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Empire Passengers |
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State Association |
NEWS FROM THE EMPIRE STATE PASSENGERS ASSOCIATION
The following is a summary of our association's bi-monthly newsletter. All
ESPA members receive the unabridged version of this newsletter by mail.
To join, print, complete, and mail the membership form. Join today!!
Travel Advisory
In response to customers requests, Train #273 currently departing New York Penn Station daily at 10:55 p.m., will operate Monday through Thursdays only. On Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays, it will be replaced by Train #277 departing at 11:35 p.m., allowing customers to attend evening events in New York City. Neither train will stop at Yonkers.
Amtrak has made minor changes to the schedules of Empire Trains #63,
#246, #259, #289, and #294 due to the Metro-North track upgrade program.
A new wallet card schedule is available.
Late Flash!
The Mohawk (trains #281/284) returns to daily service
beginning with the October 25th time/schedule change. The reinstatement
of the daily Mohawk has long been advocated by ESPA.
News Briefs
* Ground-breaking ceremonies took place recently for a new Rutland Vermont Train Station. Officials hope to have the station open in time for the winter ski season.
* A new, high-tech gate is now operational at a grade-crossing in Connecticut. The new quad gate is the first of its kind in the United States to include a vehicle detection system. The system has two gates on each side of the crossing, instead of a single gate preventing vehicles from going around the gates when they are down. Sensor loops within the crossing can detect if a vehicle is stuck between the gates and warn an approaching train through its cab signal system.
* Swift Transportation Company, Inc., (SWFY), of Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's third largest publicly- held truckload motor carrier, is now sending time-sensitive shipments via Amtrak Express service in the Chicago-Philadelphia and Chicago-Albany lines. While the current weekly average is about 40 shipments, Swift expects that the number to increase to at least 60 RoadRailers each week during the peak season, which continues through November.
* Amtrak's plan to redesign the single-level Heritage dining cars is
under way at Beach Grove, In., with more than 20 cars being remodeled
this year. Among the many improvements will be a reconfigured kitchen
that includes modular equipment that can be removed more quickly
and easily, a designated area for carry-out meals, new dinner-style
counter seats and a remodeled interior.
NOTICE TO ESPA MEMBERS
Please give us your e-mail address in order to receive
urgent rail information. At times, between publication dates,
public officials need to be contacted regarding a important bill.
Please forward your e-mail address to RWLenz@aol.com
Empire Corridor to…..Ohio?
Some of you may have noticed a short article in the last ESPA Express about the proposed "2-C" Rail passenger service between Cleveland, OH and Columbus, OH. This is being advanced as a part of a project for the reconstruction of I-71 between the two cities.
The service, estimated to cost about $32 million in capital costs and $3.3 million in operating costs, is proposed to be up and running within 18 months, if all goes well.
In addition, Amtrak and the Ohio Rail Development Commission have been discussing the possibility of a new train, which would operate from Boston to St. Louis via Buffalo, Cleveland and Cincinnati. The prime reason for this train would be the possibility of new mail and express revenue, as well as a means to bypass overcrowded conditions in Chicago.
This new mantra---added mail and express revenue to offset operating costs, is making possible additional service, the extended Pennsylvanian being an example. While long distance trains such as the Lake Shore Limited have been carrying this revenue for some time now, other trains such as those on the Empire Corridor do not.
Likewise, a concern arising from the proposal for the new service in Ohio is that the trains would just be short hops between Cleveland and Columbus, which limits their ability to generate revenue. Why not tie them to other trains, of better yet make them a part of new through services, using the trains now running on the Empire Corridor?
By doing this, destinations and travel options would dramatically increase for traveler and shipper alike. Trains that are, or would be, weak sisters could become strong performers of this ability to serve more markets at better times. Imagine living in Syracuse and having no less than FIVE trains to Cleveland to choose from!
What could such a service look like?
A connecting train to and from the present Lake Shore Limited to either Columbus or Cincinnati. This would use one set of equipment—a locomotive and four cars, plus express cars.
