Become a Web "Rail" Ranger

Every once in a while I come across some cool information or web-site while I am surfing the internet. Today I came across a good one hosted by the National Park Service. The site is, in my opinion, a great example of our tax-dollars hard at work.

This particular NPS site is called Web Rangers. It is geared towards “kids of all ages,” (fortunately for me), and is intended to garner interest in the National Parks and all they have to offer through interactive games, quizzes, activities, and lessons.

On the site I saw a banner advertising a new addition to their current complement of activities geared to educate and inspire. The activity is called Railroad Connections.

Railroad Connections is a well-done flash-based activity along the lines of “Where in the World is Carmen SanDiego?” The goal of the activity is solve several mysteries with clues and given along the way. There is a lot of good content here and definitely well planned an executed.

If you have kids that have an interest in railroads at any level, this would be a cool way to learn more about the workings of steam engines, railroads and their influence, the westward expansion and the transcontinental railroad and more.

All I kept thinking about while I was checking the site and activity out was “What a cool way to learn about history and the like! I wish his type of content and interactivity was available to me growing up.” All I had were Lincoln Logs and textbooks!

Point the kid in you or your kids to www.webrangers.us and you’ll see what I mean. Great job NPS!

2010 National Train Day Events Map and Listing

National Train Day celebrates America’s love for trains with events across the country. This year marks the third annual celebration with large-scale, family-friendly events that provide opportunities to explore interactive, educational exhibits that bring to life the rich narrative of how trains have transformed America and will continue to do so in the future. 

It is a rare opportunity for you and your kids to get an up close and personal look at various aspects of railroading and railroads, both past and present, in America. This is a day that rail organizations, societies, companies, and communities share the magic and their love for trains.  

I put together the following map to help you identify those celebrations and events that will be happening in your neighborhood so you can take advantage of this opportunity and make your plans today: 

Open a bigger version

Information from Amtrak: 

National Train Day Exhibits and Festivities

As part of National Train Day, each major market event will feature live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kid‘s entertainment, food demonstrations, model train displays, and tours of notable private railroad cars, Amtrak equipment, freight, and commuter trains. Train enthusiasts attending National Train Day events will enjoy the following exhibits:

• Trains Move our Economy Exhibit: Discover how upgrades to Amtrak‘s infrastructure and expansion of intercity and high-speed corridors will create jobs and establish a greener, world-class rail transportation system.
• Go-Green Express: Eco Exhibit: Learn about how Amtrak is providing greener options for travel, including energy efficient locomotives, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and alternative fuel trials.
• National Park Service Trails & Rails Exhibit: National Park Service, Trails & Rails, Volunteers and Rangers will be stationed throughout the event to meet with the public and highlight how trains have historically impacted the National Park Service and explain its current partnership with Amtrak.
• Culinary Exhibit: Explore the history of dining on trains, view live-cooking demonstrations from Amtrak chefs and sample meals offered in Amtrak‘s dining cars.
• Train Equipment Displays: At the newly expanded train displays, get up close and personal with Amtrak equipment to experience first-hand the modern amenities and accommodations offered by passenger rail. Then get an inside peek at how passengers traveled in generations past by touring a variety of historic train cars and privately-owned luxury coaches.
• Model Train Displays: Delight in the craft of model train displays and take a closer look at these miniature masterpieces.
• Amtrak Brand Display – Enjoy the Journey: Learn more about Amtrak‘s range of connectivity, routes, train technology, amenities and onboard offerings.
• AmtraKids Depot: Enjoy magicians, face painters, arts and crafts, interactive games and giveaways at the AmtraKids Depot.
• Snapshot Station: Snap a photo in front of custom train-themed backdrops for a fun National Train Day keepsake.

Most major market events will also feature experiential exhibits that narrate each region‘s rich history with trains. These exhibits include:

History of Baseball‘s Travel on Trains (Philadelphia)

• In the early days of America‘s favorite pastime, trains helped baseball teams travel across the country to meet their rivals on the diamond. On National Train Day, Philadelphia‘s 30th Street Station will feature an exhibit showcasing memorabilia, photos, video and audio depicting the memories of former players from a variety of leagues. A prominent sports personality will host a panel discussion with former players. Photos from the recent ‗Amtrak Series‘ will also be displayed.

 The Blues Journey and Connection to the Railroad (Chicago)

• Train travel played an important role in the emergence of blues as a major American art form and the development and migration of the sound from the Mississippi Delta north. On National Train Day at Chicago‘s Union Station, Big Bill and Larry ―Mud‖ Morganfield, the sons of celebrated blues musician Muddy Waters, will be joined by legendary Mississippi Delta blues musician Bobby Rush to perform train-themed blues songs. This will be the last stop in a five-state tour aboard Amtrak, originating in Muddy Waters‘ birthplace in Mississippi. The Chicago Blues Museum will also display a special blues exhibit at the station with a brief historical presentation by the museum‘s curator, Gregg Parker. 

