Updates 1-17:
See video of Baltimore speech
See video of Delaware speech
See video of Philadelphia speech.
From a new PIC media guide, here are some details on the train trip that the Obamas and the Bidens will take:
Whistle Stop Tour: President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families will travel—via railroad—to Washington, DC on Saturday, January 17, hosting events along the way in Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore. The trip marks the final leg of a journey that began on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Illinois and will culminate on the steps of the United States Capitol.Wilmington, DE
In keeping with the theme of the 2009 Inauguration, “Renewing America’s Promise,” the President-elect and Vice President-elect will hold events in some of the cities instrumental to that promise: Philadelphia, where that promise was realized; Baltimore, where that promise was defended, then immortalized in our national anthem; and Washington, where Americans of all backgrounds will gather over four days, united in common purpose and resolved to renew that promise once more.
Throughout the trip, the Obamas and the Bidens will be joined by Americans from across the country who have been chosen to participate in the historic journey.
Philadelphia 30th Street Station
Where:
North Waiting Room, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA
When:
Doors Open – TBA
Program Begins – 10:05 AM
Who:
President-elect Obama, Mrs. Michelle Obama and Malia and Sasha Obama, , Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.
Where:Baltimore, MD
Back of Wilmington Train Station, 100 South French Street, Wilmington, DE
When:
Doors Open – 9:30 AM
Program Begins – 1:00 PM
Who:
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families , Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.
Where:
War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD
When:
Doors Open – 1:00 PM
Program Begins – 4:15 PM
Who:
President-elect Obama, Vice President-elect Biden and their families, Mark Dowell, Crestwood, KY; Matt Kuntz, Helena, MT; Jim and Alicia Girardeau, Kansas City, MO; Juliana Sanchez, Albuquerque, NM; Rosa Mendoza, Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Hazirjian, Cleveland, OH; Kirsten Meehan, Dover, NH; Roy Gross, Taylor, MI; Shandra Jackson, Arlington, TX; Quincy Lucas, Dover, DE; Patricia Stiles, Parker, CO; Gregg Weaver, Fairless Hills, PA; Tony Fischer, Cinncinati, OH; Lilly Ledbetter, Jacksonville, AL; Mike and Cheryl Fisher, Beech Grove, IN; and Randy Wehrman, LeClair, IA.
To see the complete guide for official events Jan. 17-21, go here.
The citizens joining the Obamas and the Bidens on the ride:
One of them is Lilly Ledbetter, who fought for equal pay at her job.
Appealing to the middle class and voters struggling against challenging economic circumstances was a central plank in President-elect Barack Obama ’s winning coalition. The Obama team continues to emphasize that theme with a carefully assembled group of passengers joining him and Vice President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. on a ceremonial train ride from Philadelphia to the nation’s capital to kick off inauguration weekend.
The guests are drawn heavily from swing states in the Midwest and Mountain West that Obama carried in the election, such as Indiana, Ohio, Nevada and New Mexico. And they represent more than just the geographic diversity of Obama’s political coalition. There is an Army gunner, a lesbian, a single mom, a Mexican immigrant, a Teamsters Union member and a registered Republican, among others.
Nearly all were selected thanks to encounters they had with Obama or Biden on the campaign trail in 2008. The campaign used their stories in its outreach to voters, as it sought to demonstrate the ticket’s connection to everyday American experiences and temper Obama’s “rock star” image.
Notably absent: Anyone from traditional liberal bastions such as California, New York and Massachusetts, nor from other large population centers such as Florida or the president-elect’s home state of Illinois. CQ Politics
Obama's rail car:
The rail car President-elect Barack Obama will ride to Washington for his inauguration contains the trappings of a fine hotel or yacht, with painted walls, cherry wood, brass Pullman lamps and modern amenities for a comfortable ride.
The Georgia 300, a shiny blue car built in 1930, can hold six to eight people comfortably for Saturday's ride from Philadelphia. The leased car is plush and upholstered with a kitchen and two living areas as well as a bedroom and dinning room.
