FRIENDS OF AMTRAK UPDATE July 11, 2001

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Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2001 22:33:00 -0400
Subject: [FriendsOfAmtrak] Update 7/11/2001

            WASHINGTON - More than 120 members of the House of Representatives
            co-sponsored and introduced the High Speed Rail Investment Act
            (HSRIA) in response to growing state and local demand for increased
            investments in passenger rail to help ease the nation's
            transportation gridlock.

            The bipartisan legislation, authored by lead co-sponsors Reps. Amo
            Houghton (R-NY) and James Oberstar (D-MN), will provide an
            alternative to congested airports and highways, create jobs and
            economic opportunities, and respond to the demand from 38 states,
            dozens of local governments, civic organizations and businesses for
            increased investment in high-speed passenger rail.

            "Today, almost all of our national travel burden is carried by
            aviation and highways, when a healthier and more efficient balance
            could be struck in many communities with the development of passenger
            rail," said Amtrak President and CEO George D. Warrington. "For
            relatively modest investment in high-speed passenger rail, we can get
            more 'bang for the buck' while we try to ease the congestion that
            threatens our mobility and quality of life. We commend
            Representatives Houghton and Oberstar and the other members of
            Congress who are championing this bill, and we look forward to
            working with them to enact it."

            Broad, Bipartisan Support at the State, Local, and National Levels
            At a Capitol Hill press conference, the bill's sponsors noted the
            growing momentum behind the proposal. The Senate companion bill (S.
            250), sponsored by Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Kay Bailey
            Hutchison (R-TX), has 55 co-sponsors, including Majority Leader Tom
            Daschle (D-SD) and Minority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS). Similar
            legislation offered by Houghton and Oberstar in the last Congress was
            approved by the full House of Representatives in 2000, while a
            companion measure in the Senate was supported by 67 Senators.

            Strong support for rail is also demonstrated by growing levels of
            state funding. Twenty-one states and the District of Columbia have
            invested more than $850 million in intercity rail projects since
            1996. Thirty-eight states and the District support continued
            development of high-speed rail corridors.
            Federal Funds Would Leverage State and Private Investment

            The bill would authorize bond financing of up to $12 billion over 10
            years, with the proceeds going to upgrade existing rails, build new
            high-speed lines, purchase high-speed trains, and eliminate or
            improve grade crossings. States would be required to match 20 percent
            of project costs in order to obtain funding in their regions. States
            now must provide financing on a 50-50 basis or in some cases are
            forced to pick up the entire cost because of the absence of federal
            funding. The state matching funds would be placed in a privately
            managed escrow account to guarantee repayment of the bond principal.
            The Congressional Budget Office has estimated the cost of the $12
            billion bond program to be $4.3 billion over ten years.

            The bond bill, if enacted, would also finance some of the needs
            identified by Amtrak in its 20-year capital investment plan, which
            recommended that the federal government invest an average of $1.5
            billion per year in the national passenger rail system. Amtrak
            currently receives $521 million annually for both operating and
            capital requirements.

            More than two-thirds of the proposed investment would be spent
            outside of the Northeast Corridor in other high-traffic corridors,
            including California, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest with Chicago
            as the hub, the Southeast, Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Texas. None
            of the investment funds would be eligible to be used to cover
            Amtrak's day-to-day operating expenses. (Information on the 20-year
            investment plan and its benefits are available on the Internet at
           www.amtrak.com/news.)

