On May 18, 1998, U.S. Senator, Don Nickles, (R-Oklahoma), Oklahoma Transportation Secretary Neal McCaleb and acting Amtrak President George Warrington announced plans to restore Amtrak service to Oklahoma after March 31, 1999. The routes under consideration are Oklahoma City to Tulsa and Kansas City; Oklahoma City to Tulsa and Saint Louis; Oklahoma City to Fort Worth; and Oklahoma City to Newton, KS. It is proposed that the Kansas City-Tulsa-Oklahoma City-Fort Worth be considered with continuing service to Austin-San Antonio along the existing Texas Eagle route. Oklahoma City-Newton could be restored when a route is established between Fort Worth-Denver in the future. This proposed service is summarized below.

• The proposed service could easily connect to the existing Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited and Texas Eagle schedules with the Texas Eagle operating directly across West Texas on the Union Pacific Baird Sub Division. The proposed service could continue south from Fort Worth to San Antonio.

• The travel time between Kansas City-Fort Worth by way of Bristow, OK would be 14 hours over the six hundred-mile route. This time is based upon the Amtrak/BNSF Inspection Special, which ran May 27-28, 1998. Travel time by way of Perry, OK would be 14 hours and 50 minutes. The additional travel time from Fort Worth-San Antonio is based upon the existing Texas Eagle schedule. However, an hour could be saved between Austin and San Antonio if the connection between the former M-K-T and Southern Pacific at Fort Sam Houston were restored.

• Three train sets would be required for daily service between Kansas City and San Antonio The equipment issue can very easily be addressed by returning to service the venerable stainless steel former Santa Fe hi-level cars that served on this route before it was discontinued in 1979. There are the original six diners that have been converted into half-lounges with steam table type cafeteria type service for economical meal facilities and plenty of coaches are available. All are already equipped with head-end power and need mainly conversion to retention toilets and general overhaul. This should be possible at a fraction of the cost for new cars. Sleepers could be either Superliner or Heritage using a step-down hi-level coach. For the passengers’ convenience, it is recommended that passengers be allowed to board the train at midnight for the Kansas City to Tulsa departure and allowed to remain on board until 7:00 am upon arrival from Tulsa to Kansas City.

• Economic studies have shown that long-distance Superliner trains with a 75% occupancy operating with consists of four coaches, three sleepers, a diner, and a lounge car can make avoidable costs and an appropriate share of infrastructure and overhead expenses representing a far superior yield to passenger trains of past years. This is due to increased passenger capacity made possible with the bi-level configuration of the cars and with actual increase in comfort and amenities and the use of all electrical power generated in the diesel locomotives for heating, cooling, lighting and cooking.

• This route would help the mail and express business for Amtrak. Over the past several months, Amtrak has run special trains over this route to return empty express cars to Kansas City from Dallas. In addition, this route would open new express opportunities for Amtrak.

• The proposed schedule would allow for across platform connections to the Southwest Chief, Texas Eagle, and Sunset Limited. Another revenue enhancing connection could be interline bus service from Tulsa to the Branson entertainment area.

• With this proposed service going over the Fort Worth to San Antonio portion of the Texas Eagle, frees up all the train sets for Texas Eagle California Service over the Union Pacific Baird Sub Division.

• The Texas Eagle currently requires four train sets plus two sleepers and two coaches on its present 4 days per week schedule. With one more train set and diner, coach, sightseer lounge, baggage, two locomotives, it could be daily as well.

• In conclusion, the Texas Association of Rail Passengers is very excited to hear about Amtrak expansion in the region. We will work vigorously to help make it happen.

Note: Schedule reflects times effective May 17, 1998. The Texas Eagle Schedule has no changes between Chicago, IL & Fort Worth, TX. AZ does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Time shown is Standard Time. 0 am 1718 Deming NM 09:40 PM 08:25 am 1778 Lordsburg NM 08:40 PM 09:30 am 1893 Benson AZ 05:40 PM 10:40 am 1940 Ar Tucson AZ Dp 04:40 PM 10:55 am Dp Ar 04:25 PM 03:15 PM 2191 Yuma AZ 12:10 PM 05:15 PM 2314 Indio CA PST 10:15am 05:35 PM 2335 Palm Springs CA 09:50 am 07:20 PM 2405 Ontario CA 08:25 am 07:30 PM 2410 Pomona CA 08:15 am 08:30 PM 2444 Ar Los Angeles CA Dp 07:30 am

Note: Schedule reflects times effective May 17, 1998. The Texas Eagle Schedule has no changes between Chicago, IL & Fort Worth, TX. AZ does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Time shown is Standard Time.