National Train Day 2023

[danasgoodstuff]

I guess Amtrak doesn't do this anymore, but many local train related organizations still do. Our local Oregon Rail Heritage Center is hosting steam train excursions today (May 13, 2023). What's up in your neck of the woods, and thoughts on the holiday generally?

 

[danasgoodstuff]

I believe this is the locomotive they will be using.

 

[Rasputin]

In my opinion National TTrain Day was a great and relatively inexpensive way to draw attention to Amtrak and other passenger rail. In my travels over several years I saw ceremonies at San Antonio and Grand Junction. I just missed the one at Denver because the westbound CZ that I was on left before the celebration began.

The Grand Junction celebration looked like it was put on entirely by enthusiastic volunteers. San Antonio involved a sleeping car on display and another car, both staffed by Amtrak employees (whom I assume were being paid). They escorted visitors through the car and answered questions. I imagine that many visitors had never been in an Amtrak sleeping car before. I believe the celebration at Fort Worth also involved one or two cars on display. There were a number of other presenters at San Antonio who had set up tables such as the National Park Service, Operation Lifesaver (the latter also present at Grand Junction.).

Amtrak gave away some little notebooks and other swag celebrating National Train Day.

Evidently the minuscule cost was too much for Amtrak management to bear. Besides the celebration did not pay sufficient homage to Amtrak management. So even though I considered it a success over several years and something that could have been built on, it had to be discontinued as far as Amtrak is concerned.

 

[jis]

I am headed to National Train Day at Tampa Union Station today (5/13/23)

 

[njdon]

I thought National Train Day was a great way to boost rail travel in general and Amtrak specifically. Only very narrow thinking wouldn’t see the benefit to Amtrak.

 

[Willbridge]

I thought National Train Day was a great way to boost rail travel in general and Amtrak specifically. Only very narrow thinking wouldn’t see the benefit to Amtrak.

When Amtrak promoted it In Denver, RTD and ColoRail volunteers participated, too. For many visitors this was their first time in Union Station.

Big brother showing his little brother the way to 2015 Train Day exhibits in Denver.

 

[dlagrua]

I recall the National Train Days at 30th street Station in Philadelphia and at Union Station in DC but sadly those are now gone. They were good events that promoted the service, introduced the general public to train travel and allowed some of us here to congregate and chat. It was fun walking through the Amtrak , SEPTA, private cars and seeing an entire private train restored and owned by Bennett Levin.

 

[Amtrak709]

I recall the National Train Days at 30th street Station in Philadelphia and at Union Station in DC but sadly those are now gone. They were good events that promoted the service, introduced the general public to train travel and allowed some of us here to congregate and chat. It was fun walking through the Amtrak , SEPTA, private cars and seeing an entire private train restored and owned by Bennett Levin.

I ,too, miss Train Days. It was an always an opportunity to board the sleepers on the Crescent in ATN and just ride overnight to WAS or PHL on a Friday. Always returned home the same day (Saturday). I remember in either 2009 or 2010 sitting in the PHL Metropolitan Lounge by myself (no one else in the lounge except me and the attendant) waiting for the return Crescent. The new president of Amtrak and his entourage came through the lounge and sat and talked with me a few minutes. I am not even sure the name of that Amtrak president.
Maybe some of the perks and frills that the COVID era seem to destroy for us railfans will return some day.

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I ,too, miss Train Days. It was an always an opportunity to board the sleepers on the Crescent in ATN and just ride overnight to WAS or PHL on a Friday. Always returned home the same day (Saturday). I remember in either 2009 or 2010 sitting in the PHL Metropolitan Lounge by myself (no one else in the lounge except me and the attendant) waiting for the return Crescent. The new president of Amtrak and his entourage came through the lounge and sat and talked with me a few minutes. I am not even sure the name of that Amtrak president.
Maybe some of the perks and frills that the COVID era seem to destroy for us railfans will return some day.

Amtrak's participation in National Train Day ended well before COVID. I think the last one was 2013??

 

[Rasputin]

Amtrak's participation in National Train Day ended well before COVID. I think the last one was 2013??

The Grand Junction celebration that I attended as a passenger on No. 5 (and the Denver celebration that I missed) was in 2014. The San Antonio celebration that I attended was in 2013 as were the display cars in Fort Worth.

 

[Amtrak709]

Amtrak's participation in National Train Day ended well before COVID. I think the last one was 2013??

My apologies for implying that is was COVID that killed-off Train Days as I am very much aware that Train Days ended much earlier and, therefore, COVID should NOT be blamed. My intent was rather to state the obvious "no frills" status that Amtrak has become especially since COVID--no Train Days, no dining cars, less sleeper accommodation, excessively high sleeping car fares. et al. It is a soapbox platform that is used in excess!

 

[Bigjimbo]

While not on the national Train Day, Union Depot in Saint Paul runs its own Train Days in June. They already have some good stuff announced for this years event. Train Days 2023 - UNION DEPOT Last year they had one of the new Chargers on display as well, though they kept it running for some reason.