| Rail Commentary | By Harold Geissenheimer March 9, 2002 |
Transnet #97
| Rail Commentary | By Harold Geissenheimer March 9, 2002 |
Transnet #97
"GO WEST", Horace Greeley once said
And never more true than in the year 2002 for advances in Light Rail! Call your airline today.
IN DENVER:
- Daily LRT ridership for October 2001 increased to 33,100, more than 40% ahead of projections. The Southwest line, which opened in July 2000, was projected to provide 8,400 rides daily, opened with more than 14,000 and now averages more than 17,000.
- Cal Marsella, RTD GM, attributed the high number of riders to several factors, including the faster rush hour travel times on LRT vs auto along the Santa Fe corridor, the cost of downtown parking, more entertainment and dining downtown, and the overall increasing popularity of light rail, particularly during off-peak hours.
RTD is proposing a FasTrack transit-expansion program to be funded by an increase of the 0.6% sales tax to 1% to fund the $4.4 billion program. If approved by the Legislature and the Governor, voters will decide next November. FasTrack includes Light Rail expansion, an Airtrain commuter line to Denver International Airport, lengthening stations to four cars, a DMU commuter rail to Boulder, a third line into downtown, and construction of a large intermodal transfer station at the Union Station.
One of the proposals is to build a 3 1/2 mile light rail line to the state Capitol from the Broadway district. This might include a one mile underground section.
- CENTRAL PLATTE VALLEY LRT TO OPEN 4/5/02:
- April 5, 2002: Grand Opening Ceremony in Tent in Mall Shuttle Area-11 AM.
-VIP guests board 4 car train from Union Station to Auraria West Campus and return-Noon.
-Followed by VIP Luncheon and exhibits at Union Station.
-Free rides for public on shuttle trains from Union Station to Auraria West station. 2 car trains to be operated.
- Saturday, April 6, 2002: Free fare on entire LRT system.
-Also 2 car trains from Mineral and Union Station
-6 PM Concert at the Pepsi Center
- Sunday, April 7, 2002: 2 car trains between I-25/Broadway and Union Station. Regular fares.
- Monday, April 8, 2002: Regular weekday schedule plus 2 car peak trains between Mineral and Union trains (l car off peak between I-25/Broadway and Union Station). This is Colorado Rockies Opening Day at Coors Field.SEE YOU IN DENVER FOR A FULL WEEKEND.
IN SALT LAKE CITY:
- What more can be said? Light Rail worked. 32 TRAX cars and 29 borrowed DART cars handled 30% of the total Olympic crowd. Even more of those going downtown and the University. Congratulations to General Manager John M Inglish, Director Rail Services (and Transnet reader) Paul O'Brien and their staffs for a job well done. They operated trains up to four cars in an impressive demonstration of light rail carrying capacity.
People selected TRAX. The TRAX parking lot at 1300 South was often filled to capacity but the park-and-ride lot two blocks away had only 100 cars. TRAX has established itself with Utah citizens. More light rail and commuter rail is sure to follow. UTA has purchased miles of Union Pacific ROW for future transit service. I visited Salt Lake City in mid-December for the opening of the University Line and was impressed by the comunity's commitment for transit.
Mayor Rocky Anderson sees crowds and activities continuing along Main Street with Light Rail bringing thousands downtown. Basketball games, the Gallivan Utah Center concerts and future revitalization of Main Street will spark the continued revival.
For service to non-downtown Olympic sites, UTA fielded a fleet of transit buses and drivers from across the nation. A Sacramento Bee corrspondent reported on riding buses from SF Muni, Denver, Tacoma, San Diego, Boston. Minneapolis, Baltimore and Orange County. The Park City Transit Center had over 100 buses pass thru in one hour. It took about 480 busloads to transport passengers to the ski slopes. Each bus making two AM and two PM trips. The paper commented on this tremendous accomplishment of handling large crowds without incident. It should serve as a model for any future olympic.
Make a return visit this summer and enjoy this beautiful city and surrounding mountains.
IN DALLAS:
- The 3.5 mile extension of the Blue Line from White Rock to LBJ/Skillman is scheduled to open on May 6, 2002. Additional sections will open on a phased basis during 2002. Plan a visit to watch this expanded system unfold. And ride TRE and the McKinney Ave trolley also.
