Amtrak: Beyond survival (Pat Foran, Context, May 2010)

By Pat Foran, Editor

This past winter, I attended a few sessions of the American Public Transportation Association/Union Internationale des Chemins de fe's (UIC) International Practicum on Implementing High Speed Rail in the United States (Feb. 10-11, Chicago Hilton). One of the presenter statements that struck me at the time and then stuck with me was issued by Ken Uznanski, principal officer of fleet planning and partnership policies for Amtrak: "We want to be a player and we would seek to operate on any dedicated high-speed rail corridor if funding support is available," he told attendees.

Issued matter of factly, the "We want to be a player" sentiment sounded like a declaration, a statement of purpose. Turns out it was, as Associate Editor Angela Cotey reports in this month's cover story.

Amtrak officials intend to carve out a new role for the national passenger railroad in what very well could be a new era for intercity passenger rail, and high-speed rail is only part of it. Federal legislation (the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) certainly has helped fan the competitive fire, providing Amtrak with billions of dollars for operating subsidies and capital projects. Legislation also has put states in charge of passenger-rail corridor services. That could bode well for Amtrak, which has long-standing relationships with many state agencies.

New reform measures also enable states to choose entities other than Amtrak to operate intercity service. Competitors? Bring 'em on, says Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman. It isn't about survival any more. As Boardman told Cotey: "We're here and we're competing and we're being aggressive."

Let the games begin.

'Rail Car Counts' Webcast Slated for May 25

On May 25 at 1 p.m. EDT, Progressive Railroading will host a webcast titled "Rail Car Counts: The New Reality." The presenter: Toby Kolstad, a principal at Rail Theory Forecasts L.L.C. and a Progressive Railroading columnist.

Rail-car orders have plunged the past few years, and more and more cars were put into storage, especially in 2009's first half. This year, deliveries are forecasted to fall by another 50 percent from the unusually low levels recorded in 2009. But rail traffic is picking up and mothballed rail cars are returning to service.

Has there been an economic reset? If so, what is the "new reality"? During this 45-minute presentation, Kolstad will discuss how far orders/deliveries will fall this year, and how fast the industry will recover. He'll also offer a detailed look at four car groups (tank, coal, intermodal and grain) and share his long-term outlook.

The cost to attend/participate is $195. For more information or to register, go online at www.progressiverailroading.com/webinar/railcar10.

Richter Scholarship Applications due July 1

The American Association of Railroad Superintendents (AARS) once again is seeking applicants for its annual Frank J. Richter Scholarship. Through the program, AARS awards $1,000 and $500 scholarships to promising full-time undergraduate or graduate students. Co-founder of Progressive Railroading, Richter is a quintessential student of rail and, for that matter, transportation as a whole. Last year, AARS awarded scholarships to three students — one received a $1,000 scholarship and two landed $500 scholarships.

The association currently is seeking applications for the 2010-11 academic year. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

• be enrolled at the time of application as a full-time student at an accredited college or university (preference will be given to applicants enrolled in the transportation field, but all applicants will be considered);
• demonstrate successful completion of the previous year's study by maintaining at least a 2.75 accumulated grade-point average; and
• accumulate enough credits from accredited school(s) in time for the fall semester to have obtained at least sophomore standing at the college or university of enrollment.

Applications, which must be postmarked no later than July 1, are available via the AARS website (www.railroadsuperintendents.org — see "AAR Scholarships") or via mail: AARS, P.O. Box 200, La Fox, IL 60147. Winners will be notified by Sept. 1. For more information, call 331-643-3369.