AMERICANS DISCOVER THE RAIL WAY AT NATIONAL TRAIN DAY
Amtrak tells the story of trains in America on May 8, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Amtrak will host the third annual National Train Day on May 8, 2010, with events across the country to celebrate America’s love for trains. 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. Large-scale, family-friendly events will be held in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.
“National Train Day celebrates 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,” said Emmett H. Fremaux, vice president, marketing and product management, Amtrak. “With a greater national focus on energy efficiency in travel, trains are already a leading alternative with 20 percent more fuel efficiency than commercial airlines and 28 percent more efficiency than car travel per passenger mile.
“Trains have always been an important part of this country’s fabric and with the spotlight on green and increasing options for intercity and high-speed rail growth, it’s clear that they will continue to drive innovation in transportation.”
On May 8, Amtrak will host free events, from 11:00am – 4:00pm, in four of its gateway stations across the U.S.: Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. In addition, local communities across the country are encouraged to develop and host their own National Train Day celebrations. More than 140 local celebrations took place in 2009 and Amtrak expects even more in 2010.
National Train Day Exhibits and Festivities
As part of National Train Day, each major market event will feature live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kid’s entertainment, food demonstrations, model train displays, and tours of notable private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight, and commuter trains. Train enthusiasts attending National Train Day events will enjoy the following exhibits:
· Trains Move our Economy Exhibit: Discover how upgrades to Amtrak’s infrastructure and expansion of intercity and high-speed corridors will create jobs and establish a greener, world-class rail transportation system.
· Go-Green Express: Eco Exhibit: Learn about how Amtrak is providing greener options for travel, including energy efficient locomotives, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and alternative fuel trials.
· National Park Service Trails & Rails Exhibit: National Park Service, Trails & Rails, Volunteers and Rangers will be stationed throughout the event to meet with the public and highlight how trains have historically impacted the National Park Service and explain its current partnership with Amtrak.
· Culinary Exhibit: Explore the history of dining on trains, view live-cooking demonstrations from Amtrak chefs and sample meals offered in Amtrak’s dining cars.
· Train Equipment Displays: At the newly expanded train displays, get up close and personal with Amtrak equipment to experience first-hand the modern amenities and accommodations offered by passenger rail. Then get an inside peek at how passengers traveled in generations past by touring a variety of historic train cars and privately-owned luxury coaches.
· Model Train Displays: Delight in the craft of model train displays and take a closer look at these miniature masterpieces.
· Amtrak Brand Display – Enjoy the Journey: Learn more about Amtrak’s range of connectivity, routes, train technology, amenities and onboard offerings.
· AmtraKids Depot: Enjoy magicians, face painters, arts and crafts, interactive games and giveaways at the AmtraKids Depot.
· Snapshop Station: Snap a photo in front of custom train-themed backdrops for a fun National Train Day keepsake.
Most major market events will also feature experiential exhibits that narrate each region’s rich history with trains. These exhibits include:
· History of Baseball’s Travel on Trains (Philadelphia)
o In the early days of America’s favorite pastime, trains helped baseball teams travel across the country to meet their rivals on the diamond. On National Train Day, Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station will feature an exhibit showcasing memorabilia, photos, video and audio depicting the memories of former players from a variety of leagues. A prominent sports personality will host a panel discussion with former players. Photos from the recent ‘Amtrak Series’ will also be displayed.
· The Blues Journey and Connection to the Railroad (Chicago)
o Train travel played an important role in the emergence of blues as a major American art form and the development and migration of the sound from the Mississippi Delta north. On National Train Day at Chicago’s Union Station, Big Bill and Larry “Mud” Morganfield, the sons of celebrated blues musician Muddy Waters, will be joined by legendary Mississippi Delta blues musician Bobby Rush to perform train-themed blues songs. This will be the last stop in a five-state tour aboard Amtrak, originating in Muddy Waters’ birthplace in Mississippi. The Chicago Blues Museum will also display a special blues exhibit at the station with a brief historical presentation by the museum’s curator, Gregg Parker.
· Railroad Bracero Exhibit (Los Angeles)
o During World War II, thousands of Mexicans came to the U.S. to work legally under the “Railroad Braceros” program to build and maintain our nation’s passenger railroad system. At National Train Day in Los Angeles’ Union Station, an exhibit will honor the Hispanic contributions to the national railroad. Steve Velasquez, associate curator, National Museum of American History, will present on the braceros and their role in railroad history.
For more information about National Train Day and about the opportunity to host a National Train Day event in your city, visit www.nationaltrainday.com. Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
This feature is almost enough to make me plan a trip to the northeast in May. Good idea, Amtrak:
History of Baseball’s Travel on Trains (Philadelphia)
o In the early days of America’s favorite pastime, trains helped baseball teams travel across the country to meet their rivals on the diamond. On National Train Day, Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station will feature an exhibit showcasing memorabilia, photos, video and audio depicting the memories of former players from a variety of leagues. A prominent sports personality will host a panel discussion with former players. Photos from the recent ‘Amtrak Series’ will also be displayed.
Posted by Tanner929 (Member # 3720) on :
Agree with Palmland I would love to see and hear from players who traveled by trains and a west coast swing was Chicago and St Louis. I wonder if there are any old photo's of Legends going through some of the great old Stations in their hey days such as Michigan Central, NY Penn and Chicago's old stations.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
Tanner929, there may be some, but ballplayers arriving at stations were not generally considered newsworthy by picture editors. They wanted shots of play in the ballpark. (Reporters did travel with the teams on the trains to collect their daily portion of sports cliches.)
