Are there any active railroads left in Nevada?

Question

I am going to spend a week in Nevada and would like to photograph some trains. Thanks.

Answer 1

I've just looked at web page edanddeb left for you, if only we had the same here in this country, alas were not big enough.

Answer 2

Union Pacific, Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Nevada Northern, for three.

Nevada Northern operates steam and has a "rent an engine" program.  For around $600, you can spend half a day in a crash course on operation, then go and spend time running either of their two steam engines, a Baldwin consolidation on the main or a ten wheeler (maybe an American) in the yard.  Money raised by the program goes into restoration work being done on more equipment.

For a good deal less, you can climb aboard and play hogger for a day on one of their restored diesel electrics.

If $600 isn't the bad news, then you'll be disappointed to learn that it requires a trip to Ely, Nevada, to play trains.  I don't know how far Ely is from the Capital, but I do know it's only ten feet from h**l.  Very hot, desert conditions, on the loneliest stretch of highway in the US.

Google Nevada Northen.  It's all there.

I'm goin' this summer.  Should be interesting.  It may well be the first time in history any engineer will ever actually ASK for tonnage...  I wanna have 'er "in the corner" and hear that consolidation a-barkin'...    every penny's worth.

Answer 3

yes and i will give you this link this place takes you on tour and such chec it out you may find this is what you would like to do its neat  

http://www.trainsunltdtours.com/

Answer 4

Indeed, Nevada is still home to Class Is Union Pacific and BNSF Railway, along with shortline Nevada Northern and of course, Amtrak (the California Zephyr).

The state is also home to tourist railroads and museums including the Virginia & Truckee,  Nevada State Railroad Museum, and the Nevada Northern Railway Museum.

Answer 5

Yes, there are passenger trains as well as cargo..  I know as I have seen them while driving on the freeway on the way to Reno...

Answer 6

There is a freight-only line which passes through Las Vegas (mostly coal traffic from Utah to Long Beach). The main UP line from Sacramento to Salt Lake City passes through the north of the state via Reno and Sparks.

Barstow (two hours south of Las Vegas on Interstate 15) is a major railroad junction with a hump marshalling yard and an interesting railroad museum at the passenger station.