Comments on: Golden Spike Tower Opens

By: Tom Beckett

Tom Beckett — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:57:17 +0000

If it has a good view of the yard, train watchers will come from all over the continent. UP makes much of the fact that Bailey Yard is the largest in the world, and it is more of a draw than people who are not railfans realize. No, you can’t see carhenge, it’s up near Alliance, and is worth the trip, not only for the oddball attraction, but for the trip thru the Sand Hills.

By: mark lammert

mark lammert — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:12:39 +0000

I live 675 miles to the east and am making plains to travel to [this] unique attraction.
I must go to the TOWER. It is calling me.

By: Neil

Neil — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:23:18 +0000

I was out in N. Platte in Oct. ‘06 and was more interested in the Union Pacific main line than the yard. Having realized the error of my ways I hope to return one day and I assure the people of N. Platte that the Golden Spike Tower is a big reason for that.
Give us railfans a chance and we will pay you back.

By: Mac

Mac — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:52:24 +0000

Is it just me, or does this attraction smack of the infamous Great Platte River Road Archway? Now granted the archway was a delight in its Cheesy Goodness, but I keep wondering why the good folks of Nebraska keep pinning their hopes for an economic windfall on structures that look over nothing in particular?

By: John Holmes

John Holmes — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:36:11 +0000

I’m glad to see that it’s open, but what a long wait! We were there in 2006 and again last year hoping to see the Spike, but we saw NOTHING! No construction, nothing. Locals we spoke to didn’t seem to be impressed with the project, in fact, there was pretty strong sentiment against it ever being completed. The hump is interesting to watch, and the yards are really HUGE. And, no, you can’t see Carhenge from N. Platte, but if you drive between the two you’ll see a LOT of trains!

By: butkusjd

butkusjd — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:42:02 +0000

I’ve been to the old tower and watched them split trains and it’s fascinating. I’ve been waiting on the new one to open for more than a year. Will have to make a trip out that way soon.

No, you can’t see Carhenge unfortunately. It’s probably a good 200 miles to the northwest still.

By: Greg Brown

Greg Brown — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:52:48 +0000

Can you see Carhenge from the top?

By: auridicyl

auridicyl — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:06:14 +0000

Good point, Skulldiggety. If it were painted gold, it would actually look a bit like the top end of a railroad spike, with the bottom (spiky) end presumably being buried in the ground.

By: Skulldiggety

Skulldiggety — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:50:26 +0000

How come it’s not painted gold at least? Seems that wouldn’t have cost much.