Onboard Service crew of the inaugural special Pioneer, 1977.

The inaugural special of the Pioneer (Seattle-Salt Lake City) ran from June 4-6, 1977. Members of the press and state and local political and transportation officials rode aboard the train, and at each stop, the general public was invited to tour the new Amfleet equipment. According to an article in Amtrak NEWS, the busiest stops were at Boise, Idaho and Pendleton, Ore.--each had more than 3,000 visitors. In La Grande, Ore., members of the high school wrestling team washed the train with brushes and buckets, and the money earned was spent on a summer camp. The special consisted of two F40PH locomotives, two Amdinettes and four Amcoaches; regular revenue service began on June 7th.

The Onboard Service crew working the inaugural special included, from left to right: Gary Erford, on-board inspector; Jim Wong, attendant; Willie Jenkins, employee in charge; Starla Berentsen, attendant; Donald Bryan, employee in charge; Charles Larrabee, attendant; Joe Broussard, regional instructor; and Jim Burton, manager, on-board services. The Onboard Service crew wears uniforms created by designer Bill Atkinson and unveiled in early 1972.