American Orient Express - Luxury Rail Tour in USA and Canada

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For many travelers, the idea of touring by train does not produce images of fine dining and luxurious living quarters. Many think of a difficult journey in a loud and shaky car with uncomfortable seats and mediocre food. Perhaps that is why less than 1 percent of the 1.8 billion leisure trips is the U.S. taken in 1999 were made by train, according to research firm D.K. Shifflet and Associates. D.K. Shifflet's survey found out that 61 percent of the 9 million leisure rail journeys taken in 1999 were day trips, while only 1 percent lasted five or more nights. But Portland, Or. -Based American Orient Express (AOE) - with a train of the same name - has set out to bury the old stigma of train travel. And it is becoming a larger share of the luxury marketplace.

Says AOE President and CEO Henry Hillman: "When people think of rail travel, we want them to think of it as a cruise on land." Hillman has spent the past several years trying to revive the golden age of rail of the mid-20^th century, when elegant wood-paneled compartments and extravagant club cars enticed travelers to see the country from the comfort of a train. Since acquiring the AOE from the Zurich, Switzerland-based Reiseburo Mittelthurgau in 1997, Hillman has invested more than $4 million to overhaul the 106-passenger train and resurrect the luxury of bygone era.

The 15-carriage AOE train devotes 10 cars exclusively to passengers, with two dining cars, three club/lounge cars, and five sleeping cars. Each car, built between 1948 and 1958, has been renovated to reflect the elegant streamliner style of that time. The entire interior features polished mahogany and brass, marble inlay, damask linens and wool carpeting.

The sleeping carriages, which were built by the Pullman Standard Company of Chicago, also have been beautifully refurbished. The 58 passenger cabins are divided into four configurations: vintage Pullman (30, each sleeping two passengers), single sleeper (10), parlor suite (4, each accommodating up to three people); and presidential suite (14, each sleeping two). The vintage Pullman sleepers feature bunk-bed style compartments and a full-size couch. The single sleeper has a single lower berth and a sofa seat. Parlor suites feature two lower berths, an upper bed, a full couch and a single sofa seat. Presidential suites offer two lower berths, two single sofa seats and a shower.

Each sleeper cabin is equipped with large windows, a courtesy phone that connect traveler to the porter assigned to the room, and a private bath and vanity. Bathrobes, towels and a toiletry kit are also provided. All passengers, except those staying in presidential suite, must share the shower at the end of each sleeper carriage. The beds are single and even the largest cabins have limited space. Therefore, the passengers looking for a bit more space should book either a parlor or presidential suite.

Though the living quarters are small, the rest of the train is surprisingly spacious. Comfortable couches and oversize lounge chairs make the club cars a perfect spot for post-excursion relaxing. With a full-service bar and nightly piano performances, these are ideal places in which travelers can enjoy an afternoon dinner cocktail or simply chat with other passengers. The observation cars also provide a relaxing setting that allows passengers to watch the passing scenery through large, circular bay windows. In the dining cars, passengers will find quaint table settings that can accommodate couples or groups. A blend of subdued lighting, fine china and linens, fresh cut flowers and impeccable service creates and impressive dining experience that would not be expected onboard a train. Large windows also complement the mealtime experience, in the landscape between courses.

In addition, AOE has followed the lead of the cruise lines and turned out the old-style buffets into a more intimate experience. AOE has also implemented freestyle dining, which lets passengers choose when to eat and where to sit. All meals, including those offered on excursions, are included in the price of a trip, as is wine with dinner. A typical five-course dinner consists of an appetizer, soup, a salad, a choice of three entrees and dessert. Breakfast is a more casual, but by no means less tasty, event. Special diets can also be accommodated. All ingredients are brought in at the beginning of each journey, and fresh ingredients are acquired every other day along the way. The train also varies its cuisine to match the itinerary. When the train is in the South, crawfish and jambalaya will likely be on the menu, while Asian-fusion dishes are served on the Pacific routes.

"We have tried to make our product like a roaming hotel and deliver the best service we can," says Judy Lew, the train's director of hotel operations, who with the General Manager Rut Poladitmontri, oversees the daily operations of the train. With 43 employees onboard at all times, there is a ratio of about one employee for every two guests, says Lew, adding that the company's motto is to never say no to a passenger. "If we can deliver, then we will do it, " she says.

It is that philosophy that is driving AOE to make some major changes. For starters, a second train will be added in 2002 that will supplement the current itineraries for the Pacific Northwest and national parks, with a Mexico route debuting in 2003. The new train, dubbed with AOEII, will be similar to the first AOE but feature more parlors and presidential suites and add amenities to smaller cabins, such as hand-held showers. "We are consistently sold out of the presidential and parlor suites because people want the extra room," says Peter Boese, vice president of sales and marketing.

Passenger cabins in the original AOE will also be upgraded for the 2002 season. For example, the train will feature a second dome car, which gives passengers an elevated view of the scenery.

Also, in 2002 AOE will roll-out a New England-Quebec route and add elements to the itineraries that will cater to a younger crowd. "We used to focus on the 65-plus age group, but we have noticed that our clients are getting younger, with an average age now around the mid-50s," says Boese. The revised tours will feature more adventurous excursions, such as safaris and water rafting. AOE will also expand its roster of guest speakers who give onboard lectures about a specific destination.

In addition, the company has partnered with several airlines, including Air Canada, American, Continental and United, and offers passengers packaged air/rail trips. AOE also plans to offer combined land/sea excursions, and is in discussion with several cruise lines.

One thing the travelers will not see coming down the line is the American Spirit train, which was a distant cousin to the AOE train in terms of style and amenities, and featured day trips throughout the country. AOE spun off the 250-passenger train late last year in order to focus on its signature luxury product.

Although the AOE typically sells out between six to 12 months in advance, and sales are increasing at a rate of 35%, Boese says the company has no plans to increase capacity. "We will keep a 100-passenger cap so travelers have more space and more comfort", he says.

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