Gear Jammin'
on the Nevada Northern RY, Ely Nevada, 2006
Gear Jammin'
on the Nevada Northern RY, Ely Nevada, 2006 |
|
|
|
| Ken and I drove up to Ely, Nevada, in mid October with videographers Ed and Ell to drive the Nevada Northern railway's coal-fired 4-6-0 steam locomotive, #40 built in 1910. After we took a written test about operation rules and regulations and toured the shops, the railway's volunteer engineer gave us about 20 minutes of hands-on instruction, learning how to brake, speed up and slow down on a stretch of track in the yard, and then he was at our elbow once we pulled onto the main line. The railway's fireman was also aboard minding the boiler and overall functioning of the locomotive. Each of us drove it for about an hour and a half about 14 miles round trip from East Ely to Keystone. The route has two tunnels and a wye at each end to turn the locomotive around, one in the East Ely yard, and one at Keystone. At the conclusion of our respective drives, the engineer presented us with a certificate, not of competency, but of participation. The weather was grand, the company was stimulating, and the experience was wonderful. I would certainly like to do it again. |