Amtrak Cascades, Travel Portland to unveil "Portland Express" in Seattle this Friday

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 12/11/2013 12:22 PM PST

Dec. 11, 2013

 

Note: this project is a partnership that includes ODOT, Washington DOT, Amtrak, Travel Portland and others

Media Contact: Stephanie Selk, Stephanie.Selk@lanepr.com, (971) 344-7149

 

  

 

First-ever Train Car Takeover of Its Kind is Undeniably Portland

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – On Friday, December 13, Travel Portland and Amtrak Cascades will unveil the city’s “Portland Express” train car, the first-ever interior train car takeover of this kind for the Pacific Northwest passenger line, at Seattle’s King Street Station. Featuring a graphically driven exterior wrap and retrofitted interior, the Portland experience begins the moment passengers reach the train platform.

WHAT:                The Amtrak Cascades dining car that runs from Vancouver, B.C., through Eugene has been completely redesigned to include furnishings, art, décor, food and beverage from beloved Portland retailers and vendors.

The “Portland Express” train car will make its debut during a media and consumer preview in Seattle on Friday, Dec. 13. Passengers will be able to ride the "Portland Express" through March. The Travel Portland team will be on hand to share details on winter travel deals and highlight events for consumers visiting Portland from December through March.

To see the train car’s progress and view images of the completed train car takeover, use the hashtag #PDXNow on social media.         

WHEN:                Friday, Dec. 13, 10 a.m.-noon (media only); noon-4 p.m. (open to public)

WHERE:             Seattle King Station, 303 South Jackson Street, Seattle 

WHY:                   Portland is happening now — tax-free shopping, 52 craft breweries (more than any other city in the world), and a culinary scene that includes restaurants, specialty shops and an entire month of $29 three-course menus in March, is just an Amtrak train ride away. Why not ride in style this winter and spend a few days exploring Portland and all the things that make it one of the most talked about cities in the nation?  

Visuals:

  • The wrapped “Portland Express” train car
  • Retrofitted dining car, including custom Pendleton Woolen Mills upholstered seats, custom wallpaper and table coverings, stacked wood and oil paintings and antler hangings
  • Small bites served by iconic Oregon brands, including Tillamook Cheese
  • Luz Elena Mendoza and the Tiburones playing a free acoustic set — see Luz in the first Portland is Happening Now spot ()
  • Pop-up shop selling (tax-free!) Portland wares
  • Consumers interacting with the “Portland Express” exterior and interior train designs
  • Portland ambassadors guiding consumers through the fully renovated train car

About Travel Portland

Travel Portland is the official destination marketing organization for the city of Portland, Ore. Its mission is to strengthen the local economy by marketing the Greater Portland region as a preferred destination for meetings, conventions and leisure travel. For more information on Travel Portland, visit www.travelportland.com.

 

 

To see Amtrak Cascades routes and fares, visit www.amtrakcascades.com.

 

 

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