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Chicago: Union Station
Union Station 225 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606
Get Directions | Trip Planner | Program Guide [2.5 MB PDF]
When: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, May 12
General Admission: Free
Now in its 5th year, National Train Day is back to celebrate train travel and the ways trains touch the lives of people with events across America. This year, festivities will highlight the unique perspective passengers enjoy as they take in the vastness and beauty of the American landscape, from cities big and small, to country vistas and everything in between, when traveling by rail.
As part of National Train Day, each major market event features live entertainment, interactive and educational exhibits, kids’ activities, model train displays and tours of Amtrak equipment, freight and commuter trains, and notable private railroad cars.
National Train Day Exhibits and Activities
Train Equipment Displays
In select markets, walk through a privately owned, luxury train. Explore commuter displays, rail passenger services and freight equipment displays showing how “green” locomotives transform the nation’s freight fleet.
| Private Cars (subject to change) | Commuter Rail | Freight Rail |
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Train Equipment Guide [2.4 MB PDF]
There will be no ticketing system this year, so be sure to arrive early! Space is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Exhibits open at 11:00 a.m. on May 12.
Are you an Amtrak Guest Rewards MasterCard cardholder? If so, follow the Fast-Track signs to skip the line and avoid the wait.
American Sign Language Interpreted Tours for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at 12pm and 2pm.
Amtrak’s Special Excursion Train
Take a Ride Aboard Amtrak’s Special Excursion Train for an up-close view of modern passenger rail’s amenities.
Led by P-42 locomotive #156—repainted in the first Amtrak color scheme to celebrate the 40th Anniversary in 2011—the train includes popular bi-level Superliner equipment used on western long-distance routes.
Departs Track 2 in the south boarding area
Duration: 40 minutes
Departure Times: 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30PM
Price: Adults $5.00; Children 12 and under ride FREE*
*all children must be accompanied by an adult (18+)
AmtraKids Depot
Bring the kids and let them build, explore and compete for surprise giveaways happening all day long at the AmtraKids Depot.
Model Train Displays
Take a closer look at the miniature masterpieces and marvel at the wonder of the model train displays that will be featured on-site at National Train Day.
Chicagoland Lionel Railroad Club and Kato USA will be displaying their model trains in Chicago.
http://www.clrctrains.com/index_user.asp
K-9 Unit Demonstrations
Interact with Amtrak Police K-9 Units, one of the largest K-9 programs in the United States.
Amtrak High Speed Rail Display
Explore the future of high speed rail travel.
Amtrak Culinary Experience
Enjoy live cooking demonstrations by Amtrak Culinary Advisory Team celebrity chef, Tom Douglas, and taste free samples of regional culinary specialties.
Learn more about Tom Douglas and the rest of Amtrak’s Culinary Advisory team
See More Store
Take home posters, t-shirts, and other memorabilia that will remind you to see more, do more and live more from the passenger seat of a train.
Exclusive Exhibit
Hill Harper: Scenes from the Southwest Chief
Actor Hill Harper, star of CSI: NY will share his personal Amtrak travel experience during the 5th Annual National Train Day Celebration at Chicago Union Station. Harper, also a noted author, wrote sections of his latest book The Wealth Cure: Putting Money In Its Place while traveling aboard the Amtrak Southwest Chief from Los Angeles to Chicago in 2010.
Live Entertainment
Radio Disney AM 1300, part of the #1 radio network for kids, tweens and families, will be on-site at National Train Day in Chicago from 11:00am to 4:00pm. The Radio Disney AM 1300 Road Crew will host interactive entertainment including train themed activities and trivia, dancing and prizes.
Million Dollar Quartet, the Tony-nominated musical inspired by the famed 1956 recording session that brought together legendary rock ‘n’ roll icons Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, celebrates its long run in Chicago, a multiple Tony-nominated New York run, a long-running London production and a national tour that kicked-off in October 2011.
Miss Lori from Miss Lori’s CAMPUS
Miss Lori instantly became a national treasure in 2006 the first time she said hello to Hooper as the first ever live host on the PBS Kids Preschool Block. Children and parents alike trust her input and value her contributions on television, through Social Media, and of course in person with her award winning music. Miss Lori’s infectious performances are like brownies with wheat germ; education and inspiration wrapped up in delicious entertainment. Powered by her boundless energy and her trademark smile Miss Lori entices us to phyicalize our imaginations no matter our age, bringing families closer together in health and happiness. And who couldn’t use a little more of that?
Host Your Own Event
No National Train Day events in your area? New York too far away? Organize an event in your community and start a celebration!
How to Host