12.24.2008 4:46 pm
Finalists announced in Name the Train
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Five finalists were announced today in the contest to name Amtrak’s passenger rail service between St. Louis and Kansas City.
The finalists and their creators are:
- Missouri Rail Blazer, submitted by Betty Crancer, Sunset Hills
- Missouri River Runner, submitted by Keith Kohler, Glendale
- River Cities Corridor, submitted by Richard A. Chenault, Webster Groves
- ShowMeMO, submitted by Kerry Simmons, Independence
- Truman Service, submitted by John Fernandez, St. Louis
There were more than 8,300 potential names submitted and judges selected the five finalists. A random drawing was held to choose a finalist among duplicate names. Each finalist will receive two round-trip coach tickets to any Missouri destination served by Amtrak, as well as a gift basket.
People are encouraged to vote online for their favorites at www.morail.org or mail your vote to MoDOT, Name the Train Contest, P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102. Voting ends on Jan. 23 and the new name will be announced on Jan. 30.
Sunshine Special, Scenic Limited, and City of St. Louis are some of the great train names from the past that could’ve/should’ve been revived over the entries above. It doesn’t seem the entrants have any knowledge of railroading’s passenger train heyday. River Cities Corridor?..that describes an area, not a train. I was not eligible to win so forget what you were about to say.
I’m sorry but those are “weak” at best names. Who is screening and approving those? I submitted “Truman State Liner” and “Truman Service” is better? NOT! The only one worthy on the 5 is River Cities Corridor. This should have had an internet vote for the best names! (I don’t even care about the prize, just a good, well thought out name, which doesn’t seem to have happened)
ShowMeMO is the most ludicrous name on that list. I’m not too impressed by the choices that the “esteemed” judges chose. I think I’d just keep Missouri Mule, if these are the possible replacements.
The contest was to name the rail “service” or line, not a specific train.
My preference is the MISSOURI RIVER RUNNER, as that covers time before the trains (Native Americans, Lewis & Clark, Steamboat era captains)and also the present Missouri River 340 kayak racers. The most exciting part of the trip is along the river and each group including the rail line pioneers blazed the trail for the route.
Two of the finalist names I dislike are the SHOWMEMO and the MISSOURI RAIL BLAZER. The Rail Blazer was a rollercoaster ride at Six Flags (Eureka, MO)that had a name change in 1984 after a tragic death.