The National Railway Historical Society (NRHS) National Convention Committee announced Monday that a limited number of tickets are available to the public for two special steam-hauled passenger train trips between Portland, Ore. and Tacoma, Wash. These trips will be hauled by the famous Daylight Steam locomotive (SP 4449) and operated in conjunction with the NRHS’s annual convention, “Cascade Rails 2011,” being held in Tacoma June 20-26.

For the first steam trip of “Cascade Rails 2011,” Daylight Steam locomotive (SP 4449) leads the vintage convention train northward along the ex-NP/BNSF main line from Portland to Tacoma. This special train will depart Portland Union Station at 10:45 AM on June 21 and arrive in Tacoma at approximately 2 p.m. A box lunch is included. Return travel to Portland is not included, but arrangements can be made with Amtrak for return transportation to Portland. For the last steam trip of “Cascade Rails 2011,” again Daylight Steam locomotive (SP 4449) leads the vintage convention train southward along the ex-NP/BNSF main line. The train will depart Tacoma at 8:45 am on June 26 with an approximate 12:30 p.m. arrival in Portland. Return travel to Tacoma is not included, but arrangements can be made with Amtrak for return transportation.

To order tickets for this rare steam trip, visit http://www.Cascaderails2011.com , pick the order form for the appropriate trip, fill out the required information, and mail the completed form along with payment to the address listed on the form as soon as possible. Alternatively, tickets may also be purchased the day of the trip at the Portland and Tacoma Amtrak stations from NRHS convention staff. Coach Class tickets are $129; Club Class tickets are $179; Dome Class tickets are $229; add $10 per order for processing. All tickets and boarding passes will be available for pickup from NRHS staff at the train station beginning one hour prior to each departure from Portland and Tacoma.

For more information, contact the Tacoma chapter of the National Railway Historical Society at (253) 495-7500.