Happy National Train Day

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

09 May 2008 10:10 AM

Tomorrow is National Train Day and I can't help but think of my pre-schooler's favorite train joke:

What kind of train can sneeze?

Ah choo choo.

My daughter waits for the laughter to die down before informing her "fans" that she'll be here all week.

Okay, back to National Train Day.

Whether you are a regular rider of the rails or not Amtrak is encouraging you to visit one of their stations tomorrow. The nationwide campaign includes live entertainment and activities for youngsters. Amtrak hopes the hoopla will inspire travelers to consider riding a train to their next vacation destination.

At Washington's Union Station singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles and Al Roker from NBC's "Today" show will host train-related events and activities. Meanwhile, in New York, the Harlem Globetrotters will perform at Penn Station. Amtrak also is sponsoring major celebrations in Chicago and Los Angeles, and smaller-scale festivities around the country.

Train Day organizers say if you attend the events in Washington, Chicago, Dallas and other larger cities you will be able to view "equipment displays," which give visitors the opportunity to walk through Amtrak's trains and tour their engines. In addition, guests will get the chance to tour Amtrak's plush Acela Express trains, which run at high speeds between New York and Boston. Model train displays will also be out for visitors to view and take pictures of.

Amtrak officials say they chose May 10th for National Train Day because it is the anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Point, Utah, in 1869.

If you have never traveled by train Amtrak says you are in the minority. Company officials say it has seen its ridership grow to new heights in the last couple of years thanks in large park to skyrocketing fuel prices and the demise of dozens of airlines. According to Amtrak, more than 25 million passengers rode the rails in 2007, which is an increase of 1.5 million over the previous year.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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