The City of Toccoa joined with Amtrak in commemorating the 30th anniversary of the historic Crescent Line as part of National Train Day with a special event at the train depot on Alexander Street in Historic Downtown Toccoa on May 9, 2009 at 6 a.m.
Toccoa Mayor Ron Seib and other city commissioners, city officials, the chamber, the industrial development authority, county officials, and many citizens welcomed the train as it made its regular morning stop heading South to Atlanta and, eventually, New Orleans.
The Mayor boarded the train and handed out information packets about Toccoa to those on the train.
AM 630 WNEG broadcasted the event live. Reporter Robin Dake wrote an article about the event. Her article also ran in the Anderson Independent.
Drawings were held for free round-trip tickets to Atlanta (donated by Ionosphere Travel Agency and won by Brian Bridges and Rebecca Harris) and a $2,000 Amtrak voucher (donated by AM 630 WNEG and won by Chris Green).
Amtrak donated tote bags and a framed commemorative Crescent poster (won by Knox Holcomb) were also given away as part of the event in Toccoa.
"We want to thank Amtrak, Ionosphere Travel Agency, and AM 630 WNEG Radio for their event sponsorship," said Downtown Development Director Connie Tabor. "And we also want to thank the community for coming out and helping us welcome this train to Toccoa."
Amtrak tickets can be purchased online or locally by visiting Ionosphere Travel Agency in Historic Downtown Toccoa (706.886.9471).