The new Boston-Albany-Buffalo-Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton- Cincinnati-St. Louis train, primarily an Amtrak initiative. A section of the Maple Leaf operating Buffalo-Cleveland-Columbus, using one set of equipment. Plus through cars--one locomotive and about eight cars.
An extension of trains 281-286 to Cleveland from Buffalo. No new equipment needed.
A possible new train operating Albany-Buffalo-Cleveland-Columbus- Dayton-Cincinnati, with connections to the Pennsylvanian at Cleveland. Two sets of equipment needed--two locomotives and eight cars.
Thus we end up with five Buffalo-Cleveland trains, four between Cleveland and Columbus and three to Cincinnati, all at a very reasonable capital cost. Only four locomotives and 20 cars would be required, not including those required for the Boston-St. Louis train, for what would be a quantum leap in the level of service in Ohio and New York.
All of these trains would be economically viable, since they now could carry mail and express that is now being lost to trucks. Most trains would have no en route switching (with the exception of the Maple Leaf) and would require only a minimal investment in facilities such as stations.
It's important to note that Roadrailer technology dramatically expands the ability of these trains to tap new markets. For example, the Albany-Cincinnati train could serve Springfield, MA and Louisville, KY and the same is true of other trains.
I think it is very important that we push for this linkage as a way to expand and improve what is now in operation. ESPA and OARP should be talking to Amtrak, state officials and others to make this happen.
Bill H. Hutchison
Amtrak Increases Monthly Smart Pass
Commuters and frequent business travelers in the Northeast can now buy Amtrak's popular Smart Pass by mail and use the 10-trip Smart Pass for up to 45 days.
The changes were made in response to growing demand for the multi-ride passes. Amtrak has been selling about 1,700 to 2,000 Smart Passes a month since expanding the program last year. The passes are available for travel between any two cities in the Boston-to-Washington Northeast corridor, the Richmond/Newport News-to Washington Corridor, the Philadelphia-to-Harrisburg Keystone Corridor and from Albany, Hudson and Rhinecliff to New York City on the Hudson Valley line.
The monthly Smart Pass, designed for commuters, allows unlimited
trips between two selected cities savings of up to 70 percent off the
single trip price. To purchase the tickets by mail, customers can call
1-800 USA-RAIL and place the order by credit card.
New Philadelphia-Chicago Service
Beginning Nov.7, 1998, Amtrak offers new service with early morning departures from Philadelphia and Chicago, with the extension of the Pennsylvanian.
The westbound Pennsylvanian will originate in Philadelphia daily at 6:35a.m., depart Pittsburgh at 2:17 p.m., depart Cleveland at 5:45 p.m., depart Toledo, Ohio, at 8:08 p.m., arrive in Chicago at 11:59 p.m. The eastbound Pennsylvanian will depart Chicago daily at 6:00 a.m., depart Toledo at 11:20 a.m., depart Cleveland at 1:15., depart Pittsburgh at 4:53 p.m. and arrive in Philadelphia at 12:25 a.m. on the following morning.
Although the train is now called the Pennsylvanian, Amtrak will submit suggestions for a new name for the train that better reflects its expanded route.
To replace the Pennsylvanian service between New York and Philadelphia,
Amtrak will introduce a new Keystone Service train on Oct. 25 that will
run on the same schedule as now offered by the Pennsylvanian. The new
Keystone train will continue west from Philadelphia to Harrisburg. An
additional eastbound Keystone train will originate in Harrisburg to
replace the Pennsylvanian service between Philadelphia and New York.
Autumn's Best Travel Value!
For one low price, the Fall Amtrak Explore America Fares let passengers discover America by region – west, Central, East and Florida – all across the country. Travel in any one region of the country for $179; any two adjacent regions for $239; the entire country for $299; or travel within Florida for $69. Passengers travel round-trip by coach class and can stop to visit in three cities, including their destination.
Fares are available for sale August 23, 1998, through Nov. 14, 1998,
for travel between Sept. 8 and Dec. 17, 1998. Fares are non-refundable
and require a 14-day advance reservation. Other restrictions apply.