Railroad Bracero Exhibit (Los Angeles)

During World War II, thousands of Mexicans came to the U.S. to work legally under the ―Railroad Braceros‖ program to build and maintain our nation‘s passenger railroad system. At National Train Day in Los Angeles‘ Union Station, an exhibit will honor the Hispanic contributions to the national railroad. Steve Velasquez, associate curator, National Museum of American History, will present on the braceros and their role in railroad history.

Union Pacific's Valley Eagle Tour Update

As a follow-up to the “A Union Pacific Living Legend Stretches Her Legs On an Eight State Tour” post, here is the latest schedule for the The Valley Eagle Heritage Tour with No. 844 on the point compliments of the Union Pacific Railroad:

The Valley Eagle Schedule

Valley Eagle Heritage Tour 

All schedule days and times are subject to change. No. 844 can run ahead of schedule.

(Follow No. 844 on the map, and stay current with GPS updates.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 2
Depart	8:00 a.m. MT	Cheyenne, Wyo.
Arrive Depart	11:00 a.m.  11:30 a.m. MDT	Lodgepole, Neb.	Service Locomotive Downtown -  just west of McBride St.
Arrive	4:00 p.m. CT	North Platte, Neb.	Front St. Between Chestnut and Poplar
SATURDAY, APRIL 3
Depart	8:00 a.m. CT	North Platte, Neb.	Front St. Between Chestnut and Poplar
Arrive Depart	11:00 a.m. 11:30 a.m.	Kearney, Neb.	Service Locomotive UP Office - 110 W. Railroad St.
Arrive	3:00 p.m.	Marysville, Kan.	UP Rail Yard Jenkins St. and 1st St.
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Marysville, Kan.	UP Rail Yard Jenkins St. and 1st St.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.	Topeka, Kan.	Service Locomotive The Great Overland Station 701 N. Kansas Ave.
Arrive	1:00 p.m.	Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Road
MONDAY, APRIL 5 LAYOVER AND DISPLAY
On Display:  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.		Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Road
TUESDAY, APRIL 6
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Road
Arrive Depart	11:00 a.m. 11:30 p.m.	Dunlay, Kan.	Service Locomotive at the W. 1600 St. crossing.
Arrive	2:00 p.m.	Parsons, Kan.	Union Pacific Office 2015 Crawford St.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7 LAYOVER AND DISPLAY
On Display:  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.		Parsons, Kan.	Union Pacific Office 2015 Crawford St.
THURSDAY, APRIL 8
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Parsons, Kan.	Union Pacific Office 2015 Crawford St.
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m.  Noon	Muskogee, Okla.	Service Locomotive Union Pacific Office 5 W. Martin Luther King St.
Arrive	2:00 p.m.	McAlester, Okla.	Union Pacific Office 1 East Krebs St.
FRIDAY, APRIL 9
Depart	8:00 a.m.	McAlester, Okla.	Union Pacific Office 1 East Krebs St.
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m. 11:30 a.m.	Denison, Texas	Service Locomotive West end of UP Rail Yard Under Hwy. 75 Overpass and Ray Dr.
Arrive Depart	1:00 p.m.  1:30 p.m.	Denton, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive	4:00 p.m.	Ft. Worth, Texas	Mopac Rd. and Rogers Rd.
SATURDAY, APRIL 10
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Ft. Worth, Texas	Mopac Rd. and Rogers Rd.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.	Ennis, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive Depart	11:00 a.m.  11:30 a.m.	Corsicana, Texas	Service Locomotive 201 East 7th St.
Arrive	1:30 p.m.	Hearne, Texas	3rd and Market Sts.
SUNDAY, APRIL 11
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Hearne, Texas	3rd and Market Sts.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m. 10:15 a.m.	Navasota, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive Depart	11:00 a.m. 11:15 a.m.	Magnolia, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive Depart	Noon 12:15 p.m.	Old Town Spring, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive	2:30 p.m.	Houston, Texas	Amtrak Station 902 Washington Ave.
MONDAY, APRIL 12 LAYOVER AND DISPLAY
On Display:  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.		Houston, Texas	Amtrak Station 902 Washington Ave.
TUESDAY, APRIL 13
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Houston, Texas	Amtrak Station 902 Washington Ave.
