NEVADA NORTHERN RAILWAY (NN)
KENNECOTT COPPER CORP. (KCC)
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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.
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KCC - 4-6-2 #40
Image, Nevada Northern 4-6-2 Loco #40 Order No. NN40I Photo courtesy - Nevada State Archives 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. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------KCC - 4-6-2 #40A
Image, Nevada Northern 4-6-2 Loco #40/train Order No. NN40AI Photo courtesy - Nevada State Archives 1964: A Nevada Northern two-car tourist train works upgrade with company Pacific #40. Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------KCC - 2-8-0 #90
Image, Kennecott Copper Corp. 2-8-0 #90 Order No. KCC90I 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 Shopping Cart 8.5" by 11" Image, Price - $ 5.00 [Add To Cart] --------------------
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