North Platte Railfest

We have just received the first draft of information concerning the first-ever RailFest in North Platte, scheduled for September 21 through 23 2007. It is billed as “railroad appreciation days for railfans and employees".

North Platte is certainly the right place to hold railroad appreciation days. Home to the largest railroad classification yard in the world, Union Pacific Bailey Yard, North Platte is definitely a railroad town! The statistics are sometimes conflicting, because the yard is constantly expanding, but it is estimated that more than 3,000 men and women work at Bailey Yard, it covers 2,850 acres and switches 10,000 rail cars daily. The main rail line through North Platte is the busiest rail freight corridor in the nation, with more than 135 trains operating over the line every 24 hours.

The goals for the RailFest include recognition the contributions made by the rail industry and its employees to the past, present and future development of North Platte, show support for members of our existing railroad family and extend a welcome to new members relocating to North Platte from other cities and states, and create an interactive festival for railroad and steam engine enthusiasts and employees from across the United States.

Some of the festivities already being planned are
NebraskaLand Bank Pancake Feed
Tours of locomotives on display locally:
Tours of the 1903 Baldwin UP #480 Steam Locomotive
Tours of the 1943 UP #3977 “Challenger” Steam Locomotive
Tours of the 1969 UP #6922, the world’s largest diesel locomotive

Interactive Locomotive Simulator
The Radio Shack
Literary Guild speakers and authors
Graffiti Contest
Harley Owners Group Motorcycle Rally & Show
Gold Wing Owner’s Group Motorcycle Rally & Show
Haz-Mat Seminars
Live Music in the Pavilion
Union Pacific Railroad Choral
Women of Railroading Fashion Show and Luncheon
Tours of Mid-Plains College Railroad Technology Center
Railroad Equipment Manufacturers booths
Railroad Art and Collectibles Vendors
Games for children and families
Food vendors and carnival rides.

If you love railroading, either the big stuff or models, you are going to find something to enjoy at the first-ever RailFest in North Platte.

You can get more information on the festivities by contacting the North Platte Original Town Association, 1021 North Jeffers, PO Box 1704, North Platte, NE 69103. Phone: 308-534-3648, Fax: 308-534-6175, e-mail railfest@nque.com.

You can get the scoop on everything going on in North Platte by contacting the North Platte/Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-955-4528 or visiting the CVB website at www.VisitNorthPlatte.com.