The Association of American Railroads (AAR) urged people around the country to join in the celebration of National Train Day on Saturday, May 11, 2013. This marks the sixth annual National Train Day, with more than 250 events featuring Amtrak, commuter and freight trains across the country. Celebrations include parades of trains, displays of rail equipment and tours of locomotives and rail cars for families and railroad fans. “People love trains, and this was a wonderful opportunity to see and explore both passenger and freight trains around the country,” said Ed Hamberger, President and CEO of AAR. “Rail connects people and keeps our economy moving. National Train Day is fun way to celebrate locomotives with families and train enthusiasts from coast to coast.” On National Train Day, more than 250 events were held across the country celebrating the importance of rail to communities of all sizes. Events will be at Amtrak stations and other locations, from Maine to Texas to Oregon and nearly every state in between. For example, in Ogden, UT, a Union Pacific heritage fleet locomotive, still painted in traditional Denver & Rio Grande Western colors, visited Ogden’s Union Station. CSX sponsored an event at the CSX Depot in Huntington, W Va., featuring model and historic railroad displays. Norfolk Southern premiered new commercials at Union Station in Washington, D.C., and displayed rail equipment at events in West Virginia and Delaware. In Albuquerque, N.M., BNSF Railway had rail cars and locomotives on site and open for tours. A “Parade of Trains” passed through New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and featured iconic and historical passenger cars.