            Rep Acevedo-Vila, Anibal - 6/27/2001
            Rep Allen, Thomas H. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Andrews, Robert E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Baca, Joe - 6/27/2001
            Rep Bachus, Spencer - 6/27/2001
            Rep Baird, Brian - 6/27/2001
            Rep Baldacci, John Elias - 6/27/2001
            Rep Baldwin, Tammy - 6/27/2001
            Rep Barcia, James A. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Barrett, Thomas M. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Becerra, Xavier - 6/27/2001
            Rep Berkley, Shelley - 6/27/2001
            Rep Berry, Marion - 6/27/2001
            Rep Bishop, Sanford D. Jr. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Blagojevich, Rod R. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Blumenauer, Earl - 6/27/2001
            Rep Boehlert, Sherwood L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Borski, Robert A. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Boswell, Leonard L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Boucher, Rick - 6/27/2001
            Rep Brady, Robert - 6/27/2001
            Rep Brown, Corrine - 6/27/2001
            Rep Brown, Sherrod - 6/27/2001
            Rep Buyer, Steve E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Calvert, Ken - 6/27/2001
            Rep Cantor, Eric - 6/27/2001
            Rep Capps, Lois - 6/27/2001
            Rep Capuano, Michael E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Cardin, Benjamin L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Carson, Brad - 6/27/2001
            Rep Carson, Julia - 6/27/2001
            Rep Castle, Michael N. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Clement, Bob - 6/27/2001
            Rep Costello, Jerry F. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Cummings, Elijah E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Davis, Danny K. - 6/27/2001
            Rep DeFazio, Peter A. - 6/27/2001
            Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Dicks, Norman D. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Dooley, Calvin M. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Doyle, Michael F. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Dunn, Jennifer - 6/27/2001
            Rep Ehlers, Vernon J. - 6/27/2001
            Rep English, Phil - 6/27/2001
            Rep Etheridge, Bob - 6/27/2001
            Rep Evans, Lane - 6/27/2001
            Rep Farr, Sam - 6/27/2001
            Rep Ferguson, Mike - 6/27/2001
            Rep Filner, Bob - 6/27/2001
            Rep Forbes, J. Randy - 6/27/2001
            Rep Ford, Harold, Jr. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Frank, Barney - 6/27/2001
            Rep Gilman, Benjamin A. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Goodlatte, Bob - 6/27/2001
            Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Hilliard, Earl F. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Holden, Tim - 6/27/2001
            Rep Holt, Rush D. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Hooley, Darlene - 6/27/2001
            Rep Horn, Stephen - 6/27/2001
            Rep Inslee, Jay - 6/27/2001
            Rep Isakson, Johnny - 6/27/2001
            Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 6/27/2001
            Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice - 6/27/2001
            Rep Jones, Stephanie Tubbs - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kaptur, Marcy - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kildee, Dale E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kind, Ron - 6/28/2001
            Rep King, Peter T. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kirk, Mark Steven - 6/27/2001
            Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. - 6/27/2001
            Rep LaFalce, John J. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Lampson, Nick - 6/27/2001
            Rep Lantos, Tom - 6/27/2001
            Rep Larsen, Rick - 6/27/2001
            Rep LaTourette, Steve C. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Lee, Barbara - 6/27/2001
            Rep Lewis, John - 6/27/2001
            Rep Lipinski, William O. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Markey, Edward J. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Mascara, Frank - 6/27/2001
            Rep Matsui, Robert T. - 6/27/2001
            Rep McCarthy, Karen - 6/27/2001
            Rep McGovern, James P. - 6/27/2001
            Rep McHugh, John M. - 6/27/2001
            Rep McKinney, Cynthia A. - 6/27/2001
            Rep McNulty, Michael R. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Meek, Carrie P. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Meeks, Gregory W. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Menendez, Robert - 6/27/2001
            Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita - 6/27/2001
            Rep Miller, George - 6/27/2001
            Rep Moran, James P. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Nadler, Jerrold - 6/27/2001
            Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes - 6/27/2001
            Rep Norwood, Charlie - 6/27/2001
            Rep Oberstar, James L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Owens, Major R. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Payne, Donald M. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Pelosi, Nancy - 6/27/2001
            Rep Platts, Todd Russell - 6/28/2001
            Rep Price, David E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Quinn, Jack - 6/27/2001
            Rep Rahall, Nick J., II - 6/27/2001
            Rep Rivers, Lynn N. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Roukema, Marge - 6/27/2001
            Rep Rush, Bobby L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Sandlin, Max - 6/27/2001
            Rep Sawyer, Tom - 6/27/2001
            Rep Schrock, Edward L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Scott, Robert C. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Serrano, Jose E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Shaw, E. Clay, Jr. - 6/28/2001
            Rep Shays, Christopher - 6/27/2001
            Rep Slaughter, Louise McIntosh - 6/27/2001
            Rep Smith, Adam - 6/27/2001
            Rep Smith, Christopher H. - 6/28/2001
            Rep Sweeney, John E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Thurman, Karen L. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Towns, Edolphus - 6/27/2001
            Rep Upton, Fred - 6/27/2001
            Rep Watson, Diane E. - 6/27/2001
            Rep Weller, Jerry - 6/27/2001

            Amtrak resumed Vermonter service on Sunday, June 24, starting with
            northbound train #56. On Monday, June 25th, Amtrak began operating
            southbound train #55.

There are some new pics of the British privatized railways on the
Friends of Amtrak website:

            I'll be sampling Acela southbound into New York's Penn Station
            tomorrow morning. Will brief you on the experience, hopefully with
            some photos.

