About the
Nevada Northern Railway
Since 1906, the Northern Nevada Railway has been a logistics hub. Today a vibrant museum experience that takes you inside the inner workings of a railyard.
Our History
1941
Passenger Service Ends
The last run of the Steptoe Valley Flyer ran July 31, 1941 to be replaced by bus service. Locomotive #40 and the cars were placed in reserve service, then retired.
1956
50th Anniversary
The 50 th Anniversary of the railroad was celebrated in September 1956. Locomotive #40 and the passenger cars were pulled out of retirement and used for the celebration. Soon after this equipment began a second life hauling passenger excursions along the NNRY.
1983
Railroad Closes
In 1983 the railroad ran its last train. Citizens of the town concerned with the economic impacts of the loss of mining and the railroad approached Kennecott with the intent to acquire the railroad and open it as a tourist operation. Though a series of donations the Nevada Northern Railway Museum was formed.
1987
First Steam Powered Excursion
The first steam powered passenger excursion left the East Ely Depot Memorial Day weekend 1987 pulled by locomotive #40.
1993
#93 Returns to Service
Locomotive #93 pulls its first passenger excursion.
2006
National Historic Landmark
In 2006, the East Ely Yard National Historic Landmark is designated by the Department of the Interior recognizing the railroad’s contribution to the preservation of turn-of-the- century steam railroading.
2021
#81 Returns to Service
Locomotive #81 pulls its first passenger excursion.
2022
35 Years and Still Steamin’
The museum celebrates 35 years of steam powered passenger excursions.
Visitor Information
Hours of Operation
Mon-Sat | 8AM - 5PM
Sunday | 8AM - 4PM
Our Location
1100 Ave A, Ely, NV 89301
Our Phone Number
(775) 289 - 2085
Admission Ticket Prices
Adults | $18
Seniors | $15
Children (4-12) | $9
Under 4 | FREE
Meet Our Team
Our program is unusual, we use paid staff coupled with volunteers to create a team that
operates and preserves the equipment and buildings of this National Historic Landmark.
With over 20 paid staff and over 130 volunteers on the roster the NNRy operates hundreds
of trains every year, completed restoration projects on locomotives, rolling stock and
buildings, preserves the archive material and artifacts and acts as an ambassador for
historic steam railroading.
Volunteers join us from all over the U.S. and Canada and are an integral part of what makes
the NNRy an American treasure. Join the team that makes history happen.
Our Awards
Our Official Ambassador
Even though our official ambassador Dirt The Cat passed away recently, he will always be the King of the Shop and live in our hearts forever!
How to Find the Museum?
Getting to Ely can be a great journey. Nestled in the mountains of Central Nevada, it's a place that not many people ever get to.
The "Loneliest Highway in America" passes right through Ely.
By the way, your membership could help maintain locomotive #40 and her original passenger consist to possibly make the long trip again someday. That is our goal, and we would love to have you join us. Memberships start at only $30.
This is the favorite way to get here. The trip can be a fun vacation with new things to see along the way.
Coming from California and Arizona: Click here to view and print a full-size version of our treasure map of Central Nevada, with lots of ideas for what to see on your way here.
Coming from the East: We have a full page of ideas for picking up the Golden Spike Road trip on your way here.
If you are coming in from the east or west on US 50, “The Loneliest Highway” you can take this quick video tour from Travel Nevada.