IN CALIFORNIA:
- AT SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT:
BART has stated that the $1.5 billion, 8.7 mile extension from Colma to SFO and Millbrae will open "sometime this fall". No exact opening date has been given. One suggested operating plan has trains from San Francisco terminating at SFO with an across-the-platform transfer to a BART shuttle train to Millbrae. There is a CALTRAIN connection at Millbrae.
Within the airport, an automated AirTrain system will provide service on a nine stop, 6.3 miles of track system using 38 cars costing $1.2 million each. The rubber tired cars will operate as 2 car trains on headways no more than 3-1/2 minutes. The cars were built by Bombardier Transportation (formerly Adtranz/AEG Westinghouse) and are similar to those in service at the Denver and Atlanta airports. Total cost is estimated at $430 million. The new cars are assembled in West Miflin, Pa.
The new automated system will loop between terminals with a branch to parking lots and the car rental facility. The line is on an elevated guideway about 70' off the ground. This may be the largest installation of this system. (Editor: This system is the premier airport system. It dates to the late 1960's beginning in Tampa and Seattle. It includes downtown loops in Miami and various oveseas shuttles including Singapore and Frankfurt.
I attended the initial talk by Westinghouse in the 1960's describing the technology. This system was also proposed for Pittsburgh's "Sky Bus" line-haul system. It's come a long way in almost 35 years.
***PLEASE NOTE IARO AIR RAIL CONFERENCE***
Plan to attend the 11th Air-Rail Conference 2002 at the Sheraton New York Hotel on April 24-26, 2002. The conference features air-rail connections, security and includes field trips to the PANYNJ's Airtrain at JFK and Newark Airports. Email to Katy Bleasdale, conference director, Railnews Newspaper, Kings Cross, UK at <katy@railnews.co.uk> or fax to +44 (0) 1438 880801 or phone +44 (0) 1438 880451- IN SACRAMENTO: The RTD's South Line LRT extension from downtown to Meadowview is 80% complete and on schedule to open in the fall of 2003. The 6.3 mile line will cost $222 million. 24 light rail cars will be required for the new line which will attract 15,000 new riders by 2015. Currently 30,000 passengers use the system on weekdays. web site: http://www.sacrt.com <http://www.sacrt.com> ?
- IN LOS ANGELES: November 2001 ridership remains high despite the recession and September 11.
- Red Line: 123,050
- Blue Line: 56,925
- Green Line: 30,450
Total: 210,425 average weekday (Down 5% from Oct 2001)
BUT STILL IMPRESSIVE.- ALSO IN CALIFORNIA: Additional LRT extensions under construction in San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco MUNI.
ELSEWHERE:
- IN CHICAGO: NICTD/South Shore Line has reported a 40-year peak in ridership. The line carried 3.7 million riders in 2001, up 4.4% from 2000. The last time more passengers were carried was in 1961. The line averaged 13,383 daily passengers and 3,846 on weekends. The line is currently in the middle of a capital improvement program including overhaul of the 1982 passenger cars.
ON VACATION OR ATTENDING A BUSINESS MEETING IN CHICAGO? TAKE A RIDE ON THE SOUTH SHORE TO MICHIGAN CITY OR SOUTH BEND. THIS SUMMER VISIT THE INDIANA DUNES. AND THEN VISIT THE EAST TROY RR MUSEUM TO RIDE CSS&SB CARS FROM THE 1920'S FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE KENOSHA ELECTRIC STREETCAR.
DONT FORGET IRM AND FOX RIVER MUSEUMS.Also in Chicago, the Randolph Street CSS&SB/Metra undergound station is slated for a $15 million renovation to begin this spring. The station will be enlarged and air conditioned. Noted architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill will design a link to Milennium Park and the McCormick Place busway.
Also CTA will open a pedestrian tunnel to link the Red Line State/Roosevelt Road subway station with the nearby Orange/Green line elevated station. The $7.2 million, 200' tunnel will eliminate the need for passengers changing trains to go outside. Opening is scheduled by the end of this year.
At the CTA"s Red Line Cermak-Chinatown station, an attractive 6' by 3' window painting by retired Chinatown chef Yuen Hing Moy was unveiled on January 30, 2002. The painting depicts the Great Wall of China. Elsewhere in the station are other paintings and statues including two "foo dog" good luck charms. These are part of a Chinatown Chamber of Commerce "Adopt a station".
