'Name the Train' contest entries to be accepted through Dec. 10

Close to 3,000 names have already been entered in the "Name the Train" contest sponsored by Amtrak and the Missouri Department of Transportation. The last day to participate in the contest and make history for suggesting the new brand name for the St. Louis to Kansas City passenger rail service is Wednesday, Dec. 10.

Individuals can still submit their favorite name online at http://www.morail.org/ or hand-delivered to the MoDOT Southwest district office, 3901 East 32nd Street, Joplin, Mo. Contest rules are also posted on the contest Web site.

Contest judges will select five of those names as finalists. Then, between Dec. 16, 2008 and Jan. 16, 2009, voting will be conducted online or by mail, indicating your name, address and favorite finalist name. The new name will be announced by Jan. 30, 2009.

The contest is open to anyone, but you must be a Missouri resident to win a prize.

Five finalists will receive two round-trip coach tickets to any Amtrak destination in Missouri and a gift basket from one of five participating cities located on passenger rail line. The grand-prize winner will receive two round-trip sleeping car tickets to any Amtrak destination in the U.S.

For more information about the contest or to submit a name suggestion for the passenger train service, go to http://www.morail.org/.