President marks upcoming T.G. Masayrk Day with ride in historic train

Czech President Vaclav Klaus and his wife Livia Klausova marked the upcoming T.G. Masaryk Day (March 7th) by taking a 20 minute train ride in the region of Kladno, near Prague, in a historic steam-powered train once used by Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, Czechoslovakia's first president. Masaryk was born on March 7th, 1850 - that is, 156 years ago. Mr Klaus, his wife, and four grandchildren took part in Sunday's ride, looking out from Masaryk's original salon car - before meeting members of the public in Kladno. Later on Sunday: the president, his wife, and some 200 others took part in a special memorial ceremony at Lany Chateau honouring Masaryk's memory. Czechoslovakia's first president died at Lany in September 1937 at the age of 87, and is buried there along with his wife Charlotte, and son Jan and daughter Alice.