National Train Day 2014

It seems STL is going for the big event this year. Even the Doubletree Union Station Hotel (inside the station) is offering a special package.

I'm told there are plans for a substantial NTD 2014 event at Tampa Union Station. They are advertising a celebration of 75 years of "Silver Service trains" to/from Florida. Thus they are commemorating the inauguration of Budd streamliner equipment assigned to Florida trains such as the Silver Meteor beginning in 1939.

Among other things, several private cars (GEORGIA 300 and others) are coming to Tampa for the NTD festivities on May 10, 2014.

Here are some selected cities and features for 2014:

Tampa: Amtrak and private railroad equipment on display, live music, food trucks, model railroad displays, exhibits from community organizations like the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, the Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, Operation Lifesaver.

Boston South Station: Acela Train Set will be available for viewing/touring. Operation Lifesaver and the Amtrak PD K-9 Team will be present. Other participants are the Mass Bay Rail Enthusiasts and the Association of Public Transportation who will have representatives to answer questions and provide promotional/informational literature.

New Haven: Guided tours of an Amtrak train will be provided, which will include photo shoot inside control cab (engine), with free pictures. Amtrak Police Officers and K-9 Units with handlers will be present for photo shoot and free pictures are available. In addition to the Amtrak Police, Connecticut State Police Bomb Squad will have an equipment display for viewing and information. For model railroad enthusiasts and all others a huge model train set will be on display in the Union Station concourse. Amtrak Police with Operation Life Saver are partnering and will provide the chance to view safety films. Operation Lifesaver literature gifts, coloring books, crayons, cups, pin buttons etc. will be available. The New Haven Historical Museum will hold informational lectures and seminars on the history of Railroading. Also Railroad Merit Badges will be awarded to Boy Scouts. Local and State Politicians will be present.

Milwaukee: Model layouts from the Lionel Club of Milwaukee, Operation Lifesaver, Talgo Inc., Wisconsin Chapter NRHS, Kalmbach Publishing, Amtrak and more will also be present with brochures, magazines, kids items and more to take home.

Los Angeles (75th anniversary of Union Station): Amtrak Exhibit Train, more at www.metro.net/about/union-station-75th-anniversary.

Keep an eye on the website. The equipment displays are about finalized. There may be a surprise or two!

Any details on the events at NY Penn/New York/Grand Central?

ThirdRail7 wrote:Keep an eye on the website. The equipment displays are about finalized. There may be a surprise or two!

The only surprise so far is the fact that's it's taken them a month plus to post any details. Who is in charge of promoting the event. I'd give them a big F. What are we 2 weeks and change out.
The website looks like it was created by a third grader and has totally generic information for all of the Northeast.
Even the Amtrak employee site is a sham in regards to information.

The only change at ABQ this year is that 2926 will not display at the station due to track conditions+repair at their site,
(ties are dust,rail is sinking into the ground)new ties+ballast,tamping in progress there.
Amtrak and Rio Metro/NMRX will display at the station,Wheels Museum will have operating O-tinplate,HO,HOn3,N scale layouts,
along with the Live Steam group.Possible BNSF display of a new EVO 44c4 unit with a cab tour.

Here's what's been posted so far: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/s/#!/ab ... nequipment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Few notes: 10002 and 10005 in Philly, 9800 in DC, 10031 in Rutland.

Also Bennett's E8s and cars will be in Philly, his cars will be the only PVs there.

Oh look at that, nothing for new york i see.

SEPTAR2Newark wrote:Here's what's been posted so far: http://www.nationaltrainday.com/s/#!/ab ... nequipment" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Few notes: 10002 and 10005 in Philly, 9800 in DC, 10031 in Rutland.

Also Bennett's E8s and cars will be in Philly, his cars will be the only PVs there.

Sweet, I'm looking forward to checking out the 10005. The E8's should be a highlight as well.

A few more standouts: ACS-64 and Acela in both Philly and DC. Acela rides in DC. ALP-45 in Philly. It looks like the NS NYC unit will be in Toledo.

Per the Unique Equipment thread and personal observation, the Friends of the 261 have a roomette car and Super Dome staged at Amtrak Midway for transfer to St. Paul Union Depot, along with heavyweight observation Lamberts Point. MKT 403 and Sierra Hotel (stainless dome) were both staged there as well - unknown if either or both will be attending NTD, since MKT 403 has its semi-permanent home at Midway and Sierra Hotel wanders through periodically.

EDIT: No MKT 403, Sierra Hotel may come but after a trip, and possibly some other PVs.

Also, per a member newsletter, look for the Minnesota Transportation Museum to have GN lightweight equipment on display at SPUD, probably with the SD45 "Hustle Muscle."

acelaphillies wrote:A few more standouts: ACS-64 and Acela in both Philly and DC. Acela rides in DC. ALP-45 in Philly. It looks like the NS NYC unit will be in Toledo.

Acela trainset at BOS as well.

R36 Combine Coach wrote:

acelaphillies wrote:A few more standouts: ACS-64 and Acela in both Philly and DC. Acela rides in DC. ALP-45 in Philly. It looks like the NS NYC unit will be in Toledo.

Acela trainset at BOS as well.

Good catch. I see it now under the Boston page http://www.nationaltrainday.com/s/#!/ev ... tation-bos" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's odd that they didn't include Boston on the equipment display page. Maybe because South Station will only have the Acela and no other equipment...?

ApproachMedium wrote:Oh look at that, nothing for new york i see.

But they still have the generic teaser on the NYP event page...

We are pleased to announce that Amtrak® is celebrating the 7th annual National Train Day at New York Pennsylvania Station on Saturday, May 10th. Around the country, we have seen how trains and train stations bring jobs, economic revitalization, and new attractions to many cities and towns. Northbound, southbound, eastbound, westbound – and your hometown – Amtrak is connecting more than 500 communities in 46 states. This year, National Train Day activities feature train equipment displays, local exhibitors, model train displays, kid-friendly activities from Chuggington and much more! On May 10th, Amtrak® invites you and your family to join us at an event near you to celebrate trains and train travel, and to share why Trains Matter to us all.

Talk about a big Public Relations hit and miss if they decide to do nothing in the NY City area.

It looks like the 10004 has found a landing spot. I'd like to see more equipment displayed in the NEC. I wonder if anyone thought of displaying some of the engines that are not in service, such as the HHP-8 or even a reman.