Jillian Harris, of The Bachelorette and The Bachelor fame, has been asked to hop aboard the Rocky Mountaineer to have a leading role in the redesign of the train's famed bi-level glass-domed coach.

Two years ago the Alberta-born and raised reality television star took a ride on the Rocky Mountaineer while filming an episode of The Bachelorette's fifth season. In her post-Bachelorette days, Harris an interior designer with 10 year's experience and her own business, Jillian Harris Design, has also more recently been a designer and host of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Her time spent time on the train and her design expertise made her a natural choice, said Hubert Wat, vice-president of Global Marketing for the Rocky Mountaineer. "We're very excited about having Jillian partner with us on this project, he said in a press release.

Harris will begin with redesigning the concept of the GoldLeaf coach's lower level dining and upper level seating areas. She'll incorporate a contempory-meets-classic colour palette, with luxurious detailing.

"The concept they are looking for couldn't fit more perfectly with my approach to design..." said Harris in a press statement. The first coach will be officially launched during 2011 season and the remaining 16 GoldLeaf coaches will roll out in various stages.

The Rocky Mountaineer offers luxury rail vacation packages through British Columbia and Alberta. It's the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America and consistently receives kudos and awards from travellers, travel publications such as National Geographic as well as international travel writers. Details on the Rocky Mountaineer at rockymountaineer.com.

lmonforton@calgaryherald.com