Tens of Thousands Turned Out for 5th Annual National Train Day Celebrations Across America!

NEW YORK, May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Tens of thousands of fans turned out on Saturday, May 12 for the 5^th Annual National Train Day, a celebration of trains and the different ways trains touch the lives of people. Amtrak signature events took place at Grand Central Terminal in New York, 30^th Street Station in Philadelphia, Union Station in Chicago and Los Angeles, in addition to the hundreds of grassroots events held in communities across America. Actress Rosario Dawson served as national spokesperson and opened the ceremonies in her home town of New York City.

National Train Day 2012 highlighted the unique perspective that passengers enjoy as they take in the beauty and vastness of the American landscape when traveling by rail. The four major events featured live entertainment, interactive and educational activities and fun activities for the entire family. Additionally, the Amtrak 40^th Anniversary Exhibit Train ended its year-long cross-country journey at Grand Central Terminal, CSI New York actor Hill Harper shared his personal Amtrak travel experience at the event in Chicago, and Nickelodeon character Dora The Explorer wowed the crowd in Los Angeles.

The events brought the "rail way" to life for those in attendance, as well as those participating online and through social media. Amtrak invited train fans to share what they see and experienced on their train journeys and enter the See More On A Train online contest. Hundreds of people submitted original photos, videos and stories on NationalTrainDay.com. Train fans can continue to share how they have been inspired by their train travel until May 29, 2012 for the chance to win great prizes.

For more information, visit NationalTrainDay.com, "like" National Train Day at facebook.com/NationalTrainDay, and follow National Train Day on Twitter at @natltrainday.

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SOURCE Amtrak