INTRO: Julian Wolinsky reports from Los Angeles
ON JUNE 1 Amtrak West unveiled its Pacific Surfliner service, which is to replace California’s present San Diegans as new stock is phased in over the next year. A 558 km ceremonial run from San Diego to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara marked the entry into service of the first of nine new double-deck trainsets which will replace life-expired Amfleet and Horizon coaches.
The first of the Alstom-built trainsets had begun revenue service a few days before the run, which carried a mix of VIPs, invited guests and press. Brief stops were made at Oceanside, Santa Ana and Los Angeles, where Amtrak and elected officials spoke of the increasing importance of rail travel in traffic-choked south California. ’This is our future,’ said Amtrak President & CEO George Warrington. ’This is about offering travellers an attractive, competitive alternative in the face of massive (airline) crowding and freeway gridlock. Pacific Surfliner is a significant step in upgrading and expanding rail service throughout the state.’
Eight of the five-car trains have been purchased by Amtrak and the ninth by California, part of the state’s commitment to supporting an expansion of inter-city passenger rail operations. All nine sets are due to be in service by spring 2001.
Since 1990 Amtrak and California have invested more than $500m in the route, which is Amtrak’s second busiest. Currently there are 11 daily return trips between San Diego and Los Angeles, with three extended to Santa Barbara and another running through to San Luis Obispo.
Governor Gray Davis has proposed spending a further $405m to improve the route. ’This is a part of the governor’s strategy’, Secretary of Business, Transportation & Housing Maria Contreras- Sweet told the invited guests. ’He recognises that our freeways are congested and that Californians cannot build their way out of this congestion. We know that rail is an important alternative.’
Built at Alstom’s Hornell plant in New York state, the nine trainsets are costed at $140·6m. Each has 422 seats, with one Pacific Business Class car, two coaches, a coach/café and a coach/baggage/cab car. All have two bi-parting pocket doors per side offering near-platform-level boarding, making them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They will be maintained at Amtrak’s new servicing depot in Los Angeles.
The luxurious business class vehicle features an audio/video entertainment system with seat-back television receivers showing films, a small galley serving snacks and drinks, wide seats and computer power outlets. The café, located on the lower level the coach/café vehicle, has a new and improved menu with healthier food selections, local wines and beer from microbreweries.
CAPTION: Above: The inaugural Pacific Surfliner leaves Los Angeles Union Station for Santa Barbara
Inset: The business class car includes wide seats and at-seat video entertainment screens
