& Bristish Columbia Rail Adventure
Canadian Rockies & British Columbia
Aug. 10–18, 2013 with tour host
Railroading Columnist & Author Director of the Center for Railway Tourism at Davis & Elkins College
JIM PORTERFIELD
Travel across British Columbia aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and experience some of the most dramatic scenery in the world of rail travel!
All airfare, 11 meals, all hotels, Banff & Jasper National Parks, Whistler, Vancouver & much more.
Call or Your FREE Brochure! TM
holidayvacations.net | Keyword: jim 1-800-826-2266
tripled, according to figures released by AAR. Last year crude oil shipments by rail skyrocketed to 233,811, compared to 65,751 carloads in 2011. Conversely, there was a significant drop
in the amount of coal transported by train in 2012. Still, coal is king of the rails at 43.3 per cent of freight rail tonnage, compared to crude oil shipments which represent less than one per cent. With the black diamonds accounting for 24.7 per cent of the railroads’ gross revenue in 2011 (the latest figures available at press time), AAR stated the ob- vious: “No single commodity is more impor- tant to America’s railroads than coal.” The increased availability of natural gas (see above) and its use by utilities largely ac- counts for the decrease in coal shipments.
Passenger Trains In Old Mexico? ¡Si! Fifteen years after Mexico’s passenger rail system was largely dismantled, newly elect- ed President Enrique Peña Nieto announced at his inaugural that he will launch a multi- billion dollar plan to bring those trains back. Never mind that it was his own Institutional Revolutionary Party that killed the trains in the first place. That was then, this is now. “In the history of Mexico, passenger trains have been the symbol of modernity,” the new president declared as he made the project one of his top ten priorities. “We will once again have passenger service to con- nect our cities.” “Our productivity depends on this,” added his Transportation Secretary, Gerardo Ruiz Esparza. The aim is to eventu- ally have the trains operated by private in- terests, rather than the state. (Perhaps pri- vate companies will operate the trains on
state-owned tracks.) Nothing was said about connecting Mexi- can cities with cities in the U.S. In recent years, freight rail service has connected the two countries quite well, most notably with Kansas City Southern and its subsidiary Kansas City Southern de México as very ac- tive participants. Also, occasionally, private- ly chartered rail service has transported American tourists through the spectacularly beautiful Copper Canyon in Mexico.
100 Years of Grandeur Grand Central Terminal completed its first century, and the city of New York threw a bash that is only fitting for what is arguably the most famous passenger train terminal of them all. The irony of ironies is that since the very late ’90s, the Grand Dame of monu- ments to America’s “Sky’s the limit” era of passenger trains is today but a commuter stop. Well, a little more prestigious than that. It is the station that brings thousands of commuters into the city from outer sub- urbs in upstate New York and Connecticut. Hundreds of thousands of people pass through this great edifice each day, either for the commuter trains or the old IRT sub- way, or to visit the shops and restaurants. A big media event was held on Friday,
February 1 (see last month’s RAILNEWS, and last month’s cover feature) and a reception celebration was held Saturday night, 100 years to the day from the departure of the very first train to leave the terminal, a few minutes past midnight in 1913. Sigh — If only those walls could talk. Wes Vernon is a Washington-based writer and veteran broadcast journalist.
Great Destinations! Mo nt n R Mountain Rail Adventur ountain R Rail Advent sture Adven ur
Four Unique Trains Depart
Two Historic Depots April-Dec
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As seen on HGTV “Building Character” and “reZONED”! Newly restored “Coal Heritage Trail” Inn on NS Pocahontas rail- way line in scenic, southern WV. Railview guest rooms, balcony and patio cafe. Call about our Railfan weekends. 14 guest rooms, claw-foot tubs, fireplace, vintage quilts, art, antiques & gift shop/museum room. Meals available. TV VCR, slide-viewer, studio & Wi-Fi internet. On Route 52, 30 minutes from Bluefield WV/VA. See our “railfan” pages on our web site. Local phone: 304-862-2031
email
elisse@elkhorninnwv.com
Elkhorn Inn and Theater
POB 100, Eckman, WV 24829 Tel/Fax: 304-862-2031
lots more on our website:
elkhorninnwv.com
Steam, Diesel Trains, Electric Cars
HOME OF THE NEBRASKA ZEPHYR
Send $3.50 for 32 page Guide Book or #10 SASE for Color Brochure with schedule &
discount coupon.
Located in Union, IL (McHenry Co.) near Marengo exit I-90 • 35 miles from O’Hare. Info: Schedules (taped):
(815)923-4000 Lodging: (847)695-7540
RAILWAY MUSEUM PO Box 427•Union, IL 60180
http://www.irm.org/ ILLINOIS
800-708-2040
Kingsley Inn in Fort Madison, Iowa and enjoy a front row seat on BNSF and Amtrak traffic (60-
Stay at
90 trains daily). Spectacular view of Mississippi River barge and railroad activity on largest double-decker swingspan bridge in the world. Scanner picks up all voice communication. Phone 319- 372-7074 for Railfan package or log on to:
www.kingsleyinn.com
Landgraff, WV Route 52
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