Amtrak’s Anderson Backs L/D Trains.

CHICAGO–Amtrak’s co-president and CEO, Richard Anderson, spoke to NARP’s annual Fall meeting yesterday and pretty much said all the right things. He indicated unqualified support for the national system, spoke of a ten-year plan for acquiring new equipment, and took a poke at the freight railroads for not meeting their legal obligation to keep Amtrak trains running on time.
 
Wow! What’s not to like about that?
 
Most of our members here had to let all that sink in for a few minute, however I can report that those who heard Anderson came away–what’s the phrase?–cautiously optimistic. Interesting and, I think, impressive under the circumstances, Anderson did not have a prepared text, but spoke extemporaneously, referring occasionally to notes.
 
It’s my understanding that his speech was videotaped and will soon be accessible on the NARP website. And a good thing, too, because I had to hear about it second hand. I’ve developed a lousy cough and spent almost all of yesterday and most of today buried under the bed covers in my hotel room.
 
Tomorrow brings a rail excursion from Chicago to Milwaukee and back in a dome car attached to Amtrak’s regularly scheduled Hiawatha train. Should be fun. Photos and report to come … assuming I am up to going.