Every year, on Saturday closest to May 10, National Train Day is celebrated. Initially, the holiday was celebrated in 2008 and still continues. Amtrak conceptualized celebrations as a way to spread awareness about the history of railway networks in the United States and why more individuals should use this type of transport. In order to go from one place to another, railways are one of the most eco-friendly ways. in the US and three cities in Canada, Amtrak offers railroad service in countless cities. Besides transporting people from one place to another, railways are also involved in the transportation of goods and particular services.
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History
Since their invention some 200 years ago, modern trains have developed rapidly. Trains can be ranked as one of the most essential inventions of modern history. Trains have significantly changed exploration, business, and the way we travel daily.
The steam train made its way to the railways of industrial England in the 1800s. Nowadays, we have bullet trains that transport passengers at unbelievable speeds, with a distance of thousands of miles in a short time. There are also cargo
trains that are used to haul goods, including fuel, food, and post. Remote lands have become almost immediately reachable. In a short time, long distances can be covered. The arrival of trains hastened the industrial revolution, which made the outgoing transport of finished goods and transport of raw materials an easy task. Trains still continue to do a fair haul of public and commercial transport around the world even with the arrival of airplanes. Trains are used in many ways, from subway electric trains, trams, specialized tourist trains, and distance trains to high-speed bullet trains that can go up to 275 miles an hour and freight trains.
At the Promontory summit in Utah, National Train Day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Golden Spike. The day also marks the first anniversary of the railway system in the US. On the day to celebrate the occasion events such as exhibitions of railroad layouts are organized.
Timeline of National Train Day
1550 (Wagonways were Used) – Wagonways, crude carriages pulled on tracks by horses in Germany, are documented as being the first form of modern railway transportation.
1769 (Steam-Powered Engines were Patented) – Steam-powered train engines were patented by James Watt.
1853 (The First Train in India) – From Bori Bunder to Thane ran the first train in India.
1964 (High-Speed Railway Began Operations) – The first high-speed trains started to run in Japan, between Tokyo to Osaka.
FAQs about National Train Day
1) What was the date when Amtrak went into service?
This train company went into service on May 1, 1971.
2) When did National Train Day start?
In 2008, May 10 was marked as the first National train day. The biggest events occurred in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Chicago.
3) Is Amtrak still a sponsor of National Train Day?
Due to budget cuts within Amtrak, National Train Day was canceled after 2015, however other rail organizations continue to celebrate the holiday.
Activities on National Train Day
1) Travel by train – Celebrate National Train Day by taking a train to work or going on a small vacation. You can ride a long-distance train, a tram, or a cable car.
2) Post photos of trains – Post photos of your train travel and reminisce about the good times, if you can’t manage to travel on National Train Day.
3) Express your gratitude to a railway employee – Take a moment to thank a railway employee for their services on National Train Day. They work hard to guarantee that we have a peaceful journey.
5 Interesting Facts about National Train Day
#1 World’s longest train ride – This train voyage, from Portugal to Vietnam, is 10,056 miles long and takes around 12 days to complete.
#2 World’s fastest train – Japan has the fastest commercial magnetic-levitation train in the world — its speed is 374 mph.
#3 Mostly on time – In Japan, trains are usually on time — the staff personally apologizes to each passenger if a delay lasts more than five minutes.
#4 Four types of train propulsion – Trains can operate on four types of power sources, i.e., horse-drawn, steam, diesel, and electricity.
#5 Hogwarts Express train – This steam engine from the popular movie franchise “Harry Potter”, takes passengers on a beautiful ride through Scotland.
Why National Train Day is Important for Us?
1) We have fond memories of trains
Trains are a popular form of transport, they remind us of joyful times spent in the company of our loved ones, typically during a vacation.
2) They are eco-friendly
Trains have become an eco-friendly way to travel long distances with increased urgency to go green. The emissions are minimal, and thousands of people can be transported across long distances in a short time.
3) A celebration of human accomplishment
Trains also remind us of the amazing progress that human beings have made in a span of a few centuries. Trains have ushered in an epoch of increased mobility, and National Train Day marks just that.
