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On May 9, 2009, NARP joined Amtrak in celebrating it’s 2nd annual National Train Day.  Marking the 140th anniversary of the 1869 driving of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah, which completed America’s first transcontinental railroad, Amtrak sponsored four main events, in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles Amtrak used National Train Day to highlight the growing popularity of trains as convenient, energy efficient, environmentally sound ways to travel.  NARP, an official supporter Train Day, had staff and volunteers on hand, talking to families in attendance about the importance of our work, and using the unprecedented support for passenger trains shown by President Obama to expand our membership.  NARP members from all over the country attended locally sponsored events, which numbered over a hundred.

Below is just a sample of the pictures which NARP members sent in.  your pictures (just put “Train Day Stories” in the subject line).  More pictures can be found on Amtrak’s National Train Day 2009 website

National Train Day logo courtesy of Amtrak

On May 10, 2008, NARP will join Amtrak in celebrating the first annual National Train Day at stations across the country. This is the 139th anniversary of the laying in 1869 of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah, which completed America’s first transcontinental railroad. Read NARP's news release.

Amtrak is using National Train Day to highlight the growing popularity of trains as convenient, energy efficient, environmentally sound ways to travel. National Train Day spokesman is TV personality Al Roker.

NARP and its members will use the opportunity to promote NARP’s Grow Trains Campaign and Vision Plan and to call on policy makers to renew their commitment to expanding the nation’s passenger train network. The same reasons Amtrak cite to tout its increasing attractiveness explain why the traveling public deserves more train service in cities large and small. NARP’s Vision, unveiled in 2007, NARP’s 40th anniversary year, would unleash the untapped potential of trains across the country and meet the public’s increasing demand for a sustainable, affordable transportation choice.

This year’s festivities come at a time when sticker shock at the gas pump is creating greater public interest in more passenger train service. What’s more, this interest was well established even before the current rise in gasoline prices, as reflected in polls, referenda, and ridership data on train systems across the country all point to one clear conclusion and that is we need more trains.

Amtrak is sponsoring major events in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York City. Political leaders are organizing events in several cities. NARP and local advocacy organizers are also organizing events. Please see the below table for a list of known events. All events are on Saturday, May 10, 2008 at the respective cities' Amtrak stations unless otherwise noted. This list will be regularly updated as event details are finalized, so please check back frequently!

Want to volunteer at any of the above events?

Contact NARP and we'll be happy to put you in touch with local event organizers. To volunteer at events in California (or to organize one at any station in the state), please e-mail Paul Dyson. Your help is appreciated!

Want to host your own National Train Day event?

NARP encourages its members to spread the word of the importance of passenger trains in their communities. The following materials are available for distribution:

• Special NARP Brochure

Note: This file requires Adobe Reader to open and is 457K in size. This is a legal paper (8 1/2" X 14") document. It will not work with 8 1/2" X 11" paper. Before printing, you MUST do two things or this will not print correctly: In the first print dialog box, make sure that "Page Scaling" is set to "None," and open your printer's properties dialog box and change your printer to legal size paper. This brochure is intended to be double-sided and quarter-folded. The far-right panel on the first page is the front cover, and the quotes panel to the left is the rear cover. Upon opening the brochure, the far right panel on the second page should be the first thing you see.
Sorry its so complicated, but most personal printers are designed to work with "regular" 8 1/2 X 11 paper, and its necessary to take these steps to print this document. You can save yourself all the aggravation of this process: load the PDF file onto a disk, flash drive, or other such device and take it to your local copy shop, who will make professional, double sided copies. Many also offer folding services.
• NARP 2008 Action Alert Flyer
• NARP Grow Trains Campaign and Vision Plan Documents
• Fact Sheet on NARP Grow Trains Campaign and Vision Plan
• National Train Day Sample Media Advisory (for distribution May 5 or 6)
• Sample Proclamation Declaring National Train Day (for presentation to City Councils and County Boards)
• Sample Resolution Supporting NARP's Grow Trains Campaign (for presentation to City Councils and County Boards)
• Amtrak: Host Your Own Event