            *   User IDs and passwords are no longer required to make reservations
            * Creating a member profile speeds you through the process
            * Fewer clicks are required to complete a reservation
            * Reservations can be viewed instantly online
            * You receive an automatic e-mail confirmation

            If you created a reservation using http://reservations.amtrak.com,
            you won't be able to access it in this new system for security
            reasons.

            Amtrak offered free rail service for firefighters in the Northeast to
            attend the funerals of the three New York City firefighters who died
            in an explosion at a hardware store on Father's Day.

            "On behalf of Amtrak's employees, I am pleased to offer this small
            token of our respect and support for the firefighters who risk their
            lives everyday," said Stan Bagley, President of Amtrak's Northeast
            Corridor.

Amtrak gets 43 percent of its revenue from non-passenger business, up
from 29 percent in 1990.

            Amtrak's revenue from passenger trains grew by 10 percent last year,
            to $1.2 billion, while revenue from other ventures grew by 15
            percent, to $886 million, according to Transportation Department
            Inspector General Kenneth Mead.

Last year, Amtrak's Mail and Express division generated $122 million
- 6 percent of the railway's total revenue.

            Arkadelphia, Arkansas, an Amtrak stop on the Texas Eagle route, will be
            getting a new station in a historic renovated train depot. The depot has
            been restored to working order through federal grant money designated
            for the preservation of historical buildings. The depot is the home of
            the Arkadelphia's South Central Arkansas Transit.

            40 SUFFER MINOR INJURIES ABOARD SOUTHWEST CHIEF -- July 3, 2001.
            About 40 people suffered minor injuries on Amtrak's Southwest Chief
            Monday at the station in Lamy, New Mexico when the train stopped
            short, jolting passengers, after backing out of the station.
            Paramedics responded to 40 minor injuries at the scene. At least
            three people were transported to St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe for
            their injuries. Amtrak says it is still investigating why the train
            stopped so suddenly.

            MINETA APPOINTED TO AMTRAK BOARD -- July 1, 2001. As expected, President
            Bush has indicated that he will name his Transportation Secretary, Leon
            Mineta, to the Amtrak governing board to replace Tommy Thompson who
            reluctantly resigned in May. As of late Mineta has been critical of
            Amtrak indicating that the railroad should rid itself of unprofitable
            routes to become self sufficient.

            Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) are leading the
            effort to restore service to the Boise, Idaho to Portland, Oregon route,
            where Amtrak's "Pioneer" was discontinued in 1997 as an unprofitable
            route. The two U.S. Senators are currently working with Amtrak
            officials to amend the High Speed Rail Investment Act to create start-up
            funding. The amendment would allow spending on more rural routes.
            Pulling time-sensitive freight along with Amtrak passenger cars could be
            the key to making the idea work, according to a spokesperson for Senator
            Crapo. Some ideas that have been discussed to make the route profitable
            include pulling time-sensitive goods with the U.S. Postal-Service, FedEx
            and a casino in Pendleton, Ore., that is interested in purchasing rail
            cars to transport customers to and from the casino.

            ST. AUGUSTINE -- According to the Florida Times Union, The St. Johns
            County Commission has approved the return of passenger trains to St.
            Augustine, possibly making the city one of eight new Amtrak stops
            between Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, Florida.

            Other stops would be in Daytona Beach, Titusville, Cocoa/Port Canaveral,
            Melbourne, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Stuart. Florida East Coast Railway
            recently made a deal with Amtrak to let Amtrak passenger trains run on its
            tracks.

            "A transportation center proposed by the St. Augustine/St. Johns
            County Airport Authority would combine the existing airport with new
            bus and passenger rail service. An elevated walkway would connect the
            airport, which primarily serves smaller planes and corporate jets, on
            the east side of U.S. 1 with an Amtrak terminal and other facilities
            to the west on undeveloped land.

            "The transportation center would include access to rental cars, taxis
            and shuttles to residential and business centers in St. Johns County.
            The center also would have shops and restaurants."

            Philadelphia - Northeast corridor travelers will have more Acela service
            to choose from beginning on July 9th, when Amtrak doubles the number of
            Acela Express frequencies between New York and Washington, and adds
            another daily roundtrip between Boston and New York.

