Nationwide Contest Calls On Train Enthusiasts To Capture Photos Of Dash 9 #4723 Locomotive

St. Louis, MO. - July 13, 2001 - Train enthusiasts from around the world will be called upon today at the National Train Show in St. Louis for the ultimate rail challenge. Microsoft and Trains.com are teaming up to call on train enthusiasts to capture the romance of railroading through a national contest.

The contest calls for participants to capture unique photos of the actual Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Dash 9 #4723 locomotive that's featured on the cover of the new PC game, Microsoft® "Train Simulator." In conjunction with the photo contest, a virtual contest will also be held where participants can enter their best in-game snapshot of the BNSF Dash 9 #4723 utilizing the game's built-in photo capturing capabilities.

Prizes will include a new PC, complete with a joystick and a Microsoft simulation series library of games, a HO scale model of the Dash 9 #4723 in a presentation case, copies of Microsoft "Train Simulator" and subscriptions to the different Kalmbach train publications, such as Trains, Model Railroader and Classic Toy Trains.

To kick off the contest, Microsoft is bringing the actual Burlington Northern Santa Fe Dash 9 #4723 locomotive that's featured on the cover of Microsoft "Train Simulator" to St. Louis Union Station in conjunction with the National Train Show running July 13 - 15. The cab of the locomotive will be available for tours from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. In addition, Microsoft "Train Simulator" will be on display in Microsoft's booth throughout the duration of the show.

The contest will run over a three-month period and is being hosted by Trains.com, the most comprehensive railroading site on the Internet. A schedule of the Dash 9's whereabouts and official contest rules can be found at www.trains.com.

About Microsoft Train Simulator Microsoft "Train Simulator" brings the realistic excitement of some of the world's most famous trains to your PC, with fully functional gauges and working controls that you manipulate. As the engineer, you are put in charge of the regulator on a steam engine or the air brake system on a modern diesel.

Experience six highly detailed train routes with over 600 total miles of rail that has been carefully recreated to mirror the real-world scenery, industry and towns along the routes. Featured trains include both historic and contemporary rail lines, such as the 1930's Venice Simplon Orient-Express or Amtrak's modern Acela "bullet train."

Microsoft "Train Simulator" is available in stores now or by calling Microsoft at (888) 218-5617, or on the Internet at http://shop.microsoft.com/ for an estimated retail price of $54.99 (U.S.). More information on the game is available at http://www.microsoft.com/games/trainsim/.

For more information on the Microsoft Train Simulator contest, please visit the Trains.com website at www.trains.com.

For more information on the NMRA National Train Show, please visit their website at http://www.nmra.org.

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Brian McGovney
Arbuthnot Communications, Inc.
9000 W. Sunset Blvd, Suite 1010
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 274-1256

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