ALTOONA, Pa., Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Trains, patriotism, and history will be on display from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, as Amtrak and Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) host "All Aboard Altoona" at NS' Rose Yard here.

Amtrak's Exhibit Train, pulled by a custom-painted Veterans Locomotive, will be available as will special NS rolling stock such as its own Veterans Locomotive, an F-Unit locomotive, Exhibit Car, and historic office cars. Visitors can hear from organizations such as Operation Lifesaver and the National Park Service, and a kid-friendly Chugginton Depot display will be on hand.

The event is sponsored in part by Explore Altoona.

Saturday presents an opportunity to see two red, white, and blue locomotives honoring the military service of America's veterans. Amtrak's Locomotive 42 – featuring patriotic colors as well as 50 reflective stars around the bottom – was unveiled in June and is part of Amtrak's effort to make veterans 25 percent of new hires by 2015. Norfolk Southern's Veterans Locomotive, introduced to the fleet last November, is an SD60E model whose scheme was selected by a committee of NS employees who have served in America's military.

Visitors will be able to explore Amtrak's Exhibit Train displays, which include workable signals, virtual sleeping accommodation tours, a locomotive control stand and horns, and displays about the 42-year history of the passenger rail service. NS' Exhibit Car features a locomotive simulator and a look at the company's popular heritage locomotive fleet.

The event is free and open to the public. Free parking will be available across from NS' Juniata Locomotive Shop at 200 N. 4^th Ave., and free shuttle services will transport visitors from the parking lot to Rose Yard. No parking is available at Rose Yard.

Amtrak is America's Railroad®, the nation's intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of services. Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 20,000 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East and is a major transporter of coal, automotive, and industrial products.

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SOURCE Norfolk Southern