Saturday, May 9, 2009, was National Train Day. Des Moines, Iowa, was the only city in the United States without regular passenger train service to celebrate National Train Day.
With the assistance of Iowa Interstate Railroad, Governor Chet Culver's office organized a two car passenger special that operated between Valley Junction in West Des Moines to downtown Des Moines. Joining the Governor and his son, John, were various elected officials or their representatives, family members, passenger train advocates, and members of the news media.
While on board the Governor signed a National Train Day proclamation. After the train stopped at the former Rock Island Depot in downtown Des Moines (Arrival was delayed by a motorist who decided to park his car too close to the tracks. The vehicle had to be towed out of the way.), the Governor remarked that progress is being made to return more passenger train service to Des Moines, especially between Chicago, the Quad Cities, Iowa City, and Des Moines. He conclude his remarks to the audience by promising to be present to cut the ribbon when the first passenger train returns to Des Moines. Also addressing the audience were West Des Moines City Council member Ted Ohmart, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie, Des Moines Attorney Mike Kulik who is involved with the Greater Des Moines Partnership effort to restore passenger train service, and Iowa DOT Director, Nancy Richardson.
Here are photographs taken of the National Train Day special in Des Moines, Iowa, on May 9, 2009.
Download National Train Day in Des Moines, Iowa, May 9, 2009
Here is one of the comments that Governor Chet Culver made.
Download CULVER RR A
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