Also in Chicago, the city will soon reopen thousands of parking meter spaces downtown that were placed off limits after September 11. Parking outside federal, state and local buildings would continue to be limited. The concern was about a car or truck bomb but truck traffic was never restricted on adjacent streets. The lack of such parking (as also the continued car pool rules on New York City bridges and tunnels) does have an affect on the overall economy and viability of downtown.
At Wrigley Field, a study recommends moving up Friday afternoon game starting times from 220PM to 120PM to reduce congestion in the evening rush hour. The report also calls on CTA Evanston-Purple line trains to stop at Addison and for METRA/Union Pacific to open a platform near Addison on their North Line. In Dallas, TRE has a simple stop at the American Airlines Arena which works well. But Metro North still does not serve Yankee Stadium after years of discussion. Sometimes the planning process is too complicated. Teen agers may have the right solution..."Just do it!"
ALSO COMMUTER RAIL:
- Amtrak Capitol Corridor ridership increased to 88,436 passengers in January, 2002, an increase of 21.7 percent over January of last year. There are 9 daily round trips between Sacramento and San Jose. Amtrak San Joaquin Valley ridership increased to 49,283 passengers, an increase of six percent. There are 4 daily round trips between Bakersfield and Oakland and one round trip between Bakersfield and Sacramento. Also, the Pacific Surfliner increased to 121,713 passengers, an increase of 4.8 percent and the highest figure for January since 1993. The three California routes are among Amtrak's five busiest in the nation.
AND ON THE EAST COAST:
"RESTORATION OF PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION TO LOWER MANHATTAN" was the subject of an ASCE Dinner Seminar in Newark on February 21, 2002. Speaking was Mr Jerold Dinkels of the Port Authority of NY and NJ and Mr Joseph Siano of MTA-New York City Transit. Mr Dinkels described the plans to reopen a temporary WTC PATH station on the site of the previous station within two years and also to reopen PATH service to Exchange Place by construction of turnback switches west of the station within 18 months. Contracts have been let for this work which also includes complete rehabilitation of the two under river tunnels from NJ to NY.
Mr Siano described the efforts of NYCT to reopen the #1-9 service from Chambers Street to South Ferry. Basically a new tunnel will be built on the old alignment adjacent to the WTC. This job is also under contract and it is hoped to complete it late in 2002.
Congratulations to both agencies and their dedicated staffs to accomplish this work in record time. Mr Dinkels was at work in the WTC at the time of the crash and has a very real personal interest in this project. I enjoyed attending and receiving a first hand updating on this important work.
*******150 Years of Engineering Excellence: 1852-2002*******
The American Society of Civil Engineers(ASCE) celebrates this important anniversary. Engineers should consider belonging to this professional organziation. Contact <member@asce.org>NYCT E-TRAIN RETURNS TO WTC STATION: NYCT
resumed E-train service to the stub station at World Trade Center on Monday, January 28, 2002. Access to the street is by a single stairway adjacent to one of the viewing platforms or along the corridor to the A/C Chambers St station. The former access to the WTC is closed off.NEW R-143 SUBWAY CARS BY KAWASAKI IN SERVICE:
Gov George Pataki joined Manhattan bound passengers on the L-line (14th Street Manhattan) for an inaugural ride on these new cars. Over half of the NYCT 6,000-subway car fleet will be replaced by 2008."Modern Ferry Transportation in New York" was the subject of a talk by Arthur R. Imperatore of New York Waterways at the February 22, 2002 Visiting Scholars Seminar presented by the Region 2, University Transportation Research Center. Ferry ridership in New York harbor has increased greatly since September 11 with new routes and ships. New York Waterways is in the lead of these improvements. <www.utrc2.org>
AIRPORT SECURITY:
Still lots of questions and problems. Federal takeover is the first step. What is needed now are procedures to facilitate passenger flow without lessening passenger security. Our airline system is vital to the economic growth of our nation. We have heard for years the advantages of a "seamless system". Evacuating terminals and unloading planes for security errors must be resolved. The decision to use non-high school grads by the TSA is not what passengers expected after September 11. One suggestion to explore: As security areas are rebuilt, create a secure zone beyond the initial screening area. As passengers flow thru security, they would enter this area before passing thru exit doors to the gate area. That way, if Security detected a security violation, the next series of doors could be locked and the search confined to these passengers. We have had cases of defective equipment, sleeping attendants, un-attended posts and other failures resulting in the evacuation of thousands. Our airline system deserves better. Lets consider a second catch area beyond the initial security. Magnetic exit cards could be issued to each on-going passenger to activatre exit doors when security is satisfied. This process would not increase the delay. Its much the same as now used manually to exit passengers from customs.
