Galesburg Railroad Days

The Galesburg Railroad Museum will be hosting a VIP Tour on June 25th. Tickets will go on sale at the Museum at 3:45 pm on that day for a 4:00 pm tour. The cost is $20 per person and only 32 tickets will be sold. (Only one ticket per person). The tour will consist of a 30-minute guided tour of the Galesburg Railroad hump tower. Then proceed for an overview of the railroad yard on County Highway 10 Bridge. The tour will continue with a 30-minute narrated walk of the BNSF Galesburg Diesel Shop facilities and then the rest of the Yard. Total tour time will be approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Tour goers will be returned to the Museum at approximately 6 pm.

Enjoy the Carnival and save! The MEGA Arm-Band, which is valid for all 4 days and for all Carnival rides will be available only on Thursday, June 24th from 6 – 11 pm. The price is $35. DAILY Arm-Bands pricing: Thursday from 6 – 11 pm, $20; Friday from 6 – 11 pm, $20, Saturday from Noon – 11 pm, $25; Sunday from Noon – 6 pm, $20. Arm-Bands can be purchased at any Carnival ticket booth.

The Galesburg Historical Society announced today the schedule for “A Sunday in Galesburg”, a historical tram tour of some of Galesburg most historical churches. There will be 7 tours on Saturday and 6 on Sunday. “A” Tour will be visiting the site of the Universalist Church, First Presbytarian Church, Central Congregational Church, and Allen Chapel. The “A” Tours will be leaving the depot at 11:00, 12:30, 2:00, and 3:30 on Saturday and at 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30 on Sunday. “B” Tour will be visiting the site of Beecher Chapel, St. Patricks Parish, First Christian Church, and First Lutheran Church. The “B” Tours will be leaving the Depot at 11:45, 1:15 , and 2:45 on Saturday and at 12:15, 1:45, and 3:15 on Sunday.

The tickets are 2 dollars each and will be sold at the depot on Saturday and Sunday. This promises to be a weekend filled with music, entertainment, and tours of some churches, as well as the history.

We are pleased to inform you that the schedule of attractions for the 33rd edition of Galesburg Railroad Days is now available at www.galesburgrailroaddays.org/schedule. You can now view and print a schedule as well as download it into your Google calendar. Stay tuned as attractions are added and updated.

Thank you to everyone for making the 2009 Galesburg Railroad Days a success! We would like to thank the countless volunteers whose dedication and commitment helped make it happen. Please join us next year on June 26-27, 2010, for the 33rd annual celebration. Only 363 days until next year! Stay tuned.

Read the report from The Register-Mail about the Rail Yard tours. You can catch the tours Saturday, 9 am – 4 pm and Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm. Loading is at the Amtrak Depot (South end). Bus tours every 30 minutes over 4th St. to County Road 10 to hump tower and to railyard. 40-minute narrated ride. Adults $4, Children $3.

Enjoy rides, games, and food at the annual carnival this Thursday thru Sunday. The wrist band prices are $35.00 for the “Mega Band” and $15.00 for daily wrist bands. All wrist bands go on sale one hour before opening each day. (Map)

The 32nd Annual Galesburg Railroad Days is coming this weekend! Check in with us all weekend for up-to-the minute schedule changes and important notices. We will be blogging all weekend to let you know what’s going on. Don’t forget to check out the Galesburg Railroad Museum railcam for live video of attractions happening around the Amtrak Depot. All Aboard!

Harry Grossman, the director of the 15th annual show at Carl Sandburg College, says that he has sold all the 300+ vendor tables for this year’s show. There are several new vendors, including new merchants from California and Texas. There are also 14 confirmed exhibitors with displays of every size and type from around the U.S. This is truly an attraction for both collectors and the entire family! Beat the heat and cool off inside the air-conditioned facility. There is a free shuttle offering round-trip service from the BNSF Amtrak Depot to both the Model Train & Railroadiana and Toy Shows at Carl Sandburg College; departing every half hour from each location. The last pick up at 5 pm Saturday and 3 pm Sunday. Don’t miss the largest summer show of its kind in the Midwest!

All aboard! The American Red Cross is calling all donors to give blood at Galesburg Railroad Days. The need for blood is constant and every donation is important. Now is the time to get “on track” and schedule your blood donation appointment.

The blood drive will be on Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Seminary Street near the depot in downtown Galesburg.

Volunteers from the Chapter have cooked up some tasty treats that will be on sale in a tent near the blood donation bus. All proceeds from the bake sale wil help support Chapter services in the community.

Simply call 1-800-448-3543 or visit www.givebloodgivelife.org to make an appointment.