National Train Day

Temple has a rich history when it comes to its railroad origins. The city boasts several tributes to the trains that gave Temple its start. Visitors can find train sculptures throughout downtown, take a ride at the working Amtrak station, stop by the CentraMOD model train club, or explore the permanent and rotating exhibits at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum.

Every year, the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum hosts a special train-themed event to honor Temple's history and National Train Day.

The National Train Day event is held on May 10 this year as a special ticketed event.

National Train Day commemorates the completion of the transcontinental railroad project with the placement of the golden spike in Promontory, Utah. The event was initiated by Amtrak in 2008 to raise awareness about the benefits of train travel and to celebrate the rich history of trains in the United States. 

The event is scheduled from 10 AM to 3 PM and offers ticket holders various activities, including speeder cars, face painting, caricatures, and much more.

This is a ticketed event.

Each ticket will grant you access to all the activities at the event, entrance to the museum, and a ride on the Speeder Cars that run on the tracks behind the museum. Children 4 years old or younger can attend the event for free.

It's important to note that tickets must be purchased online before the event. There will be limited ticket sales at the door. Tickets are sold by time slots so that the event can cater to as many interested parties as possible. So, don't wait too long to purchase tickets for this fantastic family-fun event in downtown Temple before they get sold out!

One of the best experiences you can enjoy at National Train Day is taking a ride on the speeder cars. This activity is a lively and fun experience for both kids and adults, providing an opportunity to board a speeder car and take a thrilling ride along the track and back. With this ride, you can immerse yourself in the beautiful landscape around the depot and take in the architecture of the Santa Fe Depot itself.  

Activities for Train Day include photo opportunities, face painting, speeder cars, train-themed fun, and so much more. This spectacular event will also include a tour of CentraMod. CentraMod is located steps away from the parking lot of the Santa Fe Depot. The building houses incredible model train displays and will be open for event attendees to stop in and see the incredible display. 

Guest speakers will be on-site from Temple College to speak on all the historic ties Temple has to the railroad community.

The event is family-friendly and has plenty of activities for train enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to discover more information about what the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum is all about.

9:30 AM

• Museum Members Only
  • Breakfast with a Conductor

10:00 AM

• Doors Open
• Surprise Announcement by RRHM Staff

11:00 AM

• Gallery Talk with Museum Manager, Alysha Richardson
  • The Transcontinental Railroad
• Q & A with The RRHM Foundation in the Grand Lobby

2:00 PM

• Gallery Talk with Kurt Terry, Assistant Professor of History at Temple College
  • Transportation of Ideas: A Meta-History

10:00 AM to 3 PM

• Gallery floors open
• Artisan and food vendors
• Speeder cars
• Meet a conductor
• Self-guided passenger car tours
• RRHM Memberships
• Barrel Train Rides
• Face painting
• Caricatures
• CentraMod open from 10 AM to 5 PM.

Trains have played a vital role in Temple's history and economic development over the years. It is no secret that the city takes great pride in celebrating the railway and the trains that made transcontinental travel possible. National Train Day is an exciting family event filled with numerous activities, vendors, and historical exhibitions. It is an opportunity to discover why Temple has a rich history of railroad roots that started it all.