Amtrak Official Expects Fun Time At Train Stop Event

Amtrak officials met with organizers for the October 31 event, "1909 Taft Campaign Trail," at the Wills Point Depot on Friday, September 18, to work out some of the details involved with stopping a train in Wills Point.

Amtrak has agreed to stop a train for 10 minutes at the Wills Point Depot to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of President William Howard Taft’s stop in 1909.

As part of the event, buses will carry 148 train riders to Longview to board and ride back to Wills Point. It will be the first time in approximately 40 years passengers will disembark in Wills Point. When the train pulls out, Wright and Wynne T. Monning will be the first riders since 1969 to board a train in Wills Point.

During the meeting, the Amtrak officials reported that the trains would be running on a different schedule, and the previously announced start and stop times for the train were changed. Buses headed for Longview will leave the First Baptist Church parking lot at 6 a.m. Departure time from Longview has been set at 8:28 a.m., with arrival expected at approximately 9:55 a.m.

"Amtrak is always interested in supporting the towns that we pass through," said Amtrak’s Assistant Superintendent of Passenger Services Joy Smith. Smith along with Texas Eagle Product Agent Griff Hubbard were in attendence at the meeting.

"Wills Point wrote a letter and asked us to make this special stop in memory of the 100th anniversary of President Taft making this stop," Smith explained regarding Amtrak’s interest. "Amtrak, along with Union Pacific Railroad, agreed. We will make special stops for communities that don’t have regular stops. We have stopped to let Santa Claus off the train, and things like that at various communities.

"For the town of Wills Point to re-enact a president’s stop from 100 years ago, I just imagine flags and whistles and horns, and old fashioned horse-drawn buggies, and some whooping and hollering. I just imagine a really fun time," Smith added. "For Amtrak and our passengers it’s going to be a lot of fun, and it could really put Wills Point on the map."

Smith also acknowledged the possibility of expanded passenger rail lines and travel in the near future.

"We are very happy to see the American people begin to take an interest in rail travel again," she said. "That’s what it looks like to us. As a company, we’re very happy about that, and we hope that interest continues to grow."

As of Wednesday afternoon, only 10 of 148 tickets for the train ride from Longview to Wills Point remained.

Beginning at 8 a.m., W. N. Commerce will be closed from N. 4th St. to N. 5th St. James St. will be closed from 5th to 4th. Vendors will be on hand providing refreshments and snacks.

Period entertainment will include gospel singing and a barbershop quarter and bluegrass music will be provided along Commerce prior to the train’s arrival. The Wills Point high school band will also be on hand to welcome the "president’s" train.

An actor has been hired to play the part of President Taft, and the re-enactment will include presidential aides, a conductor and others.

Tickets are $10 for children under 15, and $20 for adults 16 and above. Tickets are on sale at the Chamber of Commerce. All tickets must be paid for at time of purchase, and Amtrak requires purchasers to provide names of riders. A photo ID will be required of adults after boarding the train.