(The following article was posted on the Daily Ardmorite website on May 26.)
ARDMORE, Okla. — Amtrak and Lionel are partnering this summer on an essay contest for Amtrak’s younger passengers who like to ride the train and Oklahoma’s Heartland Flyer is participating.
Children age 12 and under will have a chance to win a Lionel ready-to-run train set by simply describing what they like best about riding Amtrak. The contest launched mid-June and continues through the summer.
Young Amtrak travelers will be able to win one of 11 first prize New York Central Limited Lionel toy trains with rail sounds. A grand prize of a Lionel Limited Edition Freedom Train will also be awarded.
Entry forms will be available onboard the Heartland Flyer.
“Hundreds of school children are riding the train this month as part of the end of school activities,” said Judi Elmore, Heartland Flyer Coalition Chair. “Our ridership is up 20.6 percent over last year.”
Winners are judged on content and originality by a panel of Amtrak judges. These creative writers have only 25 words or less to wax poetic about their train traveling experiences.
“The lucky winners of these beautiful Lionel toy trains will have the ultimate souvenir from their Amtrak trip, one they will cherish for years to come,” said Cyndi Darlington, Senior Director of Marketing for Amtrak.
Lionel LLC is one of the world’s leading marketers of model trains and accessories. Established in 1900, the Lionel name is the most widely recognized brand in the toy train industry and one of the most recognized brands in America.
Lionel has been at the center of every major innovation in toy train manufacturing and marketing since its inception.
Amtrak passengers enjoy rail service in more than 500 communities in 46 states across a 22,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and reservations visit Amtrak’s Web site at www.amtrak.com.