About Our Event
The Abilene Railroad Festival is a revival of the same event that took place annually from 1991 - 1997. Since it’s peak in the 1990’s, the history and appreciation of railroads has diminished to a fraction of what it once was. Through careful operation and strategic planning, our goal is to put the importance of railroads, past and present, into the forefront of local communities again.
The Abilene Preservation League's mission for the annual Abilene Railroad Festival is to provide a place and event that highlights the significant role that railroads played in the founding of Abilene and nearly all of the communities within the Big Country through educational programming, unique involvement, and family friendly interactive engagement while valuing the perspective of railroad enthusiasts.
Since its revival in 2024, the Abilene Railroad Festival has welcomed over 1000 passengers and supported over 40 local businesses, non-profits and organizations. As we enter the coming year, we look forward to welcoming new faces, supporting more local establishments and sharing all things railroad with our great communities!
ALL ABOARD FOR 2026!
Corrender Taylor, Abilene Railroad Festival Director
Schedule of Events
Opening Reception
Every year we open Rail Fest with a free, public opening reception. This is a dinner presentation complete with a keynote speaker that sets the theme for the event. This year our opening reception will be Catered by Circa 1880 and sponsored by H-E-B Helping Here program.
Where: D&W Underground Event Venue - 1201 S 1st Street, Abilene, TX 79602
When: 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Keynote Speaker: S. R. Bush Presenting ‘A Day In The Life of the 1976 American Freedom Train”
Cost: FREE TO THE PUBLIC
Our Speaker:
Stephen Bush’s lifelong connection to railroading began on New Year’s Eve 1975, when the American Freedom Train arrived in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California. When the train departed, he went with it, spending all of 1976 traveling with the train during the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. Bush served as Assistant Curator during public exhibitions, helping maintain the historic artifacts displayed aboard the train, while also assisting with the logistical setup and breakdown required as the train moved between cities. As part of the small core crew who lived and traveled aboard the train, he also volunteered with the steam locomotive crew and later served as a fireman toward the end of the tour. Today, Stephen “S.R.“ Bush is recognized as a noted railway historian and writer known for his extensive research and archival work surrounding the 1975-1976 American Freedom Train. His detailed writings document the train’s equipment, operations, crew structure, and historic artifacts, helping preserve the legacy of the Bicentennial tour for future generations. Bush is also known as the righthand man to renowned railroad preservationist Doyle McCormack and the iconic Southern Pacific 4449 steam locomotive.
Festival Timetable
Every year we open Rail Fest with a free, public opening reception. This reception takes form as a dinner presentation complete with a keynote speaker that sets the theme for the event. This year our opening reception will be Catered by Circa 1880 and sponsored by H-E-B Helping Here program.
Where: Downtown Abilene, Texas
Registration: 1101 North 1st Street, Abilene, Texas 79601
When: 10:00AM - 6:00PM
Cost: $15 day pass per person; children ages four and under are free
To register for the 2026 Abilene Railroad Festival and secure your tickets, please click the registration button below. To download any festival material select the corresponding button.
Exhibitor Information
Thank you for your interest in being an exhibitor for the 2026 Abilene Railroad Festival! All immediate and necessary information can be found below. However, if you still have any questions, please email:
It is important to note that we have limited space available, so try and get your info in as early as possible.. Additionally, we prioritize railroad related exhibitors over commercial and unrelated displays, sellers and vendors.
RAILROAD RELATED DEALERS/SELLERS, LAYOUTS, AND NON-PROFIT EXHIBITORS ARE EXEMPT OF FEES AND ANY CHARGES.
Why Exhibit at the Abilene Railroad Festival?
The Abilene Railroad Festival was created to showcase the importance of railroad expansion through West Texas. Nearly every community, town and city surrounding Abilene, Texas owes its existence to the railroad. We wanted to create a space that melds the extreme railroad enthusiast with the general community through family friendly spaces and interactive activities. Which means you can be a part of creating that connection! Each year we have a variety of participants for our passengers. Historical Presentations, Living History reenactments, Model Trains, Layouts, 3D prints, Museum displays, historical Society interaction, Private Sellers, Food Trucks, and more can be seen during our annual event.
Letter of Intent is needed by August 28th, 2026 to hold your spot. This includes
one 10ft x 10ft area
If an additional 10ft x 10ft area is needed, please inform the Abilene Preservation League staff.
Two Chairs
One 6ft Rectangular Table
Click one of the buttons below to download the form that best fits your business or organization. We will promptly review your application when we receive it.
Volunteer information
Interested in becoming a volunteer?
Our volunteers are the indispensable to making the day-of festivities operate smoothly, just like locomotive and train crews of the past and present. The Abilene Railroad Festival presents a great opportunity to donate your time towards a community event. We have lots of volunteer options each year to fit your needs and interests.
Click the link below to sign-up for a shift at this years Rail Fest or fill out the contact form to learn more about ways you can help!
Sponsorship Information
Interested in becoming a sponsor?
Our sponsors are what keep this event rolling! Like railroad Maintenance-of-way crews, sponsors keep us gauged and on track. Without their support we would not be able to achieve the goals we have annually for this event. This allows us to operate at full steam and chug our way into next year. The Abilene Preservation League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and all sponsorships and donations are tax deductible.
Complete the contact form and let us know your interest in becoming a sponsor! We’re excited to have you on board!
In the meantime check out our sponsorship flyer to see how you’d like to support!
Our 2026 Sponsors
Raffles & Merchandise
Update Coming Soon!
