Fun Activities Planned at National Train Day Celebrations Across the Country

WASHINGTON, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The seventh annual National Train Day on Saturday, May 10, 2014, has its best-ever slate of programming, with 210 locations in 43 states already signed up to celebrate why Trains Matter. Amtrak welcomes more events by encouraging rail passengers and enthusiasts to host their own National Train Day 2014. Details on each event and information on how to host are posted at NationalTrainDay.com and additional communities are welcome to participate.

Communities in all 50 states celebrated the importance of trains last year by hosting a National Train Day event at local train stations, railroad museums and other locations.  

Fourteen communities have special activities as part of this year's event: Albuquerque; Cary, N.C.; Chicago; Emeryville, Calif.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Mo.; McComb, Miss.; New York; Philadelphia; Portland, Ore.; Rutland, Vt.; San Antonio; Seattle and Washington, D.C. will welcome these partners in support of National Train Day:

• Chuggington, the hit preschool television series on Disney Junior, will provide free train-themed kids' activities at National Train Day events. The Chuggington Kids Depot will feature a variety of hands-on learning stations including arts & crafts, photo opportunities, and train play tables. Select locations will feature a special screening of "Explorer Koko," presented by Anchor Bay Entertainment, in the designated Kids Area. Families can download digital Chuggington coloring sheets at NationalTrainDay.com.
• Dovetail Games will also be offering a free download of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner version of the hit game "Train Simulator 2014." Attendees at the New York Penn Station location of National Train Day will also have the exclusive opportunity to operate the simulation of the new Amtrak ACS-64 passenger locomotive and meet Gary Dolzell, co-creator of the content found in the game.
• Operation Lifesaver, whose mission is to end collisions, deaths and injuries at railroad crossings and on rail property, will be handing out free giveaways and providing interactive opportunities to learn more about rail safety and promoting its new "See Tracks? Think Train" campaign. Amtrak and other railroads are railroads are major supporters of the campaign. "Our partnership with Amtrak is an enduring one, based on a mutual interest in keeping people safe whenever they are around train tracks," said Operation Lifesaver President and CEO Joyce Rose.
• Select National Train Day locations will offer attendees a rare look at historic and unique rail train equipment presented by Amtrak Vacations. AmtrakVacations.com offers 300 long distance rail packages across the U.S. to more than 40 cities and 46 U.S. contiguous states. Top destinations include the U.S. National Parks such as the Grand Canyon, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Other popular rail journeys include the Jazz, Blues & Rock N' Roll trip to Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans and the Spirit of America excursion through New York City, Philadelphia and Washington D.C.

In many locations, enthusiasts will be given the opportunity to take a walk through Amtrak railcars and privately owned luxury train cars. Commuter train displays will highlight rail passenger services and freight equipment displays will show how "green" locomotives transform the nation's freight fleet and move goods across the country. Specific information on the train equipment displays are available at NationalTrainDay.com/TrainEquipment.

Additional events and information will be added to the website frequently. 

For those who want to celebrate National Train Day on actual rails, Excursion Train Trips will be available in Chicago at 10 a.m., 12 noon and 2 p.m.; in Washington at 11:35 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:05 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. and in Rutland, Vt., at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Beginning April 28, tickets can be purchased in advance for Chicago at NationalTrainDay.com/Chicago and Washington at NationalTrainDay.com/Washington.

Los Angeles' Union Station will be celebrating National Train Day a week early on May 3, as a recognition of the historical passenger terminal's 75^th Anniversary. Other communities having events on May 3 are Huntington, W.V. and Toledo, Ohio.

About Amtrak®
Amtrak is America's Railroad®, the nation's intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. Amtrak and its state and commuter partners move people, the economy and the nation forward.  Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a nine member board of directors appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman. In FY 2013, a record 31.6 million passengers traveled on Amtrak on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces.  Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Like us on Facebook, Follow us on Twitter (@Amtrak) and check out our blog at blog.amtrak.com.

About Chuggington™
Chuggington is a contemporary, action based, energetic and vibrant CGI series for children aged 2 – 5 years. The series follows the adventures of three young trainees - Wilson and his friends Brewster and Koko – as they ride the rails and take on exciting challenges that test their courage, speed and determination. Along the way, and with help and support from a strong community of engines and people, they learn positive values and new skills empowering them to become the best trainees they can be. Further information is available at www.chuggington.com.

About Dovetail Games
Dovetail Games is a trading name of RailSimulator.com, which began in 2009. The Company was set up to develop simulation products for train enthusiasts and started by acquiring the rights to an existing product called Rail Simulator. It also acquired a small team of 6 developers who had previously been responsible for creating and updating the software. Rail Simulator was originally developed by the well-known video game developer Kuju Entertainment Limited in partnership with the major video game publisher Electronic Arts Ltd.

About Operation Lifesaver
Trains - passenger, light-rail, and freight - offer among the most efficient transportation available to move us into the 21st century. U.S. Department of Transportation projections calling for substantial increases in rail transport over the next three decades mean that we, along with rail safety partners in the rail industry and at the federal, state and local levels, must work together to meet the safety challenges that accompany a rail renaissance. As advanced technology helps build quieter, faster trains, our responsibility to teach people how to be safe around them increases, too. At Operation Lifesaver, we're committed to raising awareness and improving public safety on and around highway-rail grade crossings and tracks through public awareness and education; we're committed to saving lives.

About Amtrak Vacations
Amtrak Vacations combines the thrill of riding the rails with inclusive travel packages for one-of-a-kind vacations throughout North America. Travelers can choose from a number of product types including our fully-escorted and independent rail journeys, rail and sail vacations, family adventures, rail getaways and special programs.  From fun and fast getaways to leisurely train and cruise combinations, our vacations are inclusive of hotel and on-board accommodations, sightseeing tours, unique experiences and entertainment.  For more information visit www.AmtrakVacations.com

SOURCE Amtrak