May 8 marks an important day in U.S. history and three area museums are making plans to celebrate. The Milam County Railroad Museum, the Hearne Depot and the Rockdale I&GN Depot are celebrating National Train Day together with what they are calling a “Triple Header,” a term used when three locomotives are coupled together to pull a train. The event will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
National Train Day is held each year on the Saturday closest to May 10, the anniversary of the pounding of the golden spike in Promontory, Utah, which marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad.
Each museum will share their unique railroad displays and memorabilia. In Rockdale, you can hop aboard a Missouri Pacific caboose and dining car.
The Milam County Railroad Museum in Cameron will show off “Old Town Cameron,” built by local resident John Johnson. OTC was recently featured on The Texas Bucket List. Hearne will display a large “N” scale model and have a trackless train for the kids to ride.
Each museum has also prepared activities for the kids.
In addition to enjoying the three venues, the museums have added one more enticement. When you make a $5 donation to the first museum you visit on Train Day, you will be given a special ticket. Get your ticket punched at all three museums on May 8 and drop the ticket in a box at the last destination and be eligible for a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to either Amazon, Hobby Lobby or Walmart.
For information go to each of the museum’s Facebook page: Hearne Depot, Rockdale I&GN Museum and Old Town Cameron.
Be sure to take lots of pictures and be ready for a full day of fun. Masks are required inside buildings.
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