Unless you live in western Nebraska or are a dedicated train enthusiast, you may not know about one of our state’s most fascinating attractions. Located in North Platte, this rail yard is the largest of its kind on the planet – but most people outside of Nebraska have no idea it exists.
Bailey Yard covers more than 8 miles and 2,850 acres. It’s the world’s largest railroad classification yard.
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There are 200 separate tracks at this Union Pacific yard which add up to about 315 miles in length.
Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center
Every day, approximately 140 trains and 14,000 railroad cars pass through Bailey Yard.
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Some of them pass straight through after stopping, but others stick around for a while for repairs, service, or crew changes.
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The Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center is located adjacent to Bailey Yard. It’s there to help educate people about the railroad’s history and importance in our state’s and country’s economy.
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Visitors can use the stairs or elevator to get to one of two observation areas. An open-air platform is on the 7th level and an enclosed observation deck occupies the 8th floor. If the weather is good, we recommend the open-air platform; it allows you to hear the sounds of the rail yard which is a unique experience.
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You can watch the fascinating operations of the rail yard from either of the observation areas, but be warned that you’ll need binoculars to see really well. (There are also pay-per-use viewers on the observation deck.) While the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center is a non-profit organization and not owned by Union Pacific, many of the volunteers are former UP employees. They are very knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions.
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Even indoors, there are plenty of exhibits that provide some interesting information about the railroad, including its place in Nebraska and U.S. history.
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This is a captivating place for train lovers and history enthusiasts alike. People of all ages enjoy stopping here, whether it’s a destination or just a short stop on a long trip.
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Admission to the Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors ages 62 and up, $5 for ages 6-16, and free for kids 5 and under. Find this unique attraction at 1249 N Homestead Rd, North Platte, NE 69101. If you can’t make it to North Platte but want to watch the rail yard operations, check out the 24/7 Bailey Yard webcam here.
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Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center
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TripAdvisor/Golden Spike Management
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Have you ever been to the Golden Spike Tower to watch the goings-on at Bailey Yard? Tell us all about your experiences in the comments!
If you love a great story, read about a truly heartwarming part of North Platte history here.
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