Railroad and its many braches
The dictionary definition of railroad is very brief and simplistic: A permanent road with rails fixed to ties and laid on a roadbed, providing a track for cars; also such a road and its assets constituting a property.
There are many components in the “big picture” of the railroad industry and its many offshoots.
Here are the subtopics, which taken together attract the interest of virtually every segment of society, young and old. The storied train whistle is not the only expression of the varied economic, social and recreational activities under the broad railroad umbrella.
*National and regional freight railroads
*U.S. intercity rail passenger service—long distance and corridor trains
*Coordinated and connected transportation facilities
*Financing existing and expanded rail passenger service at the national and state levels
*Advocacy organizations of expanded and improved rail passenger service
*Railroad-related museums and preserved rail passenger stations
*Model railroad organizations and facilities of interest to, but not limited to, children
Omaha, Neb., is the headquarters for the largest freight railroad in the U.S.—the Union Pacific (U.P.). The U.P. made a lasting mark in history with its meeting of the Central Pacific in Utah to complete the first transcontinental railroad. U.P. has a strong economic impact on Omaha and also on North Platte, where it has a huge railroad yard to sort and dispatch trains to separate runs. A large tower is available for persons to view the expanse.
The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), an earlier component of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy, is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, but also has a large economic impact on Nebraska. Both the U.P. and BNSF haul long freight trains loaded with coal from the Wyoming coalfields to destinations to and through Nebraska. Some energy gurus believe the coal supply in Wyoming will last from 100 to possibly 250 years.
In the first half of the 20th century, most national and regional railroads operated passenger trains on a state, regional or national basis. With the increasing switch by passengers to airplanes and other factors diminishing the number of train riders, railroads trimmed or dropped passenger service. At a peak, the Rock Island (Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific), Chicago and North Western, Missouri Pacific, Union Pacific and Burlington railroads offered rail passenger service terminating or going through Lincoln, along with the small Omaha, Lincoln and Beatrice operation. Mergers left only the Burlington and Union Pacific railroads in operation.
In 1971, freight trains terminated passenger operations with the advent of Amtrak. Freight railroads were required, reluctantly, to allow passenger trains to run on their trackage. While many passenger trains were discontinued, the Amtrak’s California Zephyr was scheduled to run from Chicago to Emeryville, Calif. Its route today runs on Burlington Northern trackage from Chicago to Denver and from Denver to California on the Union Pacific main line. The Zephyr for a long time has run late on the eastern trip, primarily due to delays on the Union Pacific segment. This record has changed somewhat for the better recently.
Potential passengers are discouraged by the westbound Zephyr timetable through Nebraska, with stops at Lincoln shortly after midnight and on into early morning at Hastings, Holdrege and McCook. The catch is that throughout the year, it is daylight on arrival at Denver, and the Zephyr rolls through one of the most highly rated scenic stretches as it moves through the Rockies onto Salt Lake City.
Amtrak trains on long distance routes can run up to 79 miles per hour (mph). Trains on the Northeast Corridor—Washington, D.C. to New York and Boston—can run 100-plus on some stretches. However, high speed trains in Germany, France and Japan barrel down the track at an even higher speed. Several rail passenger corridors originate at Chicago, the biggest railroad hub in the country. One busy corridor in line for high-speed rail is Chicago to St. Louis.
Another area of concern—and promise— is commuter rail. Banner commuter rail systems are found in large metro areas in the U.S.—Chicago; Washington, D.C.; Portland, Ore.; San Francisco and many others. One effort was made to establish commuter rail service in Nebraska—between Lincoln and Omaha. Several years ago, ProRail Nebraska (PRN) took the lead in convincing the Nebraska Legislature to authorize a study, which, although conducted, was considered by many as flawed. The bottom line is that a three-lane I-80—and perhaps four lanes in the distant future—is not the best answer. As population in the combined Omaha and Lincoln metro areas continues to increase, it is hoped that the two large metro areas and intervening communities, i.e., Waverly, Greenwood, Ashland, Gretna, and so on, will reconsider the possibility of rapid and dependable commuter rail service.
Another facet of U.S. passenger train operations needing improvement to benefit passengers is connectivity between arrival at a station and access to systems, such as subways and bus terminals, to move onto an ultimate destination. Seamless transportation is a given in most European rail systems.
Financing at the federal level is the major source of capital for the operation of Amtrak. Appropriations were at a static—and insufficient—level during the George W. Bush administration. An increase in federal funding is called for by the Obama administration, including high-speed rail. Obama included $8 billion for high-speed rail development in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Much money is also needed to overhaul and increase Amtrak equipment, which had lagged due to limited funding.
