Americans Discover the Rail Way(SM) at National Train Day

WASHINGTON,  Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., in four of its gateway stations across the U.S. In addition, local communities nationwide 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, kids' entertainment, model train displays and tours of notable private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains.

This year's National Train Day events will feature 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, Rangers and Volunteers 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.
• Snapshot Photo Station: Pose for a photo in front of train-themed backdrops and take home a National Train Day keepsake.

In addition, most major market events will feature a unique element to further excite and educate train enthusiasts, including:

• History of Baseball's Travel on Trains (Philadelphia)
  • National Train Day event attendees can learn about the history of train travel relative to baseball from an exhibit showcasing memorabilia, photos and video which highlight the relationship between train travel and baseball. Photos from the recent 'Amtrak Series' will be displayed. Former players may also appear for brief speaking and Q&A sessions.

• The Blues Journey and Connection to the Railroad (Chicago)
  • 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 to the 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)
  • During World War II, thousands of Mexicans came to the U.S. under a guest worker program called "Railroad Braceros" 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 the opportunity to host a National Train Day celebration in your city, visit http://www.nationaltrainday.com.

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—to more than 500 destinations. Amtrak also is the operator of choice for state-supported corridor services in 15 states and for four commuter rail agencies. Visit Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.

SOURCE Amtrak