Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train

This past weekend the special Amtrak exhibit train rolled into Union Station in Springfield, Massachusetts. There are six more scheduled stops throughout New England this summer, so if you missed this event, you’ll have many more chances to see it.

Amtrak, the national railroad service for the United States, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and as part of the celebration, this several-car special train is being sent as a kind mobile museum on tour of some of the towns and cities Amtrak services. Climb aboard and walk through four decades worth of nostalgia and memorabilia. Equipment and vintage ads are displayed, menus and dinnerware from the past in the lounge car, uniforms, photographs and videos to see.

There were some freebees offered by staff on the platform, and items for sale in the “store” car on the end.

Lots of train buffs meandered through the train and all around it, taking photos, and kids sharing the grownups’ love of trains. All of this activity much to the surprise of the passengers alighting with their rolling suitcases from the regular train that pulled into the station as this event was going on.

Each weekend for the next six weeks gives New Englanders a chance to catch up with the special exhibit train. Here are the upcoming stops:

Union Station - New Haven, Connecticut: July 16-17.

Union Station - New London, Connecticut: July 23-24.

Amtrak Station - Providence, Rhode Island: July 30-31.

South Station - Boston: August 6-7.

Depot Avenue - Freeport, Maine: August 13-14.

Main Street - Burlington, Vermont: August 20-21.

After that, it’s Albany, New York and points west. For more about Amtrak’s special exhibit train and the 40th anniversary celebration, have a look at this website.