Nevada Northern Railway Museum — Attraction in Ely

I did the Nevada Night Sky train with my family last year. Terrible. Alright, hear me out. Lots of reasons for this one. ⬇️

1. The light pollution from the town is insane. The train doesn’t take you far enough to escape it, and it’s bright.

2. The train is the slowest train I have ever been on. It’s old, that’s how it was, I get it. It took over an hour to get to the stargazing spot, and it’s only a few miles from town. This would be fine if the train had complementary activities and snacks or drinks for the passengers. Something.

3. They passed the stargazing spot by 15 minutes and had to go back, which means 30 minutes of unnecessary train riding. Probably stalling for time cause the sun hadn’t finished setting. Also means they could’ve placed the stargazing spot further from town since the track continues, but just didn’t.

4. The staff was unfriendly and bored. They’re young and they live in Ely, Nevada so I get it, but still sucks.

5. The “astronomer” was actually just like, a 20 year old kid pointing out constellations and she kept ending her sentences with “but I’m not an expert”.

6. They have a ranger who gave a talk, then gave a quiz to the passengers. It was difficult to understand her over the speaker they have. The quiz questions were unrelated to the talk. There’s nowhere to submit your answers, track who wins, and no prizes, so no incentive to get involved. All the passengers were disengaged.

7. The stargazing site. It’s a rectangle of concrete pavement right next to the train. They said “don’t step off cause there might be snakes”.

8. The telescopes. There were only 3, so most of the time is spent waiting in line. You cannot move the telescope. Telescope #3 had no eyepiece, and instead was connected to a phone and you looked at the phone screen. We saw 3 things. A star, a planet, and the moon. Needed to wait in line for each, then back on the train.

I would’ve given one star, but acknowledge that this is basically the only thing Ely, Nevada has going for it. The town is out of the way and there’s nothing to do but this.

If you’re a train fanatic, you’ll probably like it more, but the focus is less on trains and more on the night sky. If you like trains, just do a daytime experience. Learn about being an engineer, I think they do that.

Don’t do the Night Sky thing. Its advertising is out of control inaccurate. I really wanted to like it and had a very open mind, but genuinely couldn’t find a single good thing about it. Ended up bonding with my family over it only because we were laughing at how...

Visiting the Nevada Northern Railway Museum was an incredible experience that took me on a captivating journey through the rich history of railroading. Nestled in the town of Ely, Nevada, this gem is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts and train aficionados alike.

From the moment I arrived at the museum, I was struck by the authentic and well-preserved atmosphere. The museum is located in the original railway depot, which exudes an old-west charm that instantly transports you to a bygone era. The friendly and knowledgeable staff welcomed me warmly and provided helpful information about the exhibits and tours.

The highlight of my visit was the railway yard and just wandering about. Seeing the locomotives, railcars, and workshops was amazing. I was fascinated by the impressive collection of steam and diesel engines, some of which are over a century old. The opportunity to see the yard was just a fun experience, I will not forget.

One aspect that sets the Nevada Northern Railway Museum apart is its dedication to preserving the authenticity of the site and allowing me the visitor access. The tracks and buildings have been maintained to accurately represent the early 20th-century era. This attention to detail creates an immersive experience that allows visitors to truly immerse themselves in the history of the railroad.

In conclusion, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum is a true gem that transports visitors back in time to experience the fascinating world of railroading. The dedication to preservation, the knowledgeable staff, and access all contribute to making it an exceptional destination. Whether you have a deep appreciation for trains or simply enjoy immersing yourself in history, this museum is an absolute must-visit. I love trains but I left with a renewed appreciation for the importance of railroads in shaping our past and a profound sense of admiration for the people who worked tirelessly to keep the...

In all my years of traveling, across countless thousands of miles of mountains, deserts, and seas, I have found nothing finer than the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.

I don’t exaggerate. I take the NNRy to be the prime example of an American heritage railway. I firmly believe a visit to the Nevada Northern should be on everyone’s bucket list. The museum is only possible as a product of the passion of its staff, crews, and volunteers — who are all boundlessly friendly and knowledgeable. Special shout-out to Anastasia, who really made my most recent tour that much more memorable with her personal touch and guidance.

I’ve visited the NNRy more times than I can count, but each time I come by, I learn, see, or experience something new. In October 2022, a flash blizzard turned the high desert into a winter wonderland, perfect for photographing the steam engines and their trains as they charged across the landscape. In January 2018, I was dazzled by the railway’s annual “Fire and Ice Spectacular” train, where trained professionals launched fireworks from the rear of our moving train. In July 2020, I met television personality and esteemed restaurateur Guy Fieri as he toured the property. There is always something new to be found at the NNRy, despite the railway seeming to be frozen in time at the turn of the 20th Century.

I implore anyone reading this review to make the Nevada Northern Railway Museum a must-see on their next trip through Nevada — you...