(Volume 25, No. 4)
President's Soapbox
The president could not find a soapbox to stand on this month - they are getting harder to find.
Leo Harker
Timetable
April 5.................... Business Meeting
April 12.................. Work Session
April 19.................. Work Session
April 26.................. Operating Session
May 3.................... Business Meeting
Crapo, Wyden report on Amtrak service
BOISE -- A report justifying restoration of passenger train service through Boise to Portland was submitted last Month to Bush administration transportation Secretary Norman Mineta. The report of the Amtrak Task Force, set up by Idaho Republican Sen. Michael Crapo and Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, contends that adding freight shipments can improve the cost-benefit ratios of a southern Idaho route. It also indicates strong support from residents and officials in both Idaho and Oregon.
"Interest is extremely high in restoring Amtrak rail service to southern Idaho and eastern Oregon," Crapo said. "We are continuing our efforts with the new Administration and new secretary of transportation to look at what it will take to resume this service, including ways that have not been tried before."
During a series of hearings, several Oregon cities, counties, and tribal leaders also pledged financial support.
Submitted by Leo Harker
American Orient Express
The following e-mail was submitted to Kalmbach Publishing Co. concerning their American Orient Express contest (which is now complete).
"The Eagle Rock Railroad Historical Society, Inc. is the model railroad club in Idaho Falls, Idaho. We noted that your sweepstakes train trip aboard the American Orient Express included a stopover in Yellowstone National Park. This train has stopped here before in Idaho Falls, and the passengers are then bussed to Yellowstone.
Since there may be a several night layover in Idaho Falls, we would like to offer our services to whoever the winner of the prize is for a tour of prototype or model railroading in the area. Since we don’t know the plans which the AO Express has for passengers in this area, the best idea would be to offer our services to the winner and let the winner contact us if interested. We would appreciate it if you would notify the winner of this offer, and we will do nothing if or until we are contacted. At that time we can make arrangements.
We are:
Eagle Rock Railroad Historical Society, Inc.
PO Box 2685
Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2685
Phone: Doug Herrmann at 208-522-0493
or Dave Shaw at 208-522-3125
E-Mail: errhsi@ida.net
If you have any questions, you can contact us at the address above, or e-mail me at delayer@ida.net. Thank you for this opportunity.
Doug Herrmann
Secretary
The following reply was received the next day:
Hi Doug,
"Thank you for the e-mail you sent to our customer service department. It was passed along to me through Andy Sperandeo. Andy said to say "hello" for him.
We appreciate your offer and will certainly extend it to our grand prize winner. I did check the AOE brochure, and the trip does include a stop in Idaho Falls, although I'm not sure for how long or how much free time they may have there. The winners names have recently been drawn, and they will be notified shortly. I will pass along your information to our winners, and will let them contact you if they are interested.
Thank you,
Ellen Greenlee
******************************
Ellen Greenlee
Circulation Specialist
Kalmbach Publishing Co.
21027 Crossroads Circle
Waukesha, WI 53187
(262)796-8776, ext. 231
Fax: (262)798-6592
www.kalmbach.com
American Orient Express Schedule
Thanks to Ben Ostenson for the American Orient Express schedule. It appears that the train arrives in Idaho Falls in the morning of the listed day and leaves on the evening of the departure day. It does not appear the passengers will spend much time in Idaho Falls - they are bussed to Yellowstone or Grand Teton the arrival morning and come back on the departure afternoon and the train leaves for the next stop that evening. It appears that travel is overnight, with sightseeing during the day. At least the train will be here to view. Here is the schedule as we make it out.
Arrive Idaho Falls Depart Idaho Falls
June 4 June 5
June 9 June 10
June 22 June 24
June 30 July 2
July 7 July 9
July 18 July 20
August 26 August 28
August 30 September 2
September 8 September 11
September 15 September 18
September 23 September 26
September 29 September 30
October 8 October 9
October 13 October 14
October 22 October 23
October 27 October 28
This schedule is not guaranteed, but should be close. We'll have plenty of opportunity to see the train, at least. Watch for it.
Material Needed
Please send any material you would like to have placed in the Eagle Tracks newsletter to the editor. We need your stuff!