North Platte Nebraska's Annual Rail Fest

Rail Fest 2008 went off and didn't miss a beat. There were many events to participate in if you wanted to. This weekend is designed to be a family weekend for the train enthusiasts all over the world. The events beginning in Cody Park, Nebraska located on the north edge of North Platte on highway 83. The park itself is a great place that many enjoy all summer long. The park has several different breeds of deer, a pair of burrows, numerous peacocks, Canadian geese and snow geese that migrate in. Some even stay because life is so good for them here or they have become wounded.

The park has a concession stand and is about the only place in town that you can have a small meal and ice cream for $5.00. I can't rave enough about our local park. There is no better relaxing time than to get a loaf or 2 of bread and go out and sit on a bench and feed the geese. They love you for feeding them. Many of the animals will eat out of your hand. Also spring is a special time with all the new gosling's that are hatched and roaming the area. The newborn babies of the deer, burrows, and lamas. It is a great place to be even without local events happening there. There are locomotives on display at Cody Park year round as well that you can tour the inside of.

There is a special locomotive that comes to town by rail. People wait at different crossing to see it come in. The Challenger No. 3985 travels from Cheyenne Wy. to North Platte for the weekend. This year the Centennial No. 6936 also came from Cheyenne. These locomotive's coming to town give the public the chance to see the world's largest steam locomotive and the world's largest diesel locomotive. The trains sat on the rail at 400 E. Front Street beginning on Friday. Sept. 19th, until Sunday, Sept. 21st. This is the location of where the depot used to be and the North Platte Canteen. The canteen volunteers met the troop trains with sandwiches, coffee, cookies, cakes and friendship to some 6 million military men. The canteen was in operation from Dec., 1941 to April 1946.

According to one of the local newspapers there are 10 special locomotives on display throughout North Platte.

* 4 Heritage Units - the Denver Rio Grande, the Missouri-Pacific (MOPAC), the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy), and the Chicago & North Western. I believe these may have been on display at the Front St. site.

* 2 Challengers - the retired 3977 Challenger is on display in Cody Park . The 3985 Challenger which is a live steam locomotive was on display at the Front St. site.

* 2 Centennial Diesels - the retired 6922, I believe is on display at the Cody Park site. The working 6936 I believe was at the Front St. site as well.

* 1 Green Goat - one of 10 low-emission, hybrid locomotives operated by Union Pacific. I believe it was at the Bailey Yards site.

* 1 480 Steam Locomotive - a 1903 vintage locomotive. This engine is on display at North Platte's Memorial Park year round. The park is located on east 4th St.

Not only were there numerous locomotives to tour, there was bus tours that took spectators from Cody Park to the new Golden Spike. At the Golden Spike the spectators can view the massive rail yard of North Platte. UPRR had their mini train at the park giving rides. At the time I rode the train on Friday evening the gentleman had told me there has been 509 at about 5pm that day. WOW that is a lot of adults and children that love the trains. The ride was free. There were many booths and events going on during this time. There was even a Motorcycle Benefit Ride, called Santa's Toy Run. Hosted by Twin Rivers H.O.G. and Platte Valley Wings Motorcycle Groups. There was a Girl's Fast Pitch Softball Tournament as well. The park was hopping the whole weekend. This was a real tribute to North Platte's growing history.

North Platte has become known as Rail Town U.S. A.