Commentary by Russ Jackson, with PHOTOS
Back a few years this writer wrote a column every month called “Tracking Rail News.” I miss doing that at times, as there is so much passenger rail news that keeps arriving and challenging the army of rail advocates. These days Noel Braymer’s weekly “E-newsletter” handles the day to day news and commentary by knowledgeable commentators, including thankfully this writer from time to time. I also miss living in California, too, and riding the Capitol Corridor from my previous home in Solano County. Through my years out there ten to fifteen years ago the project to open a new train station serving Solano County cities of Vacaville and Fairfield was deliberated, designed, but had not been build when we left. The lot at the intersection of Peabody Road and the tracks in South Vacaville stood vacant. The Capitol Corridor design from then Director Gene Skoropowski and his assistant, now Director, David Kutrosky was impressive. The station would have a unique new design with the platform between the two tracks, and Peabody Road would be grade separated allowing uninterrupted traffic to travel to nearby Travis AFB, which would also be served by the train station. I am happy to say that station is now open.
It’s been a long time since I rode a Capitol train, but recently former RailPAC Board Member Anthony Lee did. Anthony reports his mid-day Thursday in September westbound train was full of passengers when he boarded at Fairfield-Vacaville station, showing the huge success of the Corridor service. In his most recent monthly report, Director Kutrosky reported the following: “For September 2018, the Capitol Corridor experienced its 14th consecutive month of positive Year-over-Year (YoY) growth. A total of 144,726 passengers rode Capitol Corridor trains during the month, representing an exemplary 7.0% growth versus September 2017. Revenue for September 2018 grew 7.9% over September 2017. These year-end results have allowed Capitol Corridor to achieve another record for ridership [1.71 million trips, +6.2%], revenue [$36.22 million, +6.6%] and System Operating Ratio [59%]. Customer Satisfaction continues a slow rebound with 86% for August 2018 (the most recent result), below the FY 18 standard of 90%. End-point On-Time Performance (OTP) for September 2018 was 94% (#1 spot in Amtrak national system).”
ABOVE: The newest station on the Capitol Corridor is the Fairfield-Vacaville station. All Capitol trains stop there. (Capitol Corridor map)
BELOW: The platform at the new station, looking west, with a train destined for the Bay Area in September, 2018. The Peabody Road overcrossing can be seen in the distance. (Anthony Lee photo)
In his trip report Anthony Lee reports his sandwich in the Cafe Car was excellent. In a recent communication to riders the Corridor announced some new items are being added to the menu: “Back by popular demand, we’re offering the mouth-watering Pot Roast sandwich, served on an onion roll. This item will be available for a limited time only. Additionally, we’re brewing a new Colombia French Roast coffee which boasts a smoky flavor and notes of dark chocolate and caramel. Our fresh salad is not to be overlooked, as you can now make it your own by choosing between Balsamic, Light Italian, Ranch and Caesar salad dressings. Last, but certainly not least, look out for the new Turkey & Swiss sandwich, which will be on board by Monday.” Now, that’s the way to “sell” food to passengers! When is Amtrak going to do that on the long distance trains? Oh, that’s right, Amtrak is primarily focused on cutting the so-called “deficit” on the Dining Cars, not promoting new items that would increase revenue. We’ve heard that “contemporary dining” as the box meals on some eastern trains are foolishly called “allegedly save $1.5 million per train.” Yes, by law they cannot use “federal subsidies” for food and beverage service, but as a TrainOrders writer suggested recently, “then don’t, cross-subsidize it with ticket revenue.” Obviously Amtrak is not looking for solutions, it can’t see anything but cuts anywhere. First it was eliminating the Pacific Parlour Cars in the company’s race to mediocrity. RailPAC President Paul Dyson has suggested California acquire those five cars. The California Corridors would know what to do with them. By the way, sometime check www.AmtrakFoodFacts.com, you’ll find the Pacific Parlour Car menus are mysteriously still on there.
Now to Texas, where this writer currently resides. You may have seen my recent Trip Report and its highly complimentary comments about the On Board Service on that trip. The Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited is still a premier train, although time keeping recently has been very unreliable. The rainstorms across Texas and Arkansas have been disruptive, but the main factor for delay continues to be Union Pacific freight interference west of San Antonio. The UP’s tracks there are reported to be over capacity with both BNSF trackage right trains as well as UP’s own traffic. Meanwhile, passengers continue to board the train, unfortunately still tri-weekly, using the matrix of various station combinations other than just end point travel. Amtrak made a presentation in October to the City Council of Marfa, an artsy community of 2000 folks about 30 miles west of Alpine, Texas. The plan is to substitute Marfa for the traditional flag stop at isolated Sanderson, population of less than 800. While ridership from Marfa could cause a reduction of people boarding at Alpine, more riders, all of them with high revenue tickets, could be generated overall. What’s your bet? Does this happen? The “cost” of this project has not been announced, but you can bet it will be steep.
ABOVE: Looking up the main street of Marfa, Texas as seen from a window of the Texas Eagle/Sunset Limited that now bypasses this town.
BELOW: The Sanderson “station” was at this location, but the dilapidated building was torn down some years ago. Riders now must stand in the dirt waiting for a train. Sanderson at one time was a crew change location for the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, and Amtrak. It was a rainy morning in the desert the day this photo was taken from the back door window of the train. (Both photos by Russ Jackson)
So is there a point to this article? Yes, and maybe you see it: A new train station and a full train of passengers, and a small desert town in West Texas where the “people” want train service. If train service is provided it must be done “right,” and if Amtrak can learn any lessons about the future they will rescind many of the harmful decisions they have been making this year and look for more ways to GROW their service based on what is successful already, and therefore the company will reap the harvest of new revenue. You may have noticed I did not mention the Southwest Chief situation yet, so here goes: To quote an old movie title, “all’s quiet on the western front,” but complacency because Amtrak says they will run the train in 2019 doesn’t mean they will run it the whole year or beyond. Trust and verify. Okay, what’s next for the world of rail advocacy to worry about?
ntbraymer 