Saturday is National Train Day and events are being held across Michigan, including at many Amtrak stations.
Tim Fischer is with the Michigan Environmental Council.
He says gas prices are going up and so is train ridership.
But Fischer says the same can’t be said of state and federal investments in the U.S. rail system.
" So we certainly do need more funding for our rail systems, they are important assets that we should not be abandoning."
Here is a list of events:
May 6, 2010
Ann Arbor Amtrak Station
325 Depot St., 7 to 9 a.m.
Coffee and donuts with Mayor John Hieftje and members of the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers.
Bangor Amtrak Station
541 Railroad St., 9 a.m. to Noon
Live music and refreshments with city officials and an HO scale model train layout from the Holland Modular Railroad Club.
Detroit Amtrak Station
112 W. Baltimore Ave., 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cake and coffee with local officials and advocates from groups including Transportation Riders United. City officials will read a mayoral proclamation at noon.
Dowagiac Amtrak Station
200 Depot Drive, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Refreshments and a model train display from the Cass Railroad Club.
East Lansing Amtrak Station
1240 South Harrison Rd., 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Refreshments and reading of resolutions from the city and the Michigan House of Representatives with Michigan Environmental Council’s Tim Fischer.
Ferndale Rainy Day Hobbies
22961 Woodward Ave., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
An open house with model railroading demonstrations, events for kids and much more.
Flint Amtrak Station
1407 Dort Hwy. @ I-69, 6:30 a.m. to Noon
The National Association of Railway Business Women and Mid Michigan Railway Historical Society will lead the celebration and staff display booths.
Jackson Amtrak Station
501 E. Michigan Ave., 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
State Senator Mike Nofs presentation of Senate resolution, 8:00 a.m.
Model trains, interactive educational exhibits and a look at the historic Michigan Central Railroad Station.
Kalamazoo Model Railroad Historical Society
9336 N. Riverview, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spring open house with a 1012 vintage full-size caboose to tour. Games for kids.
Kalamazoo Amtrak Station
459 N. Burdick St., 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Multiple exhibitors and the Michigan Association of Railroad Passengers will lead the event.
(Niles) Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve
13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Opening of Fernwood’s railway garden with G-scale trains on four levels of track.
Niles Amtrak Station
598 Dey St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Interactive exhibits at the historic 1892 Michigan Central Railroad Station.
Saginaw Railway Museum
900 Maple St., 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Open house and slideshow.