Ridership Gains 6.8% in May
Amtrak ridership in the Northeast increased for the 13th consecutive month in May, growing 6.8 percent over May 1997, and broke the million mark for the third straight month.
The growth was paced by a seven percent increase in Metroliner
ridership which is on course to break last year's ridership record.
NortheastDirect Service between Boston, New York,
Washington and Virginia - which accounts for one of every four
Amtrak riders nationally grew 2.3 percent for the month, nearly
breaking the half-million mark. On-time performance for all trains
throughout the Northeast was 86.6 percent. By comparison, the
average on-time performance for the major airlines was 79.1
percent during April, the most recent month available.
Special Baggage Cars with Ski/Bike Racks added to the Adirondack
Amtrak is adding baggage cars to the Adirondack bearing the train's logo on the outside and outfitted inside with specially designed racks that can carry fully assembled bicycles, skis and snowboards.
The baggage cars began service Labor Day, in time for the fall foliage and the upcoming ski season. In conjunction with new service, Amtrak will be selling fall foliage bicycle and sightseeing tours along the route of the Adirondack to Lake George, Lake Placid, the Champlain Valley and Montreal. Celebrated in a recent PBS series as one of North America's five most scenic train routes, the Adirondack runs roundtrip daily between New York City and Montreal through the Hudson and Champlain valleys.
The Adirondack had been outfitted previously with individual bicycle racks within the passenger coaches, but the baggage car now makes space available for up to 20 assembled bikes. Bicycles can be rolled on and off the baggage car at stops along the route for a charge of $5. The racks also can be used during the winter to store skis and snowboards.
The addition of the baggage cars further enhances the Adirondack which two years ago was outfitted with refurbished Heritage cars with large windows, lounge cars and a specialized menu featuring mad-in-New York foods and microbrews. Amtrak runs the train under contract to the New York State Department of Transportation which provides operating support.
Amtrak will sell fall foliage packages incorporating travel on the Adirondack from New York City to popular destinations along the route through Oct. 25. Prices including roundtrip rail from New York City, transfer and hotel accommodations start at:
$299 for a two-night stay at Lake George;
$295 for a two-night stay at Lake Placid;
$275 for a three-night stay in the Champlain Valley;
$250 for a two-night stay in Montreal, including a three-hour
sightseeing tour.
Special Day in Port Henry
August 20, 1998 was a special day in Port Henry, New York.
It was opening day of The Iron Center Museum in a beautiful refurbished
building that served as a carriage house, an icehouse, and the laboratory
for testing the ore that came out of the mines above Port Henry.
The museum, on Park Place, overlooks the Railroad and Mining Heritage
Park where you can walk down to the Port Henry Depot and to the outside
exhibit that showcases one of the original engines used by the Lake
Champlain and Moriah Railroad, look at an ore car used by Republic Steel,
and a 16-ton caboose that was constructed from an ore car in 1946 and used
by the LC&M until 1972. CP Rail located and gave the engine-an RS 18 - to
the museum along with the caboose which belonged to the D&H and was found
on the Battenkill Railroad. The many people who were involved in bringing
this project to fruition were honored by the current and former Moriah Town
supervisors. The town received a Heritage Award from the Adirondack Park
Architectural Board. The NYSDOT, the NYS Council for the Arts, and Empire
State Development, all of whom helped find the funding for the Railroad
and Mining Heritage Park, gave praise to this project which plays a pivotal
part in the town's resurgence as a waterfront recreational community.
Adirondack Coordinator, Dr. Margarethe McCurry, and treasurer Jack Ross,
represented ESPA at the ceremony. "We don't have the money to help projects
like this, but we can lend moral support for jobs well done," Jack commented.
"The pride and ownership in this project was manifested by the large number
of local people who attended the ceremony!"
Senator Ronald B. Stafford and Assemblywoman Elizabeth Little who were
also instrumental in obtaining funds for the project, participating in the
opening ceremony, along with Richard Carlson and John Ryan of DOT.
Dr. Margarethe McCurry
revised 09 November 1998
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