Historical Snapshot:
Ref: See Railroads of Nevada Vol. #1 by David F. Myrick
for more historical information.
With the begining of 1900, technology was advancing
such that copper was becoming a necessity for electrical
needs. One of the largest known deposits in the United
States was just west of Ely, Nevada.
Thus, On May 29, 1905, The Nevada Consolidated Copper
Company, planning to mine the eight square mile site,
incorporated the Nevada Northern Railway to construct
a 140.38-mile railroad from Cobre (Central Pacific
main line) south to Ely, Nevada. The Nevada Northern
was opened on June 2, 1906.
The railroad operations included bringing the ore to
be processed from the pit near Ruth to the smelter at
McGill. Once processed, the ore was then transported
to the Central Pacific for transport. Further, full
support freight and passenger service was provided.
Although the grade was steep up Robinson Canyon from
Ely to Ruth, the cars were usually empty.
In the early days of operation East Ely was the site
where the town originally resided. Ely was the rail
yard. This caused much frustration, misunderstanding
and disagreement among the local folks. To this day
the town is spread over both places.
A trip on train's No.3 and No.4 in 1910 took
approximately four-and-a-half-hours one way (30 mph)
between Ely and Cobre, Nevada.
As of 1917, in addition to the main line, the company
also functioned over 24.86 miles of branches.
McGill Junction to McGill 2.68 miles.
Hiline to Concentrator 8.64 miles
East Ely to Veteran 12.15 miles
Keystone to Ruth 1.25 miles
Cobre to Central Pacific Jct. 0.16 miles
In addition, spurs, sidings and yard tracks, amounted
to 23.44 miles
December 31, 1930: Spurs,Sidings and yard tracks,
29.03 miles; Locomotives, eight; freight cars, 37;
Passenger cars, 13; Service cars, 17. Rail, 60 to 90
pound.
January, 1941: Spurs,Sidings and yard tracks, 29.34
miles; Locomotives, seven; freight cars, 30; passenger
cars, 5; Service cars, 11. Rail, 60 to 110 pound.
The company paid healthy dividends from 1908 through
at least 1941. Kennecott Copper had become the owner.
In 1952, the Nevada Northern began dieselization.
Older steam engine #40 was retained. by 1964 the
company was still very active and an integral part
of mining copper. It was during this period that
the #40 began making tourist runs.
Bn 1983, the demand for copper was low, and the price
the same, Thus, the Kennecott Copper Company closed the
pit and smeltering operations. The entire railroad was
donated to the city of Ely. Shortly thereafter,the
State Museum got involved. Today the Nevada Northern
remains in tourist service and one of the three Nevada
State Railrod Museum's active exhibits.
For the Record: There are still significant copper
deposits at Ruth. So much so that new mining has
recently begun. At present the railroad is not being
used. Its future upgrade and use, however, is being
examined.
KCC - 4-6-2 #40
Photo courtesy - Nevada State Archives
Image, Nevada Northern 4-6-2 Loco #40
Now in tourist service, Nevada Northern 4-6-2 locomotive
#40 poses at Ely, Nevada during the 1964 summer tourist
season. The #10 was built by Baldwin in 1910.
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KCC - 4-6-2 #40A
Photo courtesy - Nevada State Arcjives
Image, Nevada Northern 4-6-2 Loco #40/train
1964: A Nevada Northern two-car tourist train works
upgrade with company Pacific #40.
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KCC - 2-8-0 #90
Image, Kennecott Copper Corp. 2-8-0 #90
Photograph from the original Paul Eilenburger Collection
This is a view "of Kennecott Copper Corp./ Nevada
Northern Railway #90 of Ely, Nevada. They had a
number of 2-8-0's with single-stage Westinghouse
air pumps mounted on the smokebox front. Sister
locomotive #93, currently operational, was recently
used in Heber City, Utah for the Olympic events there."
... Johnathon Kryger
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