AG/RAIL 2010 REVIEW

Even with temperatures in the mid 90's and heat indexes reaching the low triple digits 2,400 visitors still came out and braved the heat and sun this year and had a wonderful time. Many of the people this year were new to the complex this year and were amased that a museum of this scale was being developed right here in Sioux City. Visitors were treated to home-made ice cream, a petting zoo, small engine displays, operating farm equipment, railroad displays, operating model railroads, live music that traveled about the complex, an antique tractor parade and tractor pull, kids activities, prizes and special visiotrs.

The newly completed Civil/Railroad Engineering Exhibit Hall was open to the public and a sneak peak of the HO scale Nebraska Central Railroad was an instant eye opener for everyone. "Stunning" and "remarkable" were the words heard most often by our volunteers. Also, history lessons and futrue plans for our 1911 St. Louis Corliss steam engine were provided in video displays and personel one-on-one conversations and tours.

Special guests were also on hand to entertain the crowds. Our Hobo actors did their best to "collect donations" and also held sing-alongs whether you wanted to participate or not (ha ha). Sir Topham Hat, Mr. Conductor, and Millie the Milwaukee Shops engine also made apperances and handed out Thomas the Tank Engine, Misty Island Rescue, activity books that were so generously donated by the Marcus Theaters Company.

44 volunteers lent their valuable time, talents and cheery dispositions to making this years AG?RAIL a success. Thank You to those that attended and those that helped out. Spread the news! Sioux City has a railroad museum in the making and will be a museum of national caliber and claim. A definite tourism draw and and economic boon to Sioux City, Riverside, North Sioux City and the Siouxland area in general.

AG/Rail 2010 - Make Your Plans to Attend

AG/RAIL 2010 is just around the corner and you sure don't want to miss out this year. Being highlighted this year is our new Civil/Railraod Engineering Dispay Hall which construction was just finished on in past couple weeks. The volunteers have been VERY busy and you'll be amazed at what you find inside. The signture display, the HO scale Nebraska Central Railroad is in place. Although not operational at this time the volunteers have been working tirelessly on making this presentalble for AG/RAIL. Although there is much to be done, you will be able to see the awesome potentail of this exhibit. When complete, it will help us to tell the story of railroad enginners and the the sciences behind building a railroad from the Plains to the Mountains. Along with this exhibit, a newly expanded and relocated childerens activty center will be in place. Bigger people mover trailers are being used this year to help transport people around the parking lots to the Main Entrance and within the complex itself. This should help with getting you around the 31 acre site a little eaier and quicker. Live music, antique tractors, an antique tractor pull (both days), tractor parade (both days), turntable demonstrations, farm diplays, railroad displays, operating model railroads and many special characters will be running around meeting and greeting the visitors. As aspecial treat (weather pemitting) On Sunday morning around 11 am we pull our pride and joy, steam locomotive Great Northern #1355 out of the roundhouse and display it on the turntable for all to enjoy and take pictures outside basking in the sunlight. This only happens a couple times a year so you diffenetly won't want to miss out.