Baker Park | Whitefish

Information

Landmark: Baker Park
City: Whitefish
Country: USA Montana
Continent: North America

Baker Park, Whitefish, USA Montana, North America

Union Pacific Railroad Bailey Yard is a major railway classification yard located in North Platte, Nebraska, USA.

Visual Characteristics

Bailey Yard covers approximately 2,850 acres and spans 8 miles in length. It features 16 receiving tracks, 128 classification tracks, and 10 departure tracks. The yard is equipped with two car retarders and a 10,000-foot-long car repair facility. The landscape is dominated by extensive trackage, industrial buildings, and operational equipment.

Location & Access Logistics

The yard is situated within the city limits of North Platte, Nebraska. Access for the public is limited due to operational security. The Bailey Yard Visitor Center is located at 1200 South Jeffers Street, North Platte, NE 69101. This visitor center provides viewing platforms and information. Public transport within North Platte does not directly service the yard itself. Vehicle access to operational areas is restricted.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Bailey Yard was constructed by the Union Pacific Railroad starting in 1948 and was fully operational by 1950. It was designed to consolidate and streamline the railroad's operations in the region, replacing smaller, less efficient yards. Its purpose was to facilitate the efficient sorting and movement of freight cars.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity for visitors is observing the yard's operations from the Bailey Yard Visitor Center. The visitor center offers elevated viewing platforms that provide a comprehensive perspective of the yard's scale and activity. Educational exhibits detailing the history and function of the yard are also available. Scheduled tours of the visitor center and viewing areas are sometimes offered.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Bailey Yard Visitor Center provides restrooms and limited seating. There are no food vendors within the visitor center or immediate vicinity of the yard. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally available in the North Platte area, including near the visitor center. Shade is available at the visitor center's viewing platforms.

Best Time to Visit

For optimal viewing of active operations, weekdays during daylight hours are recommended. Early morning and late afternoon can offer interesting lighting conditions for photography. There are no tide-dependent factors affecting access or viewing.

Facts & Legends

Bailey Yard is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest railroad classification yard in the world. It handles an average of 10,000 rail cars per day. A unique operational feature is the "hump" where cars are sent down a slope to be sorted into different tracks.