Amtrak Exhibit Train in Grand Rapids Tomorrow

The Amtrak Exhibit Train, showcasing the past, present and future of America’s Railroad®, will be open to the public for free tours this Saturday in Grand Rapids as part of the national Amtrak Train Days tour.  The Exhibit Train is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.at the Amtrak Station at 440 Century Avenue SW.  

In addition to the Exhibit Train, also at the station will be model trains from the Holland Modular Railroad Club, the Chuggington® Kids Depot based on the popular children’s animated television series on Disney Junior, famed artist Elaine S. Wilson will be showing her Michigan railroad work and rail safety information will be distributed. A Silver Line vehicle will be on display from The Rapid. Assistance will be from volunteers with the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.

The Exhibit Train features displays including workable signals, virtual sleeping accommodation tours and trivia, the locomotive control stand and horns. In addition, it features photos, uniforms, vintage advertising and memorabilia from the beginning of Amtrak in 1971 to today’s modern sleeping cars and high-speed rail service. The train includes three baggage cars renovated into exhibit cars and one bistro car, all with historic paint schemes.

The Rapid developed the Vernon J. Ehlers Station in Grand Rapids, which opened last October and is served by the Amtrak Pere Marquette train to and from Chicago and by Amtrak Thruway Buses. Train service is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation with nearly 48,000 passengers to and from Grand Rapids last year.