History Moments North Platte Bailey Yard

Railroad owners in the 1860s considered North Platte a division point of the transcontinental railroad they were building across the United States. It became a rough, busy railroad camp nicknamed "Hell on Wheels." Union Pacific Chief Engineer Granville Dodge built major shop facilities there, and switching tracks used for train repairs and refueling. The Bailey Yard today sees about 14,000 traincars roll through its yard daily. It is the largest railroad yard in the world and employs 1 in 10 North Platte residents.