BAKER CITY, Ore. -- Sen. Ron Wyden and Reps. Greg Walden and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon are trying to bring Amtrak service to Baker City for the first time since the Pioneer Route was canceled in 1997.

The three joined Sen. Mike Crapo and Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho in signing a letter to Amtrak CEO Alex Kummant.

The train ran from Seattle to Chicago and stopped in Baker City and Boise.

Wyden noted that Amtrak ridership is up and cited gasoline prices as a factor.

In 1999 Amtrak officials considered resuming part of the route but wanted $6 million to subsidize one train a day between Portland and Boise.

But the money, $2 million of which was to come from the state, never was allocated.