The second annual National Train Day will chug through Washington, DC on May 9, 2009. Amtrak will mark 140 years of connecting travelers from coast to coast. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. bring the whole family to Washington, DC’s Union Station and Discover the Rail Way.
American Idol’s Randy Jackson, singer/song writer Vanessa Carlton and Radio Disney’s Rockin’ Road Crew are among the highlights of the day’s festivities which include musical performances, interactive exhibits, a magician and games for all ages.
In honor of National Train Day, Amtrak is offering members of its loyalty program, Amtrak Guest Rewards, the ability to earn double points for any trip taken between March 16 and May 8, triple points after their fifth trip taken during this timeframe, and quadruple points for any trip taken on National Train Day, May 9. Amtrak Guest Rewards enables frequent train travelers to earn points redeemable for free Amtrak travel year round in addition to a variety of other rewards.
Schedule of Events
10:10 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.: Opening Ceremony. Join American Idol judge, Grammy award-winning record producer and music manager, Randy Jackson, as he kicks-off the festivities in Washington, DC.
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: Concert by Karina Pasian, a Dominican American singer and pianist, who currently resides in New York and was most recently nominated at the Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary R&B album.
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Concert by Vanessa Carlton. Her debut album, Be Not Nobody, earned Carlton three Grammy nominations and featured the hit single, "A Thousand Miles."
Train Equipment Displays*
10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.: See the trains up close and personal with displays that include historic private cars and Amtrak equipment. In Washington, DC you can view:
- Georgia 300 (President Obama's historic inaugural private train car)
- Dover Harbor
- Acela set
- Amfleet “Capstone” Business Class Coach
- Amfleet Club Dinette
- Superliner Transition Car
- Superliner Cross Country Café
- Superliner “Empire” Sleeper
- *Train car equipment list is subject to change
AMTRAKIDS DEPOT
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.: Radio Disney's Rockin' Road Crew
10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.: Amtrak Ambassadors' Corner: Get to know the crews that make Amtrak run