Passenger Trains > Boardman "chat"

http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/10/a-chat-with-amtraks-ceo-on-the-state-of-us-passenger-rail/381538/

I wish our Webmaster could arrange to call Mr. Boardman and ask him the kind of questions we fans here on TO would like to have answered (absolutely nothing political allowed).

If such a thing were possible; here are a few questions I would submit:

1. Do you really have the money for those 28 new Acela's; or is this just wishful thinking?

2. Regarding the re-design of all those switches at Penn Station--how will this improve things & when will it start?

3. When all the Chicago-St.Louis track work is done; how much faster will schedules be over the old GM&O timing of 5'08"?


What questions would you ask him, if you had the chance? (pls., no crazy stuff; beware of the censors!).

Joe



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 12:12 by floridajoe2001.

New times at 220 mph:

Joliet-Springfield: 15 minutes

Joliet to Chicago Union Station 2 hours 30 minutes

Springfield - Alton: 15 minutes

Alton to St. Louis Amtrak Station 45 minutes

284 miles total - time 3:45

Years to accomplish this - 75

Number of "Amtrak" presidents to accomplish this, or their successor organization CEO's - 75

Transit Times by megabus on I-55 in the year 2090 - 72 hours



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 13:00 by NewRiverGeorge.

NewRoverGeorge

Nice sarcasm; and I agree with you (especially Joliet-Chicago)---but, really, what would You like to ask Boardman if you could?

Joe

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
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> NewRoverGeorge
>
> Nice sarcasm; and I agree with you (especially
> Joliet-Chicago)---but, really, what would You like
> to ask Boardman if you could?
>
> Joe
I'd ask him for an explanation of what has happened to the viewliner order at CAF

I'd ask for his resignation...

YukonYeti Wrote:
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> I'd ask for his resignation...

And I can already tell you what his answer will be, so it is pointless to ask that question. :P

YukonYeti Wrote:
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> I'd ask for his resignation...


And who would you replace him with? Remember it has to be someone who tries to hold together an underfunded operation and is willing to take constant abuse from certain members of Congress.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/14 18:11 by Ptolemy.

Ptolemy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> YukonYeti Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'd ask for his resignation...
>
>
> And who would you replace him with? Remember it
> has to be someone who tries to hold together an
> underfunded operation and is willing to take
> constant abuse from certain members of Congress.

I agree with Ptolemy. Additionally, for many politicians, it will not make any difference who is running Amtrak since the goal of these representatives and Senators is to substantially reduce, if not eliminate, all federal funding for Amtrak.

Ptolemy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> YukonYeti Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'd ask for his resignation...
>
>
> And who would you replace him with? Remember it
> has to be someone who tries to hold together an
> underfunded operation and is willing to take
> constant abuse from certain members of Congress.

I'd replace him with Hunter Harrison.

MilwMike

MilwMike Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ptolemy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > YukonYeti Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I'd ask for his resignation...
> >
> >
> > And who would you replace him with? Remember
> it
> > has to be someone who tries to hold together an
> > underfunded operation and is willing to take
> > constant abuse from certain members of
> Congress.
>
> I'd replace him with Hunter Harrison.
>
> MilwMike

Why on earth would he want it, and how would you deal with the questions regarding his tenure at CN?

I'd replace him with a triumverate:

Winnemucca, FloridaJoe, and Ptolomy.

MilwMike Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ptolemy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > YukonYeti Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > I'd ask for his resignation...
> >
> >
> > And who would you replace him with? Remember
> it
> > has to be someone who tries to hold together an
> > underfunded operation and is willing to take
> > constant abuse from certain members of
> Congress.
>
> I'd replace him with Hunter Harrison.

Why? Because your deep desire is complete destruction of Amtrak? ;)

Realist Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'd replace him with a triumverate:
>
> Winnemucca, FloridaJoe, and Ptolomy.

Now that would be interesting. While all three are seemingly in agreement, power corrupts. I wonder whose blood would end up on the floor? I'll give Ptolomy the edge in remaining to reign because of his Classics background.

ts1457 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Realist Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I'd replace him with a triumverate:
> >
> > Winnemucca, FloridaJoe, and Ptolomy.
>
> Now that would be interesting. While all three are
> seemingly in agreement, power corrupts. I wonder
> whose blood would end up on the floor? I'll give
> Ptolomy the edge in remaining to reign because of
> his Classics background.

Power corrupts: you're exactly right. That's why I avoided all suggestions of a deanship or other administrative position. But thanks for your support.

We three would probably do a good job; because people who really believe in what they're doing; have a passion for it to succeed; and really like the company they work for; usually bring about good things. The Ambashers bring nothing to the table but their gripes.

You'll never catch me bashing a money-making Acela.

Joe

ps: My skin would be thick enough for it to. You should read some of the stupid PM's I get from the die-hard Ambashers.

floridajoe2001 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We three would probably do a good job; because
> people who really believe in what they're doing;
> have a passion for it to succeed; and really like
> the company they work for; usually bring about
> good things. The Ambashers bring nothing to the
> table but their gripes.
>
> You'll never catch me bashing a money-making
> Acela.
>
> Joe
>
> ps: My skin would be thick enough for it to. You
> should read some of the stupid PM's I get from the
> die-hard Ambashers.

Well said!

I think he is just what Amtrak's management needs, wake them up and hold some accountability.

Likewise if Amtrak could afford him, I don't think he would tolerate, late trains, lack of equipment, and the many other problems that Amtrak currently suffers from.

MilwMike

EHH would sell off the state corridor services, and shut down whatever else he could outside the NEC. He out for a fast buck and does not care what is left behind after his contract ends. He is no Graham Claytor.

Ptolemy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> floridajoe2001 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > We three would probably do a good job; because
> > people who really believe in what they're
> doing;
> > have a passion for it to succeed; and really
> like
> > the company they work for; usually bring about
> > good things. The Ambashers bring nothing to
> the
> > table but their gripes.
> >
> > You'll never catch me bashing a money-making
> > Acela.
> >
> > Joe
> >
> > ps: My skin would be thick enough for it to.
> You
> > should read some of the stupid PM's I get from
> the
> > die-hard Ambashers.
>
> Well said!


Yeah, but that's why Gunn got canned back in 08 because he had Amtrak going in the right direction, and except for being forced to get rid of the Three Rivers, he had Amtrak makin' strides, but no, once some higher ups in Congress and/or Ammanagment sees something like this, they're fire him in a heartbeat since they don't want Amtrak to succeed no matter what!