The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Amtrak and Washington’s Lottery have partnered to develop a Scratch ticket to promote the state-sponsored Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service. The Amtrak Cascades “Cash Train” ticket gives players a chance to win up to $50,000. The $5 ticket goes on sale today through June 2011. Washington State Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond and Lottery Director Bill Hanson will help launch sales of the Cash Train Scratch ticket at a kick-off event today at King Street Station in Seattle.

In addition to cash prizes up to $50,000, three “Second Chance Prizes” will be drawn from non-winning tickets submitted to the Lottery. The Second Chance Prize, provided courtesy of Amtrak Cascades, Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler, and Washington’s Lottery, includes an Amtrak Cascades trip to Vancouver, B.C., and a ski/spa getaway in Whistler valued at $3,000. WSDOT partnered with Tourism Vancouver, Tourism Whistler, and the Lottery to provide the Second Chance Prize packages. The Amtrak Cascades trip to Vancouver, B.C., will lend extra support for the second train service which is funded through at least October 2011.

The partnership between the Washington Lottery and WSDOT began more than a year ago when WSDOT proposed the idea of an Amtrak Cascades Scratch ticket. Both agencies have worked together to develop the program during the past year and are optimistic that the promotion will be a success for both organizations. A percentage of sales from the Cash Train Scratch ticket will be reinvested in Amtrak Cascades operational costs to help offset the state’s tax subsidy. Depending on total ticket sales, WSDOT could receive as much as $144,000 for Amtrak Cascades.