Former Amtrak Vice President and PTSI Advisor Brian Rosenwald Has Died
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
One of Amtrak’s Pacific Parlour Cars, Sonoma Valley, originally built for Santa Fe in the middle ’50’s.
Ryan Stavely, via Wikimedia Commons
CHICAGO –– Brian Rosenwald, who was instrumental in upgrading Amtrak's Coast Starlight, has died at 72.
From the Editor: This obituary and story is not the usual fare for our daily news feed at RT&S. However, this is an important announcement for the rail passenger industry because Brian Rosenwald, as you’ll read below, was responsible for significantly upgrading Amtrak’s Coast Starlight with improved service and amenities, including the introduction of afternoon wine tasting in the first class parlor/lounge car called The Pacific Parlour Car, which he added to the train. I was fortunate to ride aboard this train just after it had been upgraded and it was an outstanding service product. I hope Amtrak remembers Brian’s work in the future when it has an opportunity to upgrade long-distance trains. DCL
“PTSI Transportation is saddened to announce the passing of its Senior Advisor Brian D. Rosenwald on February 19 at age 72. Mr. Rosenwald was recently the owner and proprietor of Taste Foodand Wine, a purveyor of fine wines in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. He also ran a wine education program from Taste.
“He is perhaps best known for his many years as an officer of Amtrak. Leaving Fordham University before he earned a degree in order to start with Amtrak as a reservation agent in 1973, he rose to Vice President. His most celebrated role was in the creation of the upgraded Coast Starlight, which under his stewardship was Amtrak’s premier train, and the winner of numerous travel industry awards. His love and knowledge of wines assisted in joint promotions of the train by on-line wineries in the states through which it passed. Wine tastings were a hallmark of The Pacific Parlour Car, a popular first class lounge Mr. Rosenwald added to the train. He retired from Amtrak in 2013.
“In addition to his ownership of Taste, Mr. Rosenwald was most recently involved as Senior Advisor –Passenger Service with PTSI Transportation in the development of a luxury tour train product. He also participated in the development of a similar product in China.As a wine merchant and educator, Mr. Rosenwald adopted the nom de plume of Phoebe Snow, a famous Lackawanna Railroad advertising symbol and train. He was certified at Master level in Wine Education.
“He is survived by his friend and former wife Susan Hinda Rosenwald, two children, Alex Rosenwaldand Katie Eberspacher, and several grand children.
“A celebration of life is being planned.
For further information contact Michael R. Weinman, Managing Director, PTSI Transportation [email protected]
Interior of Pacific Parlour Car –– These cars were sold by Amtrak in 2016
Image courtesy of Reinhard Dietrich, via Wikimedia Commons
