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First Lady Shore announces details for 'Nebraska150 Express' statewide train tour August 4-6

Columbus, North Platte, Ogallala, Sidney, Gering, Kearney and Grand Island plan rallies to greet Union Pacific streamliner locomotive

Lincoln, Neb., July 12, 2017

The NE150 Celebration originally issued this release.

First Lady Susanne Shore today announced details for the “Nebraska150 Express” statewide train tour August 4-6.

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.

First Lady 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  

Columbus Rally Information
1211 12th Street
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. CDT

Columbus will host a rally from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT, featuring the band VoiceHouse, food trucks, historical displays, giveaways and activities for children (face painting, balloon animals, bounce house). Sponsors of the event include the City of Columbus, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, and Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau. Visit www.facebook.com/ColNEChamber for information and updates.
Local Media Contact: KC Belitz, 402-564-2769 or kcbelitz@megavision.com

North Platte Rally Information
250 East Front Street
4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. CDT

North Platte will host a rally from 4-6:30 p.m. CDT. Event organizers plan to showcase the “North Platte Canteen” spirit by having the North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce serve guests free food, including grilled hot dogs, chips, root beer floats, birthday cake and water. KX104 will broadcast live from the event. Special features also include a photo booth with “Lil’ Spike” from the Golden Spike Tower and special discounts downtown for those who present a flag or pennant from the rally (which will be distributed on-site). Sponsors include NebraskaLand National Bank, KX104, Golden Spike Tower, City of North Platte, North Platte Area Chamber of Commerce and North Platte Downtown Association. Visit http://goldenspiketower.com/ne150-express/ for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Kirsten Parker, 308-532-9920 or kparker@goldenspiketower.com

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
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. MDT

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. Visit www.facebook.com/OgallalaChamber/ or www.visitogallala.com for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Penny Metheny, 308-284-4066 or penny@explorekeithcounty.com

Sidney Rally Information
998 Hickory Street
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. MDT

The community of Sidney, also celebrating its Sesquicentennial in 2017, will provide a preview of its big celebration planned for Aug. 18-20 during its rally from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. MDT. Music will be provided 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. Sponsors include the City of Sidney and Cabela’s. Visit www.facebook.com/CityOfSidney/ or www.cityofsidney.org for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Ed Sadler, 308-254-4444 or esadler@cityofsidney.org   

Gering Rally Information
2090 Depot Drive
4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. MDT

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. Visit www.visitgering.com or www.gering.org for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Karla Nieden-Streeks, 308-436-6866 or karla@visitgering.com

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

Kearney Rally Information
110 West Railroad Street
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. CDT

Kearney’s rally from 9 a.m. to noon will feature the Kearney Police Department Honor Guard, music, and activities for kids courtesy of the Kearney Area Children's Museum. Free donuts will be served for breakfast prior to the rally. The Food Truck and Tropical Sno will be on hand to serve lunch. Rally attendees can show their fans and pennants (which will be distributed at the rally) to get reduced-price admission to the Trails and Rails Museum and the Great Platte River Road Archway on Sunday afternoon. Sponsors include the City of Kearney, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce, First National Bank and Kearney Area Children’s Museum. Visit www.facebook.com/cityofkearneynebraska/ or www.cityofkearney.org for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Jayne Meyer, 308-440-0632 or cjm@frontiernet.net

Grand Island Rally Information
280 East Front Street
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. CDT

Grand Island’s Rally from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. CDT will feature performances by the Grand Island Senior High Cheerleaders, Grand Island Northwest High School Band and United Veterans Honor Guard. Food trucks will be on hand to serve lunch and downtown restaurants will offer discounts to rally attendees who present their flag and/or pennants (which will be distributed at the event). There will also be a classic antique car show. Sponsors include the City of Grand Island, Arrive Railside, Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. Visit www.gichamber.com for more information and updates.
Local Media Contact: Deanna Frankforter, 308-390-2726 or sdfrank@mac.com

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.  

ABOUT THE NEBRASKA150 CELEBRATION

Planning for the Nebraska150 Celebration began in 2012 when a group of active citizens from across the state formed the Friends of the Nebraska150 Foundation. In 2014, the Nebraska Sesquicentennial Commission was established by the Legislature and 17 members from across the state were appointed by the Governor to lead the initiative. In 2015, the Celebrating Nebraska Statehood Foundation was established to help coordinate efforts and direct everyone toward collective success.

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP). One of America's most recognized companies, Union Pacific Railroad connects 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail, providing a critical link in the global supply chain. From 2007-2016, Union Pacific invested approximately $34 billion in its network and operations to support America's transportation infrastructure. The railroad's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Coal, Industrial Products and Intermodal. Union Pacific serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers, operates from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways. Union Pacific provides value to its roughly 10,000 customers by delivering products in a safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible manner.
 

The statements and information contained in the news releases provided by Union Pacific speak only as of the date issued. Such information by its nature may become outdated, and investors should not assume that the statements and information contained in Union Pacific's news releases remain current after the date issued. Union Pacific makes no commitment, and disclaims any duty, to update any of this information.

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Media Contact

Regan Anson, NE 150 Celebration
402-440-4451
regan@ne150.org

Media Contact

Calli Hite, Union Pacific
402-708-1639
callihite@up.com
@callihite