Rock Island Railroad Depot. set to host annual 'Rail Days' festival this weekend
Rock Island Railroad Depot. set to host annual 'Rail Days' festival this weekend
May 31, 2019Updated: June 18, 2019
By News Channel Nebraska
By News Channel NebraskaFAIRBURY - Fairbury's Rock Island Railroad Depot. Museum, in cooperation with the Jefferson County Historical Society, invites people from the surrounding area and beyond for what they're calling a weekend of family-friendly fun at Rock Island Rail Days.
The railroad-themed festival adds some railroad flair to a weekend packed with community events. Admission to the event is free, and donations for museum are welcome.
The event opens at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Back Alley Eatery of Beatrice will be present both days.
Several model layouts will be operating for visitors to enjoy. Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit rail safety organization, will give demonstrations. There will also be guided tours of the museum, and the gift shop will be open.
Jowan Remmenga, secretary of the Jefferson County Historical Society, says the Rock Island Railroad Museum is one of the best things Fairbury has to offer, and is a reminder of the town's roots.
“We'll have everything open so you can see how it was in 1914 when we opened,” Remmenga said. “This museum is one of the better things that Fairbury has going for it. We could always use more volunteers.”
The 1910s and 20s were the peak years for the Rock Island Railroad, with fourteen passenger trains passing through Fairbury daily.
In 1965, the Rock Island's Chicago-to-Denver Rocky Mountain Rocket train ceased to run through Fairbury. That same year, the railway relocated its Western Division headquarters from Fairbury to Des Moines.
By 1980, Rock Island's service to Fairbury ceased, and the depot was abandoned, before the Historical Society bought and restored it in 1998.
Fairbury is still an active railroad town. The Union Pacific main line runs through the western side of town, with several freight trains thundering by per hour.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @Tommy_NCN.
The railroad-themed festival adds some railroad flair to a weekend packed with community events. Admission to the event is free, and donations for museum are welcome.
The event opens at 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Back Alley Eatery of Beatrice will be present both days.
Several model layouts will be operating for visitors to enjoy. Operation Lifesaver, a non-profit rail safety organization, will give demonstrations. There will also be guided tours of the museum, and the gift shop will be open.
Jowan Remmenga, secretary of the Jefferson County Historical Society, says the Rock Island Railroad Museum is one of the best things Fairbury has to offer, and is a reminder of the town's roots.
“We'll have everything open so you can see how it was in 1914 when we opened,” Remmenga said. “This museum is one of the better things that Fairbury has going for it. We could always use more volunteers.”
The 1910s and 20s were the peak years for the Rock Island Railroad, with fourteen passenger trains passing through Fairbury daily.
In 1965, the Rock Island's Chicago-to-Denver Rocky Mountain Rocket train ceased to run through Fairbury. That same year, the railway relocated its Western Division headquarters from Fairbury to Des Moines.
By 1980, Rock Island's service to Fairbury ceased, and the depot was abandoned, before the Historical Society bought and restored it in 1998.
Fairbury is still an active railroad town. The Union Pacific main line runs through the western side of town, with several freight trains thundering by per hour.
You can follow Tommy on Twitter @Tommy_NCN.