NEWS



National Railroad Passenger Corporation
Amtrak Intercity
210 South Canal Street
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Fax:: 312-655-2565


	   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE				       ATK-96-58
March 21, 1996						       Contact: Ray Lang or Marc Magliari
								       312-655-2390 or 800-SKY-PAGE + 8243969

AMTRAK PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS COME FROM EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS

	SEATTLE -- Amtrak has revamped the Pioneer, the tri-weekly train to Seattle and Portland, Ore., from Chicago, with the help of Amtrak employees and customers who asked for a unique regional and cultural experience.

	Amtrak surveyed customers and developed food service featuring regional cuisine such as a poached halibut filet with a four-grain side dish and green beans and a country-style meat loaf with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy.  The breakfast menu includes made-from-scratch biscuits, while the dessert menu offers a cherry cobbler.

	First-class customers receive complimentary meals featuring regional cuisine and beverages, in addition to snacks and other amenities, starting March 24.  Coach customers are also welcome to dine in Pacific Northwest style in the dining car.

	In addition, a former dining car has been converted to the "Horizons West Lounge" to commemorate the opening of the Oregon Trail in 1841 and the building of  the first transcontinental railway.  The Pioneer passes through Ogden, Utah, not far from 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.

	To initiate the improvements to the Pioneer, Amtrak will host "The Great Event" on Saturday, 
March 23, at King Street Station, 303 South Jackson Street, in Seattle.  A reception for VIP's and news media will feature regional cuisine including Covey Run Wine, Red Hook Ale and Port Chatham Smoked Salmon from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The public will also be welcome to tour the "Horizons West Lounge" and Amtrak's new Superliner II bi-level equipment from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
 
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	New menus will be displayed, while historical books and Pioneer merchandise will be sold during "The Great Event."  Music will be provided by renowned jazz artist Greta Matassa and the South Seattle Community College Evening Ensemble.

	Improvements to the Pioneer can be attributed to a new Amtrak organizational structure designed to transfer decision-making and responsibility for train service to local "product lines" instead of a central hierarchy.

	Other recent examples of employee and customer initiatives include regional food offerings on the City of New Orleans between Chicago and New Orleans, the Silver Star and Silver Meteor  trains from New York to Florida and the addition of White Castle Cheeseburgers to Amtrak Midwest Corridor trains.  The acceptance of motorcycles on the Amtrak Auto Train between Virginia and Florida is another service improvement originating in the product line with the help of customer research and employee teamwork..

	Please see an authorized Amtrak travel agent, visit a staffed Amtrak station or call 
1-800-USA-RAIL for information and reservations on the Pioneer and other Amtrak services.

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