The Nevada Northern Railway between Ely and the McGill Depot

[Mark Sedenquist]

One of our favorite tourist railroads is expanding their route. The Nevada Northern Railway which is based in Ely, Nevada has received a $10 million dollar grant that will enable the historic train organization to open the track between Ely and the McGill Depot. Here is a very cool video that shows what this trip might be like. It is taken at approximately the same height of the steam locomotive’s cab and includes the sounds of Locomotive 93 steaming along for added effect and shot by videographer Tom Lynskey. The "journey" runs in both directions. (Be sure to click on the video, I couldn't get it to display on this page, but it is a great use of a drone!)


This is the McGill Depot before restoration:

The high desert weather had not been kind to the McGill Depot. The southeast corner of the building was failing and it was on the verge of becoming the McGill pile of rubble.
(Photo courtesy of Nevada Northern Railway)

After Restoration:

Thanks to various grants from the Commission of Cultural Centers and Historic Places, the Great Basin Heritage Area Partnership and the members of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, the depot was stabilized and restoration was starting.
(Photo courtesy of Nevada Northern Railway)

Historic Photos of McGill Depot:

The McGill Depot was integral to the operations of the Kennecott Copper Corporation. For thousands of new immigrants, this was their first view of their new life in America.
(Photo courtesy of Nevada Northern Railway)

About the Railway: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a designated National Historic Landmark in Ely, offering passenger train rides pulled by century-old steam engines. Nevada Northern Railway lets guests step back in time for a day of adventure and was voted the state’s Best Rural Museum and Best Place to Take the Kids by readers of Nevada Magazine. Nationally recognized for its mechanical intricacies, rich history and whimsical atmosphere, Nevada Northern Railway has been featured on Modern Marvels, American Restoration, Pawn Stars, Great Scenic Railway Journeys on PBS and it was mentioned on CBS’s Big Bang Theory.

RTA's first visit to the RailRoad in 1996 and this classic roadtrip story.

[Southwest Dave]

Wow! That's really cool and love the history.

Dave.

[DonnaR57]

I didn't know it had ties to the Kennecott Copper Corporation. My very first teaching job was in a town next to a big Kennecott mine. Many of my students had parents and grandparents who worked for Kennecott.


Donna