FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2010
ATK-10-103
Contact: Marc Magliari
312 880.5390
MIDWEST STATE FAIR SEASON IS AMTRAK TIME
Special menus on Chicago hub trains; Amtrak display in Springfield
CHICAGO – State fairs are getting underway in the Midwestern states of Illinois,
Missouri, Wisconsin and Indiana in August and Amtrak makes it easy to get there. Seasonal
additions to the café car menus start off the fun on the Illinois, Michigan and Missouri lines and
promotions save money off already-affordable fares on some routes to the fairs.
State fairs at Amtrak cities include the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee (West Allis),
Aug. 5-15; the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, Aug.
13-22; the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis, Aug. 622; the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, Aug. 12-22;
and the DuQuoin (Ill.) State Fair in DuQuion, Aug.
27-Sept. 6.
To celebrate trips to the state fairs, some
trains traveling to fair cities will have Lemonade,
Caramel and White Cheddar Popcorn and Blue
Moon Beer on the summer menu for a limited time,
joining favorites such as Hot Dogs on Chicago
corridor trains with café cars.
For the first time, a railroad pavilion is being
created at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.
Amtrak will play a major part in the tent a called
“Illinois: Rail Capitol of America,” near the Ethnic
Village. The display will focus will be on the past, present, and future of rail in Illinois with an
emphasis on economic development, particularly job creation, and the environment.
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Amtrak will explain the ecological benefits of passenger rail travel in a display last
shown at National Train Day in Chicago, along with on-line ticketing, timetables, other
promotional materials and ticket giveaways every day of the fair.
It’s already been a hot summer for Amtrak in the Chicago hub, with ridership on
Downstate routes in Illinois up six-percent overall – including a 10 percent jump on the ChicagoSt. Louis corridor -- since last October, up 14 percent between St. Louis and Kansas City, an
almost 11 percent increase between Chicago and East Lansing/Port Huron, Mich., more than six
percent growth between Chicago and Milwaukee and also between Chicago and Indianapolis,
and more than three percent jump between Chicago and Detroit/Pontiac.
Fare Promotions
In addition to the best kid’s tickets in the travel industry – half-fare for up to two children
ages 2-15 per adult – America’s RailroadSM also has fare promotions to save even more on fares
to the fairs in Wisconsin and Missouri.
For the Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains between Chicago and Milwaukee, kids ride free
on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This offer is valid for up to two free child rail fare tickets
for children ages 2-15 when accompanied by a full fare adult and using fare code H839. There
are seven Hiawatha round-trips Monday-Saturday, six Sunday round-trips.
On the twice-daily Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains between Kansas City and St.
Louis, via Sedalia, Amtrak is offering a 20 percent discount on of individual tickets with a threeday advance booking and fare code V328.
Other rules for apply for both promotions and details are available at Amtrak.com.
About Amtrak
As the nation’s intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and
healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making
it the second-best year in the company’s history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the
District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each
day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the
partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail
agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.
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