National Train Day and Train Festivals in California
PHOTOS: Thomas the Train Festival in Fillmore; and Train Song Festival in Poway
Californians are footing the bill for more than $100 billion to build the bullet train that some say is a waste. Whether that particular project is worth it or not, cities in California with trains find something to celebrate when National Train Day arrives on time on May 11, 2013. The ‘golden spike’ driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways on May 10, 1869 created a whole new way of travel and transportation that made California a lot easier to get to and get around in.
Amtrak is celebrating National Train Day (nationaltrainday.com) in major cities such as Los Angeles on May 11. Here’s a sampling of events in California celebrating trains:
- POWAY– Train Song Festival, April 27, 2013, Noon – 8 p.m. Free admission. poway.org
NATIONAL TRAIN DAY
- LOS ANGELES – National Train Day at Union Station Saturday, May 11, 2012, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. The National Train Day event at Los Angeles Union Station will feature free kids’ activities sponsored by Chuggington, interactive and educational exhibits, model train displays and giveaways. Visitors will have the chance to tour private luxury railcars, freight and commuter trains, as well as current Amtrak equipment. Location: 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
- SAN DIEGO: May 11, 2013, 11 a.m. San Diego S-Gaugers / Liberty Station
- SALINAS: May 11, 11 a.m. at Salinas Amtrak Station
- DUNSMUIR: May 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. dunsmuir.com
- SUISUN CITY May 11, at 11 a.m. at Suisun City Historic Train Depot
- FILLMORE – Thomas the Train at Fillmore & Western Railway Co. (Ventura County) April 26-28, 2013. Location: 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. Tickets at ticketweb.com or fwry.com
- FELTON – Thomas the Train at Roaring Camp Railroads July 26-28 & August 2-4, 2013
- PERRIS – Thomas the Traina at Orange Empire Railway Perris, CA November 9-11 & 16-17, 2013
