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East Ely, Nev. » Conductor Gene Rogers shouted "all aboard" as the distinctive sound of a steam railroad engine, complete with whistles and bell, roared to life on a recent Sunday morning at the Nevada Northern Railway yard in eastern Nevada.
The venerable Locomotive 93 steam engine began its climb out of Ely toward the mining town of Ruth, a nearly two-hour journey that would include talks about history, a train "robbery" executed by gun-toting robbers on horseback, a ride through a long narrow tunnel, stories of the towns along the way, and an optional tour of the train shops. Many drivers along U.S. Highway 50 stopped to snap photos from their cars.
The train, now in its
According to Nevada Northern Railway executive director Mark Bassett, the East Ely-based railroad uses steam and diesel engines to take visitors on themed and historic trips. The term ghost train is used "because we are a ghost of ourselves. During the heyday of the railroad, when hundreds of men were working here, there were 32 passenger trains, 60 ore trains and two freight trains. It was an incredibly busy
Between 1906 and 1941, at the height of Kennecott Copper operations in the Ely area, the railroad carried 4.5 million passengers. Kennecott donated the railroad and its historic yard with 66 buildings and 30 miles of track to the community in 1984. The first excursion train began carrying passengers again in 1987.
Locomotive 93, which had sat idle and mostly rusting in front of the White Pine County Museum since 1961, was carefully restored and began operating again in 1993. The engine, one of the stars of the Nevada Northern Railway fleet, has led a charmed life. The boiler was rebuilt for the 2002 Olympics and then the axles wore out in July 2007 and also had to be rebuilt. It began hauling passengers again Jan. 17 this year to mark its 100th birthday, a celebration that organizers said included the first-ever fireworks shot off a moving train.
On a typical trip, the engine will use 2,000 pounds of coal, all fed into the steam engine by hand. Railroad buffs who want to ride in the locomotive pay $95; it's an extra $10 beyond the $24 basic adult fare ($15 for children 4 to 12) to board the caboose. And real steam-engine buffs can rent the steam locomotive for $695 and a 14-mile round trip (or drive the diesel 22 miles for $495) and enjoy a Casey Jones moment by actually becoming the engineer and driving the train themselves.
The complex, which boasts a museum, historic buildings and working shops, provides an interesting glimpse at American history for railroad enthusiasts or folks who simply happened upon the train operation while driving through Ely. The federal government has designated it a National Historic Landmark.
"We get people who are interested in mining history, Western history and American history," said Bassett. "What people don't understand is the railroad was the steam-powered Internet of the 19th century. It tied the country together. If you weren't on the railroad line, you were not anything. The railroad delivered everything. Without the railroad, there would be no Salt Lake City or Ogden."
Rogers, dressed in a turn-of-the-century conductor's outfit, helped passengers board the train. Riders could either sit inside a restored Pullman passenger car or ride in an open-air flat car.
"For me, it's fun and educational," he said. "There is never a dull moment. One of the great things about this place is that it is totally authentic."
As the train chugged through Ely on its route toward Ruth, Dale Hechkethorn showed up at a road crossing right on time as the steam locomotive chugged up a hill, acting as a road guard at what locals call "Dale's Crossing" and waving at train passengers.
Trains carry passengers throughout the year, usually on Fridays through Mondays during the summer, and on weekends during the winter. There are specialty trains such as the Polar Express during Christmas, a geology train, dinner trains, a wine train, chocolate train, fireworks train, teen and adult rail camps, Oktoberfest beer train, haunted ghost train for Halloween, and a specialty Thanksgiving Holiday Food Train in late November. Trains also can be chartered for conventions, weddings or family reunions.
For information or a schedule, visit www.nnry.com or call 866-407-8326.
