I will be visiting the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte on June 26th and 27th. Coincidentally, the latest issue of "Trains" has an excellent aricle on Bailey Yard.
I would appreciate suggestions from anyone who has visited the tower on how to make my stay more enjoyable.
Getting to the Golden Spike Tower is fairly easy. From downtown North Platte, Front Street parallels the southside of the Union Pacific mainline. Drive west on Front Street and it'll take you right to the driveway that's just south of the Tower.
All freight car classification activity flows west-to-east. The "eastbound hump" is closest to the Tower, the "westbound hump" is further north. North of the westbound hump's departure tracks is the coal yard where many different types of coal empties are kept on hand to fill trains.
One of the more conspicuous features of the whole operation appears to the west. Called variously the "Sheep Jump" or the "Kenefick Skyway," it's a north-south flyover that is used for power transfers between the diesel shop and the westbound hump and coal yards.
After you visit the Tower, continue west on Front St. and the road eventually turns north to Birdwood Crossing. The six or seven yard leads on the east side of the crossing connect to the 4-track mainline to the west. It can be a nice place to watch trains arriving and departing North Platte.
On U.S. Hwy. 83, north of the mainline about a half mile, is Cody Park, 1400 N. Jeffers St. At the southeast corner of Cody Park is a small railroad display featuring UP 3977 (Challenger-class steam locomotive), UP 6922 an EMD DD40AX, a cupola caboose, a baggage car, an R.P.O., and the restored Hershey, Nebraska depot. It should be open during your visit.
The city's best restaurants (and Starbucks) are clustered around the intersection of I-80 and U.S. Hwy. 83. One of my two favorites is The Canteen located inside the Quality Inn. The food there is pretty good, and the place has many large b.& w. photos of the activity that was part of the famous World War 2 era North Platte Canteen operation housed in the Railroad's downtown depot. Unfortunately, both the depot and the Canteen are, as the late author Margaret Mitchell might put it, "gone with the wind."
The Lincoln County Museum located on the far northwest side of North Platte has a room devoted to the North Platte Canteen.
You might consider taking the map that is in the current issue with you. It is difficult to describe just how large the yard is until you have seen it, and much is so far away that it's difficult to understand the purpose. While they have schematic diagrams of the yard posted, they are not on the viewing floors.
The exhibits at Cody Park are open for interior inspection during normal "business hours" and well worth the time.
Bob-Fryml Getting to the Golden Spike Tower is fairly easy. From downtown North Platte, Front Street parallels the southside of the Union Pacific mainline. Drive west on Front Street and it'll take you right to the driveway that's just south of the Tower. All freight car classification activity flows west-to-east. The "eastbound hump" is closest to the Tower, the "westbound hump" is further north. North of the westbound hump's departure tracks is the coal yard where many different types of coal empties are kept on hand to fill trains. One of the more conspicuous features of the whole operation appears to the west. Called variously the "Sheep Jump" or the "Kenefick Skyway," it's a north-south flyover that is used for power transfers between the diesel shop and the westbound hump and coal yards. After you visit the Tower, continue west on Front St. and the road eventually turns north to Birdwood Crossing. The six or seven yard leads on the east side of the crossing connect to the 4-track mainline to the west. It can be a nice place to watch trains arriving and departing North Platte. On U.S. Hwy. 83, north of the mainline about a half mile, is Cody Park, 1400 N. Jeffers St. At the southeast corner of Cody Park is a small railroad display featuring UP 3977 (Challenger-class steam locomotive), UP 6922 an EMD DD40AX, a cupola caboose, a baggage car, an R.P.O., and the restored Hershey, Nebraska depot. It should be open during your visit. The city's best restaurants (and Starbucks) are clustered around the intersection of I-80 and U.S. Hwy. 83. One of my two favorites is The Canteen located inside the Quality Inn. The food there is pretty good, and the place has many large b.& w. photos of the activity that was part of the famous World War 2 era North Platte Canteen operation housed in the Railroad's downtown depot. Unfortunately, both the depot and the Canteen are, as the late author Margaret Mitchell might put it, "gone with the wind." The Lincoln County Museum located on the far northwest side of North Platte has a room devoted to the North Platte Canteen.
