8 TRAVEL GUIDE 2021 the engineer’s view before you walk through a series of old rail cars, including a mail car and a caboose, that are filled with old railroad memorabilia from the time when trains were America’s main mode of transportation. In addition to the 3900 series is unit 6922. The 6900 series diesel locomotives were the largest ever made. These two locomotives made a combined horsepower of over 12,000. It’s not just the locomotives and rail cars, you’ll also find the old Hershey, Nebraska, rail depot. It also has historic railroad artifacts inside. All of this combined with the other rail attractions in town to make North Platte a must-visit for railroad fans. It’s no wonder these attractions get Buffalo Bill’s Buffalo of Approval. Address: 1601 N. Jeffers Street VisitNorthPlatte.com/directory-posts/
the year when visitors can experience Bailey Yard up-close-and- personal with a motorcoach tour through the yard. Every year the Rail Days committee brings new and exciting activities to this festival. You’ll also be able to experience one of America’s most heartwarming railroad stories – how the Union Pacific delivered six million service men and women to the North Platte World War II Canteen. Address: Various Locations Phone: (308) 532-9920 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, all www.GoldenSpikeTower.com Season/Hours of Operation: August 6-8, 2021 **** the way 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’s eastward and Golden Spike Tower overlooking Bailey Yard’s westward yards, 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
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
cody-park-railroad-museum/ Season/Hours of Operation:
May 1 - 3rd full weekend of September: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 10am-5pm Other times by appointment
www.GoldenSpikeTower.com Season/Hours of Operation:
Admission: Free ****
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 railyard, 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 WWII Canteen, but the real treasure here is the volunteers.
Memorial Day-Labor Day: Daily 9am-7pm Labor Day-Memorial Day: Daily 9am-5pm
Other times by appointment Admission: Admission charged ****
North Platte Rail Days 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
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