NEWS National Railroad Passenger Corporation Amtrak Intercity 210 South Canal Street Chicago, Illinois 60606 Fax: 312 655-2565 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ATK-96-61 April 12, 1996 Contact: Marc Magliari 312-655-1338 AMTRAK EMPIRE BUILDER AND PIONEER TOGETHER OFFER SERVICE BETWEEN CHICAGO AND PORTLAND-SEATTLE EVERY DAY CHICAGO -- Amtrak schedules for Spring and Summer will continue service over one of two routes each day between Chicago and Portland, Ore./Seattle, effective April 14. The Amtrak Empire Builder (train #7) will depart west from Chicago on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The eastbound Empire Builder (train #8) will depart from Seattle and Portland on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This train operates via Milwaukee; St. Paul; Minot, N.Dak.; Whitefish, Mont., and Spokane while en route to Portland and Seattle from Chicago. The Amtrak Pioneer (train #25) will depart west from Chicago on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The eastbound Pioneer (train #26) will operate east from Seattle on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. This train operates via Omaha, Neb.; Denver; Ogden, Utah; Boise, Ida., and Portland, Ore., while en route to Seattle from Chicago. The schedules of both trains will also change slightly at origin and destination points and at intermediate stations. On-time performance for the Empire Builder is being enhanced, thanks to schedule changes and arrangements made with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad (BNSF). By changing the days of eastbound operation in the new schedule from Seattle, congestion will be eased on a - more - - 2 - ATK-96-61 single-track segment of the BNSF between Malta and Havre, Mont., so the eastbound and westbound Empire Builders are not in that area simultaneously. Plans are under way to introduce a third food service option on the Empire Builder. In addition to the traditional dining car and all-day lounge service, a fast-service counter is being designed for an additional car to offer low-cost food service to families and others on a limited budget. A dining car on the Pioneer has been converted to the "Horizons West Lounge" to celebrate the opening of the Oregon Trail in 1841 and the building of the first trans-continental railway. The Pioneer passes near where the last spike was hammered home to unite the nation in 1869. More than 75 historical photos are on display in the "Horizons West Lounge," as well as trail maps and replica artifacts so passengers can brush up on their history as the train follows the historic route. Regional foods are also being served to both lounge and dining car customers on the Pioneer, such as poached halibut filet with a four-grain side dish and green beans or country-style meat loaf with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy. The breakfast menu includes made-from-scratch biscuits, while the dessert menu includes cherry cobbler. Both the Empire Builder and the Pioneer offer all-reserved coach and first-class sleeping accommodations in the popular bi-level Amtrak Superliners. First-class service includes complimentary dining car meals, bedtime sweet and morning wake-up service with newspaper and coffee, tea and orange juice. Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 1-800-USA-RAIL for details on these trains. . # # #