Arrive Depart	11:30 a.m.  12:01 p.m.	Bay City, Texas	Service Locomotive 2620 Avenue G
Arrive	2:00 p.m.	Bloomington, Texas	101 East 1st St.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Bloomington, Texas	101 East 1st St..
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m.  10:30 a.m.	Kingsville, Texas	Service Locomotive 5th and W. Kleburg Sts.
Arrive	12:30 p.m.	Harlingen, Texas	UP Rail Yard 825 N. Commerce St. (Commerce and Fair Park)
THURSDAY, APRIL 15
Depart	9:45 a.m.	Harlingen, Texas	UP Rail Yard 825 N. Commerce St. (Commerce and Fair Park)
AFTERNOON LAYOVER AND DISPLAY HARLINGEN CENTENNIAL PARK
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m.   3:00 p.m.	Harlingen Centennial Park	101 Southwest St. Between Jackson and Harrison Sts.
Arrive	3:30 p.m.	Olmito, Texas	UP Olmito Yard 6105 Old Alice Rd.
FRIDAY, APRIL 16
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Olmito, Texas	UP Olmito Yard 6105 Old Alice Rd.
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m.	Kingsville, Texas	Service Locomotive 5th and W. Kleburg Sts.
Arrive	1:00 p.m.	Bloomington, Texas	101 East 1st St.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Bloomington, Texas	101 East 1st St.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.	Bay City, Texas	Service Locomotive 2620 Avenue G
Arrive	1:00 p.m.	Houston, Texas	No Public Access or Display on arrival.
SUNDAY, APRIL 18
No Public Access or Display.		Houston, Texas
MONDAY, APRIL 19
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Houston, Texas
Arrive Depart	8:45 a.m. 9:00 a.m.	Old Town Spring, Texas	Whistlestop
Arrive Depart	Noon 12:30 p.m.	Hearne, Texas	Service Locomotive 3rd and Market Sts.
Arrive	3:00 p.m.	Palestine, Texas	111 South Magnolia St.
TUESDAY, APRIL 20
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Palestine, Texas	111 South Magnolia St.
Arrive	11:30 a.m.	Longview, Texas
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Longview, Texas
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m.  10:30 a.m.	Texarkana, Texas	Service Locomotive East of the Amtrak Station at E. Front and Wood Sts.
Arrive Depart	12:01 p.m. 12:15 p.m.	Gurdon, Ark.	Whistlestop
Arrive Depart	2:00 p.m.  2:15 p.m.	Little Rock, Ark.	Whistlestop Amtrak Station
Arrive	4:30 p.m.	N. Little Rock, Ark.	1000 W. 4th St. Behind UP Office Building
THURSDAY, APRIL 22 LAYOVER AND DISPLAY
On Display:  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.		N. Little Rock, Ark.	1000 W. 4th St. Behind UP Office Building
FRIDAY, APRIL 23
Depart	8:00 a.m.	N. Little Rock, Ark.	1000 W. 4th St. Behind UP Office Building
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m.  11:00 a.m.	Russellville, Ark.	Service Locomotive Old UP Depot on Denver St.
Arrive	1:00 p.m.	Van Buren, Ark.	S. 2nd St. and Drennen Sts.
SATURDAY, APRIL 24
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Van Buren, Ark.	S. 2nd St. and Drennen Sts.
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m.  11:00 a.m.	Wagoner, Okla.	Service Locomotive Old Depot – 302 S. Main St.
Arrive	1:30 p.m.	Coffeyville, Kansas	Atlantic St.
SUNDAY, APRIL 25
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Coffeyville, Kansas	Atlantic St.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m.	Yates Center/Durand, Kansas	Service Locomotive UP Rail Yard –  1178 Otter Rd.
Arrive Depart	Noon 12:15 p.m.	Paola, Kansas	Whistlestop
Arrive	2:30 p.m.	Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd.
MONDAY, APRIL 26 LAYOVER AND DISPLAY
On Display:  8 a.m. - 8 p.m.		Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd.
TUESDAY, APRIL 27
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Kansas City, Mo.	Union Station 30 W. Pershing Rd.
Arrive Depart	10:00 a.m.  10:30 a.m.	Topeka, Kansas	Service Locomotive The Great Overland Station 701 N. Kansas Ave.
Arrive	1:30 p.m.	Marysville, Kansas	UP Rail Yard Jenkins and 1st Sts.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28
Depart	8:00 a.m.	Marysville, Kansas	UP Rail Yard Jenkins and 1st Sts.
Arrive Depart	10:45 a.m.  11:15 a.m.	Gibbon, Neb.	Service Locomotive
Arrive	2:30 p.m.	North Platte, Neb.	Front St. between Chestnut and Poplar
THURSDAY, APRIL 29
Depart	9:00 a.m. CT	North Platte, Neb.	Front St. between Chestnut and Poplar
Arrive Depart	10:30 a.m. MT  11:00 a.m. MT	Sidney, Neb.	Service Locomotive UP Depot  – 9th and Grant Sts.
Arrive	2:30 p.m. MT	Cheyenne, Wyo.