HAMMOND, Ind., Oct. 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A full-size replica of the train that carried President Abraham Lincoln's body across the United States more than 150 years ago will be on display at the Indiana Welcome Center Oct. 8 through Oct. 11. Also on display will be the Leviathan #63 Locomotive and tender.
Ticketed tours will be available from 10am to 7pm. Admission is $5; seniors (65+) and children (5-12) are $3 and children under the age of 5 are free. Please note, school groups receive priority tours between 10am and 3pm on Oct. 8 and 9.
The train was created by The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train group to commemorate the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's assassination and funeral. It is a near-exact replica of the historic train that carried President Lincoln's body from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Ill.
The Lincoln Funeral Train has attracted thousands of visitors each day that it has been on display at other host sites. "This is a great opportunity, especially for young people, to see and experience what it was like to pay their respects to Abraham Lincoln," said David Kloke, master mechanic for The 2015 Lincoln Funeral Train.
A special presentation, "Lincoln on Leadership" will take place on Oct. 7 at 2pm inside the Indiana Welcome Center. Judge Kenneth L. Anderson will be giving the presentation and is noted historian and award-winning playwright on the life of Lincoln. "Lincoln on Leadership" is free and open to the public to the first 110 guests.
There will also be a book signing and lecture by Susan Gilbreath Lane beginning at 1 p.m. on Oct. 10. Gilbreath Lane edited and published journals of her great grandfather in the book, "Dignity of Duty." Her great-grandfather was a major from Valparaiso in the 20th Indiana Infantry and the journals detail the local men's service during the Civil War.
Shuttle service will be available for overflow on Oct. 10 and 11 from 9:30am to 7pm on Saturday and 9:30am to 5pm Sunday from the Sharp Athletic Complex, 8001 Kennedy Avenue to the train location at 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond. Additional transit from the South Shore Train Station East Chicago will be provided for free to passengers. The North Township Trustee bus will meet passengers from the following trains: Eastbound: 503, 603, 605, 505, 507; Westbound: 504, 606, 506, 608.
The Indiana Welcome Center is located at 7770 Corinne Drive in Hammond, Indiana. To learn about the Lincoln Funeral Train call 219-989-7770 or visit www.southshorecva.com/lincolntrain.
| Contact: Erika Dahl, Director of Communications |
| South Shore CVA, 219-554-2720 |
| erika@southshorecva.com |