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Train Day in Tampa features train cars, Lightning Ice Girls

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By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2009

Updated: 05/08/2009 09:12 am

TAMPA - An Amtrak locomotive and passenger car will be among exhibits Saturday during the National Train Day celebration at Tampa's Union Station from noon to 5 p.m.

Local bands and the Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Girls and ThunderBug mascot also will be on hand.

Model railroad exhibits will be provided by the Suncoast Model Railroad Club and the H.B. Plant Model Railroad Club. Transit and passenger railroad exhibits from the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, the TECO Line streetcar and others are planned.

The free celebration marks the 140th anniversary of the laying of the Golden Spike at Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869, which completed America's first transcontinental railroad.

Amtrak has enjoyed a ridership renaissance in recent months with travel up 12.7 percent systemwide in 2008 from the previous year.

Tampa is served by one daily northbound and southbound train on a New York-Miami route.

In an unrelated event Saturday and Sunday. mothers accompanied by a child can ride the train for free at the Florida Railroad Museum in Parrish. Adult tickets are $12 and tickets for children 3-11 are $8. Details are available at frrm.org.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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