Amtrak – Some things you probably don’t know.
Ah, Amtrak…
Every time some one in Congress looks for an easy target, something to cut out of the budget – especially a Republican representative – Amtrak seems to drop right into the cross-hairs. An easily visible item, one that doesn’t have a lot of folks behind it, right?
That would be “No”.
For the 11th straight year, Amtrak has reported that more people than ever before are riding trains. Yes, you read that right. More people riding passenger trains operated by Amtrak than ever before. Even Fox News says so. Read it right here.
But let us go back to the beginning and talk about why Amtrak (a.k.a. the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) exists. Even though the golden era of the passenger train passed, thanks to jet air travel and the Interstate Highway system, passenger trains were profitable. They made money for the companies that operated them. Why? Because many of them also carried the US Mail. And on many trains, they also handled a lot of small packages. Ever heard of Railway Express Agency? The Fed Ex or UPS of that time. Want to hear something shocking? Both the USPS and REA, funded by you and me. From the Federal government budget.
But in a move still debated today, the Postal Service decided to abandon railway mail service in 1967. Sorting of mail was no longer performed aboard trains. With that, REA also ended most service as well. And surprise, without that income, passenger trains were no longer profitable.
Rather than see the end of railway passenger service entirely (because in some places, the train was and still is, the only way to get to or from there),in 1970 the Nixon administration – yes, shockingly a Republican one – was convinced to create a Federally funded passenger service. In the northeast, Amtrak even stepped in and bought the railroad right of way, all the tracks and associated structures along with it. They helped out with one of the biggest corporate blunders of the 20th century, the Penn Central bankruptcy.
Now, if the railroads would agree to go along with conditions set in place, they could get out of the passenger business. Most did, but a few stuck things out and continued running passenger trains on their own. It was a good business plan. Railroads sold a good deal of their equipment and facilities to Amtrak. And they got paid to run the trains, too. Just like they had been doing for years. Call it what you will, it was a Federal subsidy. They took it, just as they had taken the monies that came from the Postal Service and REA.
If every thing had gone right, Amtrak probably would have been around for 5 years or so and quietly gone away. Folks would have ridden trains less and less. Service would have been eliminated and that would have been the end of it. But it didn’t.
The Arab Oil Embargo changed how people thought of rail travel. Instead of not riding, people rode the trains and in good numbers, too. Amtrak found that if you ran trains, people rode them. It didn’t cut service, it extended it, adding trains. Over time, that equipment that Amtrak bought from the railroads was wearing out. New cars and locomotives were added. And again, as word got out, more people rode trains.
Shockingly, Amtrak has managed to recover more every year from fares to help cover costs. Does it break even? No. Show me a government subsidized business that does. Everything from highways to airports, if it gets Federal dollars, it doesn’t cover all the costs associated with it. if it did, why would it need those Federal dollars?
Amtrak has been proactive in funding in many areas. It has a number of corridors, such as the Capitol Corridor here in Northern California, where states have stepped in and helped fund expansion of operations through purchases of new equipment and other items such as facilities. Many of these continue to be success stories.
One area that could use such vision? Yes, that Northeast Corridor. The railroad Amtrak bought over 40 years ago. If the states it ran through supported it as is done in other corridors, the amount of Federal dollars needed to support it would be decreased. Simple math.
Can you compare Amtrak to passenger rail service in other countries? You can and you can’t. In areas where population density and car ownership/use is similar, there may be lessons to be learned on both sides of the coin. In areas where a dissimilar density exists, comparisons don’t always match up. Amtrak still pays the railroads for the right to operate passenger trains over their lines. In many of those other countries, that is not the case. Again, Federal dollars come into play.
Can Amtrak do better? Sure, no question. There is room to improve. Always will be. Amtrak is far from perfect, but it is getting better all the time.
I suspect Amtrak will still be here, operating trains after the election no matter the results. The same thing that kept the trains running all those years ago is still true today. No one in Congress wants to see service eliminated in their district. They didn’t want to lose a vote then and they still don’t 40 odd years later.
Out of sight
When it comes to Disneyland, there are few places that are out of the public eye.
First and foremost, there is back stage. The places where the public never gets to see. Not particularly glamorous or magical. Utilitarian comes to mind. Where work is performed or just behind the scenes.
But there are some places where the magic hides from view. Like the one above.
