Tri-State Rail Passenger Meeting

Since I was going to be on the train from Tuesday, July 22, until Friday afternoon, July 25, I didn't think I'd be able to post another reminder about this meeting. But, since I now have a cellular modem, I was able to post this reminder one more time right from the train! Please try to attend this meeting, especially if you don't live too far from Dallas, Texas.

From: Dan Monaghan (mobdaldm@altinet.net)
Subject: {All-Aboard} Rail passenger advocates meeting in Dallas, July 26th

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!---All Hands!

        All Aboard for the important rail passenger meeting in the Dealey
Room on the second floor of Dallas Union Station on Saturday, July 26th,
starting time at 9:00 am. This will be an assembly of representatives from
the many regional rail support groups that have been formed in the six-state
southwestern region.

        Past successes and future problems confronting public transportation
will be reviewed and examined.  Uniform policies and positions regarding the
issue should result from the meeting for the purpose of formulating
recommendations to transmit to our public officials who determine the future
of transportation issues.  Of equal importance will be the opportunity to
meet each other personally.  Presentations are being planned both from
within our group and from the transportation industry.

        The meeting will be dedicated to three people who have given many
hours and even days and years to the development of public transportation:

--------------First is Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas who has
achieved a remarkable grasp of the Amtrak issue in a relatively short time
and is leading the effort in Congress to pass reform legislation.  She
devoted many hours to the establishment of the intermodal terminal you will
see here at Dallas Union Station interfacing Amtrak trains and DART light
rail, commuter rail and buses.

--------------Second is Mr. Sherman Frost of College Station, Texas, whose
dilgent and untiring efforts in establishing the "All-Aboard" subscriber
list and other activities involving the Internet and E-mail have brought
together scores of people who have an interest in public transportation and
would never have found the means to communicate without Sherm's many
contributions.

--------------Last but not least, is a posthumous recognition in memory of
Charles Luna of Dallas, a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors for 22
years until his death in October of 1993.  Mr. Luna was a devoted supporter
of Amtrak's long-distance interstate trains and was a major force in
maintaining a national system during the many attacks that it has experienced.

        When the last train pulled out of Dallas Union Station in 1969 how
many of those on hand would have believed that almost thirty years later
they would be seeing the "Miracle on Houston Street" with, not just trains
again, but "electric trains" no less in the form of light rail transit,
beautifully restored Budd RDC cars in commuter service to Irving (bilevel
push-pull trains to Fort Worth coming later) and double deck Superliner
trains all appearing in a splendid new setting surrounding a magnificently
restored Union Station building.  There is a touch of history too with
twelve porcelain replicas of the drumheads carried by the name passsenger
trains of the past and mosaics depicting the transportation history of Dallas.

        For those who come on the Texas Eagle Friday or otherwise and stay
until Sunday there will be ample opportunity to try out the light rail
trains which operate until after midnight daily.  Anyone making it to Dallas
by 6 pm Friday would have time to take a round trip to Irving on the RDC
cars and still get back to Dallas.  The commuter cars run only on weekdays.

        Best deal is an all-day $3.00 pass.  A 90 minute pass costs $1.00.
Half fares apply to seniors and kids and it is 50 cents for trips just in
the CBD.  Tickets are checked on the random honor system by inspectors.
Transfers are good among all trains and buses.

        Transfers are also good to take the shuttle bus from the Park Lane
LRT station to the North Park Shopping Center, one of the retail highlights
of Dallas featuring all types of merchandise from the upscale on down.
Shuttle operates from 10 to 10 on Monday thru Saturday and 12 to 7 on
Sunday.  Something for family members to do.

        The Westmoreland LRT Red Line goes to the front door of the greatly
exanded Dallas Zoo in Oak Cliff.  Zoo visitation is up 40 percent since the
rail line opened.

        The recommended hotel for the meeting is the downtown Hampton Inn
which some may remember as a former Holiday Inn, a high rise of about seven
floors.  With the revitalization of downtown Dallas it has been renovated
and is conveniently located on the edge of the West End which is known for
its many restaurants and clubs.  About five blocks from Union Station.  The
light rail station is just behind it.  They have set a rate of $79 for us.
Reservations can be made at 214-742-5678 or 1-800-426-7866.  If there is any
confusion contact Gina Zehmer, Director of Sales, at the Dallas number.
Identify yourself as attending the Tri-State Rail Passenger meeting
(although it has apparently expanded into six states).