Our air network requires flight safety, efficient airplanes, good on-board services, proper access including future Airlinks, low fares and a comprehensive network in addition to updated search and detection. Its a total system. It may require increased profiling and good common sense. Making a grand mother in a wheelchair take her shoes off is not the answer in itself. Evacuating thousands will ultimately defeat our airline system. We need better. As each of you travel this year, please inform your Congressman of what you are experiencing.
Also the Air Force secretary has proposed ending continuous fighter jet patrols infavor of "strip alert" fighters at airfields. The continuous flights have placed a heavy maintenance and personnel burden on an aged airfleet. Once again, we have to look at each of these security moves to determine long range effectiveness. The money and manpower pot is not unlimited.
IN DETROIT: Northwest Airlines opened a new Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport on Sunday, February 24. Will attempt to make amends for the January 3, 1999 fiasco where 4,500 passengers were confined on 30 airplanes unable to get to the gates because of snow. The new two-million-square-foot terminal will cost $1.2 billion.
OTHER NEWS
MONORAIL EVACUATION: The Disneyland Monorail line made a sudden stop due to a power outage, the second such service interuption in its 47-year history. After a 25-minute delay, sixty passengers were rescued by Anaheim Fire Department ladder trucks. (Editor: How about a wheel chair evacuation?) Monorail still has unsolved problems in an urban environment.
THE FUTURE OF AMTRAK: A series of Letters to the Editor in the New Jersey Star Ledger support AMTRAK. One letter high lights a key question. AMTRAK's NEC provides a ROW for the heavy commuter services of NJT, SEPTA and MARC. Are costs properly allocated to these services? Too bad we can't return to the single operator, the Pennsylvania Railroad.
On the national front, Railways Service Corp (RSC) proposes to operate long distance trains without subsidy. RSC was previously interested in the Harrisburg-Philadelphia service.
VISIT WASHINGTON THIS SPRING:
" ON TRACK-TRANSIT AND THE AMERICAN CITY" Until October 27, 2002: National Building Museum. Mon-Sat: 10AM-5PM, Sun-11AM-5PM. Worth a visit.
Public programs (630-8PM): Mar 6: Richard A White, WMATA GM. April 1: Bringing Trolleys Back to the Nation's Capital. <www.nbm.org>Also visit the newly reopened Washington Monument. The towering monument opened to the public on Friday, Feb 22, 2002 on George Washington's 270th birthday. Visitors will be admitted in groups of 25 and must get free tickets at a nearby kiosk. <www.dcinspires.com>
And the White House is now open for pre-arranged tours. Also visit the Smithsonian Museums and the Holocaust Museum. Ride METRO on your visit.
<www.metroopensdoors.com>Time your visit to see the Cherry Blossoms.
And lets write Congress to ensure Fire Works on the Mall on July 4th.
Contact your school board to insist that school trips be restored to our nation's capitol. Ask your Congressman to host such visits. Now is the time to honor our nation. Our children need to share in our heritage at the Nation's capitol. Staying home locked in the basement in fear is not the answer.
NEW YORKER'S CAN ENJOY THE CIRCUS NEXT MONTH.
Bring the children, arrange a school field trip. Lots to see and do in the World's Greatest City. Why stay home?
GET READY FOR THE 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS:
After 17 wonderful days in Salt Lake City, the Winter Olympic flag has been transferred to Torino in northern Italy. Light rail will be a major player in Torino. Many of the events are within the limits of this 1.1 million city (Metro area 2.4 million). Light rail and tramways are operated by Transporti Torinesi-ATM. Also regional 3 kV dc trains on SATTI and FS. A VAL line is planned. (Editor: I visited Torino in the early 1990's and enjoyed the historic city. Featured was dinner on a yellow painted dinner tramcar around the city. I have also enjoyed dining on streetcars in Melbourne and Hong Kong.)
