The Press Room
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Kelly Pascal Gould,
APR
Pascal Public Relations
Kelly@pascalpr.com
303.324.6723
SNOW AT FIRST SIGHT WINNERS TO RIDE THE ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROAD,
COLORADO’S FIRST AND MOST SCENIC STREAMLINER
Colorado Wine Pairing & Royal Gorge Route Excursion Aboard Legendary Colorado Train Scheduled for March 17 Cañon City, COLO. (March 10, 2010) – The Royal Gorge Route Railroad, Colorado’s first and most scenic streamliner, will host Ruchu Adhikary and Deena Bright, Colorado’s Snow at First Sight Winners, this March 17. Adhikary and Bright will be treated to a mid-day wine train excursion in the Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s Observation Dome Car featuring a four-course Colorado wine pairing from The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey in Cañon City, Colo. and cheese, chocolate and other delicacies from a variety of Colorado purveyors. The winners will depart the Santa Fe Depot at 2 p.m. to ride the storied Colorado train on the Royal Gorge Route, originally established in 1879.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad Wine Train
Four-Course Wine Pairing Menu, March 17, 2010
First Pairing
The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey –
Sauvignon Blanc
Cheese Assortment Featuring Haystack Mountain Chevre Cheese and 34-degree Crispbread from Boulder County, Colo.
Second Pairing The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey – Colorado Cabernet Sauvignon Elk Tenderloin Satay
Third Pairing The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey –American Riesling Colorado Farm-Raised Tilapia with Mango Habañero Salsa
Fourth Pairing The Winery at Holy Cross Abbey –Vintage Port Assorted Chocolates from Fandies Candy in Cañon City, Colo.
The Colorado Tourism Office created the Snow at First Sight contest to introduce adventurers from around the world to the ultimate winter playground – Colorado. The winners, who have never seen snow, submitted winning videos and essays. Now they are being treated to a three-month, all-expenses paid adventure experiencing the best of the Colorado lifestyle, including skiing, snowboarding, dining, spas, hot springs, sightseeing and a private ride on the rails through the stunning rocky cliffs of Colorado’s Royal Gorge.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s 2010 season begins Saturday, March 13 with weekend Vista Dome and Coach service departing at 12:30 p.m. About the Royal Gorge Route Railroad Each year, more than 100,000 travelers from around the world experience the natural beauty of the Royal Gorge aboard Colorado’s first and finest scenic streamliner – the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. This grand Colorado train takes guests on an epic and culinary adventure along the tumbling waters of the legendary Arkansas River deep within the granite cliffs of the Royal Gorge. Classes of service hark back to a time when travel was an elegant and leisurely affair, and have earned the train its reputation as one of the premier passenger excursion trains in the country. Guests may choose classic coach and vista dome seating with ala Carte fare or chef-prepared multi-course meals upon Royal Gorge Route’s lunch train, wine train, dinner train and murder mystery train. For tickets or to learn more, visit www.royalgorgeroute.com, call 1.888.RAILS.4U and become a Royal Gorge Route Railroad Facebook fan.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Pascal Gould, APR 303.324.6723/Kelly@pascalpr.com
TICKETS ON SALE NOW TO RIDE THE RAILS WITH SANTA
ROYAL GORGE ROUTE RAILROADS’ ELEVENTH ANNUAL SANTA EXPRESS
NOVEMBER 27 – DECEMBER 26
Holiday Gift, Hot Cocoa & Holiday Cheer Included!
Cañon City, Colo. – (November 16, 2009) On November 27, Colorado’s Royal Gorge Route Railroad will magically transform into The Santa Express, a meticulously restored series of mid-century locomotives adorned in holiday décor and brimming with holiday spirit while one very special guest is on board: Santa Claus. Tickets for this eleventh annual holiday event and are available at the Historic Santa Fe Depot and online at www.royalgorgeroute.com, according to Mark Greksa, owner of Royal Gorge Route Railroad.
The 1.5-hour train-ride begins at the Santa Fe Depot and travels along the Arkansas River through the rugged, 1,000-foot deep Royal Gorge to the North Pole and back. This year, it runs every Friday and Saturday from November 27 through December 26, and each evening from December 20th through December 24th at 6:30 p.m. and costs $19 per child, 3 – 12 years old, and $29 per adult. When the Santa Express is not occupying the rails, coach, gourmet lunch, and vista dome service continues to run every Saturday and Sunday at: 12:30 PM.
“The Santa Express is a train ride like none other,” said Greksa. “Royal Gorge Route Railroad’s historic cars possess a nostalgic, cozy feeling that is perfectly suited for holiday entertaining. When guests board The Santa Express, they are absolutely immersed in the moment and you can feel the excitement of anticipation that they will soon meet St. Nick.”
The Santa Express is a winter wonderland, decorated in holiday style, where children are encouraged to wear cozy pajamas and relax with family and friends while they sip homemade cocoa and listen to classic holiday stories read by Santa’s elves. Large plate-glass windows allow passengers to enjoy the Rocky Mountain-beauty of the Royal Gorge on the way to the North Pole, which is fittingly decorated like a true Christmas town, bedecked with holiday lights and decor for its most famous resident – Santa Claus. Once Santa boards the train at the North Pole, children anxiously await their turn to share their holiday wish list and receive their very special Santa Train gift – from Kris Kringle himself. The Royal Gorge Route hired Terry Kimball of Kimball lighting for the LED layout and design of over 17,000 lights. Kimball’s clients include the Denver Zoo, 16th Street Mall and Capitol to name a few.
About the Royal Gorge Route Railroad
Since 1879, travelers from around the world have made the journey to Cañon City, Colorado to experience the train that follows the rails on a 24-mile roundtrip through the spectacular Royal Gorge.
More than 100,000 passengers experience the natural beauty of the Royal Gorge each year aboard Colorado’s finest scenic railroad while enjoying the comfort and charm of the carefully restored Historic Royal Gorge Route Railroad cars.
Coach, glass-topped vista dome cars, wine dinners, gourmet lunch or dinner and murder mystery train service provide many ways for passengers to enjoy the charm of classic train travel, the dramatic views of the Royal Gorge and often, a gourmet meal prepared by the Route’s executive chef.
Tickets are available online at www.royalgorgeroute.com or at the Historic Santa Fe Depot located at 401 Water Street in Cañon City where travelers will also discover the finest railroad gift shop in Colorado, featuring some of the most beloved and hard-to-find railroad gifts and apparel.
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