Railroads opened up the world.
"Trains gave people access to the rest of the nation," says Michael Groomer, park interpreter at the Fort Smith National Historic Site. "People could travel. They could get out of the city."
FAQ
National Train Day
What: Model railroad and history presentation
When: Starting at 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Frisco Depot, Fort Smith National Historic Site
Information: 783-3961, nps.gov/fosm
What: A&M excursion train
When: 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Frisco Depot
Cost: $20 adults; $10 children
Information: 751-8600, amrailroad.com/excu…
What: Trolley car dedication
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Fort Smith Trolley Museum, 100 S. Fourth St.
Information: 783-0205, fstm.org
What: Cannon firing
When: 4 p.m. Saturday
Where: Fort Smith National Historic Site
Information: 783-3961, nps.gov/fosm
The national park will celebrate National Train Day starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, with activities ranging from rides (for a fee) on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad's excursion train to crafts to railroad safety to a model train layout to a chance to hear the real story from members of the Arkansas-Boston Mountains chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. All events center around the Frisco (San Francisco and St. Louis Railroad) depot.
This historic train station was built in 1903 and used for several decades for freight and passengers. The depot -- now owned by the National Parks Service -- is the last remaining of seven depots serving Fort Smith, Groomer says. The railroad was more reliable form of access to the outside world.
"Trains were important to the national parks, too," Groomer says in this 150th year of the parks service, and "many small towns were formed because of the railroad."
In addition to the events at the depot, at 2 p.m. the Fort Smith Trolley Museum dedicates the restoration and return to service of the Hot Springs Street Railway car No. 50, last in use 76 years ago.
Amtrak, the nation's passenger rail service, proclaimed National Train Day in 2008 to raise awareness of railroads and railroad history in the United States.
"There's just something magical about trains," Groomer says.
-- Laurinda Joenks
NAN What's Up on 05/20/2016