And transit will also be important at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. A large ETB system and the Metro will provide transportation in this historic city. It is reported that the ETB system is the largest in western Europe.
GE E-60 ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVES IN MEXICO:
Transnet reader Walter Zullig has circulated a detailed disposition list of the thirty nine E-60C locomotives built between September 1982 and December 1983 for NdeM. They were numbered EA 001-EA 039. Serial numbers are 44028-44066 (in order by unit numbers). The list was compiled over time by a group of interested people. Any corrections or additional information appreciated.
These locomotives were intended for use on a new double-track electric line, but economic conditions delayed the project and prevented its completion as planned. On February 24, 1994, 28 of the locomotives finally went into operation by FNM on a shortened version of the project, but six of these soon wrecked. Eleven more were never placed in service and remained in storage. When the electric line was privatized in 1997, the 22 operating E60C's passed to TFM, and the unused 11 remained in storage in government ownership. Most of the catenary was soon removed for increased vertical clearance. All of the E60C's have been offered for sale since, and most have been sold.
At least one NdeM E60 is up at ATM in Montreal for study of future use in suburban service.
AMTRAK still operates E-60 locomotives in the NEC, mostly for long thru trains to the south. NJT also had some E-60's. Does any reader have full details on the status of the NJT locomotives?
IN FORT WORTH:
RadioShack to close Tandy Subway.
The trolley subway opened 39 years ago to serve the former Leonard Brothers department store will shut down later this year when RadioShack begins construction of its new headquarters. They plan to use the large parking lot as a staging area for the construction of the new complex. The new Hq will be built on the site of the Ripley Arnold housing project.
The subway rebuilt ex-Washington, DC and Boston PCC cars into double-ended high platform transit cars. The cars originally had modified Capital Transit bodies and then received new box-like bodies. The subway replaced a large shuttle bus system operated by Leonards from their riverfront parking lot. Leonard wanted the subway to bring passengers directly into their store, even if they were commuters working downtown. In mid-life, Tandy/Radio Shack built a major complex including an ice skating rink. As the years went by, the department store changed hands to Dillards and was finally closed. A visit last year found the rink closed and weekend service eliminated. The new RadioShack Hq will include on-site parking decks eliminating the use of the riverfront lot.
A NOTE OF RECOGNITION:
For 39 years, the staff of the Fort Worth Subway have kept their PCC fleet in operation. They watched trolley operations decline to seven other systems before the rebirth of light rail. They rebuilt their cars, established maintenance procedures, found alternate sources of parts and rebuilt many components. They followed a most professional and successful path and kept their system running. Congratulations to General Manager Jim Lincecum and his staff for a job well done. Lets hope that one of America's new generation of heritage rail lines can make use of their exceptional ability.
Also in Fort Worth, the T's Trinity Railway Express dedicated Historic Wall commemorating the African American Business and Historic Warehouse District at the Forth Worth Intermodal Transportation Center on Sunday, February 24. Another example of the T's well structured public information program.
FROM PITTSBURGH:
Work continues on the Phase II LRT thru Overbrook. The new line will allow express service from south of Castle Shannon to by-pass the existing local route thru Mt. Lebanon, Dormont and Beechview. On the outer end of the former Drake line, the loop has been removed. The authority plans to use part of the Drake line to test new cars to be built by CAF. On the Email circuit, an interesting photograph has been circulated showing an existing Pittsburgh LRV #4125 at the CAF shops in Guipuzcoa, near Irun, Spain. The car has been stripped down pending inspection and complete mid-life overhaul. CAF is building new LRV's and will also rebuild the existing fleet.
"THE CHARMING LITTLE TRAINS OF HUNGARY" is the title of a fascinating 12 page illustrated article by Ferenc Joo in the November 2001 issue of "Today's Railways". Ferenc has been a good friend since I first met him at the 1989 UITP conference in Budapest. He and I have traveled thru eastern Europe. He is presently secretary of the National Traffic Club. He is an excellent photographer and historian.
The article describes the many metre gauge tourist, children's or regional local rail lines. To subscribe to the magazine (and back issues): (310) 944-5033. Its an excellent monthly publication.