        This is an open meeting.  Any and every one with an interest in rail
passenger service is invited.  Hope to see you there.  Let Chairman Ray
Dunbar in Longview know you are coming at (vdunbar@iamerica.net) so we will
have a count.

Dan Monaghan
Mobility Dallas Council
7/9/97

From: Dan Monaghan 
Subject: {All-Aboard} "Lab work" associated with the Dallas meeting
Sender: owner-all-aboard@taex001.tamu.edu

------------------Presentations and discussions should provide a good level
of "classroom" input to those attending the conference in Dallas on July
26th.  Since Dallas is becoming the rail passenger center of the Southwest
due to its mulitmodal operations at Union Station and to the vintage
traction developments that have occurred, taking the opportunity to observe
these attractions will provide an opportunity for extensive "lab" work while
in Dallas.  The following information may be of use:

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        The star attraction will of course be the DART light rail line which
is now a complete 20 mile starter system including two routes in the
southern sector passing through downtown and north to Park Lane through twin
3.5 mile bored tunnels that go as deep as 120 feet underground.  They are
positioned just under North Central Expressway, now a combat zone due to
reconstruction going on above.  Trains careen through the tunnel and across
the Trinity River bridge at 65 mph.  Riders feel sorry for the automobile
drivers tangled in traffic on the expressway above.

        LRT stations are interesting because each one has been designed and
decorated according to the history and culture of the surrounding
neighborhood. The Mockingbird Lane station is unique because it is in a deep
ditch where the trains emerge from the tunnel at the north end.  This is
approximately where the old Katy and SP railroads crossed and whose former
rights-of-way are to be used for the LRT line going north and northeast.  At
the north end of the station can be seen a blank wall which is the point at
which the Garland line will diverge from the former H&TC onto the former MKT
right-of-way.  It and the line to Richardson and Plano are to be completed
in 2002-2003.

        Downtown Dallas stations are about one-quarter of a mile apart on
the mile-long transit mall.  The West End station is on the site of the old
Texas & Pacific station at Lamar and Pacific Avenue and not far from the MKT
and Rock Island station sites which served until Union Station was built in
1916.  The DART line follows the exact route of the original T&P line which
ran from Fair Park down Pacific Avenue before crossing the Trinity River Bridge.

        Union Station has five tracks.  The two closest to the station are
the DART electric light rail tracks.  Next are three railroad tracks shared
by the Trinity Railway Express RDC cars and Amtrak's Texas Eagle.  Beyond
that are three freight tracks.  TRE service now goes to the Medical/Market
Center and to Irving but will be extended to Fort Worth in about two years.
This track is shared at non-rush hours with BNSF and UP freight trains.
Look for the twelve porcelain replicas of the drumheads which were carried
on the observation cars of the trains of yesteryear that served Union
Station.  They are mounted on the iron grille fencing along the platforms.
Interesting mosaics are mounted on the dividers on the platforms depicting
the transportation history of Dallas.  The station tunnel has been restored
for train access and as a connection to the Hyatt Regency Hotel and ReUnion
Tower across the tracks.

        The Trinity Railway Express RDC cars operate weekdays only between
approximately 6:00 to 9:00 am and 3:00 to 7:00 pm.  It would be possible to
make the 17 minute trip to Irving as late as the 6:32 pm train from Union
Station and still get back to Union Station on Friday.  It is hard to
believe that these beautifully restored cars are 40 years old.  A third
diesel unit was added for air-condtioning and lighting.  Cars usually
operate in pairs.

        The first stop south of Union Station is the huge Dallas Convention
Center which has a heliport on the roof.  The light rail line goes right
through the lower floor of the building.  It has unique art-deco neon lighting.

        Good views of the rail operations in and around downtown can be
viewed from the ReUnion Tower adjacent to the station and the Hyatt Regency
Hotel.  It also features the Antares Restaurant along with an observation
deck and cocktail lounge.

