Bailey Yard Historical Overview
 North Platte in the early days of Bailey Yard. |
August 1866
"Situated near the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers, the road ranches near here were stopping points for travellers along the Oregon, Mormon and Overland trails before the Civil War. The Pony Express also followed this route. In August 1866 Union Pacific's Chief Engineer Grenville Dodge had the townsite of North Platte laid out, and major shop facilities constructed. This would become the winter quarters for railroad construction that year."
The town of North Platte did not exist until laid out by General Dodge. It was as much a function of good water and distance from the Grand Island as anything else that caused the division point to be created.
 Depot and hotel. |
December 3, 1866
The first train entered what then was known as a "Hell on Wheels" town, filled with railroad construction workers and their tag-alongs.
January 2, 1867
Main line operations officially commenced in North Platte.
1878 to 1913
William "Buffalo Bill" Cody lived and organized his Wild West show from his ranch north of the rail yard. He transported the show via rail and wagon.
1897
E.H. Harriman purchased Union Pacific at an auction in Omaha, Nebraska.
1910
Construction of the second main line commenced through North Platte.
November 17, 1915
The Union Pacific Hotel and Depot burned and was replaced the following year.
 North Platte Canteen. |
December 25, 1941 to April 1, 1946
The North Platte Canteen located in the passenger depot served more than 6 million members of the armed forces.
November 1948
The west retarder yard was opened.
1966 to 1970
The eastbound hump yard and diesel shop were constructed.
April 1971
The new diesel shop was opened.
October 1973
A "one-spot" car repair facility was opened.
November 1, 1973
The passenger depot was demolished. It was replaced with a historical marker and mini-park in 1975.
 1995 Guinness Book of Records. |
March 1979
A communication and multi-purpose building was opened.
1980
The new westbound hump yard was dedicated.
1988 to 1991
Westbound and eastbound fueling facilities were constructed and a coal yard was expanded.
1992
The westbound coal yard was expanded and computer-aided dispatching was installed.
1994
The eastbound fuel facility was opened.
1995
The new westbound fuel facility was opened. This was also the first year Bailey Yard was officially recognized in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest rail yard.
1996
Union Pacific/Southern Pacific merger creates nation's largest rail system.