            In its first six months of service (December 11 through June 1), the
            nation's first high-speed train service has achieved ticket revenues of
            approximately $15.3 million, and attracted 130,486 guests. Acela Express
            has scored a customer satisfaction rating in the top 90 percent range,
            and has won numerous design accolades including an industrial design
            award sponsored by the Industrial Designers Society of America &
            Business Week

            "The success of Acela Express in its first six months is particularly
            significant in light of the lackluster trends in the business travel
            segment as a whole," said Amtrak President and CEO George D. Warrington.
            "As we begin on July 9th to serve all our markets with greater frequency
            and accommodate even stronger demand, the success of Acela Express
            proves that travelers want a comfortable, efficient mode of travel
            between the major business hubs of the Northeast."

To Celebrate Success of First Six Months, Amtrak Offers Two-for-One
Weekend Travel Deal

            To introduce high-speed service to a growing number of business and
            leisure travelers, Amtrak is offering a summer promotional fare -
            two-travelers-for-the-price-of-one on Acela Express weekend trips
            between June 23 and September 23.

            By the end of May, consumers had already logged in more than 9,500
            weekend trips aboard the high-speed train, contributing to the success
            of its first six months in operation.

            Acela Express Weekday Service Doubles Between Washington and New York
            Starting July 9th, on weekdays, Amtrak will double Acela Express service
            between Washington and New York by offering six trains in each
            direction. Acela Express departures from Washington will be at 5 a.m., 7
            a.m. (replacing Metroliner #102), 7:25 a.m., 2 p.m. (replacing
            Metroliner #116), 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. From New York, Acela Express
            departures for Washington will be at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m.
            (replacing Metroliner #111), 3:50 p.m., 7 p.m. (replacing Metroliner
            #127) and 9 p.m. A non-stop weekday train (#2180) will begin stopping at
            all Acela Express markets to extend this premium service to additional
            guests in more cities.

            Ultimately, with the receipt of all 20 high-speed trainsets, the Acela
            Express schedule will provide 19 high-speed roundtrips between New York
            and Washington and 10 round trips between New York and Boston each
            weekday.

            Service Expands to Ten Weekday Trips Between Boston and New York Amtrak
            will offer an additional roundtrip between Boston and New York, bringing
            the number of Acela Express trains in each direction up to five. Acela
            Express departures from Boston South Station will be at 6:12 a.m., 7:12
            a.m., 3:12 p.m., 5:12 p.m. and 6:42 p.m. From New York, Acela Express
            departures for Boston will be at 7:03 a.m., 8:03 a.m., 10:03 a.m., 5
            p.m. and 6 p.m.

            On weekends, Amtrak will offer another roundtrip between Boston and New
            York each Saturday and Sunday, bringing the number of Acela Express
            trains to three in each direction.

            Consumers continue to respond enthusiastically to Amtrak's entire Acela
            service. Acela Regional has exceeded both ridership and revenue
            projections by 13 percent year-to-date through April, reflecting
            ridership of 687,000 and revenue of $35.5 million.

            There is a new website effort devoted to saving Amtrak. The site has
            just been posted recently by Amtrak Employees who work the Southwest
            Chief. Take a look at SaveAmtrak at:

            Friends of Amtrak supporter Lynne Williams has published a small,
            twenty-two page guide to train travel, available online. This booklet
            does not include destination or route information, but rather is
            designed to give the traveler nuts and bolts information and advice
            about planning and enjoying a long distance train trip in the US or
            Canada. Lynne wrote the guidebook after meeting so many people onboard,
            who were dissatisfied with certain aspects of their trip, but who could
            have planned things a whole lot more successfully. Some of the chapters
            are: The Timetable, Classes of Travel, Overnight on the Train, What to
            Take and How to Carry It, Traveling with Children, Travelers with
            Special Needs, Discounts and Refunds, and What to Do on a Four Hour
            Layover (in nine different cities). The guide is available at

Go to: "Browse Guides." Then click on "Train Travel" from the menu. The
cost is $4.50 and is available by downloading with Adobe Acrobat.

AMTRAK OFFERS ACELA EXPRESS TWO-FOR-ONE WEEKENDS JUST IN TIME FOR
SUMMER GETAWAYS

            Philadelphia - Amtrak is making it easier for travelers to journey up
            and down the Northeast Corridor in style this summer with a special
            two-for-one fare on Acela Express weekend service.

            Whether you're traveling to the Washington Monument, the Liberty Bell,
            Empire State Building or Historic Boston and popular destinations
            in-between, Amtrak's high-speed train, Acela Express, will whisk you in
            world-class style from one city to another.

            Starting June 20 through September 20, Amtrak will offer guests a
            two-travelers-for-the-price-of-one package on Acela Express weekend
            service, good for travel between June 23 and September 23.

