Steam engine contest

Union Pacific Railroad's "Great Excursion Adventure -- You Route the Steam" online contest wrapped up this week, and a route that includes Cape Girardeau was chosen by voters.

The route, titled The Little Rock Express, will begin in Kansas City, Mo. and travel through Boonville, Jefferson City, Charnois, St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, Dexter and Poplar Bluff on its way to Little Rock, Ark.

The winning route received 76,217 votes on upexcursion.com.

In addition to the promotion of the contest by city leaders and a strong social network campaign, the Southeast Missourian also ran stories and tweeted about the contest.

Dates for the trip have yet to be announced, as Union Pacific will now plan a route for the locomotive to travel to Kansas City from Cheyenne, Wyo.

Another decision to be made by the organization is which locomotive will make the trek. Options include the No. 844, Union Pacific's last steam locomotive to be built, and the No. 3985, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world.

Cape Girardeau is blessed with a variety of special events and opportunities for tourism. And the upcoming steam engine tour is another example.

Thank you to all those who promoted this contest locally and voted. Your efforts helped make this opportunity a reality.