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Rail Fest is an annual event that brings together the best aspects of North Platte, Nebraska and the Union Pacific Railroad - their people - into a united spirit of appreciation coupled with a focus on our continued progress together. This year's celebration will be held September 20, 21, and 22, 2013. 

Rail Fest celebrates the bond between the Union Pacific Railroad, its employees and our community. It focuses on what the men and women of the Union Pacific Railroad have been working toward for almost 5 generations.

From the earliest times, railroaders have embodied the hallmarks of the best aspects of human character; discipline, punctuality, technical aptitude, adaptation to ever changing technologies and the ability to conform to a complex set of rules and regulations.

The heritage of the men and women of the Union Pacific Railroad has long been a catalyst in moving North Platte forward. For the last 140 years, the Union Pacific Railroad employees in North Platte have contributed to the building of our city and our community.

Serving as coaches, volunteers, civic and social leaders, they contribute to the economic development, stability and security of one of the best places in America to live, work and raise our families. We are grateful for all that they do.

The next time you see someone waving to the crew of a passing train remember that they are saluting the successors to an honorable tradition of service to our community, our nation and our economy.

We thank the employees of the Union Pacific Railroad for helping make North Platte such a great place to call home.

We’re glad you’re here.


Nothing symbolizes ‘Railroading’ more than the sound of steam powered locomotives.  “Live Steam” is the hallmark of railroad history and heritage. It symbolizes the strength and the importance of days gone by. Steam was the power that transformed our nation. Updates will follow as to which steam powered giant will be visiting Rail Fest 2013.

A tour of bailey yard is the ultimate railfan experience. An opportunity to see the scale and the efficiencies involved in processing over 150 trains and 10,000 railcars a day. There is only one place in the world this happens, and it’s Bailey Yard.

The focus of the tours is the men and women who make it work. Blending technology with physical skills, safety and education. Few people realize the amount of freight that moves through Bailey Yard, and consequently, the tremendous amount of goods and equipment that must be maintained and transported to keep America growing.

Just as important, the Union Pacific employees get a chance to show off what they do, and demonstrate why their work it is so critical in keeping our country moving.

Measuring about eight miles long and up to three miles wide, Union Pacific Bailey Yard is considered the largest railroad distribution yard in the world. The tours will allow railroad enthusiasts and visitors from near and far to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of this modern marvel — many for the first time.

Sites to be included in the bus tour would be the east and west humps, the east and west run-throughs, the diesel shop, the power lead overpass, and the the one-spot car repair facility.

The Bailey Yard tour includes a demonstration of a mantis crane that will pick up a derailed car and set it back on the track and also demonstrate how wheels can be changed on a new “in-train” system in the yard that doesn’t require the cars to be separated from the train for the repair.

The main rail line through North Platte is the busiest rail freight corridor in the world, processing more than 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars every 24 hours. How do they manage? Get a close up view at Rail Fest 2013. You won't believe it. People who are dazzled by heavy equipment that can almost move mountains are in for a treat at the Rail Fest 2013 Union Pacific Railroad displays at Cody Park.

There, you can meet the heroes of the day - the men and women of the Union Pacific Railroad that enable the world’s largest railroad yard to operate in an efficient and safe manner.