            Amtrak introduced the first weekend Acela Express service in April, two
            southbound and three northbound trains, to afford leisure travelers the
            same style, speed and amenities that have already transformed the travel
            experience for business commuters along the Northeast Corridor. In just
            its first month of service, Acela Express weekend service attracted
            9,500 riders and continues to be in strong demand. Starting July 9th,
            Amtrak will expand it's weekend service to total three Acela Express
            trains in each direction.

            FOR RELEASE Contact: Dennis Watson
            06/29/2001 (Friday) (202) 565-1596
            No. 01-29 TDD/TDY 1-(800) 877-8339
            www.stb.dot.gov

            Surface Transportation Board Directs Guilford Rail System to Allow
            Amtrak Test of Guilford Track to Determine if Amtrak May Safely Operate
            79-mph Passenger Trains Between Plaistow, NH & Portland, ME

            Surface Transportation Board (Board) Chairman Linda J. Morgan announced
            today that the Board has directed the Guilford Rail System (Guilford) to
            allow the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to test
            Guilford's track to determine whether Amtrak may safely operate its new
            passenger service at speeds of up to 79 miles per hour (mph) over
            certain Guilford rail facilities between Plaistow, New Hampshire and
            Portland, Maine. The Board's decision resolving the dispute that the
            private parties brought to it should help them as they move closer to
            reestablishing passenger rail service between Boston, Massachusetts and
            Portland.

            Freight railroads must allow Amtrak to operate over their lines for a
            fee. When parties cannot agree on the terms and conditions of Amtrak's
            access, they may bring disputes to the Board for resolution. The instant
            dispute involves Amtrak's request for access to Guilford track that was
            substantially upgraded, through public funding, to facilitate the
            reintroduction of passenger service between Boston and Portland. Amtrak
            and Guilford have had several prior disputes concerning Amtrak's efforts
            to initiate its new Boston-Portland operations and, over the past few
            years, the Board has issued two decisions resolving a variety of issues
            (see Surface Transportation Board "News" releases No. 99-43, issued to
            the public on October 22, 1999, and No. 98-38, issued on May 29, 1998).

            In a decision issued in late 1999, the Board found that Amtrak could
            safely operate its Boston-Portland trains at speeds of up to 79 mph
            using 115-pound rail (rather than the 132-pound rail that Guilford
            argued would be necessary), so long as the track is upgraded according
            to certain engineering criteria and maintained according to Federal
            Railroad Administration (FRA) safety standards. A dispute arose,
            however, over whether and how Amtrak could enter Guilford's system to
            test the track to see if it meets the Board-prescribed engineering
            criteria.

            After reviewing the parties' arguments and information provided by FRA,
            which has substantial expertise relative to issues such as these, the
            Board found that a test using a device known as the "Track Loading
            Vehicle" (TLV) would be reasonable and practical and should provide
            sufficient data to evaluate the track. The TLV, which was recently
            developed by the Transportation Technology Center, Inc., a subsidiary of
            the Association of American Railroads, would run over the line at very
            slow speeds for two days checking for locations where additional track
            support may be needed, and then, on a third and final day, measure these
            locations to ensure that the track meets the criteria set in the Board's
            1999 decision. The Board also found that, so long as the line is
            rehabilitated to the appropriate standard, and maintained at
            FRA-prescribed levels, a single engineering test, followed by regular
            inspections, should ensure that it will be safe for 79-mph speeds.

            In a filing made with the Board, Guilford criticized the testing
            methodology and argued that repeated testing should be required, but the
            Board relied on FRA's conclusion that

            ". . . based on Amtrak's representation that the line would be
            maintained to FRA Class 4 standards, that it would be subject to routine
            FRA-mandated track safety inspections, and that it would be periodically
            inspected by Amtrak's track geometry car, FRA has been unable to
            identify any safety regulatory concern with the use of 115-pound rail on
            the upgraded Plaistow-Portland Line."

            Guilford also argued that the proposed testing would be unreasonably
            burdensome and disruptive, but the Board disagreed. Noting that Amtrak
            has agreed to compensate Guilford for all costs incurred in relation to
            Amtrak's testing, the Board ordered Guilford to allow Amtrak access to
            the line so that tests may begin and the Board's prior decisions can be
            put into effect.

