CVB gives tips for steam engine visit

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau distributed the following information to help people wanting to visit the Union Pacific steam engine that will be in Cape Girardeau Sunday.

Will we be able to ride on the train?

NO. The train will be statically displayed for public viewing on Sunday, June 5th from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You will be able to walk around the train and snap photos, but you will not be able to board the locomotive, nor will public rides be given during the UP's visit here.

Will the train be located in front of the flood wall in historic downtown Cape Girardeau?

NO. The train will be parked on tracks just south of the Bill Emerson Bridge near 500 Aquamsi Street.

Will we be able to see the train pass through the historic downtown area when it arrives?

NO. Please note that when the locomotive leaves St. Louis on Saturday, June 4th it will cross the Mississippi River from Missouri into Illinois. The train will make its way down the Illinois side passing through Dupo, Prairie du Roucher, Chester, Wolf Lake, Ware, and then crossing the Thebes, IL bridge back into Missouri and then up the tracks the short distance into Cape Girardeau.

Will I be able to drive down Aquamsi Street to see the train?

NO. Given the large turnout that we are expecting and given the narrowness of Aquamsi Street, only shuttle busses will be running on Aquamsi on Sunday, June 6th. Aquamsi Street will be closed to public traffic from Good Hope to South Fountain all day Sunday.

So, where do I park and how do I catch one of the shuttle busses?

ALL visitors are being directed to park in one of the two parking lots highlighted below: 1) the River Campus Parking Lot directly across from the intersection of Morgan Oak and Lorimier Streets or 2) the Hutson's Parking Lot located at the intersection of Independence and Main Steets. Just look for a sidewalk board that says "UP Shuttle" in front of the Crisp Museum at the River Campus Parking Lot and at the Boardman Pavilion in the Hutson's Parking Lot.

When will the Shuttle Buses be running?

The shuttle buses will be running a continuous loop from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Will just one Shuttle Bus be running?

NO. Multiple buses will be running the continuous loop. While we are striving to minimize the public's wait time to catch a bus, wait times will obviously depend upon the size of the turnout for this event.

Is there a charge to view the train?

NO. There is no admission cost. Visitation is FREE.

Will restrooms be available near where the train will be parked?

YES. There will be a total of 6 porta-potties available, 5 regular and 1 handicapped accessible.

Given the high temperature that is expected on Sunday, will there be water available for purchase?

YES. Bottled water will be sold for only $1 per bottle.

Can we buy souvenirs?

YES. It is our understanding that one of the train cars will be open to the public and will be selling souvenir merchandise.

When will the train be leaving Cape Girardeau?

Tentatively, the train is scheduled to depart from Cape Girardeau at 8:00 a.m., Monday, June 6th.

If you have additional questions, please call the Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau at 573-335-1631 or 800-777-0068.