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National Train Day Toledo is May 4
National Train Day Toledo is Saturday, May 4, 2013, 9:30 a.m. to 4 pm at the Toledo Amtrak station and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. The Toledo celebration of trains and train travel is one of the largest in the country.
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National Train Day Toledo kicks off at 9:30 a.m. with a welcome from Amtrak officials, local and state elected officials, and other dignitaries. Following the opening remarks, visitors will enjoy exhibits and displays on three floors of the Plaza until 4 p.m. On the first level is the Amtrak station with art displays, raffles for train travel, and access to the trains and locomotive engines on the tracks. On the second floor, Engineer Steve will amuse and educate children about safety near the tracks. On the third floor in the Grand Lobby are the big operating model train layouts, music, food, vendors, and more.
People expected to speak at the opening ceremony for Train Day Toledo 2013 include: Robert J. Stewart (Chair, National Association of Rail Passengers, Washington DC), Dennis Hodges (Head of Indiana High Speed Rail), Ron Sheck (Ohio Association of Railroad Passengers, All Aboard Ohio), Tim Porter (Chair, Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association), Derrick James (Senior Government Affairs Officer, Amtrak), Robert Tischbein (Chair, Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers) and Rick Harmish (Midwest High Speed Rail Association).
This year the program starts on the day before National Train Day Toledo with a new event—“Friday Night by the Tracks” is an evening preview reception hosted by NOPRA, the Northwest Ohio Passenger Rail Association. “Friday Night by the Tracks” is Friday, May 3, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Grand Lobby of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. Attendees will get a preview of the exhibits and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, and entertainment. Tickets are $30 and may be purchased online at http://ntdtoledopreview.eventbrite.com/.
Admission to the all-day, family-friendly Train Day Toledo on May 4 is free and parking is free. There will be a shuttle from the Owens Corning parking lot on Summit St. to the nearby Amtrak station and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza.
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