Amtrak Wraps Acela Express With Image of TLC 'Cake Boss' Buddy Valastro

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Aug 02, 2010, 05:35 ET

New Jersey Bakery Continues National Train Day Celebration

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amtrak continues to celebrate National Train Day in August with a unique partnership supporting TLC's hit series, "Cake Boss." Earlier this year, Amtrak worked with Carlo's Bakery, featured on the hit TLC reality show "Cake Boss," to create a train-themed cake for a National Train Day event in May. Amtrak and TLC are now promoting the airing of this "Cake Boss" episode – premiering August 16 at 9/8c – with a fully wrapped Acela Express train featuring images of Buddy Valastro, star of the show, and some of his creations.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100802/DC44235A)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100802/DC44235A)

Traveling between Washington, DC, New York and Boston, the wrapped train will run through August. The exterior wrap on the train will appear on both sides of the locomotives and all eight cars of the train.

"Having 'Cake Boss' as a part of this year's National Train Day celebration took the excitement about the event to another level," said Gail Reisman, Senior Director of National Advertising, Amtrak. "We're really pleased that the whole event will be a part of the current season of the show, and we hope that fans of 'Cake Boss' and of Amtrak will tune in to see the episode and look for the train on the rails."

"TLC is thrilled to be partnering with Amtrak for this exceptional opportunity and one-of-a-kind partnership. To be able to engage Amtrak riders across so many different touch points brings the 'Cake Boss' brand to life in a unique and unexpected way," said Tom Carr, Senior Vice President of Strategic Marketing for TLC.

The train wrap was printed and installed by ABC Imaging of Washington, DC, using Flexcon's Busart with 5020 Overlam and Flexcon's Seethru sign window film and 5040C overlam Pressure Sensitive Vinyls.

National Train Day commemorates the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad's inception by bringing to life the rich narrative of how trains transformed America. Amtrak created National Train Day to celebrate the train's impact on our country and provides an opportunity for Americans to further understand the influence rail has on the future of transportation in America.

About Amtrak

As the nation's intercity passenger rail operator, Amtrak connects America in safer, greener and healthier ways. Last fiscal year (FY 2009), the railroad carried 27.2 million passengers, making it the second-best year in the company's history. With 21,000 route miles in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian provinces, Amtrak operates more than 300 trains each day—at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph)—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the partner of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for several commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

About TLC

TLC's innovative docu-series and reality-based programming include favorites Jon & Kate Plus 8, Little People, Big World, What Not to Wear, 19 Kids and Counting, Say Yes to the Dress, and LA Ink. TLC added to its menu of programming with Cake Boss, and continues to expand into the food genre. TLC's daytime lineup includes the Emmy Award-winning A Baby Story. The channel is available in more than 98 million homes in the US, nearly 8 million homes in Canada and through the website at www.tlc.com. TLC is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world's number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries.

About ABC Imaging Grand Format

The Grand Format division of ABC Imaging (www.abcimaging.com) provides comprehensive large format digital printing and services for signs, banners, and exhibits. Using state-of-the-art equipment, Grand Format designs, prints, and installs signage for out-of-home advertising, including billboards, fleet graphics, and station dominations. ABC Imaging Grand Format prints and installs exhibits for storefronts and museum exhibits or vinyl wraps for anything that moves—vans, buses, trains, water taxis, and wave riders. The ABC Imaging mission—"Impress Every Client, Every Time."

SOURCE Amtrak