Winter Steam Photo Weekend Spectacular
Historic Railroad Steam Engines, Rolling Stock, and Maintenance Equipment
Enjoy a weekend with our winter trains
If you think you were born one hundred years too late to witness the glory of steam railroading, then we have good news for you: you weren't. There still exists a place where steam locomotives rule the rails.
Hidden away in the high desert of east central Nevada is a time capsule like no other, the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark. Annually during the first two weekends in February, time travel is possible. Come to Ely Nevada, set your watch back a century, and photograph railroading as it was in the last century.
What can you expect during the photoshoots?
World-class photographic opportunities, steam locomotives pulling vintage freight and passenger cars that are original to the railroad. Here, trains are still made up with wooden cars whose origins date back as far as 1872. The crews will be in period dress, adding to the experience.
So why come to Ely in the winter? If you think that Steam locomotive 93 looks good on an 85-degree day in August but wait till you see it on a frosty February day. Billowing white clouds of steam plus plumes of black & gray smoke towering above the canyons and valleys. Snow? Weather here can be capricious! It can range from blizzard conditions to cobalt blue skies sometimes within minutes. In the past we've experienced every type of meteorological conditions that wintertime Ely experiences, including shirtsleeve weather. But regardless of the weather, the show goes on.
Why choose the Winter Steam Photoshoot?
Participants have won numerous photo contests, recording timeless scenes of a historical railroad that are second to none. Many of the "Winter Spectacular" photos rival the best that National Geographic has to offer.
Of course locomotives, rolling stock and tracks are a big and obvious part of this railroad. But its just part of what makes a railroad work. You also need the infrastructure: Enginehouse, machine shop, carpenter shop, blacksmith shop, depot and dispatcher building. Oh and don't forget, the locomotives go nowhere without stopping at the coaling tower and water standpipes. We have those too, the original ones!
What will we have running for our upcoming photoshoot?
We'll have steam pulling our original wooden passenger consist made up of a RPO/baggage car and passenger car. This consist has been serving passengers and departing from this depot for over a century now.
Should there be a mishap on the tracks here, we'll send for the big hook; our original century old operating steam powered wrecking crane. Don't worry - even if there is no mishap we will stage one to demonstrate the big hook in action, under steam
Once the tracks are cleared, it's time to get on with the business of railroading. Freight trains can once again roll and so will ore trains. We will roll our fleet of original ore cars with our original locomotives.
No self respecting railroad would be without boxcars - and the NNRY is no different. A fleet of our original wooden boxcars with arch-bar trucks, built in 1912 are in top condition and are ready for their next load.
Frequently Asked Questions
A photo shoot is an opportunity to photograph the original Nevada Northern Railway equipment as it was during the day. Our photo shoots have the original equipment operating on their original rails and in their original context, such as ore trains, passenger trains, the Steam Crane, Snow Equipment, and the Outfit Car. On a photo shoot, we load up at the station, head a few miles down the track and then everyone unloads. The train moves back, comes ahead, stops and the cycle is repeated two or three times. Then the train moves forward picks everyone up and we move down the tracks to the next photo opportunity. During the weekend we switch locomotives and train sets.
No, if you elect not to get off at a particular photo location, you’re welcome to stay on the train. But you will need to stay on the train until the next photo location.
The grounds, buildings, yard, and the entire right-of-way will be for the exclusive use of those who have tickets for the event. Everyone will need a ticket, whether you are watching or taking pictures. The railroad is a non-profit foundation. The photo shoots are an important fund raiser for the museum.
No, you must purchase a ticket for the full event.
Two and a half days of some of the most outstanding rail photography opportunities in North America. Also, we have a continental breakfast and a hot lunch for participants on both Saturday and Sunday. Transportation to Ely, lodging and others meals are on your own.
We start Friday at 1:00 pm. Friday is also the day of the night photo shoot. Saturday and Sunday we start about 7:00 am and quit about 4:30 pm. The exact schedule for your weekend that includes which line we go out on, and when, is given to all participants Friday afternoon. It will be based on up-to-then minute weather and equipment positioning.
The railroad has three branches, the mainline, the Hi-Line and Keystone about 28 miles of track. We will be out on all three branches.
There are restrooms at the depot, at the Master Mechanic’s Office and sometimes on the train. Please plan according!
Ely is located in east central Nevada, equal distance from either Salt Lake City or Las Vegas, either city is 240 miles away. Reno is 350 miles away, Boise 387 miles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angles are all about 550 miles away. There are no interstate highways, but very good, well-maintained two-lane roads. Nevada does a great job keeping the roads open.
No, nor do we have Uber.
Available Dates and Tickets
What would be a greater holiday, birthday, or special gift than being at the throttle of one of our engines for a real engineer experience? You can buy an "open ticket" as a gift and select the exact date later.
Hands On History Gift Certificates
Perfect for train enthusiasts or those seeking a unique gift, our gift certificates allow you or your loved ones to become a train engineer for a day. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just because, a railway experience is a fantastic way to create lasting memories. Command the rails and discover the excitement of rail travel with our hands-on adventures!