Amtrak Files Complaint With STB against NS and CSX over the CL

[afigg]

Fred Frailey of Trains Magazine has weighed in on the Amtrak complaint filing with the STB. His column is not behind a paywall, so it is available to read without being a subscriber. He makes it clear that the filing is the start of a long drawn out legal process, so don't expect the STB to make a ruling anytime soon. He was on several delayed LSL or CLs, so he has a personal interest in the mess.

Amtrak loses patience (finally). Starting excerpt:

About time, I say.

During an interview with D.J. Stadtler, Amtrak’s VP operations, for a story to appear in the January issue of Trains, I asked why Amtrak hadn’t taken Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation to court over their mishandling of the Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited, “court” of course being the Surface Transportation Board. Congress in 2008 gave Amtrak the right to seek damages for repeated and inordinate delays. Stadtler hemmed and hawed a few seconds and said it takes an enormous amount of time to amass a legal case that can withstand scrutiny. What he couldn’t say was, wait a few weeks.

Yesterday Amtrak’s hired guns from the DC law firm of Nossaman LLP, including former STB chairman Linda J. Morgan, filed a complaint with the STB, asking the board to investigate the two railroads’ handling of the Capitol Limited, which operates over CSX between Washington and Pittsburgh and on NS between Pittsburgh and Chicago. Amtrak is asking the STB for monetary awards “and other relief it determines to be reasonable and appropriate.”

One reason for hiring an outside law firm is that Amtrak can add the former chairman of the STB to their legal team. She should know how the STB board works.

 

[Bob Dylan]

Excellent synopsis of how Washington's revolving door works! Minor Government job/ Private Law Firm/ Mid- Level Govt Job/Major Private Law Firm/Lobbyist Slot/Policy Level Govt Job/ Partner Level Law Firm/ Lobbyist = Big Bucks!!

How you gonna keep down on the farm once they've crossed the Potomac?

Smart strategy on Amtrak's part!!