Rail Vacation turns into Murder Mystery Thriller

Experience the Golden Age of Rail

Dining by Rail

Fact Sheet

Rolling Stock Fact Sheet

Story Ideas

History Of The American Orient Express

Media Contact:
Tamra L. Hoppes
tamra.hoppes@grandluxerail.com
(303) 962-5407

RAIL VACATION TURNS INTO MURDER MYSTERY THRILLER
ON AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS

DOWNERS GROVE, IL - (January 13, 2003) – It was Agatha Christie who first brought Murder on the Orient Express to life in her best-selling novel, but now, train travelers can get the real-life experience, as a luxury rail vacation turns into a murder mystery thriller onboard American Orient Express the last week in March.

Passengers traveling on the Antebellum South itinerary beginning March 27 in New Orleans, might want to pack a magnifying glass, as the twists and turns along the way from "The Big Easy" to Washington, D.C. won’t just be on the tracks. Murder Mystery Weekend will climb aboard for the journey, providing the ultimate thrill-seeking fantasy for the arm-chair detective.

"We have wanted to offer a Murder Mystery theme trip on the American Orient Express for many years," said Peter Boese, Executive Vice President of AOE. "It is exciting to finally offer the train as a stage for this exciting event - one week of mystery and intrigue as we journey through the Old South."

It’s a chance to play Hercule Poirot, of Christie’s novel fame and the feature film "Murder on the Orient Express," or perhaps everyone’s favorite, Sherlock Holmes. Either way, the trip on American Orient Express will give passengers far more suspense in addition to the usual off-train excursions and breathtaking scenery.

There is no additional charge to passengers to participate in the Murder Mystery, and the plot and events surrounding it will not interfere with the usual itinerary, including all excursions and stops that include New Orleans, Savannah, Charleston, Richmond, Monticello and Washington, D.C.

This is the first time that Murder Mystery Weekend will be featured on AOE, but in 2004, there will be two more "Murders on the American Orient Express," as the two parties will feature murder mystery trips on American Orient Express’ Pacific Coast Explorer itinerary, which travels from Los Angeles to Seattle, in both the spring and the fall.

Murder Mystery Events has become the nation’s #1 provider of spine-chilling mystery functions since their inception in 1985, offering a unique combination of murder, mystery, intrigue and involvement in a real-life setting.

The American Orient Express (AOE) is North America’s premier private train, providing deluxe rail vacations. Noted for its exceptional service, fine dining and elegant furnishings, AOE has brought a return to the unhurried and graceful Golden Age of rail travel. Programs include in-depth exploration of North American landmarks with onboard lecturers and historians, and off-train tours, which complement the theme of the selected itinerary.

In operation since 1997, AOE currently offers eight regional itineraries throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada. The American Orient Express II – a second deluxe train launched in September 2002 – incorporates all the elegance and beauty of the original AOE while increasing travel options for passengers. AOE is owned by Oregon Rail Holdings, LLC of Portland, Ore.For information and reservations call 1 (800) 320-4206, or visit www.AmericanOrientExpress.com.

Media Contact:
Tamra L. Hoppes
tamra.hoppes@grandluxerail.com
(303) 962-5407

DINING BY RAIL – A JOURNEY THROUGH THE FINE TRADITIONS OF YESTERYEAR

During the Golden Age of Rail travel, the experience of dining aboard the train was the highlight of any journey.  Evolving from their basic purpose, dining cars came to be known for their magnificent cuisine and settings of elegant sophistication that attracted passengers from one rail line to another.

Ask anyone fortunate enough to have ridden America’s great passenger trains over a half-century ago, and no memory of train travel survives so vividly as a sumptuous meal in the dining car.  Today, the American Orient Express (AOE) pays homage to that rich culinary history and recreates the fine rail dining experience, complete with a classically trained service staff.

“Our vision for the American Orient Express included an extraordinary dining experience, much like the traditions of fine rail dining over 50 years ago,” said Peter Boese, AOE President.  “After a journey aboard the AOE, there is plenty our passengers will remember about their one-of-a-kind journey.  At the top of that list, we want them to have fond memories of the food and service.  We go a step beyond the rest, and our emphasis on providing the highest quality dining, service and ambiance leads the industry.”

