FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

10-23-09 730AM

A recreated California Zephyr passenger train will take passengers from Oakland to Portola and return to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the last spike driven at Keddie in the Feather River Canyon on Nov. 1, 1909, which officially opened the Western Pacific Railroad through the Feather River Canyon into the Sacramento Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. The commemorative trip takes place Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.

The three-car passenger train will consist of the Silver Rapids sleeper, Silver Lariat Vista Dome coach and the Silver Solarium Vista Dome sleeper-lounge rear-end observation car. The historic rail cars, based in Oakland, are the only fully restored and operating California Zephyr railroad cars in the west. The Zephyr was known as America’s most popular sightseeing train and ran between Oakland and Chicago.

The California Zephyr made its last run in the Feather River Canyon on March 22, 1970.

The Vista Dome passenger train served the towns of Portola, Oroville, Marysville,

Sacramento, Stockton, Fremont and Oakland. This special train will be turned around at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola. Passengers will have the opportunity to photograph the train with classic restored Western Pacific California Zephyr diesel locomotives.

The excursion is being operated by California Zephyr Railcar Charters and Trains & Travel. For additional information, call 800 359-4870 or visit www.traintrips.biz or www.calzephyrrailcar.com/site/welcome.html.

ITINERARY

OCT. 30

Depart Oakland Jack London Square Amtrak Station –7:45 a.m.

Arrive Fremont ¬– 8:20 a.m.

Depart Fremont – 8:25 a.m.

Pass Pleasanton – 8:40 a.m.

Pass Stockton – 10:05 a.m.

Arrive Sacramento for crew change via the former Western Pacific – 11:10 a.m.

Depart Sacramento – 11:15 a.m.

Pass Keddie – 3:15 p.m.

Arrive Portola – 5 p.m.

NOV. 1

Depart Portola – 8 a.m.

Pass Keddie – 9:30 a.m.

Arrive Sacramento for crew change on the former Western Pacific – 1:10 p.m.

Depart Sacramento – 1:15 p.m.

Pass Stockton – 2:20 p.m.

Pass Pleasanton – 3:45 p.m.

Arrive Fremont – 4 p.m.

Depart Fremont – 4:05 p.m.

Arrive Oakland Jack London Square Amtrak Station – 5 p.m.

Note: Timings are subject to change account of other rail traffic and weather conditions

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