            The Board issued its decision today in the case entitled National
            Railroad Passenger Corporation--Petition For Declaratory Order--Weight
            of Rail, STB Finance Docket No. 33697. A printed copy of the decision is
            available for a fee by contacting D~-To-D~ Office Solutions, Room 405,
            1925 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006, telephone (202) 293-7776, or
            via http://Da_To_Da@Hotmail.com.

The decision also is available for viewing and downloading via the
Board's Website at http://www.stb.dot.gov .

            It has been reported that Senator Robert Bennett (R-UT) says Utah does
            not need Amtrak service and has offered Utah's share of funding for the
            California Zephyr(CZ) to help finance Amtrak's Northeast Corridor
            (Washington - Boston). Sen. Bennett made his comments in a meeting of
            the Subcommittee on Transportation of the Senate Appropriations
            Committee on Thursday morning, June 28.

            Sen. Bennett said he would be happy to support continued service on the
            Northeast Corridor and some other areas, but he saw no reason to keep
            the long-distance trains. He also said that Utah only had one rail
            station, that in Salt Lake City. Utah also has stations in Provo, Helper
            and Green River. He also said there was no train service connecting
            Denver and Salt Lake City, and this is one of THE most spectacular rail
            routes in America!

            The Honorable Robert Bennett
            United States Senate
            Washington, D.C. 20510
            (202) 224-5444 (phone)
            (202) 228-1161 (fax)

            An editorial in the June 21 edition of the San Diego Union Tribune makes
            the case for Amtrak and investing in passenger rail service in America.
            The editors make the following case:

            "California just passed France as the fifth largest economy, $1.33
            trillion to $1.28 trillion. These figures (from the Los Angeles Economic
            Development Corp.) based on exchange rates fluctuations are a bit of a
            fraud, but the point is that, by any standard, California is a
            nation-state.

            "France has just started new high-speed rail service between Paris and
            the Mediterranean (411 miles) that takes three hours. At that same
            average speed (137 mph), a trip between Los Angeles and San Francisco
            Bay (344 miles) would take 2.5 hours.

            "McCain is right that Washington subsidizes Amtrak -- to the tune of $20
            billion since Amtrak was formed in 1971. But every modern nation
            subsidizes its rail service to relieve its cities from congested air and
            road travel and to conserve fuel.

"Amtrak's subsidy is a pittance compared to federal subsidies for
highways and aviation.

            "An example of the nation's current aviation mess is found in Los
            Angeles, where the airport (LAX) is seeking a federally subsidized $12
            billion expansion plan to raise airport capacity to 100 million
            passengers per year.

            "In asking Congress to fund its new capital program, Amtrak made the
            point that passenger rail travel is the least subsidized of all
            transportation systems. Most federal transportation money goes into
            highways and airports.

            "The figures are stunning. Federal highway subsidies have doubled since
            1982, from $14.4 billion annually to $29 billion. Subsidies to aviation
            (primarily to airports) also have doubled during the period, from $5
            billion to $10 billion annually.

            "Amtrak? Its subsidy has declined from $1.5 billion to $500 million
            annually since 1982 even as ridership has increased to 22.5 million and
            revenue to $1.1 billion last year.

The Bush administration plans to sell new offshore drilling leases in an
area covering about 1.5 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico.

            Interior Secretary Gale Norton said the lease area along the Outer
            Continental Shelf at least 100 miles from the shorelines of Florida,
            Alabama and Mississippi has enough oil to run a million families' cars
            for six years.

While the critics whine about Amtrak's reliance on taxpayer support it
is noteworthy that the "new" Denver airport cost $4.6 billion to build!

            The privatized British rail company, Railtrack, is cash starved. Having
            lost the public's confidence, Railtrack's shares have plunged to new
            lows and cannot raise capital in the private sector because it will take
            too long for it to regain the markets' confidence, if it ever can.

            According to an article in the London Evening Standard by Anthony
            Hilton, "the Government's 10-year transport plan - Lord Macdonald's
            great achievement - has been rendered obsolete already by the collapse
            of the private side which was supposed to provide half the funds. And
            amid all this chaos the Treasury sails serenely on, locked into
            long-term spending plans that do not factor-in the need for special
            payments to stave off the collapse of the transport infrastructure."

            This, from the Associated Newspapers Ltd. article on June 29, 2001,
            British "train companies have been fined a record £100million for
            late-running services." In addtion, The Health And Safety Executive has
            found that British trains are passing red signals at an alarming rate,
            endangering the public safety. "The rail industry is too complacent,
            and a further crackdown on companies which fail to abide by the rules is
            imminent," says Vic Coleman, the HSE's Chief Inspector of Railways.

