Amtrak to celebrate Earth Month in D.C.

Amtrak is partnering with the Earth Day Network and Premier Tourist and Landmark Association to host “Sustainability Day” on April 23 at Washington Union Station as part of Earth Month.

Earth Month activities at Washington Union Station will feature daily event offerings to include exhibits and activities such as an alternative energy show, a youth art contest and the NASA Earth Tent. Events are free and open to all ages.

The Amtrak event will feature a display of its Auto Train, which helps passengers minimize their impact on the environment by transporting their vehicle between Lorton, Va., and Sanford, Fla. The amount of greenhouse gasses reduced each year using the Auto Train is equivalent to taking 3,478 cars off the road for a full year.

 “More and more people are recognizing the benefits of traveling by rail, which uses less energy per passenger mile than car or air travel. Amtrak is working hard every day to become a more sustainable company, by taking steps such as reducing energy use at our maintenance facilities and stations,” said Amtrak Environmental Superintendent Craig Caldwell.

In addition, the Washington Union Station event will feature other green benefits of train travel such as on-board recycling and information on how to offset the carbon emissions footprint generated by individual rail travel through Carbonfund.org.