Designer Cynthia Rowley, inspired by the trendy taco truck movement and prompted by DHL’s exit from express domestic shipping, bought a DHL truck on eBay and transformed it into a moveable boutique. Other fashion and retail brands are taking to the streets, bringing their goods, and more importantly their marketing right to the people who may not live in a location with a dedicated store. Sanrio and Skechers are also mentioned as brands with stores on wheels.  Perhaps a yoga and Pilates truck will be next.

When I picked up my friend Jen (hi Jen!) at Seattle’s King Street Station in early July, there was a tantalizing square opening in the dropped ceiling that revealed a portion of the ornate plasterwork far above us.  I didn’t have long to wait to see the full results. A week later the 1,600 ceiling tiles were removed and photos published of  the results.  I can only imagine the reactions in 1963 when the original ornaments and lighting were removed and covered. Did most people pronounce the new drop tiles, flourescent lighting and plastic laminate modern and lovely?

WSDOT caters to the Seattle area techie crowd very well, making use of online traffic maps and Twitter to keep us moving.  They also have a blog with analysis and background info for when we’re not behind the wheel (and they discourage tweeting while driving).  Their glimpses behind the scenes on YouTube are fun and informative.  Here’s one about how they’ve borrowed a laser retroreflectivity van from the Oregon DOT to measure whether road stripes need to be repainted:

Metro-North, the commuter rail line that runs from New York to Connecticut, is ordering a new fleet of cars to replace the 1970s models now in service. That’s great news, until you talk to the regulars in the bar cars that are unique to the New Haven line. The rolling lounge, with its leather benches, stools, cup holders, and of course a bar, may not be a part of the new fleet. It’s an expensive customization that Metro-North will not commit to yet and the existing bar cars can’t be hooked up with the new cars.  For passengers more interested in a nap and pleasant environment,  the new cars finally have the headrests and improved restrooms that other lines have been enjoying for years.  There will also be power plugs, but alas no Internet access.

The Philadelphia Phillies chartered an Amtrak train for their trip to New York to face the Yankees in the World Series. Usually they take a bus up, though they do ride the rails to D.C. for Nationals games.

I didn’t take much notice of Seattle’s King Street Station when I picked up friends arriving on Amtrak. It was just another run down, neglected train station with little glory left after “modernizing” renovations hid much of the circa 1905 ornate interior. But Seattle has managed to gather up funds to restore King Street Station and various sources are contributing to the project such as Amtrak and Sound Transit. Its 242 foot clock tower, modeled after Venice’s Campanile di San Marco, is functional again with the help of local clock hobbyists. The ornate ceiling will be revealed after years behind suspended tiles. A grand staircase will be restored. And, most importantly, King Street Station will continue to serve as a critical public transportation hub. U.W. has a photo from 1943 of the then busy waiting room.

As the “Obama Express” pulled into Baltimore on Saturday, I was looking up what kind of train he was riding on. The Obama and Biden family rode in the Georgia 300, a rail car built by Pullman in the 1930s. Built for railroad executives on the Southern Railway, Jack Heard purchased it in 1986 and refurbished it into a plush, shiny blue car suited for the ultimate chief executive. Several presidents and presidential candidates have leased it previously for campaign trips, Obama included. Ahead of the Georgia 300 on Saturday were (less cushy) passenger cars for staff and guests, Secret Service, press, and food service. Two Amtrak diesel engines pulled the 10 cars. The train was outfiited by Waav with wireless Internet.

Buses and subways get wrapped with ads, now it’s Amtrak’s turn. The Acela Express will feature an ad for the History Channel’s “1968 with Tom Brokaw” special. Individual cars and locomotives have been covered in ads before, but this one’s the entire train, 2 locomotives and 6 cars, covered in vinyl advertising. Amtrak does have to be careful with the type of advertising it will accept given that it is federally subsidized, however this fits into their goal of finding creative revenue sources.

Amtrak is going upscale. GrandLuxe Rail Journeys (formerly American Orient Express) is attaching its luxury cars to selected Amtrak trains starting in November. Passengers who pay the premium price will be able to travel along regularly scheduled Amtrak routes in fancy refurbished cars from the golden era of train travel. GrandLuxe typically operates luxury tours spanning ten days of rail travel in scenic locations such as the Grand Canyon and Pacific coast. This partnership will allow them to offer shorter, more affordable trips, though many will still balk at the $789 per night pricing.

Amtrak had enough woes already without this. Brake problems have forced them to shut down the high speed Acela service indefinitely. Cracks were found in 300 out of 1,440 disc brake rotors. Next week a Senate committee will discuss the Bush administration’s recommendation to end Amtrak’s hefty subsidy. Somebody smart needs to figure out what to do with Amtrak, with or without government funds.