by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:15 AM ET, Tue December 20, 2016
Amtrak has announced that CenturyLink has been named the presenting sponsor of the weekend rail service from Denver's Union Station to the base of Winter Park Resort.
The service will be officially known as Amtrak Winter Park Express presented by CenturyLink.
To celebrate the partnership and spread the word about the new service, three rail cars and one locomotive will be wrapped in CenturyLink branding and used as part of Amtrak California Zephyr service prior to the Winter Park Express' inaugural journey on Jan. 7.
Train enthusiasts will be able to view the locomotive at Union Station when it's not in service, which runs to and from the Winter Park Resort every weekend-and two holiday Mondays-through March 26.
"CenturyLink is excited to be part of the launch of the new Winter Park Express ski train service as it connects Denver ski enthusiasts to the Winter Park Resort," CenturyLink director Rich Karlis said in a statement. "Riders will be greeted by railcars wrapped in company branding and know that in addition to being their 'link to what's next', CenturyLink will also be their link to Winter Park Resort."
"We're delighted to have CenturyLink join in the frenzy that has surrounded the Winter Park Express," Winter Park Resort president Gary DeFrange said in a statement. "News of the return of passenger rail service from Denver to Winter Park has not only been the talk of Colorado, but it has generated immense excitement throughout the nation and even internationally. We're thrilled to have CenturyLink, a partner with such a sterling reputation in the state, help us bring this iconic tradition back to the people of Colorado and beyond."
Since the service was first announced in August, ticket sales have been steady, according to Amtrak officials. With the rush of travelers heading to resorts to get in their skiing and snowboarding, capacity is being added.
In addition, Amtrak is offering customers the chance to book group travel and even obtain exclusive occupancy of railcars with upgraded service and ski packages, subject to availability.
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