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Nevada Northern Railway marks 40 years; council hears ridership and repair updates
Summary
The City proclaimed the Nevada Northern Railway Foundation's 40th anniversary and heard an operations report noting decreased ridership, locomotive repairs, and completion of track repairs funded with City assistance.
The Ely City Council approved a proclamation recognizing the Nevada Northern Railway Foundation’s 40th anniversary and received an operational update from NNRY President Mark Bassett at its Nov. 14 meeting.
Mayor Nathan Robertson read a proclamation celebrating the Foundation’s accomplishments over four decades, noting restoration of several steam locomotives, preservation of historic buildings, and a stated total of more than $52.8 million invested in preservation. The council approved the proclamation unanimously.
NNRY President Mark Bassett reported October ridership of 1,572 passengers (a 34% decrease from the prior year) and year-to-date ridership of 12,103 (down 15% year-over-year). He also reported track repairs were completed — removing a slow order — with City assistance. Bassett gave a breakdown of locomotive and rolling stock status and an estimated October economic impact tied to passengers of roughly $213,792.
Why it matters: NNRY is a long-standing local heritage attraction and an economic contributor to Ely’s tourism sector. The proclamation formalizes the city’s recognition, and the operational report highlighted maintenance needs and recent track repairs that affect future operations.
What’s next: The Foundation and the City continue to coordinate on infrastructure and preservation work; council members were briefed but took no formal action beyond approving the proclamation.