            Effective July 9, Amtrak's Capitol Ltd, will no longer stop at Elkhart,
            IN. According to Amtrak spokesman Kevin Johnson, Amtrak made the
            reduction to insure that the train would be able to connect with
            southbound connecting train to Florida. "Everything we do is a matter
            of revenue," Johnson said. "We strongly believe that by making it
            possible to meet these schedules, we will enhance our revenues."

            Amtrak has come to an agreement with the state of Vermont to continue
            rail service there for at least another year. The agreement insures the
            continuation of the two state supported trains, "The Vermonter" and "The
            Ethan Allen".

            The latest fully updated edition of the popular travel guide "USA by
            Rail" is NOW AVAILABLE in North America from Globe Pequot. In
            entertaining fashion, author and Friends of Amtrak supporter John Pitt,
            reveals the unique pleasures of North American train travel. Pitt has
            travelled almost 70,000 miles in the US and Canada. This latest edition
            of his book contains comprehensive route guides as well as all the
            practical information needed to make reservations, buy tickets and find
            your way around train stations.

            Details of Amtrak's latest high-speed Acela trains are included, as well
            as lots of great advice on local transport, sightseeing and
            accommodations en route.

            Outside of North America: USA by Rail by John Pitt (ISBN 1 84162 032 7)
            is available in book stores or by mail order from Bradt Publications, 19
            High Street, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks, SL9 9QE, UK. Tel: 01753 893444.
            Fax: 01753 892333. E-mail: enquiries@bradt-travelguides.com

            In North America, USA by Rail is distributed by the Globe Pequot Press,
            246 Goose Lane, Suite 200, PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437, USA. Tel:
            (888) 249-7586 or (203) 458-4500. Fax: (800) 820-2329. E-mail:
            service@globe-pequot.com

            The company is also sponsoring a "prize draw" which includes a pair of
            Amtrak passes. These two national 30-day rail passes, worth $1,100, give
            unlimited travel over the whole Amtrak network, from the Canadian border
            down to Mexico and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.

1) What is the name of Amtrak's new high-speed train? 2) In which
chapter of USA by Rail is Marilyn Monroe the "artichoke queen"?

            The Surface Transportation Board (Board) announced the addition of a
            new "environmental" feature to the agency's website, just the latest of
            many enhancements recently made to the extensive amount of electronic
            information already available to the public through the Board's website.

            Starting with June 20, 2001, users of the Board's site, at
           http://www.stb.dot.gov, may obtain important environmental information.
            This includes information on agency rules implementing federal
            environmental law in the area of transportation; significant
            transportation cases before the Board involving environmental issues; a
            glossary of transportation and environmental terms; third-party
            contracting information relative to the preparation of environmental
            documentation; and a useful list of websites for other agencies involved
            in environmental matters.

            Access to this environmental information is easy via
            http://www.stb.dot.gov . At the appearance of the home page, click the
            "Economics & Environment" button. When the next electronic page appears,
            beneath the "Environmental Issues" heading at the upper right, click the
            item marked "All Environmental On-Line Services." The next page to
            appear will display the "SEA" acronym (denoting the Board's "Section of
            Environmental Analysis," the sponsor of and office that will continually
            update the site's environmental information), and several introductory
            paragraphs.

            TRIP NEWS FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. CHAPTER NATIONAL RAILWAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
            -
            http://www.dcnrhs.org
            E-mail: info@dcnrhs.org

            Join us for an enjoyable all private car special train odyssey on a rare
            mileage trip around Northwestern Pennsylvania. Ride this likely to never
            be repeated three and half day adventure in elegant comfort aboard the
            Washington, D.C. Chapter's 1930's bedroom-buffet-lounge Pullman railroad
            car, DOVER HARBOR.

            The dates for this rail extravaganza are Saturday, August 18 to Tuesday,
            August 21, 2001 with departure/return from Philadelphia. Fares are
            Round-trip, double occupancy $2,349.00 and round-trip rail-only at just
            $1,749.00.

            Below we provide a brief detailed description of the trip. Additional
            details, including complete trip conditions and ordering information,
            may be found on our web site.

