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May 10 holds special meaning, as it is the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869.
At Promontory, the East and West Coasts were connected for the first time by rail. From Promontory in 1869 to the promotion and settlement of the southwest by Fred Harvey and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to the creation of Amtrak in 1970 to the launch of Acela Express (high speed rail in the northeast corridor) in 2000, all are part of our great heritage via the history of train travel.
Celebrating National Train Day locally will take place at the Dodge City Santa Fe Depot Complex from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 with events in the train station, Harvey Hotel lobby, El Vaquero Dining Room, and the Homestead Theater. Boot Hill Museum will have the depot open for the public to view, with an interpreter on hand explaining the advent of passenger rail travel. The Convention and Visitors Bureau will also be open offering free trolley tours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programs at the Santa Fe Depot Complex and Depot Theater Company will include National Train Day information; Amtrak passenger rail information; public awareness of the benefits of train travel; posting of National Train Day Proclamation; recognition of our local train station volunteers ,the 'railers'; cake, cookies and punch; a slide presentation about the history of the Dodge City Santa Fe Depot; a drawing for various railroad memorabilia; a free screening of the movie "Polar Express" starting at noon in the Homestead Theater to the first 100 guests; and a drawing of railroad memorabilia for children.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and celebrate the history of trains, train travel and train depots across the United States.
May 10 holds special meaning, as it is the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869.
At Promontory, the East and West Coasts were connected for the first time by rail. From Promontory in 1869 to the promotion and settlement of the southwest by Fred Harvey and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway to the creation of Amtrak in 1970 to the launch of Acela Express (high speed rail in the northeast corridor) in 2000, all are part of our great heritage via the history of train travel.
Celebrating National Train Day locally will take place at the Dodge City Santa Fe Depot Complex from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 10 with events in the train station, Harvey Hotel lobby, El Vaquero Dining Room, and the Homestead Theater. Boot Hill Museum will have the depot open for the public to view, with an interpreter on hand explaining the advent of passenger rail travel. The Convention and Visitors Bureau will also be open offering free trolley tours on a first-come, first-served basis.
Programs at the Santa Fe Depot Complex and Depot Theater Company will include National Train Day information; Amtrak passenger rail information; public awareness of the benefits of train travel; posting of National Train Day Proclamation; recognition of our local train station volunteers ,the 'railers'; cake, cookies and punch; a slide presentation about the history of the Dodge City Santa Fe Depot; a drawing for various railroad memorabilia; a free screening of the movie "Polar Express" starting at noon in the Homestead Theater to the first 100 guests; and a drawing of railroad memorabilia for children.
Everyone is encouraged to attend and celebrate the history of trains, train travel and train depots across the United States.
