Knight is the national spokesperson for the day celebrating train travel on Saturday, May 7th and will host the big event at Washington D.C.’s Union Station. National Train Day will also be recognized at other stations around the country, including Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station, Chicago’s Union Station and Los Angeles’ Union Station.
National Train Day celebrations will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in those four stations with free events, exhibits and other festivities including model trains, tours and private railroad cars.
“This year’s event will kick-off the 40th anniversary of Amtrak and is an opportunity to celebrate the company’s contributions to the history and future of passenger rail in this country,” said Emmett Fremaux, Amtrak’s vice president of marketing and product development. “National Train Day promises to delight the kid in all of us with a day dedicated to celebrating all things rail.”
Knight is actually a train enthusiast. Her 1973 Grammy Award-winning song “Midnight Train to Georgia” was changed from its original title, “Midnight Plane to Houston.” Cissy Houston, who recorded the song a year earlier than the Knight and the Pips, was the first person to record the song with its new title.
“I’m a big fan of train travel,” Knight says. “I not only love the comfort and convenience of trains, but also like knowing that I’m doing my part to help the environment every time I choose to travel by rail. Trains are tightly woven into the history of our country and have definitely played a leading role in my life and career. I’m thrilled to be a part of the National Train Day celebrations.”
On May 5, Knight will perform at New York’s Beacon Theater at benefit for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Amtrak’s official charity for National Train Day.
Washington D.C.’s National Train Day event will serve to launch the nationwide tour of the 40th anniversary Exhibit Train. The exhibit will consist of two locomotives, three renovated baggage cars displaying historic advertising, uniforms, photos and other memorabilia and an Amtrak Bistro car to be used as a retail center and for various exhibits.
The B&O Railroad owned the only line into Washington D.C. during the Civil War, playing a critical role during the conflict. Abraham Lincoln made only five historic railroad journeys during his presidency – all across the B&O’s line. That interactive exhibit is presented in partnership with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum.
In Philadelphia, the focus will be on how African-Americans migrated from the South to the Northeast, Midwest and West via passenger (and sometimes freight) trains during the early 20th century. This exhibit will chronicle “The Great Migration,” which lasted until 1930 and was a step in the full nationalization of the African-American population.
For more information on local celebrations, please visit www.nationaltrainday.com.
