Passed by approximately 120 RailPAC and/or NARP members at the May 2 joint meeting in Los Angeles.
Resolution calling on Amtrak to place an order for rolling stock for the “Superliner” routes.
Whereas the Rail Passenger Association of California is deeply concerned that there has been no new investment in rolling stock for the Coast Starlight, Sunset Limited, California Zephyr and Southwest Chief (the western overnight trains) since 1991, and
Whereas currently up to 95% of Amtrak’s capital investments go to the North East Corridor trains and infrastructure, and
Whereas there is a growing demand for rail passenger travel and these trains are often sold out, and
Whereas old equipment is expensive to maintain, is subject to mechanical failure, and is unattractive to passengers, and
Whereas without new investment these trains and other routes will eventually be withdrawn for want of serviceable equipment,
Therefore the Rail Passenger Association of California calls upon the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (“Amtrak”) to meet its obligation to provide a national network by allocating a reasonable proportion of its capital investment budget to purchase new coaches, sleeping cars and dining cars for the western overnight trains, to a common design that can also be used for corridor services.