Featuring inlaid mahogany paneling and opulent appointments of brass and marble, the AOE dining cars offer an inviting and unique setting in which to enjoy a fine repast.  Intimate tables seating two or four are properly arrayed with white linen, signature blue and cream china, gleaming crystal, polished silver and fresh-cut flowers.  The ever-changing landscape and diverse beauty of North America passing just outside the windows offers some of the best tableside views found anywhere. 

Chefs hail from top culinary programs and leading restaurants, ensuring epicurean pleasures of the highest order.  Multiple entrée selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared to-order in two onboard kitchens.  Lunch is a three-course meal, with two entrée and three dessert selections offered.  Dinner is a more elaborate affair, with five courses including appetizer, soup, salad, three to four entrée selections and three dessert choices.  And, of course, the chef is pleased to cater to special requests and second helpings.

According to James D. Porterfield, rail historian, onboard AOE lecturer and noted author of the book, “Dining By Rail,” the AOE offers an array of innovative fare at every meal and course.  “Menus change daily, with the chefs capturing the essence of seasonal and regional specialties, all artfully presented.  Dining aboard the AOE is a truly delightful experience,” Porterfield said.

Upholding the traditions of fine rail lines long gone, the AOE specializes in offering a selection of uncomplicated, yet elegant continental cuisine that pays tribute to the local ingredients from the areas the train occupies on any given day.  For example, while traversing the rustic beauty of the Northwest’s Pacific coastline, passengers might start with a wild mushroom and seafood strudel served with mussel jus veloute, and then enjoy wild Pacific salmon served on a bed of saffron rice with a Beurre rouge. 

Other signature soup and starter course offerings include roasted red beet and Grand Marnier soup, or jumbo lump crabmeat and mango Napolean on cumin-crusted apple chips.  Featured main course offerings at dinner include roasted lamb chops with a pinot noir thyme sauce and lobster mashed potatoes, tequila and lime marinated Long Island duck breast, or marinated and grilled rib eye steak with braised shallot jus.  A selection of complimentary fine wines is included with dinner. 

For dessert, the temptation possibilities change almost as often as the tableside scenery and might include the signature blueberry cake with white chocolate frosting served atop crème anglaise or chocolate and vanilla malted crème brulee.  Other classic favorites such as dark chocolate mousse or seasonal berry pastries also regularly grace the menu.

Daily breakfast offers two options for passengers.  In the lounge car, a light buffet features fresh fruit of the season or region and freshly baked pastries.  In the dining car, a full-service breakfast is offered daily with a variety of omelets, quiches and frittatas, or signature specialties such as toasted coconut pancakes or crab eggs benedict.

During special afternoons spent traveling aboard the train, a traditional American tea service if offered in the lounge cars, complete with petit fours, finger sandwiches and specialty pastries such as lemon cream scones.

Giving new meaning to the phrase “everything in its place,” the logistics of maintaining a fine quality dining experience for up to 120 passengers daily presents specific challenges for the AOE.  But, they pull it off masterfully.  With extremely limited food storage and preparation areas, as well as menus that feature fresh seasonal and regional ingredients, the chefs and staff must maintain the highest levels of efficiency without sacrificing quality.

Since total product utilization is a first and foremost concern, the AOE chefs must be masters of innovation.  Every ingredient demands approximately three uses.  What is served a plate garnish one day might be utilized in a soup, chutney or glaze the next.

It’s truly a team effort aboard the AOE, with each culinary staff member functioning in multiple capacities and roles.  With rotating schedules, a team of 10 people are dedicated to the daily onboard food service operations at any one time.  Remarkably small in size, fully appointed stainless-steel kitchens aboard the train can be found buzzing with activity well before dawn and into the late-evening hours, preparing as many as 400 meals a day.