Originally, this space was designed never to be shared with guests. It was to have been the dining room in the suite of apartments for the Disney family above New Orleans Square. Just next to one of the kitchens for Club 33, so that it could serve a meal or snacks at a moment’s call.
Sadly, Walt’s passing ended any plans for the apartment. This space lay empty until it became offices and storage. Ultimately, it became one of the display rooms of the Disney Gallery, showing off everything from animation concept art to theme park models to items on sale.
But even that was not to be permanent. When the Disney Gallery gave way to the Dream Suite during the park’s 50th (and the Year of A Million Dreams promotion), the dining room didn’t figure into those plans. And it sits today, as empty now as it was then.
In a way, I am glad it did not get the makeover that the rest of the rooms did. It sits pretty much as it was when the space was completed before it became the Disney Gallery. A step back in time if you will.
Disneyland has a few other places less well-known that slumber out of guest view. Occasionally, some guests visit Walt’s apartment above the Fire House on Main Street’s Town Square. Pay the price and you too can see the place.
Other spots might include the Fantasyland end of the Skyway with its faux Bavarian Chalet. Spies tell me that the termites love the place and eventually will seal its fate. Other than a few special events, not much has taken place here.
And Aladdin’s Oasis, formerly the Tahitian Terrace, has seen a revival of sorts as a spot for guests to use a handicapped accessible restroom. Sure, you can take your Dole Whip in to enjoy in a comfy chair, out of the hustle and bustle of Adventureland, too. Just the place was something more when the Polynesian dancers put on one heck of a show here.
Even the Big Thunder Festival Arena saw a return this summer. Although I’m not sure many guests stopped by.
But one last place remains above New Orleans Square. Never used as designed. Instead home to offices and storage. Above the French Market, once planned as an intimate jazz club. If you ever visit the Court of the Angels, that sweeping staircase? Would have led guests into a quiet spot just for music. Occasional rumors have Club 33 expanding into the space, but nothing has changed. Still offices and storage space.
I’m not one who thinks that every corner of the Park has to be loud and immersive. A quiet moment can inspire the magic just as much as a loud and exciting one. The Carthay Circle lounge and restaurant certainly prove that point, among others.
It’s just nice now and then to recall such moments and enjoy their memory. Would be even nicer if some of them came back. But hey! I’m terminally nostalgic. What do I know?
The Hunt For Green October
There’s nothing better than to have your team right in the thick of it as Labor Day approaches.
In the case of Oakland, it is indeed a pleasant surprise to find the team playing so well. Having been through enough years where third place looked like a bonus, as a fan I am excited.
Baseball as a group activity is always fun. As spectators, there is plenty of good food and drink to go along with that. Prices climb as usual but nothing quite like a beer and a hot dog with your ballgame. Insert James Earl Jones and Kevin Costner gag here (from Field of Dreams). Be it family, friends, co-workers or even alone. Just a good time watching folks playing the game.
That’s not to say that some people don’t add their own brand of nonsense to the game. Everything from running on the field to running one’s mouth about the umpires to starting a fight over spilled beer. You know how expensive that is? Not that I’ve ever enjoyed a game in hand cuffs. The press box maybe…
On the whole, folks out for the game are good people. There to enjoy the day and have a good time. Those who try to take advantage of a moment usually don’t succeed. Oh, the days when Mary Lou ruled over section 121… Now some of that was comedy. A benevolent dictatorship, it may have been. But for folks who had tickets to seats there, finest kind!
Baseball is pretty much the same where ever it is played. No matter if it’s the big leagues, minor league or even Little League. Just ask the kids from Petaluma. Spectators get into a game and live and die on the pitch, hit or caught by their favorite player.
My wife and I watched a game on television the other night while out for dinner. She mentioned that she didn’t recognize any names on the team. It is true that the guys who she may have watched are all gone now. Some to other teams, some to retirement, some to obscurity – simply released or waived. Still, we watch and we have a good time. As the new crop brings excitement back to the game.
As it should be.
What to drink?
I’m often accused of falling into a rut. And on the subject of beverages, too.
Being diabetic, I’ve changed my drink of choice to something usually low in sugar content. As well, I try to reduce my intake of diet soft drinks.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t still enjoy a good beverage now and then. Just more in moderation than I used to.
