Caltrain's 'Freedom Train' Makes Its Last Voyage On Martin Luther King Jr. Day
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- A civil rights tradition is coming to an end.
After 30 years, the last of America's "Freedom Trains" will take its final voyage down the rails on Monday.
The Caltrain Freedom Train will travel for the last time from San Jose to San Francisco on Martin Luther King Jr. Day to commemorate the civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama in 1965.
Kathleen Flynn, president of the association that runs the San Jose train, said the last ride will have children's games, singing, coloring and 2 extra cars. About 1600 passengers will be on board.
"It will be a great loss to our community that I fear won't be realized until it is gone," said Flynn.
The train departs from San Jose's Diridon Station at 9:45 a.m., and travels nonstop to San Francisco. Riders can participate in a special March to Freedom at Yerba Buena Gardens. According to the event's website, tickets for the train ride are sold out.
King's widow, Coretta Scott King launched the annual event. Freedom Trains once ran in 29 cities but interest has been waning and ticket sales have plummeted.
