by Dan Peters
Spring is almost here. Time to start thinking about getting outside and doing some train-watching, some train-chasing, and definitely some train-enjoying.
This relatively new holiday was created in 2008 by Amtrak, as a way to publicize riding the train. Amtrak dropped their sponsorship in 2015, as a cost-cutting measure. But other groups and organizations continue to keep it going. It is an un-official “National” holiday, since there has never been a congressional resolution or presidential declaration. Amtrak still celebrates “Amtrak Train Days” in several cities with a large Amtrak presence.
This year, National Train Day will be Saturday May 7th, 2022. When the holiday was first declared by Amtrak, it was defined as “the closest Saturday to May 10th”, the anniversary of the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory Summit UT in 1869. Some locations do their local celebration on the Second Sunday in May, the date of Mothers Day. Other local venues ( especially in Ohio ) do their celebrations on the Second Saturday in May, which would be May 14th this year. When you look on your favorite web site, they may reference a different day. But Saturday May 7th is the “Official” day.
There have been many lists and suggestions for ways to celebrate National Train Day. Some require more advance planning than others. At the very least, you can mark your calendar now, and save the day. Or, if you’re more ambitious, make reservations for a truly memorable celebration.
Take a train ride
We in western Washington are lucky that Amtrak has 3 major services in Seattle. Long-distance trains ( defined as a train with sleeping cars ) include the daily Coast Starlight and the Empire Builder. Our regional train ( over 50 miles, but no sleeping cars ) is the Amtrak Cascades. If you want to ride the nostalgic Talgo trains, they will be replaced by all new equipment, scheduled to arrive in 2024.
The Sounder commuter trains don’t operate on Saturday. But the Link Light Rail trains run every day, and service is fast and frequent. And in Tacoma, the streetcar trains are still free, including free parking.
Go to a train museum
You’re in luck here. National Train Day 2022 falls on Mothers Day weekend, one of 3 weekends when the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie runs their steam engine, Northern Pacific number 924, to power their passenger trains. Their museum and train rides should be back in operation by March, plenty of time to make your plans. If your plans include riding this train, I suggest getting your ticket early ( available through their web site https://trainmuseum.org/ ), since their Steam Engine Excursions sell out fast. Your train ticket is also good for admission to the Train Shed museum, located at the “History Campus” between Snoqualmie and North Bend.
Like all other museums and heritage railway operations, the COVID epidemic has caused closures and schedule disruptions all around the area. My suggestion would be, if you know verified information about your favorite museum or train ride, let the “Grab Iron” editor know, so it can be posted. Beware of “well they usually . . .” speculation, or unverified rumors. It’s always smart to call first.
Read a train book
I have my favorites, and you probably do, too. Please feel free to leave your suggestions as “comments” to this article.
Visit a train club or swap meet
Once again, the ongoing COVID epidemic has turned everybody’s schedule up-side-down.
As I suggested above, if you have verified information, please give it to the “Grab Iron” editor, so it can be posted. Nobody needs “well 3 years ago they used to . . . ” speculation, with all the schedules up in the air.
Watch a movie that has trains in it
There have been many. Some good, some less good, but all entertaining. Even a YouTube video can serve as detox for the truly train-addicted. And it’s always worth-while to share watching a “Thomas And His Friends” video with your grand-kids. Don’t worry how to find it, your grand-kids certainly can show you.
Hope to see lots of you next National Train Day.
