MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING
HISTORIC ESSEX RAILWAY STATION, ESSEX, ONTARIO
NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Members Signing In: Hugh Gurney, Charles R. Merckel, Don Monteith, Rosemary Horvath, Julien R. Wolfe, Bob Tischbein, Jim Roach, Larry Krieg,Steve T. Sobel, Diane Patterson, Robert Patterson, Jim Hinkins, Kathleen Newell, Jim Wallington, Michael Frezell, Ren Farley, Harry Gow, Dan Platz, Dave Randall, Connie Randall, John Langdon, Tim Hoeffner, Doug Wilson

Also Present: Bill Gay, Jeanie Merckel, Scott Holland, Ken Westcarn, Dixie Westcarn, Robbie Gibson, Bill Shay

Call to Order:  Chairman Tischbein called the meeting to order at 10:45 a.m.

History of the Canada Southern Railway:  Doug Wilson introduced our first speaker, Essex Historian and Station Caretaker Bill Gay.

After welcoming all to the station, Gay sorrowfully confirmed the recent decision of CN to remove the rails running in front of the station, explaining that after serving Essex for so long, the former Canada Southern is the victim of the corporate machinations of the big railroads.  Built as a line linking Windsor to Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo, the Canada Southern Railway was purchased by the Vanderbilt family, which already controlled the Michigan Central Railroad. It was immediately incorporated into the New York Central System.  With its 241.6 miles of double track, the Canada Southern became a key part of the New York-Chicago route as it was 150 miles shorter than going around the south shore of Lake Erie.  The railroad thrived until the 1960’s, when the New York Central merged with the Pennsylvania Railroad to become the Penn-Central.  This merger was disastrous and resulted in bankruptcy.  Penn-Central’s successor, Conrail, had no interest in running trains through Canada.  The Canada Southern was sold in 1986 to CN CP, a consortium of CN and CP, who purchased it with the express intent of eliminating competition.  Over the years, CN CP has been dismantling the line, bit by bit.

The track in front of the station will be lifted as far as Fargo to the east and a point called Pelton on the west, which is 5-6 miles east of Windsor.  During the past week, a crew was seen removing clips from the track.

Originally, the Canada Southern crossed the Detroit River south of Windsor and Detroit.  by ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario, to Stony Island, then by bridge to Grosse Isle and by a second bridge to the mainland of Michigan.  This route was abandoned when the first Detroit-Windsor railroad tunnel was built shortly after 1900.   A branch line to Leamington enticed H. J. Heinz to locate there.  Despite a thriving business, CNCP discontinued that line a number of years ago.

The beautiful stone station in Essex was built in 1887.  The architect is unknown.  Also unknown is why the Canada Southern built such a handsome station in Essex, as most of its depots were far more utilitarian.  By 1990, the structure was in bad repair and might well have been bulldozed.  Fortunately, local citizens joined together to restore the structure.  A one year levy of about $65 on local rate payers covered costs.  The outside was restored in 1992 and the inside in 1993.  Except for the addition of washrooms and a new counter at the entrance, the building is as it was in its heyday as a train station.

Canada Rail Update:

Wilson next introduced Harry Gow, founder of Transport Action Canada.

After thanking America By Rail for paying his passage from Montreal and VIA Rail for transporting him to Windsor, Gow reported that the proposed new Detroit-Windsor rail tunnel accommodating double stack rail loads is still on the books.  Funding may come from the Building Canada Fund.  CP and Borealis, which holds a major stake in the project, will make a joint application.  The new tunnel can accommodate passenger rail. Unfortunately, the new VIA station in Walkerville is nowhere near the proposed tunnel portal, which complicates matters considerably.

Gow noted that he had spent a good part of his life and much of his own money to get what was first known as Transport Action 2000 underway.  The organization supports all forms of public transportation, particularly rail and interurban buses.  Many recognize the name Transport Action 2000 but have not assimilated the new name of Transport Action Canada. 

With a cut in its subsidy by the Canadian Federal Government, VIA has cut service to Sarnia to one train a day, the Ocean Limited  to Halifax from six times a week to three times a week, and in the winter will cut the cross country Canadian from three times a week to twice a week.   At the present time, the company has no fleet renewal strategy.

VIA’s current CEO comes from a freight rail background, and the organization has little accountability to the public, reporting to the Cabinet, not Parliament.  The VIA Board of Directors is made up mainly of political appointees.

