OMAHA (SPECIAL) – The Little Rock Express edged the Tuscola Turn by 3,042 votes to win Union Pacific Railroad’s Great Excursion Adventure – You Route the Steam Contest. Union Pacific will route one of its legendary steam locomotives from Kansas City, through St. Louis and on to Little Rock. The excursion date will be determined within the coming weeks.

“We anticipated that communities would be interested in this contest and are overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and support they have demonstrated,” said Bob Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president – Corporate Relations. “Voting in communities along the routes was vigorous, with the lead frequently changing hands by the minute. We want to express our sincere thanks to all those who participated in making this such an exciting contest.

“Congratulations to everyone who helped put the Little Rock Express over the top, and to all the Tuscola Turn fans that helped take the race down to the wire.”

The validated voting results are:

Little Rock Express 76,217

Tuscola Turn 73,175

Baton Rouge Rambler 18,070

Boise Express 11,213

Voting in the final phase of the contest was conducted Jan. 4-17. Four finalist routes were determined by steam locomotive fan voting Nov. 9 through Dec. 6, 2010. The final four segments were:

•The Tuscola Turn: Starting in Boone, Iowa, this segment travels east through Marshalltown, Tama, Cedar Rapids, Mt. Vernon, De Witt, and Clinton. It continues toward Chicago through the Illinois communities of Rochelle, DeKalb, West Chicago, Glen Ellyn and Proviso, turning south to Woodland and Villa Grove before concluding in Tuscola.

•The Little Rock Express: Starting in Kansas City, Mo., this segment travels east to Boonville, Jefferson City, Chamois and St. Louis before heading south to Cape Girardeau, Dexter and Poplar Bluff. It continues through Bald Knob, Ark., before concluding in Little Rock.

•The Baton Rouge Rambler: Starting in Dallas, this segment runs east through the Texas communities of Mesquite, Wills Point, Grand Saline, Mineola and Longview. It continues in Louisiana through Shreveport, Natchitoches and Alexandria before concluding in Baton Rouge.

•The Boise Limited: Starting in Salt Lake City, this segment travels north in Utah to Ogden and Brigham City. It continues to Pocatello, Idaho, where it heads west to American Falls, Shoshone and Mountain Home before concluding in Boise.

In addition to route voting, five individuals who score the most contest “points” will win two tickets each for a special leg of the winning segment, as well as lodging and air fare. The person with the most points will be awarded the title of “Honorary Engineer” and given the opportunity to ride in the locomotive cab. Individual contest winners will be notified Jan. 19.