Lots of Free Family Fun! This Saturday, from 1pm – 5pm at the Alvarado Transportation Center
(Albuquerque, NM – May 9, 2012) - Calling all train enthusiasts – this is your chance to immerse yourself in “everything rail”. The Rio Metro Regional Transit district is hosting the second National Train Day event this Saturday, May 12th at the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown Albuquerque from 1pm - 5pm.
“This is a good opportunity to celebrate New Mexico’s long history in the rail industry”, says Dewey Cave, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “Now that we have commuter rail running right through the heart of our state, people have renewed enthusiasm about trains and rail travel”.
National Train Day features all kinds of free activities including tours of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, and tours of rail cars and locomotives from Burlington Northern Santa Fe trains, as well as Amtrak passenger train cars.
Other National Train Day Activities and Entertainment
• Displays from Model Train Clubs • John Adams Mid-School Drill Team
• ABQ Ride’s Antique 1927 Bus • La Rondalla de Albuquerque
• Wheels Museum Tour • Public Academy for the Performing Arts (PAPA)
• Train Safety Information with free prizes • Mariachi San Jose (Washington Mid-Schl & AHS)
• Free Kid’s Corner(free jumper & climbing wall) • Red Turtle Dancers (Pueblo)
• Explora & SF Childrens’ Museum • BNSF Harvey Girls Society
• West Mesa High Schl Marching Band
NM Rail Runner Express Youth Art Contest Entries to be displayed at National Train Day!
Local mid-school students were invited to submit artwork for this year’s National Train Day. Artists were encouraged to depict the Rail Runner Express as they see it. The artwork could be a drawing or painting, and use of color was encouraged. Entries will be judged by the Albuquerque Arts Business Association.
** To view all of the entries, please visit the Sudents’ Art Gallery at the north end of the event. **
Albuquerque’s National Train Day celebration is put on in partnership with Amtrak, Greyhound, and ABQ Ride.
About National Train Day
National Train Day is a holiday started by Amtrak in 2008 to spread information to the general public about the advantages of rail travel and the history of trains in the U.S. It is held each year on the Saturday closest to May 10th. The largest events usually take place in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles.