Ten Plus Five Reasons You Should Be Riding the Missouri River Runner

We received a great comment about this two-year old post today and decided it called for an update.

So here are the original ten PLUS five new reasons you should ride the Missouri River Runner!

10. We work 7 days a week; Missouri River Runner operates 7 days a week and it is the coolest ride to the Missouri State Fair; the St. Louis Arch; KC BBQ! Matter of fact, tell us your Amtrak travel story on our facebook page (www.facebook.com/MissouriRiverRunner) and let us know if we can share it!

9. We sell the best traveling dogs in the state…hotdogs that is, you can eat and ride on our Missouri River Runner.

8. All your friends are doing it; Ridership is up, up up!

7. Amtrak’s Customer Service Index indicated that we are third in the nation on their customer service chart, so relax, rest assured we will get you there.

6. Can you say Day trip? You can easily travel with your friends on the Missouri River Runner with a day trip into Washington, Hermann, Warrensburg, Sedalia...!

5. We collect cans! For a program that helps Capitol City Habitat for Humanity and Amtrak build a home for the needy. Read our Press Release.

4. What a view of the Missouri River you’re going to have!

3. Riding Amtrak qualifies you as being "An Earth Air Pollution Avenger" because riding Amtrak will help save us all from air pollution. Wear your title well, hero.

2. You can get your work done while riding; internet hot spots and AC jacks are available in most trains...so unfortunately this will mean you will no longer have any excuse for not getting your work done while traveling for your boss, so now you will have to make up new ones. ;)

1. Be stress free, we will get you there on time! On-time performance is at an average of 92 percent for the year!

The Man Dawg added these five fabulous attractions to our list. Thanks, Man Dawg!

#11 Independence Mo-Santa Cali-Gon Days
http://www.independencechamber.org/events/annual-events/santa-cali-gon-days-festival.html

#12 Kansas City Airshow
http://www.chiff.com/articles/kansas-city-air-show.htm

#13 Warrensburg Mo-Wings Over Whiteman Airshow

#14 Hermann Mo- http://www.hermannmo.com/

#15 Sedalia Mo- Missouri State Fair
http://www.ticketmaster.com/Missouri-State-Fair-tickets-Sedalia/venue/49164#!

How Do You Pour Concrete Under Water?

Bridges have always amazed me. As someone who works with engineers but does not have that background, the process of constructing a bridge just seems incredible. My burning question has always been about how the foundation is built and holds strong. Really, how DO you pour concrete under water?

How do you pour concrete underwater?

My question has been answered, and with a neat little graphic to boot. The New Mississippi River Bridge project in St. Louis is offering a virtual tour that answers all of your questions about how these massive structures take shape. Don't miss the pictures of the coffer dam, where crews are able to work on the riverbed.

If you're in the St. Louis area, you can see these steps in person. On the last Friday of each month, schedule a tour where you can see the action up close. Check out the specifics here. 

Congratulations to Our Winners!

Just in time for the official start of summer, Tina Armstrong of St. Louis and Donald Steward of Linn Creek will soon be riding the Amtrak Missouri River Runner trains and enjoying a major league baseball game and other attractions in Kansas City and St. Louis. Armstrong and Steward are the “Catch a Train, Catch a Game” grand prize winners, randomly selected from more than 8,300 entries.

Amtrak, MoDOT and the Missouri Division of Tourism co-sponsored the sweepstakes to encourage tourism and train travel in Missouri. It was launched on May 8 in celebration of National Train Day (May 8, 2010) and National Travel and Tourism Week (May 8 – 16, 2010).

MoDOT Rail Administrator Rod Massman said the contest is a way to “motivate more people to take the Missouri River Runner because it is an exciting way to travel across the state and experience many great family-friendly destinations.”

The grand prize winners were announced earlier today via MoDOT’s, Tourism’s and the Missouri River Runner’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. All prizes were donated.

Steward won the Cardinals Grand Prize, which consists of four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four tickets to the Cardinals baseball game on July 17, 2010; a stay at the Millennium Hotel-St. Louis; and four passes to ride a tram to the top of the Arch.

Armstrong won the Royals Grand Prize: four Amtrak Missouri River Runner round-trip tickets; four tickets to the Royals baseball game on June 26, 2010; a stay at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown; and four passes for Science City at Union Station Kansas City.

Congratulations to our winners!