To combat these unfortunate circumstances, Transport Action Canada has developed its National Dream Renewed, calling for a renewed commitment to passenger rail.  Starting with a town hall meeting in Sarnia, Transport Action has held public forums throughout Eastern Canada.  The hope is that the squeaky wheel will alert enough of the public to bring about a change in attitude by the government.  Many in Eastern Quebec and New Brunswick are outraged, as cuts in the Ocean Limited service will now require an overnight stay in Quebec City or Moncton when they go there for medical appointments.  In Ontario, reductions in service are affecting employment opportunities in Kitchener and on the Niagara Peninsula.  Even wherecommuter rail or bus service is available, people with disabilities find it harder to get around.

 The last of the Eastern National Dream Renewed forums are scheduled for mid November, with more planned for Western Canada in the new year, after which a report will be made to all Members of Parliament and to the federal government, including a specific proposal to Parliament.  Taking a leaf from NARP’s and MARP’s book, Transport Action will work very closely with the legislators to bring about desired changes. 

Gow attributed the demise of the Northlander connecting Toronto with Cochrane to feuding within the Ontario Parliament between the dominant Liberal party which is stronger in the heavily populated southern part of the province with the less numerous New Democratic Party which is stronger in the sparsely settled north.  Premier Dalton McGinty, who ordered the cuts, resigned his post recently, but the bloodletting continues.

Gow is hopeful that the Coalition for Algoma Passenger Trains (CAPT) will take the lead in fighting for the restoration of the Northlander as well as reestablishment of rail service between Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury, Ontario.  Greyhound has reduced service to Sault Ste. Marie to one or two frequencies a day.  CAPT has the support of the northern municipalities and played a part in bringing Indian Trails bus service into Sault Ste. Marie, from Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.  Gow takes heart in the fact that young workers in northern Ontario are very supportive of passenger rail as a way to get to and from population centers.

From VIA Rail’s nascent interest in better bus-rail connections in Eastern Canada, Gow sees hope for a Thruway bus system similar to that existing in the United States.  He would love to see Indian Trails expand its service into Ontario.

Adjournment:  The monthly membership meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:                                              Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair

MINUTES
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
HISTORIC ESSEX RAILWAY STATION, ESSEX, ONTARIO
NOVEMBER 10, 2012 

Present:  Robert Tischbein, Larry Krieg, Hugh Gurney, Dave Randall, Don Monteith, Rosemary Horvath, Jim Hinkins, Kathleen Newell, Jim Wallington, John Langdon

Also Present:  Morley Bowman, Harry Gow, Bill Gay, Charles Merckel, Jeanie Merckel,

Doug Wilson, Scott Holland, Ken Westcarn, Dixie Westcarn, Robbie Gibson, Julien R. Wolfe, Steve T. Sobel, Diane Patterson, Robert Patterson, Bill Shay, Michael Frezell, Ren Farley, Dan Platz, Connie Randall, Tim Hoeffner

Call to Order:  Chairman Tischbein called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m.

Welcome:  Essex Town Council member Morley Bowman welcomed the group to Essex and to the historic Essex Railway Station.  Bowman stressed the value of the railroad to the development of the Town of Essex and emphasized the community’s determination to maintain the station as a symbol of rail’s contribution.  He expressed regret that the Canadian National had recently announced plans to rip up the historic rails that have served the town for 140 years and sell them to Mexico.

Chicago Union Station Task Force Report:  Krieg passed out a draft of the Chicago Union Station Passenger Action Taskforce Proposed Solutions and asked members, particularly those active with the taskforce, to review and submit their comments to him.  The taskforce has been working very constructively with Amtrak and has come up with this first draft of an action plan.  Once approved, it will take about a week for Amtrak to get word out to staff involved.  Krieg suggested that members of the taskforce present meet after lunch to discuss the draft.

In response to a question from Gurney as to whether additional trains scheduled over the Thanksgiving holidays were part of the action plan, Krieg noted that Amtrak was adding no additional coaches to existing trains.

Minutes:  Gurney asked members to review three sets of minutes: (1) Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in Grand Rapids on July 28, 2012, (2) Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in East Lansing on August 25, 2012, and (3) Minutes of the Membership meeting in St. Louis on October 13, 2012.

Langdon moved acceptance of the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in Grand Rapids on July 28, 2012.  Krieg seconded the motion and members of the Executive Committee present approved the motion.

Krieg then moved acceptance of the Minutes of the Executive Committee meeting in East Lansing on August 25, 2012.  This motion was seconded by Langdon and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.

Krieg then moved acceptance of the Minutes of the Membership Meeting in St. Louis on October 13, 2012.  Langdon seconded the motion and it was approved by the members present.

Treasurer’s Report:  Randall then passed out the Treasurer’s Report.  For the Calendar Year 2012, MARP shows a net income over expenses of $8,345 for an Operating Ratio of 62.48%.  The balance in the Chase Account stands at $31,661.34, including $17,141.26 of Pratt Fund proceeds awaiting the move to the new Vanguard account.

