Rail Travel News
     December 21, 2001: The Helena MT newspaper reported yesterday that the state's transportation officials are interested in reviving a southern Amtrak route through Montana, one that would include Billings and Missoula (i.e., the return of the North Coast Hiawatha).
     However, the officials are alarmed by the Amtrak Reform Council's call to restructure Amtrak and feel they must hold off on any plans until they know whether they will even keep the present Empire Builder  route.
     The state has a rail plan that will be updated by Sep 2002. The plan is finding that a southern route would require a $3.6 million annual operating subsidy.

     Former Amtrak President Paul Reistrup was among those aboard the Amtrak test train that ran from Louisville KY to Nashville TN on Dec 20. Those aboard who remembered said that the riding quality of the track was better than ever. The complete story will appear in RTN 641.

     News Flash! Amtrak will not be required to prepare a liquidation plan. As part of the 2002 defense appropriations bill passed by Congress on Dec 20, Amtrak is prohibited from setting up a plan for its own liquidation, a plan that was called for by the Amtrak Reform Council. This will of course help the rail corporation, as the liquidation-plan requirement was hurting Amtrak's relationship with creditors and others. The vote by Congress appears to be a vote of confidence in Amtrak. The defense bill also includes $100 million for Amtrak to make safety improvements in its New York tunnels.

Return to site map
Earlier news bulletins
Subscription information