jerome Trahan, Senior Officer Field Marketing to send me the menu.  On Wednesday, I received the Menus as an e-mail attachment and a separate e-mail from Mr. Phelps saying they were on the way.  Click Here to see the Menu, Click here to see the second document found in the Cross-Country Café.]
• Metrolink is planning an extension to Redlands through San Bernardino.
• Two Gem Sets have been ordered by Amtrak
• There is a planned extension of the San Joaquins to the base of the Grapevine with connecting busses over the Grapevine to Santa Clarita for further rail service.
• Attendees were reminded that the Excursion on the Sprinter from Oceanside to Escondido, round trip, will leave from Track 3 in Old Town (one block from the Conference hotel) at 9:30.  The Amtrak train will make a special stop in Old Town so attendees could get to the Excursion.
• After the Conference, I e-mailed Mr. Phelps with another question, "How can my readers directly contact Amtrak Customer Service with compliments, complaints, or suggestions?"  Mr. Phelps assigned John Wojciechowski to answer my question, and I received his reply (below) Thursday, only 4 days after the Conference:

We have found the most efficient way to respond to customers is to refer them not to an individual, but to one of these three contact methods:     Telephone:     Call 1-800-USA-RAIL and asked for Customer Relations             We are available weekdays (except for holidays) from 7AM to 10PM (this is the preferred method) [I presume this is Eastern Time.]     Email:    Go to "Contact Us" on amtrak.com and follow instructions     Mail:    Send to:                 Amtrak Office of Customer Relations                 60 Massachusetts Avenue NE                 Washington, DC  20002 Sincerely, John Wojciechowski Director, Amtrak Office of Customer Relations Washington, DC

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David Blue, Director of Marketing ­ Western Region
Cubic Transportation Systems

Automatic fare card technologies; seamless transfers between transportation agencies with one universal ticket; development of the new COMPASS card good on all San Diego Country transit systems.

45 million passengers use their Cubic System daily.  $50 million a day, worldwide, is collected by their products.

Explosive detection can be integrated into ticket machines, collection boxes, and vending machines at train stations.

Current technology is the "Compass" or Smart Card with stored value.

Future research by Cubic:  Studying the use of Credit Cards for transit.  Also, Limited Use Cards or Cell Phones (Near Field Communication).

John Hoegemeier, Consultant SD Freight Rail Consulting The history and the future of The Carrizo Gorge Desert Line ­ From California to Mexico and back again. This line has 70 miles of track, 49 bridges, 16 tunnels, and is the most structure-sensitive railroad in California.  It starts in San Diego, goes east through some of Mexico near the border, then back into the U.S.  Primary commodities shipped over this line are paper, lumber and grain.