Thanks for your input. It is very helpful.
If you like a pizza and pasta Valentino's outside the Platte River Mall. Was stuck in North Platte for several days with a broken truck, just before they opened the Golden Spike Tower.
Thx IGN
On U.S. Hwy. 83, south of I-80, if you look off in the distance towards the southeast, you'll see a large vertical cylinder painted white. This object resembles a water tank, but it really isn't one. No, the object is a surge tank connect to the penstock feeding an old Nebraska Public Power District hydroelectric plant.
This facility has two Pelton water wheels and some beautiful old General Electric a.c. generators inside the powerhouse. You may be able to drive up to the facility and have a look inside as well.
Lake McConaughy, near the city of Ogallala and part of the North Platte River system, is the source of the water. Through a series of siphons and canals, the water eventually makes its way to Lake Maloney located immediately south of the powerhouse. After water passes from the lake and through the Pelton waterwheels, it passes into a straight line canal, one which eventually drains into the South Platte River. A few mile east of North Platte, Nebr. the two rivers converge and form the appropriately named Platte River.
Sam1 (5-27):
It is certainly hoped you have a safe and enjoyable Nebraska trip toward the end of June.
One railfan I know of perceives Union Pacific train CREWS as vicious, having red pointed horns and red swishing tails! He says crews have been so company-inspired to be paranoid that they report anyone not where they should be. So, be on your best behavior, and don't take any liberties anywhere around UP tracks.
Unfortunately, because of past UP actions of paranoia, the Nebraska economy has reportedly lost thousands and thousands of dollars in visitor spending in that State, and much word of mouth recommendations to go there. If you, Sam1, likewise have a bad experience(s), you may very well take your money elsewhere too. So, be forewarned, and as stated above, be on your best behavior.
I personally have not visited North Platte and Bailey Yard for years. But, even before the Golden Spike Tower, it was a most memorable place to visit. With the Tower there now, your visit surely will be wonderful, and the experience cherished for years to come. Have a great trip!
K.P.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- K.P.’s absolute “theorem” from early, early childhood that he has seen over and over and over again: Those that CAUSE a problem in the first place will act the most violently if questioned or exposed.
K. P. HarrierOne railfan I know of perceives Union Pacific train CREWS as vicious, having red pointed horns and red swishing tails! K.P.
I resemble that comment, and I don't even live in Nebraska. We have had more than our share of incidents here to foul the spirits of the crews. Not just from Phoamerz.
K. P. Harrier Sam1 (5-27): It is certainly hoped you have a safe and enjoyable Nebraska trip toward the end of June. One railfan I know of perceives Union Pacific train CREWS as vicious, having red pointed horns and red swishing tails! He says crews have been so company-inspired to be paranoid that they report anyone not where they should be. So, be on your best behavior, and don't take any liberties anywhere around UP tracks. Unfortunately, because of past UP actions of paranoia, the Nebraska economy has reportedly lost thousands and thousands of dollars in visitor spending in that State, and much word of mouth recommendations to go there. If you, Sam1, likewise have a bad experience(s), you may very well take your money elsewhere too. So, be forewarned, and as stated above, be on your best behavior. K.P.
This must be in a different area of the state than the eastern part. I've been train watching in the Omaha and Fremont areas for a long time and can't recall any bad experiences with the crews. In fact, about a month ago, there was a train stopped at a red signal at the Amtrak station in Omaha and the engineer got out and chatted with me while he waited to go.
I'm pretty sure that 99% of the time, if you stay where you belong, there won't be any problems.
Willy
Willy2 This must be in a different area of the state than the eastern part. I've been train watching in the Omaha and Fremont areas for a long time and can't recall any bad experiences with the crews. In fact, about a month ago, there was a train stopped at a red signal at the Amtrak station in Omaha and the engineer got out and chatted with me while he waited to go. I'm pretty sure that 99% of the time, if you stay where you belong, there won't be any problems.