FROM SANTOS, BRAZIL: On the Email circuit, from A. Morrison, a beautiful photo of modern ETB's and historic streetcar #32 at the attractive downtown square. Brazil is home to 7 modern ETB systems. One wonders why Brazil ETB's have not entered the US market. On the rail front, Mafersa has supplied 38 push-pull stainless steel cars for VRE and 256 body shells for the CTA.
"CICLOVIA" TAKES HOLD IN BOGOTA, COLUMBIA:
Car free days, expanded "TransMilenio" bus service on exclusive corridors and "Ciclovia" days banning cars from 120 km of streets on Sundays and holidays opening the streets to 2 million cyclists are the rule in Bogota. This year they completed a network of "Cicioi-Rutas", 300 km of bike paths, the most extensive dedicated network in the world. (Editor: The 1993-94 issue of Jane's reported an 8 route, 69 km, 406 ETB fleet in this city of almost 5 million plus many thousand small buses. Does any one have an update on the current status of the ETB system and new rail developments? Send me an email to share with our readers. Also whats new in other Columbian cities?)
Bike Advocacy Group ITDP: <www.itdp.org>ANOTHER QUESTION FOR OUR READERS: What was the disposition of former Brussel's streetcars operated at the Grand Cypress resort in Florida? I rode this interesting operation around the golf course and grounds in the late 1980's.
CASH FLOW PROBLEMS: Transit systems and highway projects across the nation face financial shortfalls due to lower income and sales tax receipts and reduced fare box revenue since September 11. In Texas, TxDOT has slashed its new-highway project budget by 10%, stalling 51 projects. In New Jersey, budget problems also delaying projects. Transit riding has decreased as unemployment climbed resulting in some service cuts and future fare increases. Shorter trains on BART may have caused over-crowding according to newspaper stories.
All agencies need to review their budgets and seek out needed cost reductions. In recent years, new and higher expenses have been mandated for disabled, environmental and energy programs without providing funding. An example involves a recent decision of NJ Transit to defer plans to reduce pollution from its buses. The agency was supposed to buy 20 million gallons of low-sulfur fuel for the coming year and install soot fillers on 853 new commuter buses, moves that would curtail some exhaust emissions by as much as 75 percent. But NJT has decided to put these measures off, at least until July 2003, to save $16.2 million in the upcoming budget. Environmental groups are opposing this but have no answer to the money shortfall. If employment, taxes, riding and fares are down, we have a responsibility to review these expenses. The money pot is not unlimited for these mandated expenses in the same way it is not unlimited for security expenses.
Security is also going to require mandated expenses without funding. A Toll Bridge Authority across the Delaware River from New Jersey to Pennsylvania plans to create a Police Force to protect their bridges from terrorists. They have raised tolls considerably to pay for this security as well as capital improvements. Funding is not unlimited. How do we establish priorities, especially since September 11, to control these increases? Does each bridge (or terminal or facility) require such a separate police force?
BLACK HISTORY MONTH: A very informative TV program entitled "10,000 black men named George" appeared on Showtime on February 24 describing the contribution of black citizens over 100 years to our nation's rail system. Employed by the Pullman Co after the Civil War, they manned the sleeping cars, club cars and diners. Often named "George" after George Pullman, they served the rich and poor as they travelled cross country. It was not until Asa Philip Randolph organized their union during the depression that conditions began to improve. Being called "George" instead of by their own name was another demeaning step in their racial struggle. Their efforts to man this function in our rail system along with employment in the steel and auto industries are important parts of Black History Month. They did the job.
On the national defense front, sleeping car porters manned troop trains in both World Wars and the Korean War. I had my first sleeping car ride on a National Guard troop train from Pittsburgh to Delaware on the PRR in 1951. (Editor-An interesting journey. We rode chartered Pgh Rys PCC cars from the Armory in Oakland to the East Liberty PRR station.) Other sleeping car employees were onboard a major crash on the PRR enroute from Pennsylvania to Camp Attlebury, Indiana in September 1950.
SUPPORT A TROLLEY: Red Arrow car #66 truck rebuilding and other projects: PTM, 1 Museum Road, Washington, Pa. 15301.
PERSONNEL CHANGES:
- NJ Governor James E McGreevey has dismissed NJ Transit Executive Director Jeff Warsh. No replacement has been named as yet.
- Robert A. Box is the name of the new PATCO GM. Box has been PATCO Chief Engineer since 1991.
