October
1998Amtrak West, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation, is engaged in talks which, if successful, would bring a TALGO trainset to Arizona for a demonstration in early January 1999. ARPA is assisting in the effort.
The TALGO (Spanish for Trén Articulado Ligero Goicoechea Oriol) is a lightweight articulated trainset with tilt technology, and is especially suited for rail lines with many curves.
Most likely, the TALGO will be displayed at Phoenix and at Tucson, with a journey between those two points to demonstrate the Regional Rail concept. Prior demonstrations, using Superliner and German ICE equipment, similarly highlighted the ability of modern passenger trains to serve Southern Arizona's transportation needs.
All rail advocates are encouraged to get involved in this demonstration. Let's get Arizona on Track to the Future!
Also see:
At the 1998 ARPA Awards Dinner, to be held 11 November,
The public is invited to attend this fund-raising event.
26 SEPTEMBER – ARPA's Board this morning endorsed Andrew C. Selden of Minneapolis, Minnesota, for Amtrak President. In a resolution approved unanimously by the nine Directors present, the ARPA Board affirmed its desire for a revitalized intercity passenger train system, and our belief that Mr. Selden has the qualifications, experience, and desire to lead Amtrak to such a revitalization. Mr. Selden wrote this month's Guest Commentary.
At meetings in late September, Valley Connections – a group of cities and agencies exploring light rail – unveiled a plan to link Glendale and Metrocenter to a transit hub at Chris-Town mall which would link to the Central Phoenix – East Valley light rail system currently under study. The Major Investment Study originally listed Camelback and Central as the terminus of the initial LRT, but Chris-Town may be more favorable, said Mark Soronson of S. R. Beard Associates.
Several ARPA members have been keeping a close eye on the site of the proposed stop at Maricopa, Arizona (which is actually in Pinal county.) So far there has been no activity indicating any construction there. On August 13, ARPA President Rob Bohannan wrote to Amtrak Intercity President Lee Bullock:
Contrary to what you have apparently been told, Maricopa is not "close to the Phoenix airport and to many of the Phoenix suburbs." Maricopa is a good thirty-five to forty minute drive from either downtown or the airport, and at least an hour's drive from the majority of our residential areas.
The area is perceived as remote; there is no public transportation; and, as there are no plans to provide secure parking, would-be Amtrak patrons will be uneasy about leaving cars parked there for any length of time. In short, Maricopa is not acceptable as a replacement stop for Phoenix.
A local UP official told me on June 17 that "as soon as crew agreements are worked out" the railroad would resume using the line west of Phoenix on a regular basis. Perhaps this will facilitate Amtrak's return to that route.
Thread: ARPA, Amtrak, and the Sunset Limited through Phoenix
In a September 3 editorial, the Mesa Tribune called for the completion of planned highways and starting a commuter rail system in lieu of a controversial widening of the Superstition Highway. The Tribune's comments were reminiscent of ADOT Director Mary Peters' comments at the April ARPA Open House: both asked how wide we want to make our roads: "8, 10, 20 lanes?"
Says the Tribune, "...another important but often forgotten option is rail transit, which is our best hope for accommodating the thousands of additional commuters as the East Valley continues to sprout rooftops… Rather than getting locked in a pointless flap over widening the Superstition, East Valley cities should concentrate on getting our other freeway links built and launching a commuter rail project."
The Tribune listed the cost of US-60 widening:
Mesa $185 million
Tempe $135 million
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$320 million total
In contrast, ARPA's 1992 "White Paper" lists total capital costs for a system from Wickenburg to Nogales, with Phoenix commuter service at $500 million, only about 50% more than these few miles of highway.
On September 24, the Amtrak Board voted to name Governor Tommy Thompson of Wisconsin as chairman and former Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis as vice chairman. Thompson, a Republican, served as a director of the national railroad from 1990 to 1994. Dukakis, the Democrats' 1988 presidential nominee, is a longtime advocate of passenger rail in the Northeast.
In a hearing held September 22, nominations for the Amtrak Reform Board continued with the consideration of former Virginia Governor Linwood Holton, and Amy Rosen, vice-chair of New Jersey Transit. Among the items of business the Board will next consider is the selection of a new President.
In mid September, the National Transportation Safety Board ruled that BNSF's failure to adequately inspect its tracks and bridges contributed to the derailment of Amtrak's Southwest Chief at Kingman, Arizona last year. The NTSB recommended that Amtrak improve its passenger manifest, crew training, and emergency lighting.