The Nevada Northern Railway is a non-profit 501(c) historical
foundation that depends on your memberships, donations, and volunteer time to accomplish its mission.
Join the team that makes it happen - Become a member
Join us for a trip back in time when the iron horse ruled the rails. The
Nevada Northern Railway is a living, breathing, operating historic railroad.
Historic steam engines are still in use here year 'round, so come, enjoy history with us!
What to expect:
You will depart from our East Ely, NV depot, as all of our passenger trains have done
now for a
over a century. Most all of our trips head southwest, through two
tunnels and up real mountain grades through Robinson Canyon up toward the Ruth Copper Mining District.
Several trains each month, those specifically marked Valley Vista, run north, out the Steptoe Valley, on the hi-line toward McGill.
Each trip takes about 90 minutes. Our trains feature on-board restroom,
wheelchair accessibility, and snacks and beverages available for purchase.
You will have your choice of coach or open-air seating, or feel free to roam
between the two. A hat and sunscreen are advisable for the open-air
car. Bring a jacket along for the evening trips. We are over a
mile high in elevation, so weather is generally mild, but sometimes
unpredictable.
Every so often out in these parts of the West, trains get held up by a band
of outlaws. We have done our darndest to try and
figure out when this might happen, and have indicated it in the schedule below.
If you see the word "ROBBERY" on the title of an event you hover over, then this is
one of those trains that just might get held up. Some of the robbers
have an uncanny resemblance to outstanding citizens of the community here, so
don't be too alarmed. Those
GhostRiders, as they call themselves, are volunteers that do lots of good
'round these here parts.
Options:
Complementary walking "Back Stage" tour: At the end of most morning/early
afternoon trips or 2 hours before most late afternoon trips you can a walking
tour of the enginehouse and Main Yard.
It is a great way to see how a real short-line American railroad maintained
itself in the mid-1900's. Sturdy shoes are suggested for the tour.
There are two upgrade options available for your trip. Instead of riding in the regular coaches, consider:
Can I ride in the Caboose?: Yes, you you and your party can ride in the caboose rather than the regular coaches.
Can I ride in the cab of the locomotive with the Engineer?:
Yes, up to two people ride in the cab on one of our regular passenger runs.
(Riding up in the cab with the engineer has age and clothing requirements discussed here)
These options often sell-out in advance, and are not available on every trip, so we suggest you book them early
using the calendar below, on this page.
The extra fare for these options is a great way to show your support for the museum
and the restoration/preservation work that goes on here. Of course,
members earn their discount on these options as well.
Can't Get Enough Trains? We completely understand. You can buy a Four-Day
Pass upgrade and Save. Add the Four-Day pass upgrade option when you check out. It
is good on any of the Regular Excursion Trains. NOTE: If you want to book
one of the Special / Theme / Holiday trains, book that train first,
then add the Four-Day pass so you can also ride the Regular Excursion
Trains. The Four-Day pass is only valid for use on the regular excursion
trains, and not on the Special / Theme / Holiday trains.
Members receive 15% to 90% discount on train tickets
depending on their membership level. Membership discounts are applied
automatically on-line when you log in to your member account. Memberships start at only $30.
White Pine County Residents who are not members can
sign up for a White Pine Pass for free that entitles you to 15% off regular
excursion train tickets. Sign-up in person for free at the ticket window.
Just bring your drivers license to prove residency. Once you have your card the discount is applied automatically
when you log in to your account.
Mothers ride free on Mother's Day, Fathers ride free on Father's Day, Veterans and active service military ride free on
Memorial Day. Buy tickets for the rest of your party on-line,
then show up at the ticket window for the free ticket.
Active Service Military and U.S. Military Veterans receive a 15% discount on excursion trains.
Use promo code "military". Tickets will automatically be set to will-call. Bring your military ID to the ticket window
for verification to claim your tickets.
Kids Ride Free Monday thru Thursday on our regular Summer excursion trains.
