GMA Hits My Hometown, Ashtabula

Good Morning America is doing an Amtrak whistlestop tour:

Latest from NARP and other sources:

ABC's "Good Morning America" unveiled a special Amtrak train this week that will traverse seven states in the Northeast and Midwest next week (September 15-19), plus the District of Columbia. "GMA" hosts will seek citizens' perspectives ahead of the upcoming election and broadcast live from the train.

The train includes two Amtrak P42 locomotives, a converted non-powered F40 locomotive used as a "cabtenna" car, six Superliner cars (including a Sightseer Lounge converted to house ABC's control room and other transmission equipment), and two Juniata Terminal private cars.

Below is additional info from ABC (for the full promotional article, see http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5750276 ):

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The Route will take the train: Albany, NY; Lenox, MA; Stockbridge, MA; Worchester, MA; Niagara Falls, NY; Whirlpool Bridge; Ashtabula,OH; Gustavus, OH; NS Carson Yard; Pittsburgh, PA; Harpers Ferry, WV; Washington, DC

The Ashtabula and Gustavus Twp. stops will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2008.

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The "50 States" journey officially begins on "Good Morning America" the week of Sept. 15 with Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Chris Cuomo and Sam Champion anchoring the morning broadcast on board a specially equipped Amtrak train.

The broadcast studio on the rails will consist of three locomotives and eight rail cars, two of which are historic antique cars. The "GMA Whistle-Stop Tour" will travel through seven states, making several stops along the way, as the show broadcasts live from four states and Washington, D.C., over five days.

At each live broadcast location, "GMA" anchors will interview news makers and talk with local residents about the important issues they face.

The whistle-stop tour will also feature live music with concerts by James Taylor from Massachusetts Monday, country music star Brad Paisley from Ohio Wednesday, and oscar-winner and former "American Idol" contestant Jennifer Hudson from Washington, D.C., Friday.
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To track the train's progress, go to http://www.lat-lon.tv/ .

From Matthew Melzer
NARP Director of Communications

For video on the preparation of this endeavor, visit:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5778232

I'll be in Ashtabula Monday and Tuesday to say goodbye to Uncle Dave and remember his life with family and friends. When I find the location for the event, I'll post it here. If they're really using the railroad, and Amtrak route from Albany, then it should be near the old Conrail shipping yard near Lake Avenue. There's also the Armory.

I'm hoping for a nice turn out of Amtrak supporters and labor folks.