National Train Day

Temple is rich in history when it comes to railroad origins. Our city features several tributes to the trains that gave this city its start. Visitors can find art train sculptures throughout downtown, ride the train at our working Amtrak station, stop by the CentraMOD model train club, or take a look at the permanent and rotating exhibits at the Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum. The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum is also hosting a train-themed event in honor of National Train Day.

National Train Day takes place on May 6th. This national day celebrates the completion of the transcontinental railroad with the golden spike placed in Promontory, Utah that finished the railroad. This national day was started by Amtrak in 2008 to tell the public about the advantages of traveling by train and the rich history of trains in the United States of America. 

From 11 AM to 3 PM ticket holders can participate in crafts, activities, face painting, tours of the train yard, and so much more! 

Tickets for the event are $6 and include access to all activities, entrance to the museum, and a ride on the Speeder Cars on the tracks behind the museum. Children 2 and under get free admission to this event. Tickets must be purchased online prior to the event. Tickets will not be sold at the door and are very limited. Make sure you purchase a ticket to this family-fun event in downtown Temple before it's sold out!

The Speeder Cars are one of the many great activities happening at National Train Day this year. This fun activity involves the opportunity for children and adults to board the speeder car and take a ride along the track and back. 

Activities for Train Day include photo opportunities, face painting, drawings for three prize-filled suitcases, a ride on the barrel train on Santa Fe Plaza, balloon artists, and model train displays at CentraMod. Vendors for the event include Amtrak, Kona Ice, Cupcakery Avenue, and more.

With trains being such a vital part of Temple's history and economic development through the years, its no secret that we love celebrating the railway and the trains that first made transcontinental travel possible. National Train Day will be an exciting family event filled with lots of activities, vendors, and history. Discover why Temple takes pride in its rich history of the railroad roots that started it all.