Trains.com

Hunter Harrison for President (of Amtrak)

Posted by Steve Sweeney
on Friday, December 11, 2015

So who should replace Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman when he retires next year? The long-time passenger railroad boss told employees in a letter Wednesday that he would step down in September 2016. That begs the question of who should replace Boardman, who’s served longer in the job than anyone except the venerable W. Graham Claytor Jr.

Trains editors hashed out names from Donald Trump to Elon Musk, and even Mickey Mouse. We refused to agree on one person, so here are three sort-of serious picks and one thrown in for your amusement. — Steve Sweeney

Wick Moorman, retired Norfolk Southern president and CEO

Why he should do it: Wick is a great leader and tremendous people person. His NS employees appreciated his interest in how things are done in the field. He likes passenger trains, and as of Dec. 31, he’s available.

Why he won’t be in the running: He’s earned a good relaxed retirement with his family many times over. Stepping into the Amtrak job requires a lot of time-consuming politics, more so than he would be willing to endure. — Jim Wrinn

Ed Ellis, president, Iowa Pacific Holdings

Ellis spent five years with Amtrak as vice president for its ill-fated mail and express service, and today is trying to co-exist with it as operator of the Hoosier State, which hopes to show the value of increased amenities and how local marketing might be useful throughout Amtrak. And Ellis certainly has some experience dealing with aging, tired equipment, an ongoing issue at the national carrier. — David Lassen

Joe Biden, U.S. Vice President, Amtrak aficionado

Why Biden? He’s the kind of respected Washington insider who could lead a charm offensive against curmudgeonly Congressional budget cutters. As a long-time commuter from Delaware during his U.S. Senate service, he has passion to hire good operations people and wants to see the railroad succeed. And he almost ran for President of the United States. Amtrak’s top job is at least as challenging, right? — SS

E. Hunter Harrison, Canadian Pacific CEO

Imagine Amtrak under railroad turnaround artist E. Hunter Harrison: The Northeast Corridor would see one daily round trip. With 73 cars. No café cars, of course, but hot plates will be provided for the industrious. Beyond that, maybe once-weekly “passenger drags” between coasts, working local stops as-needed. Need to get between Altoona and Spokane? No problem! Just hang on tight when the car goes over the hump in Chicago Union Station’s new classification yard… — Brian Schmidt

Who would you choose?

Tags: Amtrak
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