MAY 3, 2011 – In a case of old technology meeting new, Union

The Little Rock Express route won in voting conducted via a special contest website. In addition, individuals who garnered the most "points" via Facebook and Twitter earned two tickets each for a special leg of the tour.

No. 844 will make good on Union Pacific's promise to travel through the communities along the Little Rock Express route, which beat competing routes that included the Tuscola Turn, Baton Rouge Rambler and Boise Express. No. 844 starts its 2,500-mile trek from the locomotive's home in Cheyenne, Wyo., May 27.

The Little Rock Express portion of the tour begins May 29 in Kansas City, Mo., and concludes June 9, after a stationary display day in North Little Rock, Ark. The trip will celebrate the railroad's past with today's wired, social media generation in eight states. Known as the Living Legend, No. 844 is scheduled to make overnight stops with stationary displays along the route before arriving back in Cheyenne on July 3.

On Thursday, June 2, the Little Rock Express leaves Jefferson City, Mo., and travels through eastern Missouri. It makes a stop at the Amtrak Station in Washington (301 W. Front St.) from 10:55-11:25 a.m. for service.

It continues to Pacific, making a whistle stop at the First Street crossing from 11:50 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. No. 844 then journeys to the Kirkwood Amtrak Station (111 W. Argonne Drive) for another whistle stop from 12:35-12:50 p.m.

The steam locomotive arrives in St. Louis at 1:10 p.m. at the intersection of S. Ewing Ave. and Papin Street. The train will remain in St. Louis on Friday, June 3, where it will be on public display from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, the train departs for Illinois, making whistle stops in Praire Du Rocher (Henry (IL-155) and Railroad Sts.) from 10:05-10:20 a.m. and Chester, Ill., (Near old depot at Shane and 1st streets) from 10:50-11:05 a.m.

A detailed schedule can be found on the Union Pacific website.

Read previous coverage of the Union Pacific's Great Adventure, You Route the Steam Contest.

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