Galesburg is celebrating its 35th Annual Railroad Days. The festival is an economic boost for Galesburg, because 5 to 7 thousand people attend Railroad Days.
People from Galesburg and all over Illinois are rolling into town sharing their love of trains.
"You get to see all these great trains and it's just fun," says Tom Foley, "I think that it's, because they're so big and powerful and there's just something romantic about them."
Railroad Days is one of the city's biggest events with thousand of people coming to town for the trains, carnival and flea markets.
"It fills up the hotels and the restaurants are busy, so it's a good economic event for our community," says Jean Jacobs with Galesburg Railroad Days.
Many of railroad day's events are downtown and people are able to see everything Galesburg has to offer.
"There's other things to do, they can visit Knox College where Old Main is, they can go to the Carl Sandburg historic site, so yes there's lots of other things they can visit while they're here," adds Jacobs.
This year's Railroad Days could bring in big numbers, because of Mother Nature.
"The weather has been perfect," says Jacobs "Usually it's either very hot or rainy and this year it's just right. It will help attract a lot more people."
"It seems there are a lot of interested people that have come by and talked with me, I've seen a lot of good traffic," says Edie Metz from the Galesburg Historical Society.
For many, part of railroad days is taking a look at Galesburg's history.
"Railroading is a big part of our history here," adds Jacobs, "We are helping people to learn not only what happens now with the railroad, but how the railroads came here and what they've done to this community."
People say they'll keep coming back to Railroad Days, because it's an opportunity to see a side of Galesburg they usually don't see.
"The VIP tour is just a great chance to get in on the inside of the railroad," says Foley, "So the VIP tour is really special."
For more information on Galesburg Railroad Days click here.
