Monday, August 21st
BNSF Network Operations Center and Alliance Yard
1st Bus . . 7:30am - 12:15pm
2nd Bus. . 9:15am - 2:00pm
Cost $55
How does the BNSF keep products moving around the country 24/7? The BNSF main dispatching center is at the Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters in the Network Operations Center (NOC). Originally opened in 1995 and renovated in 2017, the NOC boasts an operating floor the size of a football field and the largest single-span projector ever manufactured with displays of weather and trains on the system. This vast area and cutting-edge technology allow the 100-plus dispatchers and support staff during each of the three shifts to efficiently perform their duties. Also on this tour will be an opportunity to see the BNSF collection of Western art and artifacts including the desk of the “Empire Builder”, Mr. James J. Hill. Following the NOC tour the bus will head to the Alliance Intermodal Yard for a driving tour. BNSF will also allow access to their private BNSF Store on this tour.
Rules & Restrictions
***Photo ID will be required on the day of the tour!
Wear closed toe, comfortable walking shoes. No high heels, sandals, or flip-flops allowed.
Facility is ADA compliant. Photography is allowed.
Tuesday, August 22nd
Museum of the American Railroad and TrainTopia
8:15am – 1:00pm
Cost $55
The Museum of the American Railroad, formerly known as the Age of Steam Railroad Museum, is a railroad museum in Frisco, Texas. The museum has more than 70 pieces of steam, diesel, passenger, and freight railroad equipment. See Union Pacific Big Boy #4018 among many unique and rare locomotives. Also included is a look at TrainTopia, a massive indoor G Scale layout that will immerse you in Texas history. Lunch will be on your own at Babe’s Chicken before returning.
Rules & Restrictions
Wear closed toe, comfortable walking shoes. No high heels, sandals, or flip-flops allowed. Bring sunscreen and/or hats for sun protection.
Walking over uneven ground is required on the guided tour of the Museum of the American Railroad equipment. TrainTopia is ADA accessible. Photography is allowed.
Wednesday, August 23rd
Saginaw Rail Industry Tour
Viterra(Gavilon) and Attebury Grain Elevators
Saginaw Diamond
TEXRail Maintenance Shop Tour
7:30am- 12:30pm
Cost $55
Saginaw, TX, is one of the most active rail areas in the state. This insider look into the rail industry includes a stop at one Grain Elevator for a behind the scenes tour. Then we will railfan the Saginaw Diamond where Union Pacific and BNSF cross, and end with a tour at the TEXRail Maintenance Facility.
Rules & Restrictions
Wear closed toe shoes. No high heels, sandals, or flip-flops allowed. Long pants required. Long pants required. Bring sunscreen and/or hats for sun protection.
This tour will include vigorous walking, stairs, tight spaces, ladder climbing and a small 4 person elevator. Do not attend if you are claustrophobic or afraid of heights. Do not attend if you are allergic to gluten or have asthma from grain or dust.
This tour is not ADA accessible. Photography is allowed only where stated.
Historic Station Tour
12:45pm - 6:15pm
Cost $70
Traveling via TRE visit 3 historic depots! This tour will start at Dallas Union Station where your guide will explain the local rail history as you explore the building. Then hop on TRE and head to Fort Worth to tour the Santa Fe Depot and Freight House. Then we head to the Texas & Pacific Depot for Happy Hour at the T&P Tavern and railfanning the trains from Union Pacific Davidson Yard before heading back to the convention. This tour will have historian Elliott Wright as your guide through history.
Rules & Restrictions
Wear closed toe, comfortable walking shoes. Expect walking and stairs.
Tour is not ADA compliant. Photography is allowed.
Thursday, August 24th
McKinney Avenue Trolley
9:15am – 2:15pm
Cost $70
See the rail shops at the McKinney Avenue Trolley Barn. We will ride the Dallas route in a private trolley. Lunch on your own at The Rustic before returning.
Rules & Restrictions
Wear closed toe, comfortable walking shoes. No high heels, sandals, or flip-flops allowed. Expect a shop environment.
Facility is ADA compliant. Photography is allowed.
Texas State Railroad Excursion
8:15am - 5:30pm
Cost $140
The casual grace of train travel never goes out of style. From the moment one steps aboard a vintage 1920’s car, the excitement of being on the rails is exhilarating. This 1-1/2 hour train adventure starts with a shop tour in Rusk, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Rusk Depot and then board the train headed for the Palestine depot. This tour takes passengers on a journey through the impressive Piney Woods and 135 years of history. Celebrated steam or vintage diesel locomotives are the muscle that pulls the consist of cars representing a bygone form of notable travel. Relaxed seating, thoughtful décor and friendly, responsive attendants add to the ambiance of the scenic journey afforded by travelers a century ago. This tour will be in First Class cars with a beverage and snack service. You will also tour both the Rusk shops and the Palestine shops.
Rules & Restrictions
Wear closed toe, comfortable walking shoes. No high heels, sandals, or flip-flops allowed. Expect a shop environment for the additional shop tours.
This tour is not ADA accessible. Photography is allowed.
Friday, August 25th
Grapevine Vintage Railroad Excursion
11:00am – 7:00pm
Cost $40
All aboard for the Great Train Heist! Keep an eye out for greedy outlaws onboard the Cotton Belt Route to Historic Stockyards Station in Fort Worth. Join in on the fun and help railroad detectives solve the mystery of who robbed the Grapevine Vintage Railroad.
This excursion starts in Downtown Grapevine at the Cotton Belt Depot. Passengers will then ride along the rails through six different cities in Tarrant County before ending in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Once there, riders will have the opportunity to explore the Stockyards before reboarding to return to Grapevine.
Rules & Restrictions
This tour is ADA accessible. Photography is allowed.
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