Prototype News

Amtrak is seeking public input on a major reorganization that would see the company split into three distinct organizations focusing on passenger service, infrastructure management and fleet management. If the board decides to proceed, the reorganization would be the biggest change to the company since Congress created it in 1971.

Amtrak officials said the changes were being “designed to bring greater visibility into performance and costs, enable faster and better-informed decisions, and align authority with responsibility and results, creating a more accountable, focused, and agile company built to carry more passengers, support more service, and deliver stronger financial performance.”

“Our management team developed this preliminary framework after extensive study and continues to seek input to be sure we get it right,” said Interim President Byl Herrmann. “Our goal is a more accountable, effective, and resilient Amtrak, one that delivers more riders, more revenue, and the best customer service in the transportation industry.”

In a separate press release, the Rail Passengers Association cautioned Amtrak’s board of directors against making rushed decisions or ones that would harm the traveling public. Rail Passengers Association President Jim Mathews also said that organizational reform was not a substitute for adequately funding the railroad.

“While it is too early to draw any definite conclusions, the Key Performance Indicators Amtrak decides to focus on may prove more important than the organizational chart itself,” said Mathews. “The right metrics reinforce Amtrak’s public-service mission. The wrong ones could unintentionally push the company toward priorities Congress never intended.”

—Justin Franz 

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Union Pacific 4-8-8-4 “Big Boy” 4014 wrapped up its historic cross-country tour on July 29 in Cheyenne, Wyo. The months-long tour began back in March, when the engine and crew made a round trip to California over the course of four weeks. Then, on May 25, the locomotive headed for the East Coast, bringing the world’s largest operating steam locomotive to iconic locations like Tunkhannock Viaduct and Horseshoe Curve. 

Along the way, tens of thousands of railroad enthusiasts and curious onlookers lined the tracks — sometimes getting a little too close — to witness the spectacle put on to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Equally important to UP officials, however, was to promote UP’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern; east of Chicago, the locomotive mostly traveled over NS rails to Philadelphia, where it spent the July 4th weekend. After that, the engine headed back west over NS rails towards Chicago, before heading south for St. Louis and Kansas City. 

“Big Boy UP 4014 visited communities from Sacramento to Philadelphia, making more than 75 whistle-stops and 16 display day appearances, bringing railroad history to life for thousands across the nation,” UP wrote on social media. “To every person who waved, photographed, cheered and shared in the experience: thank you for helping make this tour one to remember.”

Along with that post was a photo of the locomotive’s smokebox door with the number 7,145.48: The number of miles the locomotive traveled during its historic tour. 

—Justin Franz 

The Union Pacific steam crew back home in Cheyenne, Wyo., with “Big Boy” 4014. Photo Courtesy of Union Pacific. 

7145.48: The final mileage of the historic cross-country tour. Photo Courtesy of Union Pacific. 

The post UP ‘Big Boy’ Wraps Up Historic Tour appeared first on Railfan & Railroad Magazine.