With a kitchen that, at times, travels the tracks at speeds of up to 80 miles per hour, the culinary staff might also find themselves performing amazing feats of balance and precision.  To compensate for the motion on the rails, recipes were adjusted to better suit the experience of traveling aboard a train.  Thick sauces, full-bodied soups and simple, yet elegant garnishes are a few of the standards the chefs have incorporated into the AOE culinary guidelines.

The American Orient Express (AOE) is North America’s premier private train, providing deluxe rail vacations.  Noted for its exceptional service, fine dining and elegant furnishings, AOE has brought a return to the unhurried and graceful Golden Age of rail travel.  Programs include in-depth exploration of North American landmarks with onboard lecturers and historians, and off-train tours, which complement the theme of the selected itinerary.

In operation since 1995, AOE currently offers eight regional itineraries throughout the United States and Mexico.  AOE is owned by Oregon Rail Holdings, LLC of Portland, Oregon.  For information and reservations call 1 (800) 320-4206, or visit www.AmericanOrientExpress.com.

Media Contact:
Tamra L. Hoppes
tamra.hoppes@grandluxerail.com
(303) 962-5407

FACT SHEET

WHO: The American Orient Express (AOE) is owned by Oregon Rail Holdings, LLC (ORH) of Portland, Oregon.  AOE has been owned and operated by Oregon Rail Holdings since 1997.

WHAT: AOE is North America’s only private, deluxe train, offering eight regional, three to nine-night itineraries in 2006 throughout the United States and Mexico.  AOE is noted for its exceptional service, outstanding cuisine, and deluxe, vintage furnishings and appointments.  The classically trained staff pampers each traveler. 

WHEN: Unlike regional trains that operate only seasonally, AOE operates during all four seasons, taking travelers on regional rail experiences at the optimal time of year for each destination.  For example, the AOE spends early spring in the Deep South, spring and fall on the West Coast, the summer months in the National Parks, and fall and winter in Mexico’s Copper Canyon.

WHERE: AOE’s itineraries often include the tracks less traveled, taking travelers on “rare mileage” routes that have been virtually abandoned to only freight trains since the decline of commercial passenger service some 50 years ago.  In developing its eight itineraries, AOE has sought out these tracks to give travelers the rare opportunity to see some of the most spectacular wilderness areas of North America.  In addition to offering travelers a deluxe, vintage rail experience, AOE programs include in-depth, regional exploration along the way featuring lecturers, historians, off-train tours and excursions.

WHY: North America is undergoing a renaissance in rail travel, with increased interest in transportation and tourist-related trains.  AOE believes there is a need for all levels of service, and is committed to providing a high-end product that delivers quality as well as the widest variety of itineraries offered by one company.

HOW: AOE’s 17-car train consist (excluding locomotives) travels on eight separate itineraries depending on the time of year.  To reposition the train from east to west, the company offers an annual transcontinental itinerary from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles in April.  Throughout the rest of the year, the train travels in the west, north and deep south, including such varied venues as the Pacific Coast, Rocky Mountains, national parks, and Mexico’s Copper Canyon.

Media Contact:
Tamra L. Hoppes
tamra.hoppes@grandluxerail.com
(303) 962-5407

STORY IDEAS

EXPERIENCE THE "GOLDEN ERA" OF RAIL TRAVEL
Experience the service, comfort, fine dining and spectacular scenery as it was enjoyed during a simpler time, aboard America’s premier streamliner train – the American Orient Express (AOE).  Planned itineraries travel to North America’s great historical landmarks and geological wonders, some of which are only accessible by rail, over “rare mileage” tracks that have not seen passenger trains in more than a half-century.

A NEW TRAVEL TREND: "RAIL CRUISING"
During the 20^th century, ocean cruising was primarily the domain of the wealthy, older traveler.  Today, however, the billion-dollar cruise industry is enjoyed by all ages of the massive middle class.  An experience that is being likened to the ocean cruises of yesteryear, deluxe rail operators such as AOE now offer savvy travelers (primarily affluent matures), incomparable vacations aboard private, vintage trains.  AOE’s rail cruises maintain a sense of exclusivity with only 120 passengers aboard any given itinerary, while simultaneously indulging customers with highly personalized service, an epicurean adventure, exciting itineraries and carefully planned land tours, all topped off with the glamour and romance of a bygone era.

