Railroad Experience

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We have an exciting line up of railroad experiences. 

Baily Yard - A tour of bailey yard is the ultimate railfan experience. An opportunity to see the scale and the efficiencies involved in processing over 150 trains and 10,000 railcars a day. There is only one place in the world this happens, and it’s Bailey Yard.

Railroad Training at a Glance - This one day “Railroad” experience will give you a glance at several aspects of actual railroad training.

Baily Yard Tours

The focus of the tours is the men and women who make it work. Blending technology with physical skills, safety and education. Few people realize the amount of freight that moves through Bailey Yard, and consequently, the tremendous amount of goods and equipment that must be maintained and transported to keep America growing.

Just as important, the Union Pacific employees get a chance to show off what they do, and demonstrate why their work it is so critical in keeping our country moving.

In a somewhat interactive environment, the visitor gets to become a ‘part of’ the world’s largest rail operation. This is a rare opportunity to experience a view from within rather than afar.

NPCC - Railroad Experience

“Railroad Training at a Glance”

This one day “Railroad” experience will give you a glance at several aspects of actual railroad training.  In this interactive course, instructors will present overviews of each featured area of training. You will encounter the thrill of setting at the controls and hearing the roar of the engine on Locomotive Simulators. 

You will have the opportunity to “classify” (build) a train on the computer generated Remote Control Simulators. In the Airbrake Mock-Up Lab, instructors will demonstrate on actual railcar undercarriage braking systems. Feel the thrill, hear the whoosh of “setting the brakes”.

Class is limited to the first 32 applicants (must be 16 years of age)

Golden Spike Tower

Now Open!

Experience the UPRR Bailey Yards, the worlds largest exchange yard, from two amazing viewing platforms. See the yards from the main level 95 feet above the ground. The second viewing platform is 7 stories off the ground and open to the elements.

Click here to visit the Golden Spike Tower website.

Printable Event List

Rail Fest Documents

Bailey Yard & Cody Park at Work

The main rail line through North Platte is the busiest rail freight corridor in the world, processing more than 150 trains and 10,000 railcars every 24 hours. How do they manage? Get a close up view at Rail Fest 2008. You won't believe it.

  • Heavy equipment
  • Wheels
  • Trucks
  • Cutaway rail car parts
  • Refrigeration units
  • And much more...
Demonstrations will include the road truck that changes wheels on site when a detector finds a problem.



See below for the tentative 2008 Rail Fest Schedule of Events:

Saturday's Events

Sunday's Events