WELL-TRAINED: Van Nuys has a new and...

WELL-TRAINED: Van Nuys has a new and improved train station, which will be the stop for Metrolink and Amtrak trains making the San Diego-Santa Barbara run, above. . . . City officials hope the redesigned station--with its indoor waiting area and restrooms--also will attract businesses to the vacant GM site nearby (B1).

HIKING IMPASSE: The critters in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area probably didn’t notice that their park was shut Monday. But the federal budget impasse in Washington (A1) did affect the two-legged mammals who hike, bike and work there. . . . Without a budget, the park was forced to lay off most of its 77 workers, cancel nature classes and use the few rangers on duty to direct hikers to state parks.

RATE WAIT: The Federal Reserve Board is working today, however, and its meeting will be closely watched by institutions like Glendale Federal Bank. The S&L; would get a boost if the Fed lowers interest rates because its own borrowing costs would drop more quickly than the rates it charges customers.

DEDUCTIONS: Homeowners who claimed property losses from the Northridge quake on either their 1993 or 1994 tax returns can still amend those IRS returns if they’ve discovered new quake damage to their homes. See Tuesday’s Real Estate column (D7A) on the Valley Business pages.

SOUND PLAYS: Harvard-Westlake boys basketball fans can tune in to the Wolverines’ game in the City of Palms Classic tournament today, thanks to a system rigged by CVI chief engineer Danny Jung. . . . The play-by-play will come over the phone from Florida, be amplified and fed out on CVI cable Channel 36.