July 16 & 17: Railroad Days 2016!
ALL ABOARD for a fun-filled weekend, exploring six unique railroad-themed attractions. Celebrate our region's rich railroad heritage and all things train and track at Railroad Days 2016. On Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Lauritzen Gardens, The Durham Museum, the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, the RailsWest Railroad Museum, the Historic General Dodge House and the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail are teaming up for this favorite annual event. Passes for Railroad Days can be purchased at any of the six venues on July 16 or 17. There are no presales. Each family pass (two adults and up to four dependent children)is $15 and allows admission to and transportation between all six locations. A $5 pass is available for one additional adult with the purchase of a family pass. Parking is available at all six venues.
In addition to their regular exhibits and offerings, attractions will offer activities and educational opportunities in support of this year's theme: All Set for the West: Railroads and National Parks.
The year 2016 marks the centennial of the National Park Service. When Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir began leading a movement to permanently protect these areas as national treasures, the railroads were right beside them. Many parks, secluded and pristine by design, could be reached by the general public only via rail. It was the railroads that constructed lodging and public facilities at the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park, just to name a few. This mutually beneficial partnership persevered until 1972, when Union Pacific donated all of its park facilities to the National Park Service, following the transfer of all passenger rail operation to AMTRAK.
In a weekend where botanical meets mechanical, come celebrate the past, present and future of the railroad, the National Park Service, and six local attractions at Railroad Days 2016.
Railroad Days is made possible thanks to the generous support of Union Pacific Railroad and a grant provided by the Iowa West Foundation. Media support is provided by KETV. Printing support is provided by Elman & Co.
Event details at www.omaharailroaddays.com
This year the Union Pacific Railroad Museum visitors are invited to share the vivid and rich imagery of decades of Union Pacific photography and parks-centric marketing materials to trace the partnership of the National Park Service and Union Pacific, as well as the impact on collateral interest groups such as conservationists and native tribes. Visitors will also encounter original motion picture film from the Union Pacific Movie department from the 1940s-1950s filmed on location in Yellowstone, Zion and Grand Canyon National Parks as part of the special exhibit.
