Amtrak wall calendar, 1990.

Since 1974, Amtrak has been involved with the publication of an annual wall calendar that generally features a name train, new equipment or important pieces of rail infrastructure—and sometimes all three. The upper third of the calendar has featured artwork by noted railroad artists such as Gil Reid, Ted Rose and J. Craig Thorpe in mediums including watercolor, oil-on-canvas and photography.

The bright blue waters of Lake Champlain, famous green hills of Vermont and the silver tones of the Montrealer (Washington-Montreal) consist create a pleasing color palette. At East Alburg, Vt., just south of the international border with Canada, the rail line crosses the lake. In this image, the train is pulled by two F69PH-AC diesel locomotives, which were tested by Amtrak in 1990.

Serving towns in French-speaking Quebec, the Montrealer featured menus and announcements in both English and French. In the winter, the line was popular with skiers who used it to reach Vermont resorts including Stowe, Bolton Valley and Jay Peak. A highlight of the train anytime of the year was "Le Pub," a "dimly-lit, romantic cocktail lounge car" featuring a piano player/singer on weekends.

In 1995, the overnight Montrealer was replaced with the daytime Vermonter, which has its northern terminus at St. Albans, about 17 miles southeast of East Alburg by rail.

Artist: Gil Reid (American, 1918-2007) for Amtrak.