Chicago to Washington round trip, April 3/4 to 9/10, 2006

You will want to take advantage of this unparalleled opportunity to travel to Washington, DC aboard American Rail’s fine family of nostalgic railroad cars on "The Cherry Blossom Special." Take along a friend, relative or significant other so they can enjoy Washington sightseeing. The thousands of cherry trees were a friendship gift of Japan and make Washington absolutely beautiful in the spring. While in Washington, our cars will be your home away from home. No hotel needed. We will be parked in beautifully restored Washington Union Station, just steps from the major attractions. A ticket to the all day step on step off trolley is included.

7:00 A.M. Passengers meet in Kansas City Union Station, 30 W. Pershing, for check in.

7:55 A.M. DP Kansas City — our sleeper attached to #304 — The Ann Rutledge

1:35 P.M. AR St. Louis — Our St. Louis cars switched into train

2:40 PM St. Louis passengers board our cars

3:10 P.M. DP St. Louis

5 to 8 P.M. Dinner served enroute.

Evening to Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

8:45 P.M. AR Chicago

7:30 to 9:30 A.M. Breakfast served onboard

Free day to tour Chicago. Lunch and dinner on your own.

6:45 P.M: All passengers meet at Amtrak’s Information desk (adjacent to the escalators, decorative fountain and pool) for special check-in and luggage handling. Do NOT check any luggage with Amtrak!

7 P.M. Our on-board service attendants will assist you in board and will transfer your luggage directly to your room.

7:45 P.M. DP Chicago as part of Amtrak Train #50 — "The Cardinal". Once aboard you will be treated to a Bon Voyage Party with deluxe hors d’oeuvres and fine beverages. Enjoy our lounge(s) while you watch Chicago slowly disappear behind us. During this time our staff will prepare your room for night. Whenever you decide to retire, the rhythm of the rails will gently rock you to sleep. Sweet rail dreams!

Day 2 — Wednesday, April 5 This is one of the most scenic rail routes in the United States. We will follow the Ohio River Valley East of Cincinnati, passing through the Appalachian Mountains until we reach one of the most scenic sections, the New River Gorge. In much of the gorge you are in places only accessible by rail or whitewater raft.

7 to 9 A.M. Breakfast buffet served. If you request, coffee, juice and pastries will be delivered right to your room

Noon to 2 P.M. Lunch onboard enroute

5 to 7:30 P.M. Dinner onboard en route

7:30 P.M. AR Washington, DC’s grand Union Station. It has a large food court and sit down restaurants. There is also a movie theatre with multiple screens, a pharmacy and numerous shops. The Capitol, the Smithsonian Institute and many other attractions are nearby. The extensive American Indian Museum is now open. Railfans who recently viewed the exhibits were very favorably impressed. Passengers will enjoy accommodations on board (no hotel needed) at no additional cost. Continental breakfast and snacks are provided each day. With 2-1/2 days to spend in Washington, you should be able to take in a good number of the sights. We will have maps available along with a selection of brochures of local attractions. Tours are sold in and depart from Union Station.

Evening — Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

7 to 9 A.M. Breakfast onboard

11 A.M. to 1 P.M. Lunch on your own

4:30 to 6 P.M. Free Concert in Union Station

6 to 8 P.M. & #9;Dinner on your own. Multiple locations in Union Station and nearby.

Evening — Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

7 to 9 A.M. Breakfast onboard

11 AM to 1 P.M. Lunch on your own

4 to 6 P.M. Free Concert in Union Station

6 to 8 P.M. Dinner on your own. Multiple locations in Union Station and nearby.

Evening — Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

7 to 9 A.M. Breakfast onboard

10 A.M. to Noon Cherry Festival Parade - Constitution Ave. from 7th to 17th Sts

10 A.M. (Approximate) Our railcars will be moved from the station to the yards for pre-departure servicing. You will have the morning and part of the afternoon free to continue to explore Washington. Lunch is on your own today.

2:55 P.M. Our railcars will return to Washington Union Station.

3:55 P.M. DP Washington, D.C. attached to Amtrak’s #29, The Capitol. We will be passing through many points of interest along this route including beautiful and historic Harper’s Ferry, WV and Cumberland MD. This area of Maryland is very beautiful with low mountains and lush green forests. We will cross the Potomac River at Harper’s Ferry.

5 to 8 P.M. Dinner served onboard enroute

Evening – Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

7 to 9 A.M. Continental Breakfast onboard

8:25 AM AR Chicago. Detrain Chicago guests and luggage. St. Louis and Kansas City passengers have day to shop, dine and sightsee in Chicago. Lunch and dinner on your own today. Occupy railcars overnight.

Evening — Complimentary dry snack and beverage service.

Day 7 — Monday April 10 — St. Louis and Kansas City passengers.

7 A.M. to 9 A.M: Breakfast served on board. — This morning you will probably be awaked by Chicago's Metra Commuter trains arriving in Chicago Union Station. As you peer out your window, people pass by headed to work. Not you! You'll have at least one more day of relaxing rail travel before returning to the grind.

Noon to 1:30 P.M. Lunch served enroute

2:08 P.M. AR St. Louis.

3:30 PM DP St. Louis

5 tp 7 P.M. Light dinner served enroute

9:10 P.M. AR Kansas City

The package includes all rail transportation, sleeping cars as lodging en route and in Washington, lounge, beverages and snacks on railroad cars en route, first-class meal service as per itinerary, on-board chef and car attendants.

Single occupancy passengers will have roomettes with lavatory and toilet. Double occupancy passengers will have bedrooms with upper and lower bunk and enclosed bathroom. All sleeping cars have a shower. Several pairs of bedrooms will allow groups of four to have a larger room, ensuite as it is called, where the whole appears larger than the sum of the two parts (must be requested at time of original order). The partition can be open or closed at night.