            This special journey begins at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station on
            Saturday evening, August 18, 2001 as the Northern Express, powered by
            Juniata Terminal Company's restored PRR E-8 diesels heads west via the
            Amtrak main line to Harrisburg. The special train will spend the night
            in Harrisburg while additional cars are added. Early the next morning,
            the Northern Express will veer off the usual Amtrak routes and onto the
            Norfolk Southern (ex-PRR) Buffalo line, traveling north along the
            Susquehanna River past Sunbury and Williamsport before joining the
            Allegheny Railroad at Emporium. From there pass through the scenic
            Allegheny National Forest to St. Mary's and Corry, before arriving
            Sunday evening in Erie, Pennsylvania's only Great Lakes port and third
            largest city. The train will park there for the night. Breakfast, lunch
            and dinner will all be served as you enjoy the passing scenery from
            DOVER HARBOR's windows.

            Early on Monday, August 20th, the Northern Express will depart from
            Erie, joining the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad at Conneat to travel
            south to Butler, PA, and then continue south to North Bessemer to
            connect with the Union Railroad. Our train will continue across the
            Monongahela River to the site of the Old Homestead Steel works in
            Duquene, PA before being wyed, and retracing the route back to Butler,
            where the train will park for the night. Enjoy breakfast, lunch and
            dinner during the day aboard DOVER HARBOR while en route.

            Breakfast time on Tuesday morning brings another early departure with
            the Northern Express traveling eastward on the Buffalo and Pittsburgh
            Railroad to Punxsatawny and DuBois to join the ex-PRR Low Grade Line to
            head back to Harrisburg.

            After pausing in Harrisburg, we'll cruise eastward along the Amtrak main
            line to Philadelphia to bring the Northern Express to a conclusion.
            Lunch and dinner will also be served. Passengers may join the excursion
            in Philadelphia or Harrisburg, or travel from Washington, DC aboard
            DOVER HARBOR. Subject to final coordination for the special train,
            departure from Washington is tentatively scheduled for early morning on
            Saturday, August 18, 2001 arriving in Philadelphia mid-morning; guests
            will have the afternoon to spend as they wish in the City of Brotherly
            Love. The return to Washington is scheduled from Philadelphia on
            Wednesday, August 22nd. Appropriate meals will be served on both of legs
            of the trip.

            Overnight passengers will enjoy the accommodations aboard the DOVER
            HARBOR including use of one of the six-double bedrooms with individual
            sink and toilet, a shower, and of course the spacious lounge. Subject to
            final availability and schedules, passengers should be able
            depart/arrive with the DOVER HARBOR in Washington if you so choose (this
            is not guaranteed). Departure/Return times from Washington are still
            being planned.

            Washington, D.C. Chapter NRHS, Inc.
            PO Box 487
            Washington, D.C. 20004
            Chapter Information/Hot Line: 703-273-8440

            These are the numbers approved for Amtrak to receive each year as authorized
            in the Amtrak Reform Act of 1997. To date, Amtrak has only received about
            half the authorized amount each year, by the same geniuses that wrote the law
            in the first place. And yet we are expected to achieve self-sufficiency by
            October of next year? What a joke. Another example of the leaders in
            Congress speaking with forked tongue.

            ProRail Nebraska has changed its web site. They've created a new
            (and improved) web site on TrainWeb, already the home of many
            like-minded rail advocacy organizations like Friends of Amtrak.
            They're now located at:

The old site (at DiscoverOmaha.com) will remain in operation for awhile,
but only the new site will contain updated information.

            The Railroad Passenger Association of Alabama is offering a free "No Train
            No Gain" bumper sticker. For information check out the page link by Friends
            of Amtrak:

            FREE with LSSAE, $1.00 for each additional. Black on white, peel and
            stick variety, sized to fit inside a legal sized envelope. This is a
            volunteer effort in support of passenger rail. No profits are made.
            Quantities of 100 available for $34.00 postage paid to organizations and
            individuals.

            Railroad Passenger Association of Alabama
            Jim Norton
            153 Rebecca Pines
            Madison, Alabama 35758

If you would like to submit a trip report please follow the guidelines at
the following site:

If you are not already visiting the Trains Community Bulletin Board
on Prodigy, take a look. It's at:

You can also go to the Friends of Amtrak website and find links to the trip
report pages in the FoA main menu.

http://www.3-c-corridor-campaign.org - Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati
(3-C) Corridor Campaign

            The Friends of Amtrak website is sponsored by Trainweb.com with no web
            costs being passed on to me. All costs encumbered by me are for my own
            computer software and online service providers. If you would like to
            make a contribution to offset personal costs encumbered by me please
            let me know.

            Please remember that this is now an automated list. You are responsible
            for changing your own e-mail address if and when the need arises. Please
            do not send changes of e-mail address to me.

            THANK YOU!
            --Craig <crocon@connix.com>
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