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Hundreds Take Part In National Train Day Festivities At 30th Street Station

By John McDevitt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The 7th annual National Train Day took place Saturday with more than 300 events in all 50 states, including festivities at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station.

It was a day of fun for young and old with train model displays, K-9 demonstrations and, of course, tours of Amtrak trains.

12-year-old Matthew Grace of Media was impressed.

"I liked how they have the trains that you can go in," he said. "I thought it was really cool. I haven't been on a train like that before like the long distance trains and I think that is really cool."

A private train was getting plenty of attention, too. A Pennsylvania Railroad train built in Altoona in 1928. Bennett Levin of Philadelphia is the owner.

"This car carried the body of Robert Kennedy when he was assassinated," said Levin. It carried the body from Saint Patrick's in New York to the burial to Arlington right in this room. And -- if you go outside -- you'll see John Kennedy getting off this car coming back from the Army/Navy game when he was president.

The train has cars with walnut woodwork, a parlor, bedrooms, a dining room and a full kitchen.

national train day
A Pennsylvania Railroad train built in Altoona in 1928. (credit: John McDevitt)

 

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