This includes almost every mid-week train in the Summer, but excludes
holiday, charter, and special trains.
Membership or White Pine Pass discounts are in addition to
the single best discount above. We will automatically calculate the highest discount
you are entitled to for each ticket. All discounts are verified at the
ticket window when you pick up your tickets.
Groups of 12 or more should call (775) 289-2085 to arrange their group visit at a discount.
Hover over any available date to book your Ride Back in Time now.
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Click here if you still have a question about this program.
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Comments (13)
New
Paul Rainwater
1
0
2
Sep 2022
Paul Rainwater
(Mt. Vernon, Illinois, US)
says...
Is there an airport that a person could fly into and rent a car to drive to your location?
Admin:
Paul, there is an airport in Ely, but no commercial service. Back in the 1970's United used to have one stop a day in Ely, landing a 727 here.
Edward Niebuhr
(Fair Lawn, New Jersey, US)
says...
I didn't know the NNRY was featured on "Big Bang" until today when I read the newsletter. Coincidently, that episode will be running on TBS Nov 19th. Looking forward to seeing it!
Admin:
Ed, thanks for the heads up on that. It is true, in the episode of Big Bang Theory Sheldon visits the railroad.
We camped at Cave Lake State park. We drive the loneliest road hwy 50. across the state and had stamped the passport to Baker Nevada entrance to Great Basin National Park. The train ride was excellent. number 40 steam locomotive.! a must do !
We drove up from southern Nevada to visit Ely, NV because of the train museum and it was worth the trip. You don't have to love trains to enjoy the museum but if you do, it's a great experience. We met people from all over the country and enjoyed talking to them about the museum and what they enjoyed most. Without that, we would have missed a few things. After the train ride, take the walking tour of the maintenance shops. The shops are the way they were left when the railroad shut down. Enjoy your trip back in time.
Rode it last year for first time, great trip, loved ringing the bell, enjoyed the cab ride, outstanding, coming to California for UPHS convention in 2016 & planning to ride some more. Volunteer on tourist train here as conductor/train manager, also have steam but loved the NN, see you in 2016.
I was in Ely for a few days and rode on the excursion trains a few times. They are excellent to ride on; would highly recommend. I appreciate the enormous effort that Mark Bassett and his entire crew do to make riding these trains and touring this 100% historic site still possible.
Admin: Thanks for your note. We will pass your kind words on to Mark.
I had a chance to ride the rails this past Saturday. Would just like to pass on a well done to all of the staff in the office and on the train itself. Had a nice journey and to top it off the trip with Mark into the buildings was outstanding. Kudo's to him as his presentation was outstanding and "fresh" which is hard to do after the thousands of trips he's probably been there. Thanks for a nice afternoonno comments
I was in town and lucked into the locals train tour. I am not a local so I bought the ticket, what a ball! Great tour, fun run, nice folks. One of the best \"lucky day\" experiences ever. I remember steam trains as a kid. Restoration is so limited in scope-this is rebirth-steam engines are alive! 100% recommend the tour/ride/Ely. While you are the area check the bee hive ovens to the south. Another major bit of history. Again, thanks to everyone for the wonderful experience.
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Comments (13)
Is there an airport that a person could fly into and rent a car to drive to your location?
Paul, there is an airport in Ely, but no commercial service. Back in the 1970's United used to have one stop a day in Ely, landing a 727 here.
For options on how to get here, check out our "How to get to Ely NV" page.
Can we stay forever
Wonderful to see you highlighted on CBS Morning news today!
Joyce, thanks for the shout-out. We would appreciate it if you could tell your friends who might not have been watching. Thanks!!
I didn't know the NNRY was featured on "Big Bang" until today when I read the newsletter. Coincidently, that episode will be running on TBS Nov 19th. Looking forward to seeing it!
Ed, thanks for the heads up on that. It is true, in the episode of Big Bang Theory Sheldon visits the railroad.
So much History here and in the area. A definite must see kind of place, if the opportunity arises.