"You leave the Pennsylvania Station 'bout a Quarter to Four..." (Obama's Train)

[Clio the Leo]

Train car Obama said to be using has long presidential pedigree


Passengers aboard Amtrak's northbound Silver Meteor departing Jacksonville, Fla., earlier this week, probably had no idea that another chapter of presidential history was riding on the hind end of their train.

Coupled to the rear of the Miami-to-New York City passenger train Tuesday evening was the Georgia 300, a classic looking heavyweight observation car from the golden era of rail travel that was built by the Pullman Standard Co. shops in 1930.

The Georgia 300 will be used Saturday by President-elect Barack Obama and Vice president-elect Joe Biden on the 137-mile "Whistle Stop Tour" that begins at Philadelphia's 30th Street Station, according to news accounts and railroad sources.

Chartered by the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Committee, the special train will be operated by Amtrak and will traverse part of the rail route traveled by Abraham Lincoln to his 1861 inaugural.

<snip>

Obama is no stranger to the Georgia 300; he traveled aboard the car last spring from Philadelphia to Harrisburg a few days before the Pennsylvania Democratic primary.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-traincar0116,0,3997955.story

(how pretty is that!)

[givemebackmycountry]

1. OH, that's a BIG kick right there doncha know.....

You betcha!

[AtomicKitten]

2. The journey begins.

:patriot:

[NYC_SKP]

3. Classic. Timeless.

And the old blue Pullman rail car ain't too shabby, either! ;-)

[Undercurrent]

4. Beautiful!

I'm looking forward to watching. C-Span will carry it live, and probably CNN and MSNBC will too.


Saturday, 1.17.09

Event: Train Travel To Washington

The inaugural celebration will begin with a whistle-stop tour from Philadelphia, the city where democracy was born, to Washington, where the inauguration ceremony will be held.

* 10:05 a.m.: Rally at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia
President-elect Obama and his family, along with everyday Americans travel by train to the District of Columbia. Tickets required.

* 1 p.m.: Wilmington, Del. Train Station
Pick up Vice President-elect Biden and his family. Event is open to public.

* 4:15 p.m.: Rally in Baltimore
War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St. Event is open to the public.

* Arrival in Washington, D.C.