GOURMET REGIONAL CUISINE
Since 1868, a visit to the dining car has been a high point of any rail trip.  Today, AOE continues that tradition with extraordinary menu selections prepared from the finest regional specialties, served in an elegant atmosphere utilizing fine china, crystal, silver and table linens.  Chefs d’cuisine hail from top culinary programs and leading restaurants, ensuring epicurean pleasures of the highest order.

VINTAGE RAIL CARS
The AOE is an important piece of American history from the Golden Age of Rail.  Ranging in age, each car was in service during the 1940s and 50s streamliner era on some of the nation’s most memorable railroads. For example, the New York Observation Car was dedicated in 1948 by Dwight Eisenhower and served 20 years on the New York Central’s famous 20th Century Limited.  Today, each car has been completely restored, featuring new air-conditioning, heating, electrical and plumbing systems, and state-of-the-art safety features, as well as completely renovated interiors. Total cost of the restoration project was over $15 million. 

ELEGANT TOUCHES
The 17-carriage train is the picture of elegance, with lavish attention to detail in the warm, rich tones of the woods, beautiful inlaid surfaces of marble, appointments of polished brass, over-stuffed lounge chairs.  To complement the vintage surroundings, a classically-trained service staff caters to passengers’ every need.

A KINDER, GENTLER WAY OF LIFE
The AOE takes passengers back to a time when the journey was as enjoyable as the final destination. Passengers engaged in interesting conversations and relaxed in the lounge cars as the beauty of nature drifted by.  Train travel affords a relaxing environment en route that allows for socialization with fellow passengers, fabulous dining, ever-changing scenery, private sleeping/ bathroom accommodations, unparalleled service and much more.

WHAT A VIEW!
Reflect on the great historical landmarks and geological wonders of this great continent as roaming wildlife, cascading waterfalls, majestic mountains, city skylines, powerful rivers, rural towns and much more go gliding by.  In 2002, AOE passengers were the first to experience the “Dome Car.” Constructed in the 1950s, dome cars were a luxurious feature that afforded passengers an incomparable view of the countryside as never before seen by train.  Today, the AOE is proud to have revived two of these cars.  Each seats 72 people in an upper-level glass enclosure featuring a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside.

THE ART OF AOE
Symbolizing AOE’s commitment to providing an authentic vintage rail experience, even the tiniest artistic details have not been overlooked.  For example, upon exploration of the Rocky Mountain Club Car, passengers are pleasantly surprised to discover a remarkable example of artistry right above their heads – a midnight blue sky featuring the Milky Way rendered in gold leaf.  And, while just as beautiful, the Seattle Club Car features its own artistry – an indigo ceiling reminiscent of the twilight sky, showing clouds on the horizon aglow with the last light of day, strewn with 23-karat gold stars.

TRAIN ITINERARIES

COPPER CANYON & COLONIAL MEXICO
In January 2003, the AOE made its first historic journey into Mexico’s famous Copper Canyon.  Known as one of the most scenic rail routes throughout the world, this great canyon is accessible only by train. The seven-day, round-trip journey from El Paso, Tx., begins by crossing the U.S. border into Old World Mexico.  The adventure includes professionally guided tours of great points of interest along the way, including Chihuahua, Creel, Alamos, and Divisadero.

ANTEBELLUM SOUTH
Experience true Southern charm just as train passengers would have over half a century ago.  Today, the AOE embarks on a seven-day journey between Washington, D.C. and New Orleans, visiting great Southern cities, plantations and battlefields along the way.  On select departures, the Civil War themed programming offers enhanced opportunities to experience U.S. history with on-board lecturers and entertainers.

