On December 1, 2025, I announced our $250,000 Member Challenge Match. One of our members committed to matching every dollar we raised, up to a quarter million dollars. That’s not just generous — it’s extraordinary. And yes, I announced it everywhere I could, including Facebook. Almost immediately, one of the first responses landed with a […]
Preservation is Hard 2 Read More »
As with most things in life, it started with a simple comment. “Hey that’s a cool 1956 Pontiac Chieftain Station Wagon.” Paul Mickelson, one of the museum members was reviewing a book Joan and I had done on the Nevada Northern Railway. In the book was a photo of Nevada Northern Railway HY-RAIL 18. A
One Unusual – Project Nevada Northern Railway HY-RAIL #18 Read More »
Spring forward, fall back, twice a year we go through this time gyration. After we spring forward, when someone asks the time, “We’ll say it is 11:00 am Pacific Daylight Time.” And in the fall, “We would say it is 11:00 am Pacific Standard Time.” But why do we say standard time? The answer really
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Read More »
A long term goal of the museum is to open the railroad for freight service from Ely to Shafter Nevada. Once a small community, Shafter is now a ghost town, but it is the interchange point between the Nevada Northern Railway and two transcontinental railroads, the Union Pacific and BNSF. Opening the railroad will give
Bringing Freight Back to the Rails Read More »
It has snowed and snowed and snowed here in the high desert of east central Nevada. According to the National Weather Service, Ely received 20.4 inches of snow in December 2009, which was 13 inches above normal. December’s snow fall ranks as the 9th snowiest December on record. And then there was January with even
Snow, Steam and Pink Shower Caps Read More »
It is 7:00 a.m. on a cold February morning. It’s not quite light yet. The sky is threatening snow. Fog surrounds the entire rail yard. But magic is about to begin. In the century old enginehouse sits two hot steam locomotives that are both a century old. The radio squawks in the cab of locomotive
A Steaming Miracle Read More »
Above Ely, you could see twelve railroad cars pulled by a 101 year-old steam locomotive creeping along at two miles an hour. Looking forward towards the cab of the locomotive every once in a while you would see a red reflection as the fireman opens the fire doors to throw in more coal. It’s an
Starting with a Bang Read More »
Everyone knows the English Christmas Carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” What would be more appropriate then the Nevada Northern Railway Museum version at this time of year? 2010 promises to be a busier year than normal for us. Leading off on our wish list is one steam locomotive rebuild—locomotive 40 the official locomotive of
Twelve Days of Christmas at the NNRy Read More »
Sitting in my office, I can hear locomotive 93 whistling for the schoolhouse crossing about a mile away. It is a reminder of why, “This Place Matters.” Locomotive 93 is only in operation today because individuals from across the country banded together. It mattered to them that a piece of Americana is kept in operation.
It is that time of the year again-the days are getting shorter, the weather is definitely colder, and we have had snow on the ground. The staff and volunteers are preparing the locomotive and the passenger cars for some very special annual trips. What trips? Why, they are the most special trips of the year.
Polar Express Steams Up Read More »
Planning Your Trip
About The Museum
Hours of Operation
Monday - Wednesday | 8:00 AM - 5:00PM
Thursday & Saturday | 8:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Sunday | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Federal Holidays | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Our Location
1100 Ave A, Ely, NV 89301
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