"It is modernized and upgraded, but it doesn't show that," said Jack Heard, who owns the rail car. "It still displays the grandeur of the 1930s."
The car was first built by Pullman Standard for the Southern Railway, when the car was known as the General Polk and used by railroad officials. P-I
Here's a video of the car:
Added events from PIC:
In addition to those stops, the train will also “slow roll” through Claymont, Delaware, and Edgewood, Maryland, so that more Americans will have the opportunity to witness the President-elect and Vice President-elect make their way to Washington, D.C. Typically, a “slow roll” means the train will slow significantly, but not come to a complete stop.
At the events in Wilmington and Baltimore, canned food drives will take place as part of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden’s national service initiative. The PIC is asking those attending the Wilmington event to bring along a can of food, which will be delivered to a local food bank. In Baltimore, event attendees are asked to contribute canned goods at Camden Yards, in a receptacle at the corner of Baltimore Street and Calvert Street.
Philadelphia, PA (Event)
Who: President-elect Obama and his family, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour
Where: North Waiting Room, 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, PA
Event Begins: 10:15 AM
Public Access: Tickets are required to attend and have been distributed to the public
Public Entrance: 1 North 30th Street
Public Parking: Available on site for a fee
Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below
Claymont, DE (‘Slow Roll’)
Who: General public
Where: Entrance at Governor Printz Extension and Chapel Avenue
Public Access: Event is free and open to the public
Public Parking: Available next to the site and at Archmere Academy, 3600 Philadelphia Pike
Doors Open: 9:15 AM
Press Logistics:
- Press entrance is at Marion Avenue and Myrtle Avenue (there is no street address)
- Preset at 7:00 am. Site closed from 8:00 am until doors open at 9:15 am
- Satellite truck parking at entrance. Staff will be on site to direct where to go upon arrival
- Need 400 feet of running cable if need to go live
- Credentials issued on-site
Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below
Wilmington, DE (Event)
Who: President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour
Where: Back of Wilmington Train Station, 100 South French Street, Wilmington, DE
Doors Open: 10:30 AM
Program Begins: 1:00 PM
Public Access: Event is free and open to the public. Food and hot coffee will be provided.
Public Entrance: 100 S. French Street (Entrance at Market St. and MLK Blvd.)
Public Parking: Available in the surrounding area
Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below
The United Way and the Delaware Food Bank are organizing the food drive. Event attendees are suggested to bring canned food (only) to be dropped off at the following locations:
- Barclays Parking Lot
- Orange & 5th St. Parking Lot
Edgewood, MD (‘Slow Roll’)
Who: General public
Where: Entrance is at Old Edgewood Road (off of US Rt. 40, 2127)
Doors Open: 12:00 PM
Public Access: Event is free and open to the public
Public Parking: Parking is available next to the site and at Edgewood High School, 2415 Willoughby
Beach Road. Shuttle buses will be available to and from the high school beginning at 12:00 PM.
Press Logistics
- Press entrance is at Edgewood Station, 2127 Old Edgewood Road (off of US Route 40)
- Preset at 9:00 AM. Site closed from 10:00 AM until doors open at 12:00 PM
- Need 200 feet of running cable if need to go live
- Plenty of parking for press vans, trucks, etc.
- Credentials issued on-site
Restricted Items: Please see list of restricted items below
Baltimore, MD (Event)
Who: President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden and their families, and everyday Americans traveling on the Whistle Stop Tour
Where: War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St., Baltimore, MD
Doors Open: 1:00 PM
Event Begins: 4:15 PM
Public Access: This event is free and open to the public. Food and hot coffee will be provided
Public Entrance: 101 N. Gay Street
Public Parking: General Parking available at Camden Yards Sports Complex for $5.00. Transportation using Light Rail to Baltimore Street Station for a fee.
Note: Extremely cold weather is predicted. The Baltimore Heath Department has provided the public with tips to stay warm and safe: http://www.baltimorehealth.org.
