8 TRAVEL GUIDE 2020
Golden Spike Tower Anyone who’s ever loved the railroad or been interested in trains will instantly understand why the Golden Spike Tower gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. The tower offers the best view of the world’s largest rail yard, the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, where every day approximately 10,000 railcars are sorted and sent on to their next destination. The tower also includes multimedia exhibits on the history of the railroad as well as the orphan trains and the North Platte Canteen, but the real treasures here are the volunteers. Every day you’ll find friendly volunteers, in almost every case a retired Union Pacific employee, manning the tower ready to enlighten visitors about the logistics and choreography that happens every day at Bailey Yard. Visitors will find that these knowledgeable volunteers can explain just about everything that’s happening down on the rail yard and how it affects the big picture of getting raw materials and consumer goods where they need to go. This is no small task either. It’s been said that you can get a pretty good picture of how the entire U.S. economy is doing by paying attention to Bailey Yard because of the sheer quantity of freight that is shipped through this yard. With everything going on, from the exhibits, to the knowledgeable volunteers, and even the unique gift shop, it’s no wonder that the Golden Spike Tower gets Buffalo Bill’s coveted Buffalo of Approval. So, if you’re planning on coming through North Platte, make sure you stop at the Golden Spike Tower. Address: 1249 N. Homestead Road Phone: (308) 532-9920 OR (866) 338-7596 www.GoldenSpikeTower.com Season/hours of operation: Where would you expect to find the greatest rail celebration in the world? Why, at the home of the world’s largest rail yard! The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center invites you to North Platte to experience our incredible railroad heritage. Rail Days is the one and only time throughout the year when visitors can experience Bailey Yard up-close-and-personal with a motorcoach tour through the yard. Also included in Rail Days is a railroad-themed murder mystery, railroad machinery and equipment exhibits throughout Cody Park, a full day of fun kids’ activities, and a huge model railroad show. You’ll also be able to experience one of America’s most heartwarming railroad stories — how the Union Pacific delivered 6 million service men and women to the North Platte World War II Canteen. Address: Various locations Phone: (308) 532-9920 www.NorthPlatteRailDays.com Season/hours of operation: Aug. 7-9, 2020 DUE TO COVID-19 THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY IN 2020 May 1 through Sept. 30: Daily 9am-7pm Oct. 1 through April 30: Daily 10am-5pm Twilight tours every third Saturday. Other times by appointment Admission: Admission charged North Platte Rail Days
Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard Union Pacific Railroad’s Bailey Yard in North Platte, Nebraska, is the largest railroad classification yard in the world. It was named in honor of former Union Pacific President Edd H. Bailey. This massive yard covers 2,850 acres, reaching a total length of eight miles, well beyond the borders of North Platte, a community of 25,000 citizens. Put end-to-end, Bailey Yard’s 315 miles of track would reach from North Platte in western Nebraska east past Omaha on the Iowa border along the Missouri River. Every 24 hours, Bailey Yard handles 10,000 railroad cars. Of those, 3,000 are sorted daily in the yard. Golden Spike Tower overlooks Bailey Yard, nicknamed “hump” yards. Using a mound cresting 34 feet for eastbound trains and 20.1 feet for those heading west, these two hump yards allow four cars a minute to roll gently into any of 114 “bowl” tracks where they become part of trains headed for dozens of destinations. Together, these two yards have 18 receiving and 16 departure tracks. Train operations and repair shops at Bailey Yard are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The fueling and service center processes more than 9,000 locomotives each month, using technology like overhead cranes and elevated work bays to maintain fluid operations. Address: 4000 W. Front St. VisitNorthPlatte.com/directory-posts/union-pacific-bailey-yard/ Can be experienced by a visit to the Golden Spike Tower. FUN AND ADVENTURE Cody Go-Karts Cody Go-Karts gets Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. You know why? It’s because they offer tons of great activities for the whole family. As you’d expect, there’s go-karts, but just having go-karts isn’t good enough. There are two different tracks. The standard track features a multi-level figure eight with the option of single or tandem karts. The slick track course offers a challenge for anyone looking for slippery fun with single and tandem racecar karts. In addition to the go-karts there’s great summer fun with bumper boats, over 560 feet of wet and wild waterslides and a kiddie slide in the pool area. Speaking of the little guys, there’s plenty for them too with a variety of kiddie rides, arcade games, and even kiddie go-karts and bumper boats. All of that plus snacks and a nearby campground and hotels combine to make Cody Go-Karts a no-brainer for the coveted Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval
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