142 years of rail passenger services coast to coast as the transcontinental Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways came together on May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit, Utah, the "golden spike" was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles.
Tampa Union Station Terminus was constructed in 1912 to accommodate the Atlantic Coast Line, Seaboard Air Line, and Tampa Northern Railroad Passenger Services.
Restored in 1998, Union Station Terminus has earned status on the National Register of Historic Places and a Tampa Landmark. Today, this grand landmark station is owned by the Citizens of Tampa and continues to serve more than 100,000 rail passengers each year.
Amtrak Equipment on Display! Including an Amtrak 40th Anniversary commemorative locomotive, Amfleet and Viewliner equipment!
EXHIBITS
11:AM HISTORY LECTURES
SPECIAL EVENT DEMONSTRATIONS
OPERATING DISPLAY AND LAYOUT
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION
Special talks about the recently-completed restoration of one of the historic 1912 platform canopies from the engineering team who made it happen!
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Interested in becoming part of TAMPA NATIONAL TRAIN DAY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP Great! . . . Lets Get Started, On Tampa National Train Day Planning.
To become a Committee Member.... Provide your:
Florida National Train Day Association herein establishes Statewide Rail Line Community National Train Day Events, under the National Train Day Resolution established goals that contribute to enrichment of rail line communities of State of Florida toward our mission and organizational development:
FLORIDA NATIONAL TRAIN DAY ASSOCIATION, is seeking Memphis Area & State of Florida residents, business professionals, merchants, railway personnel and other qualified citizens, to take a chair, as community advisers, who will elect representatives to chair the "TAMPA NATIONAL TRAIN DAY COMMITTEE" and participate in preparations, organization and planning for the "TAMPA TRAIN DAY CELEBRATION"
Citizens interested in volunteering time and expertise in major event planning are to "Email Resumes" and "Letter of Professional Expertise in Event Planning" to:
TAMPA, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA recognizing the vast diversity, economic development, productivity and contributes to City of Tampa's growth that railway transportation system, networks and services has provided City of Tampa, Florida. Where our citizens and commerce needs for effective and efficient railway transportation throughout the North American Continent, keeps this great city a spirit among international and national economy moving, and strengthens the State of Florida's mobility and security.
DURING TAMPA'S RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION MONTH and during Tampa's Railway Transportation Day, all State Florida Railways, including All Railroads and North American Continent Railway Systems, Private and Public Passenger are encourage to board trains of all kinds past and present traveling to "The Big Guava" in Tampa, Florida. Celebrate with the citizen of Tampa how modern railway transportation has transformed this city and recognize the men and women who have contributed to its progress. As the City of Tampa renews the commitment to increasing railway transportation productivity and commerce of all kinds to keeping City of Tampa railway transportation system on the leading edge of importance as "The Big Guava".
CITY OF TAMPA'S CENTURY OF RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION system of commerce and productivity transports our citizens and delivers a wide range of goods throughout the State of Florida to the Nations of the North American Continent and the world imports and exports. In times of national and state concerns of the century, the railway transportation system also moved troops, passengers and carried materials and general cargo in war, in disasters, in peace time tranquilly efficiently and effectively. The City of Miami's Heritage in preserving and enhancing the next railway century of transportation systems. Rail line community commerce resources makes the railway infrastructure, to facilitates growth in business and industry, creates employment opportunities, secures the State of Florida future, and improves the quality of life for citizens of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida and all rail line communities served.
TO SUSTAIN TAMPA'S RAILWAY HERITAGE & FUTURE ADVANTAGES,must continue to invest in Tampa's and improve all rail line communities in Florida's railway transportation systems. By enhancing existing rail line community tracks, rail yard, locomotives, freight and passenger railcars, with connecting transit centers to highways, waterways, and airports, to improve fuel-efficiency and locomotive emissions reduction. The City of Tampa, Florida has the determination to foster railway programs and services to work towards improving all kinds of railway commerce, protecting the city's environment, and furthering State of Florida railway economy.
THE GREAT HENRY B. PLANT is the name honored by citizens of Tampa for the spirit is still alive, working towards strengthening environmental protections throughout city by improving railway transportation systems and services. Railway Transportation was designed to increase mobility of citizens while maintaining the flow of freight goods and passenger services crossing Tampa connecting rail line communities; our comprehensive city transportation plan includes improving railroad and railway infrastructure and services of all kinds. Tampa is a "The Big Guava" to make Henry B. Plant proud that Tampa has become a "The Big Guava". By this spirit of Tampa welcomes historical or new, of all kinds, passenger and freight, private railcars, railway event and tour, corporate, steam power, and museum trains from all parts of the North American Continent or the world to signal train's conductor's call: "ALL BOARD" next stop "The Big Guava".
WHEREAS, to raise awareness of the vital role rail plays in our nation’s transportation system, Amtrak will be celebrating its annual National Train Day on Saturday, May 8, 2010 which will be the culmination of six weeks of promotions, events, partnerships, and celebrations held throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, as our nation works to find more energy efficient ways to travel, rail ridership continues to rise. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, rail contributes less per passenger mile to greenhouse gas emissions than either cars or airplanes; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida and the City of Tampa are envisioning new light rail, high speed rail, commuter rail and intercity rail systems to serve our future; and,
WHEREAS, known as one of the best ways to discover the beauty of our country, train travel is also a part of America’s cultural heritage and can be found in our music, movies and literature; and
WHEREAS, while this recognition was initiated by Amtrak in an effort to build awareness of the comfort, ease and efficiency of train travel and the network of services available from coast to coast, other groups with an interest in train travel and history have become involved such as the National Association of Railroad Passengers, the Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers, and Friends of Tampa Union Station; and
WHEREAS, through their municipal government, the residents of the City of Tampa are the proud owners of the historic 1912 Tampa Union Station, a City of Tampa designated Landmark which is also on the National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, ordinary citizens have united with the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay to build a permanent endowment fund with private donations to help support Tampa Union Station’s present and future as a cultural and transportation asset; and
WHEREAS, Tampa Union Station will be the site of festivities honoring this occasion with participation by Amtrak, the Suncoast Model Railroad Club, Tampa’s Poet Laureate James Tokley, the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library, and many others. As an Amtrak city, Tampa is honored to join in this recognition.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pam Iorio, Mayor of Tampa, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Tampa, Florida do hereby proclaim May 8, 2010 as