        All major stations have large park & ride parking lots and
handicapped facilities are provided.  The DART "car barn" is where the East
Dallas Santa Fe freight yard used to be near Fair Park.  The old Texas
Electric shop facility at Illinois Avenue in Oak Cliff is being converted
into a multiuse building which will also house a small trolley museum.  DART
hearquarters offices are in the former Foley's Department Store building at
Pacific and Akard.

        Fares are collected at ticket machines on the platforms and checked
at random on the trains by inspectors.  Have them ready to show at any time.
The single ride ticket is $1.00 and is time-stamped for 90 minutes.  An all
day pass is $3.00.  There is an 11 ride ticket for $10.00.  Premium ride is
just for express buses to the suburbs and is $2.00.  These are selected by
pushing buttons on the left of the ticket machine.  After that, if you are a
senior citizen, kid, disabled, or if it is an ozone alert day (frequent this
time of year) go to the row of buttons on the right and push "reduced" which
will provide a half-fare ticket.  Or for a trip strictly in the CBD between
the Convention Center Station and Pearl Street Station it is half-fare
anytime.  Tickets and transfers are good between DART trains and buses
(except express buses to the suburbs where the difference has to be paid)
and the Trinity Railway Express RDC cars to Irving.  Transfers cannot be
used between DART and McKinney Avenue Trolley except between the trolleys
and the DART Railrunner downtown shuttle buses that run only on weekdays.

        Almost a century of traction progress is represented by the modern
DART LRT cars in contrast to the 1905 vintage diminutive former Portugal
4-wheel trolley operating on the McKinney Avenue historic trolley line along
with a Melbourne, Australia, car, a Dallas Railway & Terminal Birney and
Peter Witt car.  In the shops can be seen a former freight motor that is
being rebuilt to resemble the famous Texas Electric "Bluebonnet" passenger
interurbans.  The south end of the trolley line is on St. Paul Street near
the Arts Center about a two block walk from the St. Paul LRT station.  The
line is scheduled to be extended to the West End entertainment district in a
couple of years.  The McKinney Avenue trolleys operate from 10:00 am to
10:00 pm weekdays and until midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

        Other trolley activity can be found in Fort Worth.  The venerable
Tandy trolley still operates from the river front parking lot to the
downtown terminal at 100 Throckmorton Street.  It operates M-F 5:30 am to
10:30 pm, Sat 8:00 am to 10:30 pm, and Sun 11:30 am to 7:00 pm.   The
carbarn is at 1012 Valley Street.

        Another activity in Fort Worth is the restoration of two former
Texas Traction freight motors recently found in a barn being worked on at
the former Texas & Pacific Ry station which eventually is to be redeveloped
as a terminal for Trinity Railway Express.

        Three additional freight motors were found in another barn north of
Dallas near Van Alstyne recently but directions for finding them are not
available.  It is understood that two will go to Van Alstyne possibly for
Chamber of Commerce offices and the third to McKinney, Texas.

        The Dallas Garland & Northeastern office and locomotive storage yard
is in downtown Garland.  Several colorful small diesels can usually be found
there including DG&No. TNER, M&NA and former A&NW.

        As for model railroading, the huge Texas & Northern/North Dallas HO
layout on Custer Parkway about three blocks south of Renner Road is open on
Sunday mornings.  This is far north Dallas almost to Plano.  It is
immediately behind a Tom Thumb grocery store.  Several model train stores
are located in the Dallas area and suburbs.  Check the Yellow Pages for
locations and hours.

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        Following everyone's visit to Dallas it is hoped that the experience
will help to develop a new vision that can be transposed to many other
regions of the country with intermodal facilities interfacing intercity
trains, regional transit, commuter rail and feeder buses.  It will become
obvious why Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has taken such an extraordinary
interest in maintaining Amtrak service to Dallas as it would be an
unfortunate example of  regression if any component should disappear.  It
was her diligent efforts in supporting the DART rail project that helped to
make it possible.

                                                    Dan Monaghan
                                                    Mobility Dallas Council