Abilene Tourism Advocate

September 19, 2024

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Best Historic Small Town - USA TODAY

Kansas Belle dinner train cars find temporary home at Abilene & Smoky Valley

by Trains Magazine

Nearly five years after the last run out of Baldwin City, six passenger cars of Bruce Eveland’s Kansas Belle dinner train have found a new owner and a temporary home.

A Sept. 16, 2024, Facebook post by the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (A&SV) announced the recent acquisition with American Heritage Railways of Durango, Colo., as the new owner. AHR is the parent company of Heritage Rail Management, which is the consulting partner for the A&SV. Adding on to the announcement are plans to relocate the equipment by truck to Abilene yard, beginning sometime this week.

Though stressing both American Heritage Railways as the owner and Abilene & Smoky Valley providing temporary storage, the latter’s president and general manager, Ross Boelling, confirms the possible use of the cars for the tourist railroad: Short and long term. “Heritage Rail Management will likely use some of the Kansas Belle vehicles on its owned and operated rail lines outside of Kansas,” as stated in the Facebook post. “However, those arrangements remain to be worked out, and the A&SV will be able to use the cars in the meantime.

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Discover the Charm of Abilene, Kansas: Five Must-Visit Places This Weekend

The Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau has been awarded a $9,800 Kansas Tourism Marketing Grant to support the Kansas Gunsmoke Trail 2.0 initiative.

The Kansas Gunsmoke Trail highlights cowboy-themed attractions in four historic cities—Wichita, Abilene, Hays (City), and Dodge City—that played significant roles in the storyline of Gunsmoke, the longest-running Western in television history. The new phase of the project will build on its success through targeted advertising and digital campaigns, continuing the interactive passport program, and engaging visitors to follow the trail.

“I’m so proud of our collaboration,” said Julie Roller Weeks, Director of the Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This project spans multiple towns and regions and is already attracting visitors, bus tours, and travel writers.”

The project, building on the success of the initial campaign, will officially launch in 2025, with a focus on attracting international visitors attending the 2026 World Cup in Kansas City.

“We appreciate the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Tourism Division recognizing and supporting our effort,” Roller Weeks said. “This partnership offers travelers an authentic and packaged itinerary to guide their visits to experience Kansas’ rich cowboy history.”

For more information, visit www.KansasGunsmokeTrail.com.

Fall in Love with Abilene: Your Ultimate Guide to Fall Events in Abilene, Kansas

As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, there’s no better place to embrace the beauty of fall than in the award-winning Best Small Town of Abilene, Kansas. This charming town is ready to welcome you with a lineup of fantastic fall events that will make you "fall" in love with Abilene all over again. From Oktoberfest celebrations to historic traditions and grueling gravel rides, this season's events offer a wide array of experiences to delight every visitor. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening this season.

Discover Gravel Cycling Paradise in Kansas

Are you ready to explore the open road on two wheels? Look no further than Abilene, Kansas and its growing gravel cycling scene. With a network of scenic routes and a welcoming community, Abilene offers a lot of fun for gravel cyclists.

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Upcoming Events

September

20 & 21

Friday & Saturday

7th Annual Oktoberfest

Save the date! Join the Oktoberfest party, returning to downtown Abilene in 2024! Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere with authentic German music, captivating dancers, and mouthwatering cuisine that will transport you straight to the heart of Bavaria. More Info

September

Saturday

Wild West Gravel Fest

For those who love the thrill of adventure on two wheels, the Wild West Gravel Fest is the event for you! This exciting gravel race takes place offers three different race options: a 50k fun ride for riders of all ages, a 100k competitive race for those who want a bit more of a challenge, and a 200k endurance race designed for the most dedicated cyclists. More Info

September

Saturday

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: The best thing about the Flint Hills? Good ol' Kansas barbeque on the Smoky Valley Limited

Someone once said that “barbeque is happiness.” And Kansans love their barbeque! Good barbeque is no stranger here in the Flint Hills, and the A&SV Smoky Valley Limited is proud to feature some of Kansas’ best from Kites of Aggieville Manhattan. More Info

September

Saturday

Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad: "Ich Liebe Oktoberfest!" (I love Oktoberfest) Celebrate Oktoberfest on the Smoky Valley Limited

Oktoberfest originally began in Bavaria, Germany, as an agricultural exhibition much like our modern day county fairs in Kansas. Heavily promoted by brewing companies, the holiday grew across Germany, and of course, found its way to the United States. Today, Oktoberfest is celebrated in so many communities across Kansas, thanks to the heavy German settlement in so many regions of the state. More Info

October

4-13

Honkey Tonk Angels at Great Plains Theatre

When three gutsy gals from different backgrounds take charge of their lives, they decide to follow their honky tonk dreams all the way to the city of Nashville. Combining 30 classic country tunes (including “Stand By Your Man,” “9 to 5,” “Harper Valley PTA” and more!) Honky Tonk Angels is a hilarious, foot-stomping good time. More Info

October

Saturday

Heritage Day at the Dickinson County Heritage Center

The annual Heritage Day Festival features living history with blacksmith and antique agriculture demonstrations, steam engine carousel rides, an antique tractor show, a classic car show, model trains, vendor fair and much more. More Info

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Community Attractions

Experience Art & Culture

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Journey to the Old West

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Live the American Story

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Explore Ike's Life & Legacy

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Have an Adventure

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Enjoy Family Fun and Learning

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Community Spotlight

Stay in Abilene

Abilene is home to more than 200 rooms ready to serve travelers. From national chain hotels to locally-owned motels, award-winning bed and breakfasts, and unique Airbnbs, Abilene's lodging community offers something for every price point.

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Gunsmoke Trail

Howdy, partners, and welcome to the Gunsmoke Trail! This road trip visits four cities in Kansas that had a role in Gunsmoke, the Emmy award-winning primetime Western that entertained audiences for 20 years.

The show still runs on select networks, with iconic characters telling the story of frontier life in the Old West. Several present-day cities in Kansas play a part in the show’s storylines, including Wichita, Abilene, Hays City (now Hays), and of course, Dodge City.

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Itinerary

Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau

201 NW Second St.

Abilene, Kansas 67410

785-263-2231

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Saturday & Sunday : Closed