Willy2 (5-30):
I tend to somewhat agree with you. But, my feelings do go both ways.
Some of the older railfans lived in a different time when railroaders were unconcerned about anyone near the tracks, as long as they were not in immediate danger of being hit by a train. After 911, some railroad company managements became super paranoid, and spread that paranoia to their employees. Thus railfans accustomed to certain liberties suddenly found out the hard way that the rules had changed. And, that was what was attempted to be conveyed to Sam1.
On the other hand, super paranoid train crews report railfans that merely pace their trains! There is no law preventing railfans from doing that. But, after a bit of experience with such things, dispatchers are starting to ask reporting trains, "Are you sure they are not just railfans?" So, reasonableness is probably starting to prevail. But, the damage done up till now will take years to undo, and that fact should freakout some railroad managements who have basically chopped off the heads of their friends! In my case, as a California resident, BNSF and UP are in my territory. I have BNSF's grade crossing hotline number in my cell phone, but not Union Pacific's. If I come across a real UP emergency situation, I would call 9-1-1 and give them the necessary technical information and why THEY need to do something about it right now.
You, Willy2, have reported and seen good things with UP. Maybe UP has seen the light and is trying to make amends for all the alienation they inspired in the past. I don't know. But, as suggested to Sam1, he should have fun at the Golden Spike Tower in North Platte, but be totally innocent and know there are new rules in this post 911 era.
grand island is a good place to go nearby as bnsf crosses over the up. and a small shortline is stationed there
Yes it is. I was there in May 05 but the UPRR was shut down due to derailment they had further up to the line when some cars got blown off the rails by a tornado. Somebody informed me the Boeing train was coming on the BNSF so I waited & waited but it never showed
chicagorailsgrand island is a good place to go nearby as bnsf crosses over the up. and a small shortline is stationed there
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
In addition to challenger UP #3977 located at the Railroad Display in Cody Park, there is a second Union Pacific steam locomotive on display in North Platte. UP #480, a 2-8-0 built in 1903, is located in Memorial Park. The engine is fenced and extremely well maintained. Memorial Park is located on East 4th Street, approximately 0.6 mile east of Highway US 83 (N. Jeffers Street).
I just returned from my visit the Golden Spike Tower. Your advice was excellent.
I had a great time. I spent all day Saturday in the tower, with only a short break for lunch. Charles and Dick, retired railroaders who were volunteering in the tower when I was there added immeasurably to my visit. They were able to answer all of my questions about the yard. Charles had been a dinning car steward and dispatcher, amongst other things, whilst Dick had spent more than 35 years with the railroad as a conductor.
The next day I rode my bicycle along U.S. 30 from North Platte to Maxwell and back. The U.P. parallells the road for most of the distance. I must have seen more than 20 trains in approximately three hours or thereabouts. It is a great train watching spot.
Today, Thursday, June 30, 2011, the TRAINS Newswire mentioned that the North Platte, NE's Golden Spike Tower (by Union Pacific's Bailer Yard) had its 100,000th visitor.
In September 2010 the Tower was visited by this forumist, and below are some photos that resulted ...
Cool, nifty place.
K P:
Enjoyed seeing the Golden Spike Tower, and the views from it's observation areas. Thanks for posting.
Quentin
Here is a link to video I shot from the 6th story of the GST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESHrt05YcrA
spbed Here is a link to video I shot from the 6th story of the GST http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESHrt05YcrA
How much is admission for Golden Spike Tower?
pwkrueger How much is admission for Golden Spike Tower?
I'll admit that the trip to the top, and the view from there, is interesting, informative (thanks to the volunteers), and fascinating. No charge for that admission.
However, for you to go up there it's seven bucks.
http://www.goldenspiketower.com/
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
One thing that stood out at the Golden Spike Tower while visiting was the proliferation of for-pay telescopes. Great for viewing, I suppose, but no one was patronizing them.
Most series railfans likely have powerful binoculars and telephoto cameras, making the telescopes unnecessary.
But, at least they are available for visitors!
For all those who may not know the UPRR DOES NOT own the GST according to the employees of the GST that I asked when I was there
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.