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.

Our friends at Shoreline Model Railroad Club will have their model railroad display available for viewing in the Children’s library in the Lewes Public Library. In addition, volunteers from the Delmarva Rail Club will be available in the library lobby to talk to anyone interested in learning about and joining their group (10 am to 4 pm).

We are thrilled that Lewes’ new Mayor, Amy Marasco, will do the honors of dedicating the Tender, breaking a bottle of bubbly across its bow. Mike DiPaolo of the Delaware Community Foundation will be the day’s Master of Ceremonies. The day’s full schedule includes:

• 10:15 -11:00 am – Dr Ray Glick, former curator of the Lightship Overfalls, speaking on the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad.
• 11:15 am -12:00 pm – David McDonald, formerly associated with the Rehoboth History Museum, speaking on the profound effect the railroads had on tourism in Lewes and Rehoboth.
• 12:15 pm – Events will begin next to the caboose, starting with the dedication of the tender. This will be followed by our third annual ceremonial Driving of the Golden Spike to commemorate the May 10, 1869, event completing the Transcontinental Railroad at Promontory Summit, Utah. State Senator Russ Huxtable will have the honor of the first swing, with members of the public getting a chance to channel their inner Gandy Dancers.
• 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Caboose tours will be available before and after the outdoor events.

We also will be raffling off two baskets of LJRBA gear, tasty treats, and other fun items.  As always, LJRBA board members and friends will be on-site throughout the day to answer your questions.

Special thanks go to the Village Improvement Association of Rehoboth Beach who provided funding for this year’s event.

We look forward to seeing you there!

  For further information, please visit www.lewesjunctionrr.org