Tom's Diary

Thanks, [Tad]. It appears like the state reps aren’t going to budge unless ridership goes up, a lot! Perhaps the high fuel prices of late will help the railroad.

Well, NS and Amtrak are conducting a study, to determine how to share that east-west line most efficiently. There does need to be work done. I’ve been on that run, when we get stuck behind a Norfolk freight train, and our schedule was delayed several hours. In the letter from Jubelirer, he makes reference to this problem and sites these delays are one big reason people don’t want to ride “The Three Rivers” or “Pennsylvanian” routes. I must concede that they’re right on this. Hopefully, the study will reveal ways to get these delays out of the system. The whole sad things is that up until the mid 80s, there used to be four tracks on this route. But they tore out one of them, and now there are only three. If that forth track were still there, these delays might not be nearly as bad as they’ve become in recent years.

Tom

Dear [Lex],

Well, I’m not sure what I can do to increase ridership. The whole sad thing was that more people rode the trains between Philly and Pittsburgh last year than in previous years. But the funding cuts will probably blow out that flame of hope for Amtrak.

I should be around this weekend. If you don’t get me Saturday, try me Sunday.

Tom

Friends,

I got this response from Jubelirer’s office, one of our local representatives here in PA. Looks like one way out of this is to somehow get significantly more people to ride Amtrak in the New York to Chicago run. So, ride ride ride !!!

Tom Hesley

—–Original Message—–
From: Luckenbill, Emily [mailto:eluckenbill@pasen.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2005 3:43 PM
To: pulse@prosaic-expressions.com
Subject: RE: Please Support Continued Amtrak Funding

Dear Mr. Hesley:

Thank you for sharing your concern about Amtrak’s decision to reduce train service to Altoona.

I have heard from several other people whose travel has been affected by Amtrak’s recent announcement to eliminate one of the two trains serving our area. Amtrak cited pressure brought on by reduced federal subsidies as a reason to lower costs by eliminating some less-traveled routes.

Prior to the change in service, PennDOT did investigate making up the shortfall in federal subsidy. However, PennDOT found that despite an increase in ridership in the last year, $2.5 million or nearly $167 for each of the 15,000 riders would be required to keep the service in effect. By comparison, the PennDOT subsidy on other runs is roughly $15 per passenger.

The high subsidies are hard to justify when there is such strong competition for transportation dollars.

Clearly, increasing the number of riders would bring down the needed government subsidy. One of the significant challenges to building ridership is developing reliable and timely rail service. However, because Norfolk Southern owns the track that Amtrak runs on, there are conflicts between freight and passenger service.

In order to get a better understanding of what it would take to improve track conditions, to reduce travel times, and get a closer look at freight and passenger conflicts, Norfolk Southern, Amtrak, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation are cooperating in a study of the corridor. The study, which I pushed for, is nearing completion.

We understand that there are people who depend on rail service. Although no one wants to see reduction in service, the subsidy levels to sustain operations were difficult to defend. Efforts are continuing to look at ways to build ridership and reduce the level of government funding needed to sustain operations.

I trust this information is helpful. Should you have further questions about this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

ROBERT C. JUBELIRER
SENATOR, 30TH DISTRICT

RCJ/jel

Emily J. Luckenbill
Secretary to Senator Robert C. Jubelirer
292 Main Capitol Building
717.787.5490
eluckenbill@pasen.gov

—–Original Message—–
From: Thomas J. Hesley [mailto:pulse@prosaic-expressions.com]
Sent: Wednesday, March 09, 2005 9:51 PM
To: Jubelirer, Robert
Subject: Please Support Continued Amtrak Funding

Mr. Jubelirer:

I am a vision-impaired man, living in Altoona, PA. I do not see well enough to drive a car, and so, I rely heavily on Amtrak trains to transport me to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia to see friends and conduct business. The recent loss of Amtrak’s “Three Rivers” route impacts me as well as some fifteen blind folks living in PA that I know personally.

I urge you to ensure that full Amtrak funding for the next fiscal year is maintained, not cut. I believe as a nation, we have a duty to preserving our inter-city transportation infrastructure, though it might not be profitable on paper. My friends and me need the American rail system to be expanded, not reduced. Please do what you can to bring this to fruition.

Thanks,
Tom Hesley – Prosaic Expressions

Hey [Kandi].

All is well here. The weather is great. Hopefully, the ground will dry up quickly with all this sunshine, and I can get out to the yard to finish cleaning up after last September’s floods. Soon it will be time to lower the swings in the pavilion out back and start spending the warm afternoons out there.

Wonderful news about your coming to camp for one last summer. It will be hard to keep from smiling at you when I see you around the grounds. Seeing you and then smiling, is automatic, like when the doctor hits your knee with that little hammer. You can’t help but jump.

Easter was great. My mom, two of my four sisters, their families, and me, went to a restaurant near Bedford for Easter dinner. It was only about $15 a person, and the best thing was: no dishes to wash! Mom says she’s spoiled now, and will probably never go back to cooking on Easter.

Finding someone right for us is difficult, for all of us apparently. One day…

You had many boyfriends? Did you go to your proms with boyfriends? I did for one of the three years I was eligible to attend the prom. But the other two, I went by myself. Not bad. But it was nicer with a lady.

By the way, how’s your red-died hair holding up? Keeping its color well?

Well, gotta go for now. Take care, and write soon.

Tommy

Dear Carl,

All is well. The wrist is 100% again.

On camp: I just need my physical, which I’ll probably get in May. Then I’ll be all set.

Heard from [Kandi], [Ron], and [Jack] lately. Joined the local Lions Club. Gave a speech to them earlier this month. It went well.

They wanted me to speak about the camp – what we do there and why it’s so important to keep the camp well-funded. I enjoyed giving the speech. It was about 5 minutes long, and about 600 words. I had a blast.

Enjoy the Eagles concert, and take care.

Tom

[Tad],

[Ann] just told me that [Morra is] in the hospital. So sorry to hear that. Hope she gets well soon.

If there’s anything I can do, let me know. If you need company out there, I’d gladly come.

Later,
Tom

[Tad provided me with the local access numbers for the NFB Newsline. They are: 412-894-8551 and 412-278-2030. So I thanked him for these.]

Dear   [Tad],

Hey, thanks man. I really like this service, and have been listening to it for an hour or so each day. Also, Mike [...] has signed up for it. Thanks for showing it to me. I listen mostly to Centre Daily Times and USA today.

Tom

[Tad],

Would you send me the local access number in Pittsburgh for NFB newsline? I got my account set up, but the only number they provided was a toll-free one. I’d like to save them money by not using that [local] number, since it’s free for me to call the Pgh number anyway.

Tom

Hey [Tad].

I put the email addresses into the Bcc line. That’s why you can’t see them.

Enjoy the list.

By the way, who at the school could give me a list graduates for the classes 1988 through 2005? I’d like to add then to our alumni data as well.

Yes, [BJ] found this document from 1987, and I typed it in over the weekend. This should be a great addition to our web site.

Tom Hesley

[Bill],

Joanna said you might have these. I need a copy of our alumni’s by-laws, to better familiarize myself with our organization’s culture and operating practices. Either print or electronic format would be wonderful. My address is:

RR x Box yyyy
Altoona, PA 1660x

Thanks,
Tom Hesley