Nevada Northern Railway Museum Remains Open and Unaffected by State Budget
ELY, Nev. — The community-owned Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nevada remains open and unaffected by Nevada state budget actions. The museum operates the famous Ghost Train of Old Ely and manages the Nevada Northern Railway complex, except for the state-owned, East Ely Railroad Depot Museum.
Due to Nevada’s ongoing economic recession and the resultant reduction in state revenue, the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs and the Division of Museums and History announced the possible closure of the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum, tentatively effective August 1, 2011. However indications are that Gov. Sandoval will take a look at whether the closures are necessary and indications are that the cuts may not make sense.
The state-operated museum consists of just two buildings, the depot and the freight barn. The remaining sixty-eight buildings and structures on the 56-acre historic railroad complex are operated by the Nevada Northern Railway Museum, separately from the state museum system.
The remainder of the complex, including the popular train excursions, such as the upcoming Polar Express trains, will continue to operate and will remain open. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a National Historic Landmark and nonprofit museum – “the best…bar none,” according to the Smithsonian.
Readers of Nevada Magazine have voted the NNR “best rural museum” and “best place to take kids” for four years in a row. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum has been featured on the History Channel’s “Modern Marvels” and on PBS.
For more information, please call toll-free at 866-407-8326 or locally at 775-289-2085. Visit the NNRy website by clicking here.
Click here to see them on Facebook and here for a story in the Ely Times and here for a story from last year.