1. FANTRIP By DAVID LUSTIG
Yardmaster’s view isn’t this good
Golden Spike Tower overlooks the biggest hump yard in the world at Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard
The world’s biggest hump yard is off the action, or the 7th-floor open-air plat-
limits to railfans, but how would you like form, says Shelly Harshaw, the tower’s ex-
a bird’s-eye view from a lofty perch? Neb- ecutive director. Volunteers, some of
raska’s new viewing tower, which opened whom are retired Union Pacific employ-
on June 26, 2008, provides just that: a ees, serve as tour guides, explaining the
panoramic perspective from above the sites below. If you forget your binoculars,
heart of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard in no worries, as both viewing decks have
North Platte, Neb. coin-operated telescopic viewers.
Take Interstate 80 to near the center The nearby city of North Platte has
of the Cornhusker State, turn off on exit dozens of choices in accommodations
177, (about 285 miles west of Omaha) and and restaurants; take special note of the
go two miles west of North Platte. At latter, because food is not sold at the tow-
1249 N. Homestead Road, the eight-story er (visitors are welcome to bring provi-
tall Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Cen- sions). Another tidbit to keep in mind:
ter provides a spectacular view of the The station-style gift shop sells souvenirs
2,850-acre, eight-mile-long classification such as shirts, caps, and postcards, but
yard. Every 24 hours, 150 trains and 300 not film or digital cards, so be prepared.
locomotives come and go, and a total of After all, in addition to the view, you may
15,000 cars move through the yard. want to take photographs in the hall of The Golden Spike Tower in North Platte,
The tower’s $6 million observation ar- fame, also located in the station in the Neb., (left) provides a unique view of UP’s
eas are the centerpieces of the complex. tower’s base, where UP and Nebraska Bailey Yard. Two photos: Golden Spike Tower
Reached by elevator or stairs, these obser- memorabilia, along with other assorted
vation areas offer panoramic views from items of historic and regional interest are
either the enclosed top floor, 120 feet above on permanent display. Union Pacific’s
The Golden Spike Tower is proving to Bailey Yard
be more popular than officials had ini-
tially expected, with more than 23,700 Area: 2,850 acres
people visiting the family-friendly at- Track: 315 miles
traction between its June open- Switches: 985
ing and mid-December, Employees in North Platte: 2,600
nearly double the projected Average daily trains:
admission numbers. Manifest: 60
The cost for daily admission is $6 Coal: 70
for adults, $5 for seniors, $4 for stu- Grain or ore: 6
dents 6-16 years old; and free for children Local: 4
6 and under. Winter hours, from Oct. 1 to Intermodal and auto: 15
April 30, are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday Total: 155
through Saturday, and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Daily average switch jobs: 33
Summer hours, from May 1 to Sept. 30, Cars handled: 3,000
are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Sat- Average car terminal hours: 11.5
urday, and 1 to 7 p.m. Sunday. The tower Cars humped
is closed Christmas Day, Easter, Thanks- North Platte East: 1,500
giving, and New Year’s Day. North Platte West: 1,500
Details: www.goldenspiketower.com Total: 3,000
or at (308) 532-9920.