iPhone Art - "Now Arriving Track 11"

I arrived at Los Angeles’ Union Station during my commute today in time to see Amtrak’s westbound Sunset Limited (Amtrak #1) terminate its 1,700 mile journey from New Orleans a full fifteen minutes ahead of schedule.  The northbound Coast Starlight (Amtrak #14) waits on Track 12 to depart shortly to Seattle.

Here’s what she looked like to me as she pull into Track 11:

“Now Arriving Track 11”

National Train Day - Discover and Learn About Railroads and Trains

On May 8, 2010, in cities all across the land, there is going to be a celebration of America’s love for trains.  Amtrak is hosting, with participation from cities and organizations, the 3rd annual National Train Day to commemorate the 141st anniversary of the first transcontinental railroad completion on May 10, 1869.

The press release from Amtrak describes the event as:

“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.”

In four of Amtrak’s gateway cities, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Chicago, Amtrak will host free events from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  These events will consist of live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kid’s entertainment, food demonstrations, model train displays, and tours of private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains.

In other cities, perhaps one near you, there will be similar activities and opportunities.  More are being added each day so check the National Train Day’s Other Cities web page as May approaches. 

This is a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some nice pieces of railroad equipment and locomotives as well as a chance to meet with railroaders and railfans from your area.  I have been to the previous two events in Los Angeles, California, and, in both cases, you could climb into the cab of several locomotives.  Very cool to see.  Kids, like me, seem to really enjoy the displays.

A good time is sure to be had by all and you can learn more about railroads and their contributions to America’s past, present, and future.  Keep checking the National Train Day web site since events and cities will be added as May draws closer.

I’ll be at the Los Angeles and San Bernardino events.  See you there!

Andrew J. Russell’s famous Champange Photo taken at Promontory Summit May 10, 1869

WHY AMERICA NEEDS TRAINS, Vice President Biden

January/Febraury Issue of ArriveArrive is Amtrak’s bimonthly onboard maagzine for Amtrak patrons and travelers in northeast section of the country.  It is akin to the “InFlight” magazines on airlines.

Considering that most of us are not regular travelers, I suspect that few of you in the southwest region of the country have had  an opportunity to read a recent article that appeared in the January/February issue of Arrive.  So I thought I would pass it on here in case you’re interested.

Vice President Joe Biden graces the cover and he wrote the cover story “Why America Needs Trains” in which he discusses his association with trains and his thoughts on the value of a strong rail travel infrastructure for America.

He has self-proclaimed himself as “Mr. Amtrak” because of his volume of use of Amtrak’s service between Wilmington, Delaware and Washington D.C. throughout his tenure as a Senator.