Producer: Highball
Location: North Platte
Timeframe: 2013
Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard is one of the largest train yards in the world. Massive in the statistical sense. This facility is 8 miles long by 4 to 5 miles wide. Approximately 1,000 tracks here.
A single DVD-R. Video filmed mostly through a bus window. Good to very good because of the glass. Soundtrack is very good. The screenshots provide the general visual quality. Non specific preview footage at the end.
Main chapter menu. Chapter advance function. On-screen subtitles. A map. Narrated by Peter Falconi (briefly) and the Union Pacific tour guide. He is a working UP employee and provides clear job and operational descriptions. Job title of Foreman/ Switchman.
To the Trains… 👉
Aerial view gives a short overhead look from above. East Departure begins on ground level. Narrative changes to the tour guide aboard a tour bus. This is an audience style live recording. Includes participation from the group. The improved access by being in a group results in close up videography.
East Departure begins this bus tour. RCL power is Remote Control Locomotive and used within the yard. East Hump is visited.
East Tower and more structures are described. This is a ride along tour.
Trains at West Receiving Yard.
Extensive look at car maintenance area. Wheel change outs are a highlight procedure. Related structures are explained.
A view of stopped road trains from a street overpass. Note the East Receiving Yard at the far left with grain cars.
Several heritage units sit outside the Diesel Shop. Off the bus. Picture improves…
North Platte Diesel Facility. Ready to go power includes a pair of C44-9W units. Locomotives 9597 and 9638 seen here. As the camera pans right, many more await assignments.
Golden Spike Tower has fantastic views for public access.
A view from Golden Spike. Yes, there are various shots.
Ground level scenes, as well. Unfortunately,the narration has dropped out.
Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard
What better way to your a huge facility than an employee guided tour? Random questions and yard highlights do cover quite a bit of ground. Depending on one’s level of knowledge. The information can range from the obvious to interesting.
I found the car repair segments to be well presented. Some specialty equipment and efficiency was surprising. Knew much of the rest. Still, definitely worth a ‘once around the park’s type visit. The immense size is intriguing in of itself.
Either way, the videography is very good, considering filmed through a glass window. The straight camera footage is much better. Sound is fine overall. The live audience is sometimes hard to clearly hear. The tour guide is excellent! There are many trains and railroad scenes to enjoy here.
Any Railfan or Model Railroader should find this a great addition to their collection.
Rating: 4 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 