Amtrak has opened an additional passenger car on its morning trains for the day of the solar eclipse, Aug. 21.
"We offered a special train from Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois, which is on the total eclipse path, and it sold out quickly," Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said. "I've been telling customers, as have our other representatives, that we will currently have room on our trains running out of St. Louis and Kansas City and that many of the towns on our River Runner route, from Warrensburg to Washington, will be having many activities in association with the eclipse."
The morning train out of St. Louis is scheduled to arrive in Jefferson City at 11:36 a.m. Aug. 21, and the train out of Kansas City is scheduled for an 11:18 a.m. arrival.
"That gets passengers in about an hour and a half before the total eclipse takes place, and that's a big selling point with passengers," Magliari said.
To ride coach on Amtrak from Kansas City to Jefferson City that day will cost $60 and from St. Louis it's $50.
Magliari said the service offers a half fare for children ages 2-12 and discounts for seniors and veterans.
For more information visit amtrak.com.