Train whistles will be blowing all over the Central Coast on May 8 in honor of the third annual National Train Day. To celebrate Train Day, area rail organizations and historical societies have put together several free events in San Luis Obispo and Guadalupe.
In Guadalupe, the Friends of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad, the Rancho de Guadalupe Historical Society, and the city of Guadalupe will host a special National Train Day open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the historical Santa Maria Valley Railroad 210 caboose and Amtrak Platform, located at 330 Guadalupe St. The caboose, which is owned by the Guadalupe Chamber of Commerce, will be open to the public for the first time in years. Also, the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association will present a model train display, while the Mud Skippers Dixieland Band performs some Southern jams.
In San Luis Obispo, the Red Skunk Jipzee Swing Band will provide mood music for train-themed festivities from noon to 4 p.m. at the Amtrak Station, located at 1011 Railroad Ave. Events include a rail photo display and hands-on, working model trains from the San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association. The President of the San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum will also lead a tour of the Historic Railroad District at 1 p.m.
Need a ride to the events?
Amtrak is offering several excursions that day from Guadalupe and Paso Robles to San Luis Obispo. According to information from the Central Coast Railroad Festival, Surfliner 799 will depart Guadalupe at 12:09 p.m. and arrive in SLO at 12:45 p.m., and Surfliner 792 will head back to Guadalupe at 2 p.m. People need to purchase tickets directly from Amtrak for this trip. The Guadalupe Historical Society has a limited number of free Amtrak companion fare coupons that can be used for half price adult round trips that day. They can be picked up at the Historical Society Museum, 1005 Guadalupe St., on Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 3 p.m. Coupons must be redeemed in advance at the SLO or Santa Barbara Stations. Coupons are also good for other Surfliner rides through June 15.
For more information, including schedules and ticket info, visit amtrak.com or call 1 (800) USA-RAIL.
School Scene is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Apr 29 – May 6, 2010.