At the Throttle
Articles by Mark Bassett, Executive Director
A selection of reflections & research, and guest submissions, examining the history of the Nevada Northern Railway, the Ghost Train of Old Ely. Originally published in the weekly edition of the Ely Times. These articles are written by Mark Bassett, Executive Director of the White Pine Historical Foundation, operator of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.
Keeping the Railroad Running
Recently a volunteer expressed concern if there would be a place for volunteers in the future of the museum. His concern started by the increase in staff members that the museum has hired this summer and whether
Museum Update
It was a very busy summer. The museum is on track (sorry, pun intended,) to beat last year’s record year of 12,415 passengers. So far this year we have carried 9,832 passengers. This year tested the museum’s
Steaming in the Silver State for a Century — Part II
by Keith Albrandt The second and final installment describing the 1905–1906 construction of the Nevada Northern Railway from Cobre to Ely. Part I of this article is available here. New Year’s Day 1906 saw grading practically abandoned on
Steaming in the Silver State for a Century — Part I
Many Americans mark the changing of the seasons by holidays. Labor Day unofficially ushers in the transition to fall, regardless that it formally begins with the autumnal equinox—this year on September 22. However, the passage of summer
Conundrum
People come to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum to see steam locomotives operate. This is a truth that took me about six months to realize. Our visitors come to Ely with the expectation of seeing a steam
Nevada Northern Wrecking Crane ‘A’
August 8, 2005 was an exciting day at the museum. Our steam powered wrecking crane came back to life. The wizards in the mechanical department of the museum put Nevada Northern Railway, 100-ton steam wrecking crane ‘A’
Steaming Daily
Every morning at 9:30 a.m. a glimpse of history unfolds at the East Ely Depot. A steam powered passenger train whistles off from the depot and heads back in time. Either steam locomotive 93 or 40 heads
A Dubious Honor
We won again! The Nevada Northern Railway is on Preserve Nevada’s11 Most Endangered Historic Places, again. From the Preserve Nevada press release: “The endangered sites were selected in 2004 by Preserve Nevada as part of a program to
Big Projects, Small Projects
It is easy to get wrapped up on the large projects at the museum. So far this year, we put Locomotive 40 back in operation and saved the enginehouse from collapse. Work continues on the steam powered