Amtrak Ridership Could Bring Big Change to La Plata

The accounts, descriptions, and video herin are intellectual property of Brian Mortensen and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This package was completed for Gary Grigsby's Broadcast 1 class, Fall 2008, University of Missouri School of Journalism.

THE AMTRAK DEPOT IN LA PLATA IS NORTHERN MISSOURI'S ONLY RAILROAD STATION.
AND IN RECENT MONTHS, IT HAS BECOME QUITE POPULAR.
BOB COX IS A TRAIN ENTHUSIAST AND STATION MANAGER.
HE SAYS RAIL TRAVEL IS CATCHING ON WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS.
COX SAYS RIDERSHIP HAS SHOT UP TO UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS.

((SOT))
"I KNOW OUT OF THIS DEPOT ITSELF, ITS GONE UP AT LEAST SEVENTY PERCENT FOR SURE." (:5)
THE TRIP TO CHICAGO TAKES ABOUT FIVE HOURS FROM LA PLATA, SHORTER THAN IT WOULD BE TO DRIVE
IT COSTS ROUGHLY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR A ROUND TRIP TICKET.
PART OF THE LA PLATA STATIONS SUCCESS STEMS FROM ITS CLOSE PROXIMITY TO TRUMAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

OTHER PASSENGERS CITED
LONG DISTANCES TO THE SAINT LOUIS OR KANSAS CITY AIRPORTS AS PRIME REASONS TO RIDE THE TRAIN.
AND THOSE FIVE HOURS FROM CHICAGO MEANS LA PLATA HAS SUDDENLY BECOME RIPE AS A WEEKEND GETAWAY.
ALREADY LA PLATA HAS A WATCH BUILDING FOR RAIL FANS TO VIEW THE NEARLY 70 DAILY FREIGHT TRAINS THAT COME THROUGH.
PLANS ARE IN STORE TO BUILD A 170-ACRE, TWO-HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR RAILROAD RESORT ON LAND NEAR THE DEPOT.
COX SAYS THE EASY ACCESS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY MEANS A GREAT LOCATION FOR VISITORS.

"AND THIS IS THE MAIN ARTERY FROM CHICAGO, ACTUALLY GOES ALL THE WAY TO LOS ANGELES, AND ITS THE MAIN ROAD FOR THIS RAILROAD." (:9)
THE DAYS OF STEAM POWERED LOCOMOTIVES IN THE WILD WEST MAY SEEM DISTANT, BUT THE RAILROAD COULD STILL BRING PROSPERITY TO A NEW FRONTIER.

The accounts, descriptions, and video herin are intellectual property of Brian Mortensen and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. This package was completed for Gary Grigsby's Broadcast 1 class, Fall 2008, University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• amtrak la plata
• missouri
• southwest chief
• silver rails resort
• brian mortensen
• trainweb

[RedKruzer]

Very well done Brian.

rk

[UniversalRailfanner]

Bob Cox is very awesome!!

[AMTKnumber4]

When you do come down to the Depot I work the morning Amtrak everyday except Sunday.

[pillsbury09]

Nice video!

Look forward to visiting La Plata a 4th time very soon!

[BNSF7488]

Nice interview Bob! Awesome video!

[BNSF7488]

Great Video!

[AMTKnumber4]

Excellent video Brian. Thanks Bob