Concert at Union Station on National Train Day, Saturday

Amtrak has reason to celebrate. Thanks to gas prices -- and perhaps also due to environmentalists seeking to lower their carbon footprints -- Amtrak's ridership for 2008 is already up 12%. So perhaps it's no surprise that Amtrak has declared Saturday, May 10, the first National Train Day -- and is throwing a party at L.A.'s Union Station to commemorate it.

The highlight of the event is a free concert by Drake Bell, but train activities will happen all day. The train-curious can take train tours on Amtrak equipment, check out train driving simulators and train model displays, take in a train photography exhibit, and peruse the many Amtrak and vendor display booths.

Amtrak will even have a train cutout, behind which you can get a free commemorative picture taken.  For kids, there'll be face painting, arts and crafts, toy trains and performances by the Fun Train Strolling Minstrels.

When: Saturday, May 10, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Here's the full schedule of events.
Where: At the Old Ticket Concourse, Main Station, and Arcade of Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
Cost: Free!

Why May 10? The date's the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in Utah on May 10, 1869. Amtrak's reportedly spending $2.2 million on its day of celebration -- with major events also happening in New York City, Washington D.C., and Chicago, and other, smaller events taking place all over the U.S., including at the L.A. Zoo and train stations in Anaheim and Irvine.