15) The derailment of the SOUTHWEST CHIEF at a flood-weakened bridge near Kingman,
Arizona occured one year ago this past August 9th, just before the expiration of the one-year
statute of limitations Amtrak filed claims for $13 million against the City of Kingman, County
of Mohave, and the State of Arizona. Hydrologists hired by Amtrak and BNSF have concluded
independently that the bridge-damaging buildup of water resulted from a downstream culvert that
was too small and some ponds upstream that are mostly on public land. Any money Amtrak
might recover would go towards equipment damage and claims by passengers and employees.
The filing has lead to unflattering publicity with local officials noting that they didn’t
bill Amtrak for the cost of emergency services and school shelters. BNSF has similar claims
filed.
16) EMPIRE Corridor schedules will change August 24th account of track work on MetroNorth.
Another change will follow September 21st as the location of the track work changes.
17) Effective September 1st, the interline connection between Lamy and Santa Fe, NM
will become a full-fledged Amtrak Thruway Service, however the Greyhound interline connection
between Albuquerque and Amarillo, Texas will be dropped. Travelers will have to make arrangements
for the connection on their own.
18) On August 4th, the Australian government recommended awarding a A $2.1 Billion contract
to a consortium of Alsthom/Layton Holdings and Quantas Airlines to build and run high-speed rail
service between Sydney and Canberra. The consortium’s bid must still get final approval from federal
and state governments, however Prime Minister John Howard said his government would look at extending
the route to Melbourne.
E N D
TEXT OF LETTER FROM SENATORS
Last Updated 08/16/98 12:30 hrs. EST
INDEX OF RECENT UPDATES
Week of 7/30/98 (609M)
Senate Approves Bill
Getting Closer
STB APPROVES FUNDING
Week of 0701/98
Surface Transportation Board Update
CLINTON HOLDS BACK
CLINTON SIGNS BILL
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