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Train Day coming to Tampa

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: May 9, 2009

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

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 H.B. Plant Model Railroad Club. Transit and passenger railroad exhibits from the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, TECO Line Streetcar System and others are planned.

The free event marks the 140th anniversary of the driving of the golden spike in Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869, completing the nation's first transcontinental railroad.

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

Amtrak use is up nationwide, rising 12.7 percent in 2008 over 2007.

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

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

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