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Don’t Miss the Train!
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Steve Crise 310 963 9265
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Story by Dany Feinstein
Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a National Historic Landmark, located in rural Ely, Nevada; less than 200 miles from Elko, and halfway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City (about 240 miles in either direction). It is, indeed, a Nevada treasure; but it’s not hidden, buried, or in need of a special map to find it. The Nevada Northern Railway is America’s best-preserved short line railroad and the most complete rail facility left in the nation. According to a Smithsonian Curator Emeritus, it is “the best…bar none.”
The Nevada Northern Railway, established in 1905, is an original, working historic railroad, complete with operating steam and diesel locomotive trains. The 56-acre rail yard contains original track and over seventy original buildings and structures, including the original Depot, Machine Shop, Engine House and the iconic Coaling Tower. It also features an extensive paper record, documenting more than 100 years of history.
It is a national treasure the whole family can enjoy. In 2012, the Nevada Northern Railway was awarded “Attraction of the Year” by the Nevada Travel Network; calling it a “must see; must do” attraction.
You are invited to explore the wonders of the Nevada Northern Railway and enjoy this unique relic from Nevada’s rich railroading history. Self-guided and guided tours are included in the price of a train ride ticket, and are also available separately for a nominal charge. The Gift Shop, offering tax-free gifts and souvenirs, is open daily, except Tuesdays, beginning at 8 a.m. – and seven days a week in the summer.
Special Event Trains include several dinner trains on select Saturday nights; with meals aboard the train and each with a unique agenda. This year, steam locomotives pull all dinner trains. The popular Rockin’ and Rollin’ Geology Trains feature a lively presentation by local geologists, Roger Bowers, Bill Wilson and Laura Baldwin. These fun trains include a show and tell of ore samples, and information on the local copper mine and free prospecting of garnets at Garnet Hill. The simple meal on these trains consists of “Cornish pasties,” standard miner fare of old. After a trip on one of these trains, who knows, passengers may even be able to find gold in “these here hills.”
Early reservations are suggested for these and other Special Event Trains, including the Wild West Dinner Trains, the brand new Restoration Rails Dinner Train, featuring a behind-the-scenes look at restored artifacts from the hit show, “American Restorations; the one-time only Taste of Italy Dinner Train, (9/14) the most historic Steptoe Valley Flyer Dinner Train – with first class seating in Coach 5; Fourth of July Fireworks Train & Ice Cream Social, and mid-January’s Fireworks Express, where fireworks are actually shot off a moving steam train!
The spooktacular Haunted Ghost Trains are always a sell-out so book now to ensure a seat. These take place every Saturday night in October (plus Fri., 10/25). Costumes are encouraged for passengers, who sit safely inside while viewing ghostly, ghastly scenes along the way. See www.youtube.com/nnry1 for video.
Celebrate an old-fashioned, traditional Christmas in Ely with snow-capped mountains, the scent of wood-burning stoves and the ability to cut a fresh Christmas tree for just a few dollars. The highlight of the season, however, is Nevada Northern Railway’s Polar Express, licensed by Warner Bros. This magical journey to the North Pole includes hot chocolate, cookies and a visit with Santa Claus – don’t forget your camera and wear your pajamas. You can see the video on www.youtube.com/nnry1. The Gift Shop is well stocked with Polar Express merchandise for Christmas gifts and souvenirs. In January, enjoy weekend steam rides that are held in conjunction with Ely’s famous Cave Lake Fire & Ice Show (Fireworks Express Train) and Rotary’s Cave Lake Ice Fishing Derby (Jack Frost Train). See www.elynevada.net for details.
Unique programs are available for those seeking extraordinary experiences. Cab Rides with the Engineer (limit 2 per train ride); Caboose and Bunkhouse Overnights; and, especially the opportunity to “BE the Engineer” are all part of the fun. Anyone (age 18+ with a valid driver’s license) can actually operate a locomotive, no experience necessary – under Certified Engineer’s supervision, of course. And, the Supreme Engineer experience offers the rare opportunity to operate the locomotive with the train (i.e. freight cars) attached. Those who have experienced the “Be the Engineer” program in the past have said, “It’s been a dream come true” and “the experience of a lifetime.” Try it yourself or get a gift certificate for someone special.
So if you’re looking for a “must-see, must do” attraction - something different on the ‘road less traveled,’ or, perhaps, you’re interested in history and culture, a train-lover, a family on vacation, or are a large group looking for that unique experience – come to Ely’s Nevada Northern Railway. For more information, please call toll-free at (866) 40-STEAM (866-407-8326), locally at (775) 289-2085 or visit the website at www.nnry.com. “Like” on www.facebook.com/nnry and subscribe and see train videos at www.youtube.com/nnry1 and follow us on www.twitter.com/nnry1. ALL ABOARD!