A quote from Gil Carmichael, chairman of the board of directors of the Intermodal Transportation Institute and former federal railroad administrator (1989–1993): “President Obama’s proposed high-speed, intercity passenger rail network is a major step toward creating a sustainable, ethical, 21st century solution to our nation’s badly congested, polluted and eroding transportation system.”
Some states (not including Nebraska) provide some funding to supplement Amtrak service. The State of Missouri provides funding for passenger train service on the Amtrak route between Kansas City and St. Louis. This is not true at this point for Nebraska, the only state with a Department of Roads versus a Department of Transportation. The roads department does include staff dealing with railroad-related items.
The leading effort to maintain, improve and expand rail passenger service in the U.S. is the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP). The association includes representation from all states on its board of representatives. Most states have an organization with the same goal. ProRail Nebraska, an independent affiliate of NARP, was founded in 1994 and is active in pursuing improved and expanded rail passenger service. PRN works closely with the Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers and Colorail, the Colorado rail passenger association. The PRN Web site is http://www.trainweb.org/prorailnebraska.
The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission is a 10-state interstate compact that promotes, coordinates and supports regional improvements to passenger rail service. Its Web site is http://www.miprc.org. The member states are Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Nebraska representatives are State Senators Abbie Cornett and Arnie Stuthman, Ray Lineweber, United Transportation Union, and the director of the Nebraska Department of Roads.
ProRail Nebraska and several of its members are members of the Midwest High Speed Rail Association, headquartered in Chicago, Ill. The organization advocates fast, frequent and dependable trains connecting the entire Midwest. Its Web site is http://www.midwesthsr.org.
Currently, several efforts beneficial to Nebraska are underway to improve and expand rail passenger service:
*Pursuing the need for an additional Amtrak train to run from Denver to Chicago. This would possibly encourage an increase in business travel.
*With encouragement from Kansas and Missouri rail passenger organizations, establishing passenger train service between Kansas City and Omaha. This would make a connection with the Southwest Chief at Kansas City, which runs to New Mexico and Arizona. Looking further into the future, it is hoped that the present Heartland Express, which runs from Fort Texas to Oklahoma City, might be extended to Newton, Kan., to complete a new north-south corridor.
*The Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers is working with Amtrak to establish passenger rail service from Chicago to Des Moines, and ultimately on to Omaha.
*ProRail Nebraska is supportive of an effort, primarily by Colorail, to restore the Pioneer Amtrak passenger train that ran from Denver through Wyoming and onto Portland and Seattle.
Discussion and analysis could go on and on regarding rail passenger service—yesterday, today and tomorrow. But there are other interests and attractions relating to railroading that attract many people.
National Railway Historical Society (NRHS)
The Great Plains Chapter of the NRHS is located in Grand Island. The chapter produces a comprehensive and well-illustrated newsletter on a bimonthly basis. Details on membership may be obtained by contacting Roger Clark, P.O. Box 189, Grand Island NE 68802-0189.
Railroad museums
The Durham Museum in Omaha, located in the former and massive Union Pacific passenger station, is a jewel among railroad-related collection and displays and is well worth a visit. There also are railroad museums in Fairbury, centered on the former Rock Island Railroad; in Beatrice; and at the Stuhr Museum complex in Grand Island. Another Rock Island Railroad museum is located in Council Bluffs. Cited earlier in this article is the attraction of the viewing tower at the massive North Platte rail yards.
Railroad clubs
Many railroad fan clubs are located in Nebraska and other states. The Lincoln Railfans Club has been around for many years, has a newsletter and meets monthly. Members delve deep into railroad history and live for sightings and photos of various train combinations (freight and passenger), particularly locomotives. They are into detail, and serious members can spot a locomotive pull into town that was in Chicago yesterday, identify its age and model and report a “coup” at the next meeting. Sadly, few railroad club members—at least in Lincoln—belong to ProRail Nebraska or other organizations dedicated to preserving and expanding rail passenger service.
Model railroading
Model railroading continues to be of high interest and involvement to adults and children alike. A recent development: The Lincoln Area Model Railroad Club, an attraction in the Devaney Center at the Nebraska State Fair for many years, will move its model railroad systems and displays to the Lancaster County Fair in 2010. Rides on miniature railroad systems are also available at several locations in Nebraska and at major amusement parks around the country.
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