Rail Excursions
Event
#2 -- Union Pacific 3985 - St. Louis to Gorham, Illinois,
and return - Tuesday, June 19 - 9:00am-5:30pm - Ticket Price:
Dome $325 & Coach $150 (Busses leave hotel 7:45-8:15am)
Our
first excursion travels down the east bank of the Mississippi
River behind the Union Pacific's 4-6-6-4 Challenger-type 3985,
the world's largest operating steam locomotive. We'll cross
the Mississippi River at St. Louis and pass through some of
the oldest settlements in Illinois as we follow the Father of
Waters 85 miles to Gorham, the junction of the UP's Chester
and Chicago subdivisions. At Gorham, we'll turn the train for
the trip back to St. Louis. The line, completed in 1903 by the
St. Louis Valley Railroad and backed by the Missouri Pacific
through the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern, was one of
the last two major rail lines built out of St. Louis. It was,
and still is, a high speed, water-level alternative to the original
Iron Mountain line that headed South from St. Louis through
the Ozarks to Poplar Bluff, Missouri.
Our
trip will use equipment from UP's immaculate Domeliner and Streamliner
fleet - the finest passenger cars in excursion service anywhere.
Two levels of service are offered:
- Dome Class,
which includes roof-top level, glass-topped seating in an
Astra Dome car
- Coach Class,
which includes a roomy, reclining leg-rest seat with wide
windows for a great view
A box
lunch is included in the fare for all classes. Snacks and non-alcoholic
beverages as well as a great selection of Union Pacific souvenirs
will be available for sale on the train.
Event
#5 -- RailCruise America Dinner Cruise aboard the RailCruise
America Charter Train - Wednesday, June 20 - 5:30pm-9:30pm (First
bus departs hotel at 4:00pm) - Dome - $300 & Luxury $175.
Here's
your chance to ride what may be the finest charter train in
the country. RailCruise America's luxury cars, available for
lease only as a complete train, are designed for corporate
and private travel events. Together, the beautifully modernized
private cars offer an all-inclusive trip with a gracious,
intimate atmosphere, exquisite cuisine and fabulous scenery.
The cars have been thoroughly refitted, retaining the style
and charm of classic rail travel. The authentic interiors
are appointed in mahogany and black walnut. The train set
includes two dome cars and an open platform observation car
as well as an A-B-A set of F-series diesels for power.
Event
#7 -- Frisco 1522 St. Louis to West Quincy, Missouri, and return
- Thursday, June 21 - 8:00am-8:00pm. - Ticket Price: Dome $325,
Lounge $250, Coach $150. (Busses leave hotel 6:45-7:15am)
St. Louis' own steam
engine, Frisco 1522, is our power for the day. We journey from
St. Louis, pass under the Gateway Arch and along the riverfront.
Near the Chain of Rocks, we turn inland and cross the Missouri
River on the Bellefountaine Bridge, near the confluence of the
Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
The train races across
the rich bottomland farms of St. Charles County between the two
rivers until we rejoin the Mississippi River near Old Monroe.
From there we follow the river for 83 miles to West Quincy, passing
below soaring limestone bluffs and through groves of cottonwood,
oak and sweet gum trees. We pass through historic river towns
including Clarksville, Louisiana and Hannibal, Mark Twain's hometown.
We may see towboats and river barges being lifted or lowered through
the locks at Clarksville and Saverton dams.
This excursion, run
by Amtrak in cooperation with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad, will use privately owned passenger equipment. Three
levels of service are offered:
- Dome Class which
includes glass-topped seating in the upper level of a dome car
- Lounge Class which
offers comfortable table and lounge seating
- Coach Class which
includes a roomy, reclining seat with wide windows for a great
view
A box lunch is included
in all classes. Dome and Lounge Class also include continental
breakfast and a light snack in the afternoon. Snacks and non-alcoholic
beverages will also be available for sale on the train along with
1522 souvenirs.
Event
#11-- Frisco 1522 St. Louis to Newburg, Missouri, and return-
Saturday, June 23 - 8:00am-8:00pm -Ticket Price: Dome $325,
Lounge $275, Coach $150. (Busses leave hotel 6:45 - 7:15 am).
The Frisco 1522 returns
to its home rails in the Convention's excursion finale. We will
run down the former St. Louis-San Francisco Railway, better known
as the Frisco, main line to Newburg, Missouri, a former railroad
division point in the Gasconade River valley. Two steep grades
on the westbound run, Iron and Dillon Hills, will keep the 1522
working hard. The eastbound ascent of Rolla Hill from Newburg,
a climb of 472 feet in just under 12 miles, will gave you a chance
to hear the 1522 hard at work as the sound echoes off the valley
walls.
This excursion, run
by Amtrak in cooperation with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Railroad, will use privately owned passenger equipment. Three
levels of service are offered:
- Dome Class which
includes glass-topped seating in the upper level of a dome car
- Lounge Class which
offers seating in a private lounge-type car
- Coach Class which
includes a roomy, reclining seat with wide windows for a great
view.
A box lunch is included
in all classes. Dome and Lounge Class also include continental
breakfast and a light snack in the afternoon. Snacks and non-alcoholic
beverages will also be available for sale on the train along with
1522 souvenirs.
