Mark Bassett

Recently, the Museum had its annual Volunteer Banquet. It is a time for the museum to show its appreciation to the volunteers that make the museum, the success that it is. It is only through the dedication of the volunteers that allows the museum to operate on the aggressive schedule that we have had. It […]

It is that time of the year again, the days are getting shorter, the weather is definitely colder, we have had snow on the ground, and the Nevada Northern Railway shop crew is preparing steam locomotive 93 for some very special annual trips. What trips? Why, they are the most special trips of the year.

It was suppose to be a regular Saturday—nothing fancy. The first warnings that it wouldn’t be a normal Saturday actually started on Tuesday. When preparing the crew schedule for the weekend, I noticed a flock? a gaggle? or a multitude of locomotives rentals for Saturday. (I’m not sure how locomotive rentals come, maybe a pack?)

Back on October 4, 2003, my column was on the need for an ashpit. I said, “With our centennial fast approaching and the desire to operate steam locomotives five or more days a week, we really needed an ash pit.” Well here it is October 4, 2005 and I am pleased to report that the

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 this increase would force out the volunteers. This is one of the easiest questions to answer. The short

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 the line due to frozen ground. Crews had graded some eighty miles to just north of Cherry Creek.

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 is not the only notable event this month. Next weekend marks the centennial of the inaugural construction of

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 locomotive in operation. Steam sells and it sells big time for the museum. This is the conundrum that

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 out of town with another load of passengers. The last year that the Nevada Northern Railway ran daily