Hotline #756

Massachusetts Gov. William Weld said yesterday that he is "in full support" of the Boston rail link. Referring to the FTA study now underway, he said, "If that rail link can be built within the confines of the Central Artery project, I think that would be the way to go, to get it done as quickly as possible." State DOT secretary James Kerasiotes told the Boston Herald that the state has earmarked $500 million for the project. MBTA general manager Jack Haley told the Boston Globe, "If there was any confusion on what the administration wants, that was clarified today." Please send congratulations and thanks to Governor William Weld, State House, Boston, MA 02133, or phone your thanks to 617/727-3600.

DOT Secretary-nominee Federico Pena appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on January 13. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D.-N.J.) emphasized that Amtrak needs full funding. Pena said Amtrak has done a "great job" the past few years and, responding to a Lautenberg question, said, "Logically and philosophically, I don not understand the rationale for excluding intercity passenger rail from ISTEA."

A trainload of celebrities will ride a chartered Amtrak train on January 18 from New York to Washington for the inaugural festivities -- including Shelley Winters and Lauren Bacall. According to the Washington Post, Paul Newman and Whoopi Goldberg have asked to make their private cars part of the train.

A successor to Amtrak President Graham Claytor could be named by March 1, according to the Journal of Commerce, which named four candidates -- William S. Norman, Amtrak executive vice president and reportedly Claytor's favorite; Charles W. Hoppe, Long Island Rail Road president; Michael Haverty, former Santa Fe president; and David Gunn, the embattled general manager of Washington Metro, who announced yesterday he would not stay beyond the March 1994 expiration of his contract.

The opening date of the Los Angeles Red Line subway has been changed again -- now it's January 30.

California Gov. Pete Wilson released a budget last week for the year beginning July 1. Included is funding for three more Capitol Corridor trains and a fourth Santa Barbara local -- the third one is funded in this year's budget.

Wisconsin DOT has released its report on new 403(b) services. It was mostly favorable and supported starting up both Green Bay and Madison routes, including a new station for both routes west of Milwaukee at Brookfield. Funding remains a problem.

Two AEM7 electric locomotives were returned to Amtrak today, after being seized by a federal court this week. Amtrak had failed to pay a $1.8-million personal injury judgment to a former ticket agent, so the confiscation was ordered, but Amtrak is appealing it.

The Supreme Court heard arguments on January 12 in the Easterwood vs. CSX case, in which the widow of a Georgia truck driver claims that the railroad is responsible for the accident that killed her husband. Siding with her are the AAA, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and some municipality and rail labor groups. If CSX loses, it could mean more railroad liability in future grade crossing cases.

Canadian bus company Voyageur has launched a massive anti-VIA campaign by targeting VIA's discount fares. We heard that Voyageur workers passed up a raise to enable the company to fund its anti-rail efforts.

The Federal, the New Haven and Pennsylvania Railroads' version of the Night Owl, lost its brakes on track 16, 40 years ago this morning, and crashed into Washington Union Station. Miraculously, no one was killed. The train's huge GG1 locomotive crashed through the concourse floor, where the food court is today. Crews patched the floor over the GG1 and left it there throughout the festivities for President Eisenhower's inaugural. Then the engine was removed in pieces, taken to Altoona for reassembly, and returned to service. It was probably the most spectacular train wreck ever in the District of Columbia.