Presentations from March 2 rail advocates conference

By Jim Hamre | Published: March 28, 2013

Here are the slide presentations from our main speakers at the recent rail advocates conference on March 2 in Tukwila. The three organizations coming together for the conference were:

  • National Assoc. of Railroad Passengers
  • All Aboard Washington
  • Assoc. of Oregon Rail and Transit Advocates

The theme of our conference was:

Northwest Corridor – Amtrak Cascades – Building Higher Speed Rail Infrastructure & Service Improvements

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Our speakers with slide presentations were:

At the conference, AAWA presented its Tom Martin award to Paula Hammond, just-retired WSDOT secretary, for her strong ongoing support for intercity passenger rail service and its expansion and improvement.

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Spring/Summer schedule changes in effect Seattle-Portland

By Jim Hamre | Published: March 20, 2013

Amtrak has lengthened most schedules between Seattle and Portland and changed departure times on some trains. These changes will be in effect until late summer. This is being done to accommodate major BNSF track and signal projects that are funded by the $800+ million in federal higher speed rail grants. The work will eventually allow two more daily Amtrak Cascades round-trips between Seattle and Portland, faster running times and better on-time reliability. The added trips are scheduled for 2017 but All Aboard Washington thinks at least one trip needs to begin sooner and will be working to see if we can make that a reality.

Be sure to consult the current schedules by checking Amtrak.com.  For a summary of the changes here is a PDF from the AmtrakCascades.com website: http://www.amtrakcascades.com/images/AmtrakCascadesPSN0313-45.pdf

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Time to Spare; Go by Air or Reasons Why You Should Take Amtrak Home After Attending a NARP NW Regional Meeting

By Jim Hamre | Published: March 5, 2013

NARP Council Member and AAWA member Barry Green provided this narrative of his trip home from the March 2 NARP/AAWA/AORTA rail advocates membership meeting in Tukwila.

After spending an enjoyable time in the PNW with friends and colleagues attending the 2013 National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) NW Membership Meeting in Tukwila, WA, I would like to offer my thoughts as to why you should take Amtrak home after attending this type of event when held in this part of the country.  Departing from Sea-Tac on Sun. Mar. 3. Read More »

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A letter from All Aboard Washington’s President

By Jim Hamre | Published: December 22, 2012

Here is the December fundraising letter to our All Aboard Washington members that was mailed recently. If you are able to respond with a donation we appreciate it and thank you very much for your support.

 

There are a lot of people asking for your hard earned money this year. And many will ask for your money as a down payment on future promises. All Aboard Washington will not ask for your money as a down payment for future promises, but we ask you to help us continue our successful and long standing mission of supporting passenger rail in the State of Washington. All Aboard Washington is widely recognized as among the nation’s most effective state-level passenger rail advocacy organizations.

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Probable Impacts on the Nov. 6 General Election on Passenger Rail Support – Federal and State

By Lloyd Flem | Published: November 7, 2012

AAWA, as a 501(c)3 tax-exempt non-profit, may not and has not endorsed candidates for public office, but as individuals we should do so. The following statements, while from this avid passenger rail advocate, are designed to be more reporting, than editorializing, though my opinions surely enter in at this article’s conclusion.

The re-election of Obama-Biden gave a much more affirmative path for federal investments in both conventional and high(er) speed passenger trains than would have been the case had the Romney-Ryan ticket won. While the Administration has seem to cool a bit since 2010, they still support a significant federal role for passenger rail in contrast the Romney-Ryan ticket, which explicitly targeted Amtrak for drastic cuts if not elimination and vigorously campaigned against the “Stimulus,” the Obama program that included nearly $800 million for rail infrastructure in our state.

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Amtrak dedicates new Seattle maintenance facility

By Jim Hamre | Published: August 8, 2012

On August 6, Amtrak was joined by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D), WSDOT and Sound Transit in dedicating its new Seattle train maintenance base. This marked the completion of the first two of the four phase project. Last winter the materials storage and office building opened. Phase two is the maintenance building for the Talgo trainsets used on the Cascades and the Sounder cars Amtrak maintains under contract with Sound Transit.

The maintenance building contains two tracks long enough to accommodate a full Talgo trainset. Below grade inspection pits run nearly the length of each track. The building also contains facilities and office space for the people that work in the facility.

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