TOLEDO, Ohio, April 29, 2011 – Toledo’s Amtrak Station will host the fourth annual National Train Day Celebration on Saturday, April 30, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza located at 415 Emerald Ave. in downtown Toledo. More than 4500 people came to National Train Day last year.
The National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) and Amtrak are hosting these nation-wide day-long events to celebrate National Train Day which commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad system on May 10, 1869 at Promontory, Utah. The events will also serve to raise awareness of the vital role rail plays in our nation’s transportation system.
9:30–10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremony (3rd floor stage)
• Anthony Reams, President, TMACOG – Master of Ceremonies
• Mike Craig, Council member, District 3, City of Toledo
• Stu Nicholson, Public Information Officer, Ohio Rail Development Commission
• Rob Burkett, Toledo Terminal Superintendent, CSX
• Steven Somogyi, Toledo Terminal Superintendent, Norfolk Southern
• Thomas Crothers, Deputy Mayor for External Relations, City of Toledo
• Derrick James, Senior Governmental Affairs Officer, Amtrak
• Teresa Fedor, State Representative, 47th District, Ohio
9:30 a.m.– 4 p.m. Open House
• Tour Amtrak train, Norfolk Southern engine, railroad track cars, displays, prize drawings, model trains, music
• 9 – 11:30 a.m. - Train Silk-Screening Workshop (3rd floor)
• 10:30 a.m. - Cakewalkin’ Jass Band (3rd floor stage)
• 11 a.m.–3 p.m. - Meet Engineer Steve: Rail Safety for Kids (TMACOG Theater)
• 11:30 a.m. - Lori LeFevre Johnson Trio (3rd floor stage)
• 12 p.m. - The Fastest Train in the World – Video and Presentation (TMACOG Theater)
• 1 p.m. - More Jazz Messengers (3rd floor stage)
• 2:30 p.m. - Hepcat Revival (3rd floor stage)
It is the mission of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to continuously leverage our strategic geographic position, resources and economic development proficiency to provide increased business opportunities—built upon and around our innovative transportation and logistics expertise—while promoting our community and region within the global marketplace. We will accomplish this through unmatched speed and efficiency of service, collaborative and strategic partnerships, community stewardship and the continued generation and execution of new ideas and innovations. www.toledoportauthority.org --- 419-243-8251
###