COASTAL CULINARY ADVENTURE
Travel between Los Angeles and Seattle has never been more beautiful or enjoyable.  Traversing coastlines, canyons and mountainous regions, the seven-day Coastal Culinary Adventure itinerary offers one of the most scenic rail journeys in America.  Highlights of this itinerary include lunch at Eberle Winery and Cask Room Cellar at Merryvale Winery, a visit to Copia – the American Center for Wine, Food and the Arts, a tour of Clear Creek Distillery, as well as professionally guided tours of San Francisco, Hearst Castle, Multnomah Falls and the Columbia River Gorge.

NATIONAL PARKS OF THE WEST
Covering a vast expanse of land that is difficult to visit by any other means, this itinerary visits America’s protected treasures. This seven-day journey travels to the Grand Canyon, Zion, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, and the Cedar Breaks National Monument.  A team of naturalists and guides lead AOE passengers through historic sites to study native plants and wildlife, and learn about the people who originally inhabited these mystical spots.

THE GREAT NORTHWEST & ROCKIES
At the turn of the twentieth century, the Great Northern Railroad penetrated the untamed wilderness of the Great Northwest, opening the area’s ice field and snow-capped mountains to the rail traveler for the first time.  Today, AOE’s seven-day journey follows many of the same routes in unparalleled comfort and style, experiencing four major mountain ranges, agricultural regions and Glacier, Yellowstone and Teton National Parks along the way.

ROCKIES & SIERRAS
This seven-day itinerary journeys from Denver to San Francisco (Oakland) through stunning mountain ranges and national parks.  Passengers can view towering waterfalls, volcanic lakes and alpine meadows along the way.  Highlights include visits to Arches, Canyonlands and Yosemite National Parks, as well as Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

AMERICAN SOUTHWEST
Making its debut this year, the American Southwest tour is AOE’s first three-night itinerary.  Passengers will travel from Los Angeles to Albuquerque, NM, with stops at Grand Canyon National Park and Santa Fe.

THE GREAT TRANSCONTINENTAL RAIL JOURNEY
This ten-day odyssey replicates the cross-country adventures our forefathers experienced as they traveled by rail from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  Traveling between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, passengers experience America as never before, taking in dramatic scenery along the way.  From the coastal lowlands of South Carolina to Louisiana’s bayou country, the Rio Grande valley and the majestic mesas of the Southwest, the natural beauty of this great country is truly captivating.

Media Contact:
Tamra L. Hoppes
tamra.hoppes@grandluxerail.com
(303) 962-5407

HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN ORIENT EXPRESS

The American Orient Express gets its roots from the original concept of a deluxe business train that linked Chicago with Washington D.C.  The vision was to offer the train to business executives as an alternative to cramped airline seats and long lines at ticket windows.  This train was the American European Express (AEE), and even though its rail cars were masterfully restored at great expense, the marketing plan never took off.  As a result, the operation closed after less than a year.

It didn’t take long for the owners to rethink their marketing strategy, within five months (March 1991) the AEE was operating again as a passenger train offering vacationers a deluxe journey from Chicago to New York via West Virginia’s New River Gorge, with optional overnight stays at the Green Brier.  This was a step in the right direction, but even as ridership increased, the train was taken out of service that same October.

After a failed attempt to convert the train into a transport service for country music enthusiasts traveling between Texas and Branson, Missouri, the renamed American Orient Express was leased and marketed by TCS Expeditions of Seattle.  This time the concept of “cruising by rail” really took-off and the train was promoted as a unique alternative to ship cruising. Itineraries were planned and marketed throughout America to a captive audience from some of the finest universities, museums and special interest organizations in the country.

The current stage in the evolution of American Orient Express began in late 1997 with the train’s purchase by Henry Hillman Jr., past CEO of the company.  The idea came to him while aboard a Seabourn ship, on a cruise to Normandy in 1994. He wanted others to see the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and other great places in the United States – in this same style.  This led to the acquisition of the train and its operation.  Peter Boese, president, joined the company in 1998.  Under his direction, the marketing strategy was expanded through a network of travel agency consortia.  Direct mail marketing and public relations efforts were also expanded.  Mr. Boese is thrilled with the train. “It’s a great opportunity to experience America’s rail past, all the while enjoying the first-class comfort enjoyed by today’s traveler.”