Most likely produced for promotional purposes, this
photograph depicts a passenger service representative and engineer in new
uniforms created by fashion designer Bill Atkinson. According to an article in
the February 1972 issue of Penn Central Post (the Penn Central company
magazine), "The new uniforms proposed for America's intercity rail network
made their official debut at a fashion show in Pennsylvania Station, New York. Amtrak
wanted [the uniforms] to be modern in spirit but yet to retain the colorful
traditions of American railroading. 'Nostalgic newness' was the theme."
Employing vibrant colors and contemporary lines, the uniform
worn by female passenger service representatives was meant to evoke the look of
those used by counterparts in the airline industry. In this image, Virginia
Lewis wears hot pants, white knee-high boots, beret and a red sweater that uses
the first Amtrak "inverted arrow" logo as embellishment at the collar
and front.
Meanwhile, colleagues at the railway station information desks wore slightly more conventional uniforms and red berets.
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