YMCA Campers Ride The Rails | Video

Kristin Clouston | 6/22/2012

There hasn`t been train passenger service out of Mandan in decades, but this week the BNSF Special is giving rides to railroad employees and their families. It`s also playing host to another group of special guests.

On the BNSF Special, riders can take unobstructed pictures of the beautiful countryside, enjoy a cool drink or even take a nap

Or they can ride in the Party Car.

"My car is unique, the Colorado River is known as the `Party Car,`" said Party Car host Jazwon Franklin.

On this trip he`s playing host to YMCA campers.

"I know kids like to listen to the radio. Some of them like to listen to Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, LMFAO and what I do is I want them to come and have fun."

"You can listen to music, we get snacks, we get beverages. It`s just the best," said camper Ethan Handt.

"We`ve been rocking out and just having fun," said camper Kristen Schwengler.

For many of these kids, it`s their first time riding the rails.

"It`s just amazing, I did something that I`ll probably never ever get to do again," Handt said.

"It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it," Schwengler said.

Without realizing it, the kids also learned a little bit of railroad history.

Keep an eye out for the train and you just might see it somewhere between Mandan and New Salem. The train features 15 cars from the `50s and `60s and is powered by two of the railroad`s newest locomotives.

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