In this video, Amtrak representative Marc Magliari speaks with Director of Trains.com David Popp in Chicago Union Station’s Great Hall.
The pair discuss Charger locomotives, Amtrak schedules, Union Station’s layout and more!
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Amtrak Midwest spokesman answers questions about the passenger railroad
By Trains Staff | August 2, 2022
| Last updated on February 23, 2024
Marc Magliari speaks with David Popp inside Chicago Union Station's Great Hall
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See Bob Johnston’s post to today’s (August 3) Newswire for a more substantial discussion of “What is going on?”
I thought it was a feelgood interview with a bunch of softball questions. Respectfully, without rancor, I would have added the following: 1. Why is it taking so long to reinstate the Adirondack? Is there any Amtrak responsibility here, or is the hot potato just being passed among the parties concerned? 2. What is the problem with the Silver Meteor? What is the reason for the long delay? Do you agree that revenue is being lost every day? 3. What is the problem with continuing reduced consists on the LD trains? Lack of serviceable equipment? Staff? What is the count of bad order LD equipment at Beech Grove, and what is the schedule for return to service? Is Beech Grove overwhelmed, with lack of sufficient personnel? 4. Is there any expectation of full-service dining returning to the eastern overnights? If not, why not? If so, when? 5. What is being done to reach out to new customers in the light of continuing high gas prices and airline chaos? I could go on.
I agree very light-hearted interview, but many of the questions you pose are not specific to the Midwest. The last three are quite relevant however.
I also did not like his answer re the long distance equipment re Superliners. Definitely is not a priority, but after items that were announce prior to the incredible funding next year– some of which will not occur most likely given it was simply authorized and as we are already seeing under a friendly Congress not being appropriated.
You are absolutely right Mr. Pins. “Softball questions” all of them. What about all the SC44 Charger failures I read about on Trainorders.com “Passenger Trains” forum in addition to all the ones Mr. Pins poses. Yeah. Nothing but a game of “softball”. I thought Trains was better than that.
Went thru Chicago Union this month transferring from East /West and back. The improvements, in the station, you talk about, are impressive. BUT I could not help to notice. there was ALWAYS a long line at the Amtrak ticket counter!!!!!! Why did you cut back from 6/8 agents to 2/3 ???? In the face of increased ridership, seems to be a BAD move. Especially for many new travelers, who are not familiar with train travel.
What a great video! A professional being interviewed by a professional. Thank you Kalmbach!
My only question is that Marc spoke of the proposed ramp off the StCAL for CN trains going south to Carbondale, Union Station. But he spoke nothing of any proposal to use the ramp for trains onto NS going to Indiana, Michigan and east.
Trains to NS (ex-NYC/LS&MS) for Indiana, Michigan and East never used the SCAL. PRR/PFW&C had a direct route over the South Branch Bridge to the old Englewood Station where PRR and NYC parallelled Eastward for miles. Problem there is CR had consolidated the two predecessors and there is NS freight congestion on the remaining tracks.