National Train Day
About National Train Day
When is National Train Day? This day is celebrated on the Saturday closest to May 10
Trains are a mode of transportation that changed the world. That’s why we celebrate them on National Train Day. Trains have historic importance in the United States, changing the face of the nation. Trains connected the east and west coasts, making travel much easier. Powerful locomotives traversed the sparsely settled frontier of America in a fraction of the time that wagon trains required. They are vital to transporting people and goods quickly and efficiently over long distances.
The year 1869 was a really exciting time in America. The Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads were speeding across the wild, American frontier, laying tracks for what would soon become the first Transcontinental rail line. Construction occurred at great peril, as vast areas of the west were truly wild and unsettled. Once completed, train service connected the country from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, making the world a whole lot smaller. It would also change the face of America.
On May 9, 1869, the tracks of the two railroad companies met up at Promontory Summit, Utah. A golden spike was driven into the final connection of the two tracks. The first Continental rail line was 1,776 miles long. Towns, big and small, would soon sprout up along the route.
Favorite Television Cartoon Show: Thomas the Train
How to Participate in National Train Day
Here’s how to participate in National Train Day:
- Take a ride onone.
- Go to a train museum.
- Explore train and railroad history.
- Join a train club – there are many out there.
- Set up a model train set in your basement.
- Watch a movie that has trains in it.
Today's Chuckle
Sometimes someone unexpectedly comes into your life outta nowhere, makes your heart race and changes you forever…. We call those people cops.
History and Origin of National Train Day
This special day was created by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. It was recently created and first celebrated in 2008. One would think that this special day would have been created many, many years ago.
This is referred to as a “National” day. However, we did not find any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day.
Definition of “National” Days – and why it is so important to distinguish and identify true national days.
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