The North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division and North Carolina Operation Lifesaver (NCOL) today unveiled the newly refurbished Albemarle Sound lounge car that displays the NCOL logo on its exterior.

The logo celebrates NCOL's more than 30 years of providing rail safety education to North Carolina and its ongoing partnership with the NCDOT Rail Division. A commemorative plaque also hangs inside the car.

"We are excited to honor NCOL and our partnership with them," said Paul Worley, NCDOT Rail Division engineering and safety director. "Working together allows us to spread the rail safety message statewide."

"Having our logo on the state's passenger trains is another way to encourage people to be safe around railroad crossings," said NCOL Executive Director Vivian Bridges. "We value our partnership with the NCDOT Rail Division and look forward to working with them on future safety initiatives."

The lounge car interior is equipped with booth seating and a concession area. Drink and snack vending machines have been added and offer a large selection of refreshments to passengers at reasonable prices. The machines are the first in the nation to be installed on board a passenger train and are a cost savings measure for the state.

Complementary beverages including coffee, tea, hot chocolate and bottled water will also to be offered. The on board vending machines will accept $1 and $5 bills and coins.

The new lounge car goes into service on Train 73/76, the Piedmont which operates daily between Raleigh and Charlotte, Monday, Nov. 30.

North Carolina's Operation Lifesaver Inc. is a non-profit safety education group whose goal is to eliminate deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and along railroad rights of way by raising public awareness of the need for caution around railroad tracks and trains.

North Carolina's Amtrak is a fleet of two state-supported trains, the Piedmont and Carolinian, which provides daily service to Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, nine other North Carolina cities, and to the Northeast. Trains are sponsored by NCDOT and paid for through state funding, Amtrak and passenger fares. Complete schedule and train information is available at bytrain.org. Reservations are required. Travelers should book early for best fares. Tickets can be purchased at Amtrak.com or by calling 1-800-USA-RAIL.