Richard Anderson's correct address

[daveklepper]

I wrote my letter to Richard Anderson outlining the Station Restaurant scheme for reducing or eliminating food and beverage losses in July, and mailed it on 19 July, extra-cost express air-mail.  It was returned to me today with:

 

Returned to sender

Attempted - not known

unable to forward 

The address I used was:

Mr. Richard Anderson, CEO and President

Amtrak, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue

Washington, DC 20002,  U. S. A.

The letter:

97400

David Lloyd ben Yaacov Yehuda Klepper, Yeshivat Beit Orot, Shmuel ben Adiya 1, Mt. of Olives, Jerusalem 97400, ISRAEL

E-mail:  [e-mail].

כט' סיון תשע"ט 02.07.19         >            29 Sivan 5779, 2 July '19

Mr. Richard Anderson, CEO and President

Amtrak, Union Station, 50 Massachusetts Avenue

Washington, DC 20002,  U. S. A.

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing, first, to state the case for Amtrak and particularly long-distance passenger service,  This service is essential, absolutely essential, for that portion of the elderly and handicapped population that cannot fly and cannot endure long auto or bus trips to access the Continental United States.  Removal of those trains would limit the travel of those citizens to regions of about 120 miles  around their homes.  With respect to the overall travel industry, Amtrak’s long distance service can be compared to the hard-of-hearing systems, handicapped ramps and elevators, that get subsidized by general ticket sales to entertainment industry patrons that never use them,  But depriving grandchildren of a visit from their grandparents hurts the children as well as the grandparents.  That is probably the reason most Americans want the service to continue, as reflected in the votes of their elected representatives,

 

But these trains do more.  They provide the very best way for foreign tourists to visit and know the landscape, and even the people of the country.  In winter in parts of the Northwest, the Empire Builder train prevents the isolation of many communities.  And these trains have been useful in emergencies when planes are grounded.

 

But I believe the area where Amtrak loses the most money, food service, can be a profit center,  Imagine if every Amtrak station in large cities had a high-quality full-service restaurant, popular because of its fair prices and excellent quality, and each had a take -out and home-office-and-party delivery.  Then on-train food service would be simply a small portion of the take-out and delivery business of this restaurant chain, with the cooking done at the restaurants, and with economies of scale, would be profitable.

 

I wish to commend your idea to restore overnight sleeper service on the Northeast Corridor.  A market the old service never addressed is serving holiday, weekend, and other vacation trips to Colonial Williamsburg.

 

I must point out that even a dark, unsignalled railroad, operated only by train orders, is still safer than any public highway.  But the track segment where only one Southwest Chief operates each way each day is currently equipped with automatic block signals and automatic train-stop.  Given the safety record of this segment, adding Positive Train Control would accomplish far, far less for safety than by using such money for grade-crossing improvement or elimination..

 

Amtrak should reclaim, overhaul, and regear two AEM-7s for switcher use at Sunnyside, Queens. Overly expensive ventilation for diesels won’t be required for the air-rights development.

Best wishes,

 

 

David Lloyd (ben Yaacov Yehuda) Klepper, student of the Yeshiva, USA Army Veteran, and co-author of Worship Space Acoustics, J. Ross publishers, Fort Lauderdale 2010, jrosspub.com

Was the address wrong, or was the letter not delivered for a different reason?

[Flintlock76]

I did some research David. Try this.

Amtrak Corporate Office

60 Massachusetts Ave. NE

Washington DC  20002-4285

You can certainly address it to Richard Anderson, but whether he'll actually see it or not is another matter.

50 Massachusetts Ave. is the Washington Union Station address.  Don't expect the US Post Office to put "two and two" together as to where you want your letter to go, not anymore.  Those days are gone.  For example, postal service has gotten so bad here in the Richmond area there have been congressional inquirys about it. 

Good letter!

[daveklepper]

thanks!!!!

[Overmod]

Amtrak fact sheet from 2016 says both 40 and 60 Massachusetts.  I'm assuming everyone but me knows already that the "1 Massachusetts" address given by Amtrak as the headquarters address for correspondence is wrong, somehow.  I confess I'm still stuck thinking they're at L'Enfant Plaza!

Personally, in these post-anthrax days I don't think a 'paper' letter is likely to get to an executive if directly addressed to him.  If it's not from a 'known' sender, and perhaps if it has a foreign return address or postage, it might get the can, burned before reading.

My approach was always to try to make contact with a staffer, preferably for Amtrak someone in Anderson's support line or staff somewhere, and let them know via acknowledged e-mail that a paper letter was 'coming'.  (But I don't have any current contacts there.)  It would probably help that you establish with them who you are, and your professional history, so they will actively watch for the letter when it comes in.

Seems to me you might want to write a slightly different letter to the Amtrak inspector general's office.  My guess is that if you get even a little 'traction' over there, they will see to it that Anderson gets your correspondence, or at least the gist of what it says along with your contact information.

Their address is radically different: 10 G Street NE, suite 3W-300, Wash DC 20002.  The office phone (as distinct from the hotlines and PR number) is [phone].  The current IG is Kevin Winters, but one of the assistants might be the 'target' to establish a relationship with.

[Flintlock76]

You're very welcome David, glad I could help!

[CMStPnP]

If it was me I would call a local Member of Congress that is on the Transportation Subcommittee on the phone.  When they called me back I would ask for an internal email I could send correspondence too that they could forward to an Amtrak VP.    They meet with Amtrak VP's usually once a month or at a min once a quarter to discuss Amtrak performance and/or business needs.    I don't think they would have any issue passing on a letter from a constituent.

