News Release
Date: May 24, 1999

Sky is the Limit on Glass-top Rail Car

Raleigh – Looking for a change of scenery this weekend?

Climb aboard North Carolina's Piedmont and ride high above the rails on the only full-length glass-top dome car in regular passenger service. "weekend Club Service" aboard the refurbished observation car begins this Friday, June 4th.

"Riding on this dome car is a totally different type of travel experience," said Transportation Secretary Norris Tolson. "It gives you a bird's eye view of the heart and soul of the state. You catch the remnants of sunrise on the morning train, and watch the sunset in the evening."

Tolson said passengers also will see plenty of woodlands, rolling hills, and travel through some of North Carolina's scenic small towns like Elon College, Kannapolis and Thomasville.

The spectacular view is the greatest amenity of the Piedmont Weekend Club service, Tolson said. Additional amenities include complimentary beverage, newspaper and magazines on board.

Originally built in 1952 for the Milwaukee Railroad, the special car made its East Coast debut on the Piedmont last spring. The observation car - or 'Dome car' - will hostWeekend Club Service every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4 through August 29. For a surcharge of $8 (to the regular train fare), passengers can reserve their seats on the dome. Capacity on the special car is limited to 50 people, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are required. "Currently, there is no other car like this in regular service anywhere in the continental U.S." said Rail Director Patrick Simmons. "We've been able to preserve a beautiful and unique rail car and offer a truly, premier rail passenger service at a bargain price.

Sample fares on the Piedmont Weekend Club service range from $27 from Raleigh to Charlotte; $20 from Durham to Salisbury and $15 Cary to Greensboro.

The Piedmont, which provides daily round-trip service from Raleigh to Charlotte, is owned and funded by the NCDOT. The train is operated by Amtrak. For more information about Piedmont Weekend Club service, call 1-800 BY TRAIN or visit the NCDOT Rail website at www.bytrain.org. For tickets and reservations, call Amtrak at 1.800.872.7245.