2026 Tracks to the Future

Content

Railroad Transportation and Engineering Program
June 24-26, 2026

Participant Limit: 20
Application Deadline: May 11, 2026 Applications are closed.

Railroads are a high-tech and environmentally sustainable mode of transportation. Participants will stay on campus at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and explore why railroads remain the most energy-efficient way to move goods and people. Students will engage with university faculty, connect with rail industry professionals, gain insight into railroad engineering, and learn about a wide range of career opportunities within the railroad industry. This program is open to all high school students, from incoming freshmen to recent graduates. 

The Nebraska Transportation Center covers all expenses, except for $30 program fee paid at the time of program acceptance. Application does not guarantee program attendance. 

Program Flyer  Program Schedule

The 2026 Tracks to the Future is Completed!

The Nebraska Transportation Center is proud to announce the successful completion of the 2026 Tracks to the Future program! Thank you to our students for their enthusiasm and engagement, and to our partners—HDR, NDOT, BNSF Railway, Union Pacific, GFT, the Federal Railroad Administration, UNL Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Olsson—for helping provide an outstanding learning experience. 

Together, you made this another successful year of Tracks to the Future, and we look forward to welcoming future students back next year.

  • Group of people smiling outside near a train track, with a BNSF train in the background.
    Students toured Hobson Yard and met with railway professionals.
  • Group of people standing outdoors near a building, trees, and railroad track on a sunny day.
    Students learn how drone technology is used in the railroad industry.
  • Group of students viewing drone controls and camera view with Dr. Richard Wood.
  • Students view a drone lab demonstration.
    Students viewed a drone demonstration in UNL's Robotics Laboratory.
  • Student test flying a small drone.
    Students tried their had at piloting small drones.
  • Students in a lab, testing a 3D modeling process using a BRIO train and webcam.
    Dr. Hongfeng Yu guided students in trying out real time 3D modeling.
  • Students in Kiewit Hall at UNL in lab with laser cutters and 3D printers.
    Students received a guided tour of Kiewit Hall and the variety of lab spaces available for College of Engineering students.
  • Orange BNSF locomotive numbered 1966 parked on railroad tracks, surrounded by tank cars and trees.
  • Five people standing on a metal balcony overlooking train tracks under a cloudy sky.
    BNSF Hobson Yard in Lincoln, NE
  • Four people with red backpacks overlook a trainyard on a cloudy day from a railing.
  • Student operating BNSF locomotive simulator.
    BNSF's locomotive simulator at Hobson Yard.
  • Two students wearing red shirts collaborate on a straw structure at a classroom table.
  • Instructor helps two students seated at desks in a bright classroom.
    UP intern challenges students with a Dispatcher for a Day activity.
  • Students collaborating at a table in a classroom setting.
  • Students play with a toy train on tracks on tables in a bright classroom.
    Jason Tichota, Senior Project Manager at GFT Engineering, challenges students with owning and operating their own railway.
  • Students working to safely run a BRIO train without derailing.
  • Group collaborating at a table in a modern classroom setting.
    Tom Clements and Tony Klaumann challenge students with mapping a new greenfield railway.
  • Man presenting to a small audience in a modern classroom setting with slides on the screen.
    Benesch's Paul Vidmar shared what it's like to work with rail as a civil engineer.
  • Participants seated at a panel table, one woman speaking, with a presentation screen in the background.
    Professionals across the federal, state, and private sectors came together in a panel discussion about the rail industry.

Wednesday, June 24

11:00 AMArrive & Check In
12:00 - 1:00 PMLunch at Willa Cather Dining Complex
1:10 - 1:45 PMReview Expectations and Schedule
Pre-Survey
1:45 - 2:15 PM

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Nathan Huynh, NTC Director, Professor and Keith W. Klaasmeyer Chair of Engineering and Technology, UNL
Dr. Richard Wood, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, UNL

2:15 - 4:00 PM

Emerging Technologies in Railroading

Dr. Richard Wood, Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, UNL
Dr. Hongfeng Yu, Director of the Holland Computing Center, Associate Professor, School of Computing, UNL
Dr. Brittany Duncan, Ross McCollum Associate Professor, School of Computing, UNL

4:00 - 5:00 PM

College of Engineering Presentation & Facilities Tour

Ms. Stephanie Benes, Assistant Director of Recruitment

6:00 - 7:00 PMDinner
7:00 - 9:00 PMFree Time
9:00 PMCurfew

Thursday, June 25

8:00 - 8:30 AMBreakfast
8:45 - 11:45 AMBNSF Hobson Railyard Tour
12:00 - 12:45 PMLunch provided by Olsson
12:45 - 2:15 PM

Olsson Rail Team Presentation & Bridge Building Activity

Mr. Ben Shulz, Rail Structures Associate Engineer, Olsson
Mr. Logan Baardson, Rail Track Student Intern, Olsson
Mr. Dillon Holz, Rail Water Resources Engineer, Olsson

2:30 - 4:00 PM

Union Pacific Presentation & Dispatcher for a Day Activity

Ms. Madelyn Serefko, PHR, Senior Recruiter, Union Pacific Railroad

4:00 - 5:40 PM

Rail Operations Game

Mr. Jason Tichota, Sr Project Manager, GFT Engineering

6:00 - 7:30 PMNetworking Dinner
9:00 PMCurfew

Friday, June 26

8:00 - 8:50 AMBreakfast
9:00 - 10:30 AM

HDR Presentation & Greenfield Railway Building Activity

Mr. Tom Clements, Data Science & Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Manager, HDR
Mr. Tony Klaymann, PE, Associate Vice President & NE/IA Freight Rail Track Section Manager, HDR

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Benesch Presentation & Activity

Mr. Paul Vidmar, Public Project Manager, Benesch

12:10 - 1:20 PMLunch
1:30 - 3:00 PM

Professional Panel Discussion

Moderating: Dr. Nathan Huynh, NTC Director, Professor & Keith W. Klaasmeyer Chair of Engineering and Technology, UNL
Mr. Chris Talley, Client Relation Manager, Olsson
Ms. Stephanie Camerone, Freight, Economic Development, and Grant Coordinator, Strategic Planning Division, Nebraska Department of Transportation
Mr. Paul Vidmar, Public Project Manager, Benesch
Mr. Steven Clark, Region 5 Safety Inspector (Track), Federal Railroad Administration, USDOT
Mr. Richard Luebbers, Retired Engineering Program Manager
Ms. Diane Jones, Director of Project Design, Union Pacific Railroad

3:00 - 3:30 PMClosing Statements and Post Survey
3:30 - 4:00 PMCheck Out & Adjourn

Students Stay on Campus

Students will live on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus in residence halls during the program. Housing includes shared bedrooms with one roommate and a suite-style dorm rooms with up to four students total. Room assignments will be made with roommates of the same sex, in accordance with the January 20, 2025, U.S. Presidential Executive Order, to ensure a safe and comfortable living environment for all participants.

Exterior of Knoll Residential Center

Sponsors & Partners

The Nebraska Transportation Center sincerely thanks our partners in their generous support and partnership in making our program a resounding success. Their contribution is instrumental in delivering an impactful experience, and we look forward to continuing collaboration.