(Canwest News Service circulated the following story by Rick Cropp and Barbara Braidwood on April 20, 2009.)
CALGARY, Alberta — Train aficionados probably know all about the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark (www.nevadanorthernrailway.net), but it was new to us.
The experience is along the same vein as the companies that allow you to drive a stock car on a racetrack for a couple hours or the Air Combat USA’s (www.aircombatusa.com) program (both only happen after some instruction).
The latter shows you how to fly a Marchetti fighter plane in an aerial dogfight. Rick and a Gulf War veteran flew the fully aerobatic aircraft against a 747 pilot and another veteran (The two planes have side-by-side seating). The pilots keep the planes safe and do the take- off and landing. Rick shot up the sky with the laser “machine guns” and flew every spiral and flip the plane could do.
Anyway, back to trains. The Nevada Northern Railway has a piece of railway from the 1800s, a rail yard plus diesel and steam locomotives you can rent. After some instruction from a certified engineer and a written test, your minder takes the train out of the yard to the mainline, where you take over for the 80-kilometre run.
The steam-driven 1909 ALCO (Pittsburgh Works) 2-8-0 locomotive or the 1910 Baldwin 4-6-0 engine cost $695 US to drive. Also available are two diesel electric locomotives: a 1956 EMD SD-9 and a 1950 ALCO RS-3 for $495 US. Or you can drive both for $985 US. You can also share the experience and split the cost with one other party.
The East Ely Shops and Yards National Historic District form part of a museum devoted to old trains. This facility dates from 1906 and has 49 structures and buildings of historic importance.
Between the museum and the high desert of east central Nevada, it sounds like a terrific way to spend a vacation.