Located in North Platte, Nebraska, Union Pacific's Bailey Yard (named after long time Union Pacific president Edd Bailey) is one of the largest railroad classification yards in the world. The rail yard covers 2850 acres of land, is 8 miles in length, and contains about 315 tracks. Nearly 10,000 train cars pass through daily.
The classification "hump" yard uses a unique mound system to sort cars bound for different destinations. Cars from one train are rolled onto the hump, disconnected, then allowed to roll gently down the mound to be directed and reconnected to the new destination train. In addition to this classification or sorting activity, Bailey Yard repairs, maintains, and fuels hundreds of diesel engines daily.
Bailey Yard activities are best seen from the Golden Spike Tower located nearby. From observation decks 8 stories above the rail yard one can watch the trains come and go. Guides (former Union Pacific employees) are present to answer questions or tell stories about working the yard. Interactive kiosks and videos also offer information about the trains.
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