When I was a young editor at the old Chicago Daily News in the 1960s, I'd sift through decade-old morgue photos of Hollywood stars debarking their sleepers on each day's Super Chief to promote their latest films in the East. None of the stars ever said anything quotable, if the captions are to be believed.
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
quote:Originally posted by palmland: This feature is almost enough to make me plan a trip to the northeast in May. Good idea, Amtrak:
History of Baseball’s Travel on Trains (Philadelphia)
I agree with palmland on this. As a young lad (circa 1954), I remember being in New York's GCT and watching some rather worried looking members of the Brooklyn Dodgers boarding the 3:00 pm Ohio State Limited for a series in Cincinnati. Too bad I didn't have a camera with me!
Guess they were worried about the Giants that year, but their year would come in 1955.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Anyone know of "anything going on' in Atlanta, as that is where I'll be on the 2011 "Hajj".
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
GBN - I imagine that the Crescent will arrive and the Crescent will depart. There might be some nifty stickers and coloring books..... perhaps balloons and cookies too..... in the waiting room.
I'd be shocked if Atlanta does anything more and would not be surprised if Atlanta does even less.
Posted by sojourner (Member # 3134) on :
I was excited to see Gladys Knight as gradn marshall (or whatever it's called) of this year's National Train Day, singing Midnight Train to Georgia of course!
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Vonder if theez propaganda, Komrades, vill become the base for some nationally circulated TV ads.
Finally to my surprise until last Weekend, there is actually a scenic vista along the route of the Wolverines, namely X-ing the Huron River at Ann Arbor. At 0:44, look for the Horizon coach behind a P-42 in the video.
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
I don't quite understand (not being able to hear the audio). Is there a Big Lie in this video? I suppose if the Milwaukee Road did it, it was called marketing, while if Amtrak does it, it's called propaganda.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Henry: Even the tiny Glenwood Springs depot is participating in National Train Day! (Amtrak is currently "renovating" the depot in a more historic style, i.e., more period lamps and fixtures, etc. However, the old (hard) waiting benches remain. Planned is a ceremony and functions at the Museum.
Best, GG
Posted by RRRICH (Member # 1418) on :
Hard to believe AMTRAK has been around 40 years already!!!!! I know, Gil -- I know that no one expected it to last more than 5 years. Oh well, what can I say?
Thanks for sharing the video -- I don't consider it "propaganda" at all, and I enjoyed it. I'd like to get the full DVD which it is promoting (hmmm -- my birthday is coming up -- maybe I can get "Mrs. RRRich" to get it for me for my 63rd b-day!.........)
Posted by Henry Kisor (Member # 4776) on :
GibG, do you know if Sandi Brown is still at the Glenwood Springs station?
Posted by 20th Century (Member # 2196) on :
Propaganda or not the videos were fun! Thanks.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Great video, thanks. Love those old RR commercials. Would it be that hard for Amtrak to do something similar? Would anyone, other than railfans, watch it? Certainly National Train Day would be a good spot to debut something similar.
Posted by gibg (Member # 2565) on :
Henry K: Yes, Sandi still staffs the Amtrak station at GSC Sundays through Wednesdays. She is indeed a great person.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
As I teenager I once thought I might enjoy being the Amtrak station agent in Hamlet, NC.
Now in middle-age, the dream job that 'wouldn't go home with me after-hours' is more along the lines of driving one of the red jammer sightseeing buses at Glacier National Park.
Posted by Jerome Nicholson (Member # 3116) on :
I'm going to the one in Philadelphia. The Washington exhibit sounds like identical to the one I saw 10 years ago, right down to the current equipment (sadly). But the Blues Trail exhibit sounds interesting. Besides, I never saw the inside of the 30th Street Station!
Posted by City of Miami (Member # 2922) on :
I just heard on the radio (TX Public Radio) that there will be a NTD event here in San Antonio at Sunset Station 11-5 Saturday. I will certainly go down - after the Met opera broadcast also on TPR!
Posted by Railroad Bob (Member # 3508) on :
RR Bob will try to attend the big one (hopefully) at the wonderful old LAUPT, or LAUS as it's technically called today.
I'm very interested in the "East meets West" part of the exhibit, which explores through text and pics the contribution of the Chinese in the building of the (mainly) western RR's.
Funny, and sad, that in that most-famous-of-all-photographs, at Promontory, UT May 10, 1869-- there were NO Chinese to be seen in that photo! All they did was blast solid rock in the Sierras from wicker baskets with black powder and grind out the grades and shelves of the CP by hand with picks, shovels and wheelbarrows--for a bowl of rice and a few cents a day...however, they are finally being recognized in some quarters.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
From Marriott Courtyard Roswell GA--
Well, I hope all who are out at "the HAJJ" are enjoying themselves.
As Mr. Presley noted, Atlanta's "celebration" will likely comprise "the Crescent arrives; the Crescent departs". Even though I'll be driving by Peachtree Station (visible from I-85) this afternoon, I'll take a pass on checking things out. All told, I guess these Train Day festivities represent a gathering of the faithful.
Otherwise, I'll meet Mr. Haithcoat tomorrow morning when he returns from the Wash HAJJ on #19 (7).
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Our paths may cross in GA one day, GBN. One of our sons has just taken a job at the Roswell CC.
But for NTD, we are recovering from a family gathering in WDW. A whole week with no trains - other than a couple rides behind Mr. Disney's railroad. It is worth seeing the Walt Disney exhibit and movie in Hollywood Studios (former MGM park). He started as a news butcher on the ATSF out of KC and his large home layout in LA was a big deal in its day. A real railfan!
By the way, ever notice that the WDW trains include green flags on the locomotive (second section to follow) and lit marker lights on the last car. I'll bet no one there knows why they've 'always done it that way'.