Rail Fest is a community project of the Original Town Association of North Platte. The Original Town Association is a neighborhood organization representing the area north of the railroad corridor and within the city limits of North Platte. The group’s primary purpose is promoting growth and rehabilitation within this important part of North Platte, both in terms of a business center as well as a residential neighborhood.

Along with implementing projects such as street banners to bring identification to the area, creation of a small park and the completion of a Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan; the Original Town Association is proud to host an annual festival to recognize the contributions the Union Pacific Railroad and its employees have made in shaping North Platte, Nebraska into the extraordinary community it is today.

Rail Fest is a unique event that embodies many facets of the world of Railroading, including preservation, education, safety, entertainment, and many other rail oriented activities. Rail Fest also incorporates many dynamic exhibits, programs and displays designed to entertain and educate the public.

The three-day event celebrates the railroad history of the North Platte, home of Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification facility.

At Rail Fest, attendees can get an up-close view of how Union Pacific processes more than 150 trains and 10,000 rail cars a day. Free bus tours of Bailey Yard will offer the ultimate rail fan experience – the opportunity to see the scale and the efficiencies involved in processing so many trains a day. There is only one place in the world this happens and it’s Bailey Yard at North Platte.