Now, on the subject of rum… Yes, there is still nothing that satisfies quite like a proper Mai Tai. Made as it should be. Don’t skimp on the ingredients, especially the lime. I get that produce isn’t as cheap as it once was, especially citrus fruit. But do it right or don’t do it at all.
I am fond of Trader Vic’s Dark Rum. Mixes really well with diet tonic water. Brings all of the proper flavors to the party. And it goes quite well with a nice Kuba Kuba cigar! Bacardi’s Anejo Rum has been attractive and enjoyed, too.
In other spirits, Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey call my name. Jim Beam wins out over Jack Daniels. Regular Jack just leaves an after taste that I don’t prefer. Jim Beam has a smoother finish for me. That doesn’t mean that Jack has no attraction. Honey Jack and Gentleman Jack are truly enjoyable, sipped neat. And I have had some fine punch that used Honey Jack as a base.
Another cigar accompaniment was a nice peaty single malt whiskey from Portland. Sipping a nice glass, rolling the miles by… Ah, that’s the life. But this whiskey isn’t for everyone. In other adult beverages on the liquor side, I’ve enjoyed a fair selection of Gins, Scotch Whiskey blends from time to time.
Beer? Oh, that could fill a column all it’s own. I have been to Germany and Oktoberfest, so good “bier” is a must. Out of all the German “biers”, I really enjoyed the Andescher Dopplebock. And who doesn’t love a good pint of freshly pulled Guinness? Of the local brews, yes it’s Anchor Steam. During the days of steam locomotive operation, Anchor Porter was another well enjoyed after a long day. But Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale not only has a great name but goes so well with all kind of snacks.
Wine and I have a long history. Even before I was legally able to enjoy it, there was an education. My maternal grandfather discovered it as a hobby later in life. So there were plenty of weekend adventures that included a stop at a winery along the way. I’m a fan of the Silverado Vineyards, especially the Soda Creek Ranch Zinfandel. And on that trip to Germany, we sampled a good bit. My favorite from the Rheingau was the Johanisberg Reisling at Schloss Johanisberg. Many great meals here have enjoyed a glass of Dr. Loosen Riesling from the Mosel.
When it comes to soft drinks, the diet side of the product is most often the choice. Coke over Pepsi, all the time. But there are plenty of great diet drinks about. Stewart’s Diet Root Beer as one example. And not to say that I don’t enjoy an occasional full product. Wailua Soda Works Root Beer has to be tasted to be believed! The pure cane brown sugar makes it’s presence known in a delightful way.
I’m a coffee guy more than tea, although a fresh brewed cup of either has it’s charms. Decaf works best for me for medical reasons. And Peets more than Starbucks, that’s my choice.
Even something as basic as water? A fan of Calistoga Water with lime. Although at work we’re good Arrowhead customers.
All this talk of a beverage… I gotta go.
It only takes a moment
As enjoyable as Buena Vista Street is, it likely never would have come to pass if this had not come first.
Yes, I recall various quotes, especially the one from John Hench, about the area as a parking lot. And I wonder what DCA might have been if Disney had spent the bucks here the first time around. As much of a fan of exploring the Golden State as I am, the idea behind the park intrigues me. The concept of giving guests a taste of California without actually having to travel all the miles? Not as bad as it sounds. That is, if Disney had remembered that people are what really make this state what it is.
For example, I would have love to have seen guests interact with some of the state’s more colorful characters. In the San Francisco area, it could have been Emperor Joshua Norton. One of the Gold Rush era’s best loved eccentrics. A tourist attraction all his own. Or something later, a hold over from the Sixties, The Automatic Human Jukebox. Inside that small space worked a great trumpeter. (Even if he was busted for selling pot out of the back.) A street artist who entertained tourists of all kinds.
The list can go on and on. So many great people with great stories to share. Sadly, Disney cheaped out and didn’t follow through as they should have. And now, it is great to see more street-mosphere cast members out and about. Interacting with guests. Making smiles and memories.
Even Walt recognized that people are an important part of the experience. “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
Disneyland and California Adventure are not museums. You don’t walk through a gallery from one work of art to another, quietly admiring the work. No, here you are part of the experience, whether you intend to be or not. And that is what being part of the magic is all about. If there are no guests having a great time, then it is better as a parking lot.
But with the right bit of magic and the right guest experience, that smile is worth every penny spent to bring it to fruition.
And that’s just what Walt set out to do. Glad to see that that spirit keeps coming to life every day in those former orange groves and parking lots.