- Peter S Kalikow, MTA Chairman, has named Katherine N. Lapp as the MTA"s new Executive Director.
NATIONAL GUARD RECEIVES ADDITIONAL DUTIES:
Guardsmen now on duty overseas and at airports, bridges and terminals will soon be increased by 1,641 to bolster security at the Mexican and Canadian borders. For example, Texas will get 200 of the 734 troops that will help U.S. Customs with port security. 184 troops will assist Immigration (INS) and] the Border Patrol. Guardsmen have been on duty during the Olympics and at other key locations since September 11, 2001.
Each of you are invited to visit your local Guard Armory to understand their contribution to our country. Write Congress suggesting that all Guardsmen on duty receive proper benefits. At this time, there is a mix of Federal or State mobilizations with uneven rules. To those of you who are employers, please continue to support your mobilized staff. I served twenty seven years in the Pennsylvania National Guard including assignments at home as a Nike missile battery commander. I was fortunate to work for Morris Glick at the Harmony Short Line, David Brown at Community Transit and for the Port Authority of Alegheny County who provided me with an opportunity to follow my civilian career and share in the defense of our country. You might consider having your Rotary or Service Club, Volunteer Firemen, Church, Lodge or social group plan some kind of a recognition of your Guardsmen. They would appreciate it very much.
FUTURE EVENTS:
- March 3, 2003: Clark, NJ - Mother Seton High.
Train show & sale-9AM-330PM: $4(JC Chapter NRHS)
- March 16, 2002: Cape May Seashore Lines trip.
Email at <dshomerwoowoo@earthlink.net>
- March 19-21, 2002: BAERA 2002 Reno Snow Train
Two nights at Harrah's-$225 Single/$189 double incl train from Emerville at 8.05AM. Eric Witt (925) 212 5305.
- March 23, 2002: EastRail 02 slide show
Phone: (723) 671-9644 (7-9PM)
- March 30, 2002: Jersey City (Doubletree Hotel) 1130AM, NARP Regional meeting
- April 9-11, 2002: Passenger Terminal 2002, Hamburg, Germany
- April 11-14, 2002: Harrisburg, Pa-NRHS Board of Directors Banquet, M&H and Amtrak trips. Write J Heffron, NRHS Dir, 300 Penna Ave, Camp Hill, Pa 17011
- April 13, 2002: Metropolitan NY Bus Assn: Bee Line to Connecticut Trip
- April 15-17, 2002: Atlantic City (Tropicana) New Jersey State Transportation Conference
- April 20, 2002: NY Division ERA bus trip to NJT South Jersey LRT.
- APRIL 24-26, 2002: THE 11TH INTERNATIONAL AIR RAIL CONFERENCE 2002. Sheraton NY Hilton.
Write Katy Bleasdale, Conference Director, Conference Division, Railnews Newspaper, Kings Cross, UK <katy@railnews.co.uk>
Subjects include air-rail links, security, seamless ticketing, includes CTA O-Hare. Site visits to JFK AirTrain and Newark AirTrain.
- April 27, 2002: Penna Trolley Museum-Annual dinner.
Hilton Southpointe, Canonsburg. Guest speaker Dave Hamley-Rebuilt PCC cars by Adtranz/Bombardier.
Register by mail: $20 to PTM dinner c/o Ms Barbara Myers-Ciccone, 475 Green Valley Road, Eighty Four, Pa. 15330.
- May 5-9, 2002: Minneapolis-APTA Bus Conference
- May 24-27, 2002: CERA New York Convention.
Five trips. Complete tour including four nights at Brooklyn Marriott and trips: Only $450 (double). Write CERA, PO Box 503, Chicago, Il 60690.
- July 4 2002 Weekend: ERA convention in Portland.
- Aug 19-26, 2002: NRHS Grand Canyon Rails 2002
Convention. Canyon Rails, PO Box 391, Williams, Az 86046
- Sept 23-25, 2002: Las Vegas-APTA Expo 2002KENOSHA ELECTRIC STREET CARS:
- Weekends (11 AM/5PM) until Memorial Day. Full schedule until Labor Day weekend. July 4 fire works at the Lakefront. Have some extra fun, charter your own car. Make up a group. Ridership the first two weekends +/- 500. Stay at the nearby Holiday Inn Express. Visit the East Troy museum while you are there.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL. KEEP IT STRONG.
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