UNION PACIFIC RR’S BAILEY YARD AT NORTH PLATTE NE

 

A  stop at the Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard at North Platte NE is a must for the dedicated railfan. Tom Harrison a few years ago told me about the Golden Spike tower from which to observe the yard, and we just got around to stopping there August 27 on our way to Colorado . The yard is the largest classification yard in the world.

 

This nicely landscaped sign greets the visitor as he arrives at the site about 2 miles west of North Platte. The observation tower is in the background.

 

And here is the 8 story tower behind the visitor center. An elevator takes one to the 8 floor where, behind tinted glass, a docent is available to answer questions. Ours was a retired engineer with whom I talked for nearly a half hour .I learned that one reason for UP engines often looking grimy is that  locomotives are no longer routinely washed at the Bailey yard after servicing. The old arrangements for washing caused problems with the track where the locomotives were washed and  from the water and chemicals used. I also learned that  some of the switches in the yard still have to be thrown by hand rather than being electrically assisted.

Outside the Visitor Center is UP’s Golden Spike car. My guess is that it is a diner or roomette car. Can anyone identify it more precisely?

The locomotive repair facility is at the left and toward the middle is the locomotive servicing facility where they are fueled on their way through. 14 million gallons of diesel fuel are dispensed here per month! Also in the yard is a car repair shop in operation 24/7 year around.

This mild telephoto shot shows the engine servicing tracks under and at the side of the arch. To the right in the distance (left of the blue and white tanks) is the hump for eastbound cars.  They are sent into perhaps 50 different tracks in what is called the bowl  to sort them into trains for various destinations .. Google Earth will give you excellent aerial views

 

The  hump for westbound car is shown in the middle distance to the right of the two blue cars on a bridge.

The above views show only the west part of the yard. The yard extends miles to the east of the these pictures.

This sign proclaims some of the interesting facts about the yard. It handles much more traffic that the BNSF yard at Barstow CA  the Golden Spike Chapter toured a few years ago.