North Carolina's Amtrak train system will celebrate National Train Day on Saturday by holding open house programs at train stations across the state, including several in the Charlotte area.
The events are designed to raise awareness of North Carolina's passenger rail service.
Residents can visit open houses at train stations across the state -- Charlotte, Kannapolis, Salisbury in the Charlotte area; and Raleigh, Durham, Burlington, Greensboro, High Point, Selma, Wilson, Rocky Mount and Fayetteville elsewhere.
"With ridership up more than 20 percent over this time last year, citizens are finding that riding the train is a safe, efficient and environmentally-friendly transportation option," said Pat Simmons, rail director for the N.C. Department of Transportation. "Our open houses will give people considering train travel an opportunity to become familiar with the benefits of riding the train in North Carolina."
Visitors to the open houses can pick up train schedules, trip planning information and have their train travel questions answered by staff. They will also receive free train giveaways and a National Train Day poster.
Visitors at Burlington, High Point, Salisbury, Kannapolis and Selma can also register to win train tickets for travel within North Carolina. Some stations will have extended hours. The locations of Charlotte-area train stations:
Charlotte: 1914 North Tryon Street.
Kannapolis: 201 South Main Street.
Salisbury: 215 Depot Street.