Randall then passed out a proposed budget for 2013, asking Executive Committee members to review for discussion at the January meeting.

Wallington moved acceptance of the Treasurer’s Report.  This was seconded by Krieg and approved by the majority of the members of the Executive Committee present, with one abstention.

Meetings:  Wallington distributed a proposed schedule of meetings for the Calendar Year 2013.  The next meeting is scheduled for Williamston on January 12, 2013.  Wallington pointed out that he August meeting in Manistee includes the opportunity to sleep aboard a historic Lake Michigan ferry for $25.00 per night.

Governmental Affairs: Langdon shared the Amtrak schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday period.  Amtrak has added two additional Wolverine trains on many of the days during the long Thanksgiving weekend, one departing Kalamazoo early in the morning and returning in the late evening and a mid morning Chicago-Ann Arbor frequency which will reverse at Ann Arbor and return to Chicago in the early evening.  Langdon is hopeful that this will be the start of additional frequencies on the Wolverine line. For this reason, MARP has printed 5,000 copies of this schedule and is overseeing seat drops on both the Wolverines and Blue Water, plus posters in each coach, and distribution to all stations.  The schedule is in the Amtrak computer and MDOT has sent a press release to all colleges and universities.  One additional train set, donated by Amtrak’s Eastern Division, will handle the enhanced schedule.  The early morning Kalamazoo-Chicago and late evening Chicago-Kalamazoo runs have been a MARP Route Enhancement Committee recommendation for several years.  The additional Chicago-Ann Arbor-Chicago frequency provides enhanced service on the most heavily used portion of the line.

Langdon agreed to follow through on Krieg’s observation that he saw no posters on train #354 the preceding night and only one crumpled black and white copy of the enhanced schedule.  Krieg noted that Amtrak will be comparing 2012 Thanksgiving holiday ridership with additional frequencies to 2011 statistics when they added more coaches to already scheduled trains.

Associate Detroit Metro Regional Chair:  Hinkins asked if Robert Patterson could assist him in his duties as Detroit Metro Regional Chair.  After discussion about how such a request could be implemented, Langdon moved that Robert Patterson be designated as Associate Detroit Metro Regional Chair with non-voting power on the Executive Committee.  The motion was seconded by Krieg and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.

Reduced Rate at Chicago Club Quarters:  In conjunction with the Chicago Union Taskforce project, Krieg has negotiated for a reduced rate at both Chicago locations of Club Quarters, 111 Adams Street and 79 E. Wacker. All MARP members qualify for the discount.  Check with Krieg for the password.  For the weekend rate, one must use the website to get the reduced rate.

Recess:  Chairman Tischbein recessed the Executive Committee meeting at 10:55 a.m. for the Monthly Membership meeting.  The Executive Committee meeting resumed at 12:00 p.m.

Detroit-Windsor Railroad Tunnel:  Responding to a question by Hinkins, Gow stated that the existing Detroit-Windsor railroad tunnels will be used for low level freight and could be used for passenger trains.  He believes the Detroit River International Crossing Bridge will be built before a new railroad tunnel. 

Wolfe informed the group that there will be a hearing on November 13 about the proposed new railroad tunnel.  Hoeffner reported that the environmental reviews for the tunnel project were moving forward, though the process was different on each side of the border.  The State of Michigan considers the tunnel an important project.  The State of Michigan supports both the tunnel and the Detroit River International Crossing.

Windsor-Toronto High Speed Rail:  According to Gow, technocrats in Canada are not placing high emphasis on high speed rail between Windsor and Toronto.  They are not considering the large population in Southeast Michigan that might use the service.  MARP needs to let them know that the world does not end at the Detroit River.

Support for Transport Action Canada:  Langdon moved that MARP appropriate $500.00 for the support of Transport Action Canada.  The motion was seconded by Monteith and approved by the members of the Executive Committee present.

MDOT Update:  Hoeffner reported that the commuter equipment refurbished for use on the proposed Ann Arbor-Detroit and Ann Arbor-Howell (WALLY) lines would be tested at speeds of up to 79 mph on the evening of Tuesday, November 13. The train will go from Pontiac to Jackson, making stops at all proposed stations, then return to Pontiac the same night, making all the stops.   The exact schedule is subject to the whims of the dispatchers.

As to the transfer of the Dearborn-Kalamazoo line from Norfolk Southern to MDOT, the technical issues have now been addressed.  Expect an announcement soon.

Note of Appreciation:  Wallington thanked Wilson for putting an excellent meeting together.

Adjournment:  Langdon moved adjournment.  This was seconded by Sobel.  The meeting adjourned at 12:35 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:                                              Accepted:

Hugh D. Gurney                                                         Robert Tischbein

Secretary                                                                     Chair