[charlie hebdo]

Overmod

Amtrak fact sheet from 2016 says both 40 and 60 Massachusetts.  I'm assuming everyone but me knows already that the "1 Massachusetts" address given by Amtrak as the headquarters address for correspondence is wrong, somehow.  I confess I'm still stuck thinking they're at L'Enfant Plaza!

Personally, in these post-anthrax days I don't think a 'paper' letter is likely to get to an executive if directly addressed to him.  If it's not from a 'known' sender, and perhaps if it has a foreign return address or postage, it might get the can, burned before reading.

My approach was always to try to make contact with a staffer, preferably for Amtrak someone in Anderson's support line or staff somewhere, and let them know via acknowledged e-mail that a paper letter was 'coming'.  (But I don't have any current contacts there.)  It would probably help that you establish with them who you are, and your professional history, so they will actively watch for the letter when it comes in.

Seems to me you might want to write a slightly different letter to the Amtrak inspector general's office.  My guess is that if you get even a little 'traction' over there, they will see to it that Anderson gets your correspondence, or at least the gist of what it says along with your contact information.

Their address is radically different: 10 G Street NE, suite 3W-300, Wash DC 20002.  The office phone (as distinct from the hotlines and PR number) is [phone].  The current IG is Kevin Winters, but one of the assistants might be the 'target' to establish a relationship with.

 

Sounds like a good strategy and test-proofed.

[daveklepper]

Ccs of the letter to the other people suggested should be adequate.

Remember, I am 8000 miles away, aged 87-1/2, and may never experience the service(s) I'm recommending when implemented.

Just glad that, with the help of one of the other students, some of my computer roblems are solved, and I can now post pictures at the Yeshiva without dragging a laptop to the University.  Also, I have the use of the Yesbiva's laptop, somewhat better than mine.  (The Yeshiva has a desktop which is all the business manager needs.)

[Overmod]

daveklepper

CCs of the letter to the other people suggested should be adequate.

Yes, but don't forget the power of the 'personal touch'.  A common bit of Bene Gesserit HR wisdom is to send periodic notes of appreciation to your employees - handwritten, on relatively good paper, with a few details that show you know what's important to them, and praising them for the things they've done right.  In every situation I've used this it has worked, and worked well.  But you have to show personal attention.  (For a brief, shining moment it was possible to use Macs with LaserWriters to produce these things in 'print' looking as well as if they were typeset or engraved ... then gradually everyone got wise to the cheapness of 'desktop publishing' and the charm was lost...)

One beautiful possibility of even ancient word-processing software is the ability to make directed changes in mail-merge, and then relatively easily clean up the result.  That makes it relatively easy to adapt a specific cover letter to each of the 'other people suggested', if not in fact adapting the payload (nominally going to Anderson) so it reflects some where-you-stand-is-where-you-sit concerns for the targeted folks.  I don't say this in any cynical way at all; it is NOT manipulation. 

Remember, I am 8000 miles away, aged 87-1/2, and may never experience the service(s) I'm recommending when implemented.

Two great lessons from one of MIT's more well-known benefactors:  A job worth doing is worth doing well (or right, or with passion, etc.), and you do not need to benefit directly to share in the joy of a job well done, if the result is good.

[Overmod]

daveklepper

CCs of the letter to the other people suggested should be adequate.

Yes, but don't forget the power of the 'personal touch'.  A common bit of Bene Gesserit HR wisdom is to send periodic notes of appreciation to your employees - handwritten, on relatively good paper, with a few details that show you know what's important to them, and praising them for the things they've done right.  In every situation I've used this it has worked, and worked well.  But you have to show personal attention.  (For a brief, shining moment it was possible to use Macs with LaserWriters to produce these things in 'print' looking as well as if they were typeset or engraved ... then gradually everyone got wise to the cheapness of 'desktop publishing' and the charm was lost...)

One beautiful possibility of even ancient word-processing software is the ability to make directed changes in mail-merge, and then relatively easily clean up the result.  That makes it relatively easy to adapt a specific cover letter to each of the 'other people suggested', if not in fact adapting the payload (nominally going to Anderson) so it reflects some where-you-stand-is-where-you-sit concerns for the targeted folks.  I don't say this in any cynical way at all; it is NOT manipulation.  These are not 'underlings' and gatekeepers; they are people, and in themselves are valuable to come to know. 

Remember, I am 8000 miles away, aged 87-1/2, and may never experience the service(s) I'm recommending when implemented.

Two great lessons from one of MIT's more well-known benefactors:  A job worth doing is worth doing well (or right, or with passion, etc.), and you do not need to benefit directly to share in the joy of a job well done, if the result is good.

[York1]

Although you are now living out of the country, I think I agree with some posts that suggest contacting the congressional office of your former address.

I have found that a couple of letters to the congressman usually gets at least a response.

That being said, I think this is a losing battle.  Amtrak has to follow the rules.  The rules, adopted by Congress,  say that Amtrak's food service has to break even by 2020.  Everyone who blames Anderson is missing the target.  Only Congress can make a change to that ruling.

[daveklepper]

Overmod, of xcourse you are right.

Doing right means many things/

Having some introspection during the day's Yom Kippur prayers.

I should not undercut Anderson or do anything to create ill will.

So I wil let matters rest for a month.  Allowing for slow mails.  If I don't get any reply at all, i will write new letters to the best-choice congressmen and to the Senators of Colorado and New Mexico.   Suggestions are welcome.   Amtrak Inspector General a last resort.

Need not stop others from promoting these ideas, and I do not need any credit for them.

Note that my idea is for food sevice to show a peofit by the rent the restaurants pay, not just eliminate the loss.  Possibly a bit less than if they did not provide the on-train services as well, but who is going to prove that and why?

Long distance trains requie a lounge car, so the one attendent need not be atributal to food costs.