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 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 »
Nevada Northern Railway locomotive 40 is back in service. If you have been anywhere around the railroad since Labor Day weekend, you already knew that. Locomotive 40s whistle is distinctive. When the engineer pulls the whistle rope, a powerful beautiful sound reverberates throughout the canyons around Ely. This is as it has been for the
The Queen is Steaming Again Read More »
The Nevada Northern Railway is a 19th century complex existing in the 21st Century. I’m reminded of this all of the time, like right now when I get a whiff of coal smoke wafting through my office window. Of course, my office window is open because my office is not air-conditioned. The coal smoke is
Working in the 19th Century in the 21st Century Read More »
“Since the 1950s, the phrase E Ticket (or E ticket ride) has referred to an unusually interesting, thrilling, or expensive experience.” —Wikipedia That definition pretty much summarizes what it is like running a complex of 19th century technology in the 21st century—interesting, thrilling, or expensive. Yep, that sums it up alright. I used the expression
The E-Ticket Ride Continues Read More »
by Steve Bechtold The Nevada Northern Railway Museum has picked up a nationally organized battle cry for museums and historic spots. That cry is, “This place matters.” Well of course it does, but the first question that pops into anyone’s head is, “Why?” In asking this, I am reminded of my child who always wants
Planning Your Trip
About The Museum
Hours of Operation
Monday - Saturday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday - 8:00am - 4:00pm
Our Location
1100 Ave A, Ely, NV 89301
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