The public is invited to attend the third annual Lewes celebration of National Train Day scheduled for Saturday, May 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  at Lewes Junction, next to the Lewes Public Library.  The Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association is once again presenting the event which commemorates the final connection of the Transcontinental Railroad from west to east. This year the date coincides with the actual date on which the last spike was driven into the track to complete that historical feat in 1869.

Inside the library two invited speakers will begin the day with educational programs in the conference room.    At 10:15 a.m. Dr. Ray Glick will speak about the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, followed by Mr. David McDonald at 11:30 a.m. explaining the effects of the railroad on tourism.

Throughout the day, the Shoreline Model Railroad Club will delight children and adults alike with their model train exhibit in the Children’s Library while the Delmarva Model Railroad Club presents a power point presentation in the library’s lobby.

The celebration moves outside to the railroad exhibit at 12:15 p.m. where the newest addition to Lewes Junction—a Pennsylvania Railroad slope-back coal tender—will be christened by City of Lewes Mayor-elect Amy Marasco.  The tender eventually will be connected to Pennsylvania Railroad’s #60 steam locomotive currently undergoing restoration.

The final event at 12:30 p.m. features State Senator Russ Huxtable who will take the first mallet swing to drive the third golden railroad spike into the track at Lewes Junction in remembrance of the original event at Promontory, Utah.  Attendees are invited to take part to finish hammering the golden spike into the track.

The iconic Pennsylvania Railroad 1917 red caboose is also available for touring throughout the celebration.  For further information, please visit www.lewesjunctionrr.org