The final effects of the past Bush administration’s attempt to sink AMTRAK are shown on AMTRAK’s January performance report. This is reflected in the number of rolling stock overhauls originally projected for completion through January. The Bear Amfleet overhauls were 12 under this Fiscal Year’s (Oct 1) original plan + 1 other for a total of 13. Beach Grove superliner overhauls were 12 under, view liner and baggage 2 down. Wilmington 2 – AEM down, 1 surfliner down and 4 Acela power cars down. All together 34 units down on overhauls. There was no category that had more units completed starting on Oct 1; this continuing a trend starting about July 2008. I feel that the February figures will not be any better because the AMTRAK employment of additional personnel has just been posted and probably March will also not improve the units completed. Here are the postings – anyone need a job?
Position Beach Grove Bear
Foreman 1 1
Boiler maker 1 0
Machinist 1 0
Electrician 1 17
Sheet metal worker 1 10
Car Repairman 1 22
I expect the small number of openings at Beach Grove is in anticipation of a lot of furloughed persons being recalled. Several hundred employees were listed on furlough but no breakdown of their skills listed.
For the year number of passenger trips off slightly but passenger miles slightly up. Acela slight profit but trips down. Least loss routes Vermonter, Down easterner, Chi – STL, Illini, Heartland flyer, Surfliner, Newport news, Missouri Flyer. Carolinian/ Piedmont essentially broke even - maybe because of no track charges? Sunset worst but you can see that the other than above rail charges very high. Sunset / Eagle on time much improved but still poor.
Most improved on time; Carolinian, Missouri Flyer, Vermonter, Cardinal, Starlight, Silvers Star/ Meteor, Sunset/ Eagle.
Yes. And I think Joe Boarman addressed these problems in his discussion with Don Phillps.
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Better to have an administration that trys to eliminate federal programs and hurt Amtrak then an administration that tries to hurt everybody.
Look here:
http://amtrak.teamrewards.net/TR_PublicWeb/
The number of openings is up from about 8 total a few weeks ago.
Actually I don't want to mislead anyone. AMTRAK was ahead of their FY 2008 overhaul plan by July. That was when things slowed down. Maybe why someone got fired?? The actual figures for year ending Sep 2008 are as follows.
# Overhauled difference from year plan
amfleet 168 0
cab car 1 0
Parlor Car 5 0 Anyone what does this categogry mean?
Baggage car 36 0
P-32 2 0
Superliner 35 0
P-42 26 -4 Maybe why some power shortages
Horizxon 17 0
Surfliner 14 0
Superliner lounge 47 +1
Sleeper 13 0
Heritage Dinner 7 -1
All in all a wash for year ending September 30, 2008. The downfall started in the new fiscal year. 82 million extra for car repair will probably put 100 cars repaired at 750,000 per repair and the balance progress payments for additional cars.
blue streak 1Parlor Car 5 0 Anyone what does this categogry
Pacific Parlor Car (former SFe El Capitan lounge) used on the Coast Starlight. It takes a minimum of four cars to maintain the service.
Johnny
Deggesty Pacific Parlor Car (former SFe El Capitan lounge) used on the Coast Starlight. It takes a minimum of four cars to maintain the service.
Senility is creeping in. Thanks have ridden them and just forgot!!!!!!
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