Travel Nevada: Railroad buffs venture to Ely to ride on the Nevada Northern Railway

Ely, Nev. – The Nevada Northern Railway is not your usual traditional museum with stationary buildings, equipment and trains that may not even tie to the history of the area.

It’s about putting your hand on the throttle of an original steam locomotive and an opportunity of a lifetime to operate and ride on an authentic working historic train. Some of the nation’s most historical trains continue to operate at NNRY with technology passed down through the years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GOiKFSzcOg&NR=1

“My engine, Number 93, a 1909 Alco 2-8-0, was laboring upgrade. I pulled out the throttle…a moment later, the engine responded by biting into the rail, the stack talking, the engine chuffing. Then time to whistle for the tunnel. I did that. My hand. My decision,” said Bil Hawkins, a teacher from Tucson, Ariz.

NNRY is Nevada's newest National Historic Landmark (one of only seven in Nevada) and America’s best preserved short line and complete operating rail facility. A variety of interactive engaging railroad experiences take visitors back a century as they climb aboard a narrated steam-powered passenger train, take the throttle and more.

“We’re a unique place — operating an original locomotive on its original track leaving from the original yard,” stated executive director of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, Mark Bassett.  “Where else can you go out on the mainline in control of 100 tons of steam locomotive or iron horse?”

For the past century, Locomotives 40 and 93 have thrilled customers earning revenue for the railroad. When a person grasps the throttle at NNRY, he or she is part of a long line of steam engineers actually traveling over public road crossings and through two tunnels. In 1910, Steam Locomotive #40 was delivered to the NNRY Museum in Ely and her 100th birthday celebration took place on July 17, 2010.

NNRY has been described as gritty and dirty smelling of coal smoke, creosote and sweat. Locomotives whistle off, cars clang as they are coupled together and wheels squeal as the locomotive is turned on the wye. At other times it’s eerily quiet, where the only noise is the wind and the hooting of the owl that lives in the coaling tower.

“This is a time capsule like no other in the country…it appears that the workers went to lunch and didn’t come back, said Bassett. "We engage your senses —  touching, seeing, smelling, hearing and yes even tasting the cinders.”

The museum features customized tours ranging in length. The Vault houses historical records from the early 1900’s. The 1872 car was for workers and has the original rippled glass and elaborate doorknobs.

“In those days they treated livestock better than they treat airline passengers today,” said Bassett.

Importantly Bassett says they preserve the all-important human skills that created, ran, and sustained the railroad. “Here things are still made by hand; you don’t go to NAPA for parts to a century old steam locomotive,” said Bassett. The 56-acre nonprofit museum is a world-class complex and features a variety of demonstrations of 19th century technology that is still used today.

Guests can immerse themselves in the railroad experience by renting a caboose or taking a locomotive cab rides. Steam locomotive rentals are available through Oct. 31 and themed trains are offered on a year-round basis.

Here’s a check-list of additional one-of-a-kind experiences at Ely’s Nevada Northern Railway:

— Calling Wanna be Engineers: Rent a locomotive and take it out on the line. Imagine your hand on the throttle of 100 tons of steam
locomotive going up hill.
— Railroad Reality Camp is for teens and adults; the one week ‘working on the railroad’ camp allows participants to experience all aspects of the railroad working along side railway expert staff.
— Haunted Ghost Trains offer a frightening time with ghosts, goblins and aliens in October.
— Railroad Yard features sixty-six building and structures on 56 acres with the original equipment.
— Specialty Trains run Saturday nights through October.
— Rockin' & Rollin' Geology Train with a geologist on board
— BBQ Train with real western meat slow cooking all day over mountain mahogany coals
— Chocolate Train heads up the hill to watch a sunset and enjoy chocolate deserts
— Trails and Tracks Train is an overview on western migration with a Dutch oven dinner
— 4th of July Fireworks with an old-style barbecue and all the trimmings.
— Polar Express runs from the day after Thanksgiving through New Years where children of all ages head to the North Pole to see Santa.
— Mother’s Day and Father’s Day trains where moms and dads ride FREE
— Memorial Day Weekend Train where active military and veterans ride for free.

“Each steam engine has a different tone and whistle,” said Bassett. “Local waitresses know which locomotive is passing by because the
whistles are hand-made,” he continued.

NNRY was featured on the History Channel’s Modern Marvels television show - “Super Steam” 2010 episode, in which Jay Leno appeared. Nevada Magazine recognizes NNRY as the Best of Nevada in the following categories:

2007 - Best Rural Place to Take Children;
2008 - Favorite Nevada Attraction; Best Rural Place to take Children; Best Rural Museum in Nevada ;
2009 - Best Place to Take Kids in Rural Nevada; Best Museum in Rural Nevada;
2010 – Best Place to Take the Kids in Rural Nevada; Best Museum Special Recognition award.

Smithsonian Institute’s Curator of Transportation History, William Withuhn said:  "Among all railroad historic sites anywhere in North America, the Nevada Northern Railway complex at East Ely is — no question in my view — the most complete, most authentic, and best cared-for, bar none. It's a living American treasure and a stand-out one…everything is still there."

Excursions generally last about one-and-a-half hours and travel seven miles each way, 14 miles round trip. Regular excursion rates are $24 for adults and $15 for children (4-12 years).  The museum collection consists of three steam locomotives, six diesel locomotives and more than 60 pieces of historic railroad equipment.

A variety of lodging is offered in the charming town of Ely with hand-painted murals throughout the town. The historic celebrity-favored 1929 Ely Hotel allows pets for $10 and is a museum in itself. Ely is 350 miles east of Reno and 240 miles north of Las Vegas. For more information, visit http://www.nnry.com/ or call 1-866-40STEAM (775-289-2085). Click here for the live Web cam.

Ely is one of six friendly communities along Nevada’s Pony Express Trail Hwy 50. For lodging and more info. on the town of Ely, please contact the Chamber of Commerce http://www.whitepinechamber.com/ or 775-289-8877. For more information about the Pony Express Territory,
please visit www.ponyexpressnevada.com or call 1-888-359-9449.

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Nevada's Pony Express Territory:  Set on 17 million acres of wide open space, Nevada’s Pony Express Territory reveals rugged beauty, rich history, undisturbed nature and black night skies. As the Pony Express celebrates its 150th year, the spectacular Nevada territory is where the Pony Express Trail is connected by Highway 50 now coined "The Loneliest Road in America." Pony Express riders once galloped along this road where now the friendly towns of Dayton, Fallon, Fernley, Austin, Eureka, and Ely welcome visitors. Discover unique charm, ample dining, historic lodging, boutique shopping and Nevada-style gaming.
Explore ghost towns, old mines, rock art sites and nature preserves for Old West adventure. There are no waiting lines in Pony Express Territory. Visit www.ponyexpressnevada.com or call 1-888-359-9449.

— Story by the Northern Nevada Railway

— Youtube credit: Mike Massee