Many excursion railroads have nicely restored or preserved equipment, some have a few original buildings. Nevada Northern has a whole railroad. The NN was started in the early 1900's to support a copper mine in the area. It continued in operation, updating its motive power occasionally until the last train of ore left in 1978. In 1983 the last freight train arrived in Ely and the railroad was closed down. At that time it was owned by the Kennecott Copper Company who basically donated the whole railroad to the White Pine Historical Railroad Foundation. The depot building and a warehouse building were transfered to the State of Nevada in 1990 and they operate a museum in the depot building. Among the artifacts found in the complex were extensive business records of the railroad. These are being cataloged and preserved by the museum.
Some of the passenger rolling stock is not authentic as passenger service had been discontinued long before the railroad was shut down but basically, the railroad is like an old photograph come to life. Volunteers come from all over the country to help in the operation of the trains but many are from the local area. Tours of the yard and engine house are available.
NN has two different trips, one pulled by a diesel, either an RS2 or and RS3, that goes north to Adverse. This trip is not big on scenery unless you like wide open spaces and long vistas. The Great Basin is a new part of the country to me, enclosed by mountain ranges that prevent any of it's water from draining into an ocean. Almost treeless, it has a certain appeal for awhile.
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