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If you're considering booking a trip aboard Amtrak's Heartland Flyer, you might want to check out the train's Web site at www.heartlandflyer.com

The Heartland Flyer runs a 418-mile daily round trip between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth, Texas, with five intermediate stops, including Norman, Okla., the home of the University of Oklahoma.

The Flyer has a reputation for on-time service and consistently ranks among the best rail lines in the nation in customer satisfaction, according to Joe Yannuzzi, general superintendent for Amtrak's Southwest division, as quoted in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram Sept. 1, 2008.

The Web site includes a full-color map showing the route, a copy of the printed route schedule showing arrival and departure times, route mileage, and other station information along the entire route, and travel guides for each of the seven stations on the route,

The guides include hotel and local transportation information, as well as local attractions to visit if you're staying, current weather, a calendar of upcoming community events, and links to additional sources of information.

There's also information about the Heartland Flyer's Kids and Seniors Clubs and a history of the train, plus various photo albums from past trips and news about upcoming train-related events such as the Trails & Rails schedule.

Two other bits of information about the Web site:

-- The "Contact Us" link on the menu bar was not functioning when we tried it.

-- The "Reservations" link also located there opens a second window which takes you directly to the Amtrak Web site. If you try to backtrack directly from the Amtrak site to the Heartland Flyer site, you can't. .

According to "The Road Warrior" column in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram Sept. 1:

"Amtrak's Heartland Flyer is enjoying a spike in ridership amid higher gas prices.

"In July, 11, 721 people took the daily 206-mile, Fort Worth-to-Oklahoma City route, compared with 8,362 riders the same month a year ago. For the 10 months ending July 31, ridership was up 17 percent. "And it looks as if the route will be around awhile longer."

"Texas and Oklahoma spend about $2 million a year each to subsidize the line. Last week, the Texas Transportation Commission approved its annual payment.

"Flyer riders can connect to the national Amtrak system in Fort Worth. Fort Worth is also served daily by the Texas Eagle, which offers travel to San Antonio and to Chicago.

"Oklahoma officials are studying a possible expansion to Tulsa.

"Heartland Flyer Amtrak operates the Heartland Flyer between Fort Worth and Oklahoma City 365 days a year. Fare: $50 round trip if purchased in advance.

"Red River Rivalry: A special Flyer will operate Oct. 10 for fans attending the annual Texas-Oklahoma football game at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. The route, which normally ends in Fort Worth, will go to Dallas. A return trip will be available Oct. 12. The fare will be $40, but it’s not available online. Call 800-USA-RAIL and ask for fare code X237. Source: Amtrak"