"Nebraska150 Express" to stop in Sidney

Sidney is among the stops planned next weekend, Aug. 4-6, as part of the "Nebraska150 Express" statewide train tour.

Union Pacific Railroad's heritage equipment and streamliner and diesel locomotives will traverse the state over three days, departing from Omaha and stopping for rallies in Columbus, North Platte, Ogallala, Sidney, Gering, Kearney and Grand Island. To ensure the trip remains on schedule and the tour reaches as many Nebraskans as possible, public train tours and tickets are not available.

During the Sidney stop, the community will provide a preview of its big celebration planned for Aug. 18-20. The Sidney rally, which runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., will have a number of activities, including music will be by LeAnn Kampfe, accompanied by Christopher Dyson, and Bryan Jones. Sidney's Cruise 'N Class Car Club will grill free brats and hot dogs for the first 250 people.

First Lady Susanne Shore said, "I want to thank Union Pacific for its generous support of this event and commitment to our state. Our histories are inextricably linked as we have, in many ways, grown up together. I can't think of a more fitting way to celebrate this historic occasion than with a fun train tour that harkens back to days gone by.

"I also want to thank the communities of Columbus, North Platte, Ogallala, Sidney, Gering, Kearney and Grand Island for being part of the tour and planning such an amazing array of events. We invite all Nebraskans to come out and enjoy the fun, food and music!"

Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said, "Our connection to Nebraska dates back to President Abraham Lincoln founding Union Pacific 155 years ago, when the Cornhusker State was a bustling territory. Our first track was laid in Omaha, not far from where the NE150 Express will be departing. Thanks to the perseverance, ingenuity and support of communities and their citizens, both Union Pacific and Nebraska blossomed with towns developing along the transcontinental railroad route. We look forward to touring the state and visiting these communities as part of the sesquicentennial celebration."

A detailed schedule of events is below.

Friday, Aug. 4

Train Schedule:

9:45 a.m. CDT – Depart Omaha, Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St.

11:50 a.m. CDT – Arrive Columbus, 1211 12th Street

12:50 p.m. CDT – Depart Columbus for North Platte

5:15 p.m. CDT – Arrive North Platte, 621 East Front Street

Saturday, Aug. 5

Train Schedule:

8:00 a.m. CDT – Depart North Platte

8:30 a.m. MDT – Arrive Ogallala, 100 Railroad Street

9:30 a.m. MDT – Depart Ogallala for Sidney

11:55 a.m. MDT– Arrive Sidney, 998 Hickory Street

12:55 p.m. MDT – Depart Sidney

6:20 p.m. MDT – Arrive Gering, 2090 Depot Drive

7:20 p.m. MDT – Depart Gering for North Platte

Ogallala Rally Information

100 Railroad Street

Ogallala's rally, which runs from 7-9:30 a.m. MDT, will feature the Keith County Veterans of Foreign Wars Color Guard as well as the Front Street Frontier Revue Dancers and ladies from volunteer America in period dress. The Optimists Club will serve free cinnamon rolls and coffee. Sponsors include the City of Ogallala and Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce.

Gering Rally Information

2090 Depot Drive

Gering's rally, set for 4-7:30 p.m. MDT, will feature bluegrass music by Green Valley Homesteaders and an all-American barbeque dinner of hot dogs, chips, dessert and drink for $1.50 per person. Historians in period dress will share the stories of pioneers from the Oregon Trail. Sponsors include the City of Gering, Gering Convention & Visitor's Bureau, and Gering KENO Committee.

Sunday, Aug. 6

Train Schedule:

8:00 a.m. CDT – Depart North Platte

10:00 a.m. CDT – Arrive Kearney, 110 West Railroad Street

11:00 a.m. CDT – Depart Kearney for Grand Island

11:55 a.m. CDT– Arrive Grand Island, 280 East Front Street

12:55 p.m. CDT – Depart Grand Island for Omaha

ABOUT THE TRAIN

Locomotives 951, 949 and 963B, at least one of which will be part of the "Nebraska150 Express," are the last of Union Pacific's high-speed diesel-electrics built for service on the famous streamliner and domeliner passenger trains. The 2000 horsepower locomotives were built for Union Pacific by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors and delivered in June 1955. The units, part of 69 EMD model E-9 units on Union Pacific, pulled such famous trains as the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of St. Louis and the Challenger.

Considered to be among the most graceful looking locomotives in American railroading, the sleek units evolved from the first Union Pacific streamlined locomotives back in 1934. The "E" series was started by EMD in the late 1930s. Delivery of the E-8s (virtually identical in appearance to the E-9s) in the 1950s completed dieselization of the Union Pacific's passenger service. E-9 production began in 1954 and the last E-9 unit ever built by EMD was delivered to Union Pacific in 1964.