I just got an email announcing the California Zephyr Feather River Express. The train will be a mini-California Zephyr passenger train excursion from Oakland to Portola and return in celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the driving of the last spike on the Keddie Wye Bridge that officially opened the Western Pacific Railroad on November 1, 1909. Both Union Pacific and Amtrak approved this excursion, which will happen October 30 through November 1, 2009. The consist will be 3 CZ cars Silver Lariat, Silver Rapids and Silver Solarium, pulled by an Amtrak engine. Only 48 lucky people will be on board each direction. There will be a 1 day layover in Portola during which the train will be on the grounds of the Western Pacific Railroad Museum.

For the official information, click here. I have been aboard these cars over Donner and FRC. The service is the best available in North America.

Richard Elgenson, out.
[www.trainweb.org]