Amtrak Classic

Thursday January 10, 2008

January 10, 2008 – The annual home-and-home series between AFL Central Division rivals the Chicago Rush and the Grand Rapids Rampage now will be known as the Amtrak Classic, in honor of the railroad’s Pere Marquette line, which runs daily service between the cities, the teams announced today.

“The annual Rush-Rampage games traditionally have been great for the fans, with a large contingent of each team’s fans traveling to the opposing city for the games,” said Rush president/general manager Mike Polisky.  “Now fans from both cities have a convenient way to make the trip to root on their favorite team.”

Chicago fans will have the opportunity to join the Rush staff when it takes the Pere Marquette line to Grand Rapids for its Friday, March 14 game against the Rampage.

Rampage fans will then have the opportunity to make the journey to Chicago on Sunday, April 20, as the Rush and Rampage conclude their season series at Allstate Arena.

“Amtrak is excited to begin this partnership with the Chicago Rush and Grand Rapids Rampage,” said Amtrak spokesperson Tracy Robinson.  “Grand Rapids is a key market for us and we are excited that our train service, the Pere Marquette, can get Grand Rapids residents to Chicago and beyond.”

Amtrak serves Michigan with three daily Wolverine Service round-trips on the Chicago-Detroit-Pontiac route. Amtrak also operates the Blue Water (daily Port Huron-East Lansing-Chicago) and the Pere Marquette (daily Grand Rapids-Chicago) services through Michigan.

Coming off last year's record-breaking ridership of 104,819, the Pere Marquette continues to carry large numbers of passengers.  Ticket-sales are up by nearly six percent so far this year on the Chicago-Grand Rapids route.

Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.