The Little Engine that could (and did)

You have probably noticed the odd-looking little locomotive sitting on the side track at the museum, and wondered about its history and reason for being on exhibit. The plaques on its side tell part of the story, but there is more to be learned about the Dinky’s history and its

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Railroad Dining Cars

Before dining cars in passenger trains were common in the United States, a rail passenger’s option for meal service in transit was to patronize one of the roadhouses often located near the railroad’s “water stops”. Fare typically consisted of rancid meat, cold beans, and old coffee. Such poor conditions discouraged

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Boulder City, NV, NV State Railroad Museum, Hoover Dam, Union Pacific, Nv Southern Railway

Nevada Southern Live Steamers

The Nevada Southern Live Steamers is a large-scale, outdoor model railroad located at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City, Nevada. We operate trains powered by a variety of “live” steam engines or replica diesel-electric locomotives on a 7.5” gauge track.  Started in 2011, our railroad is built, maintained,

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Dining on the Train

Before dining cars in passenger trains were common in the United States, a rail passenger’s option for meal service in transit was to patronize one of the roadhouses often located near the railroad’s “water stops”. Fare typically consisted of rancid meat, cold beans, and old coffee. Such poor conditions discouraged

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Six Companies Side Dump Car

This car is a Western Wheeled Scraper Company built 8  wheeled dump car, used by the “Six Companies” on their construction railroad used to build Hoover Dam. The car was built in 1927 (which predates the formation of Six Companies) After the dam was completed, and the construction railroad removed,

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The Merci Car & the Gratitude train

Many American soldiers who served in France during World Wars I and II will recognize and have “fond” memories of riding in cars like this French box car, called a 40 et 8 (40 and 8) car because the French military had rated the cars to carry 40 soldiers or

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Boulder City, NV, NV State Railroad Museum, Hoover Dam, Union Pacific, Nv Southern Railway, Ellsmere, Wagner Palace Car,

Ellsmere

Ellsmere – Basic History Ellsmere was built in December of 1899 for Dr. William Seward Webb, then president of the Wagner Palace Car Co of Buffalo, New York.  This was the last passenger car and a private business car built by Wagner as in 1900 the company merged with the

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Boulder City, NV, NV State Railroad Museum, Hoover Dam, Union Pacific, Nv Southern Railway

Railway Postal Car

Long before cell phones, texts, and email the U.S. Mail connected the nation. In the 1800s, the United States Post Office realized the potential of using the railroad to not only transport mail, but also sort it along the route. Mailbags once untouched for days were now opened and sorted

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Boulder City, NV, NV State Railroad Museum, Hoover Dam, Union Pacific, Nv Southern Railway

Coaches

The term Harriman refers to railroad equipment built in the 1900’s and 1910’s to a set of common standards that were used by the Harriman controlled Southern Pacific and Union Pacific. The coaches are 72′ 0″ long over the end sills, 9’9-7/8″ wide, and 14’0″ from rail to top of

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Boulder City, NV, NV State Railroad Museum, Hoover Dam, Union Pacific, Nv Southern Railway

Wheelchair Accessible Car

Compliant with the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). This Harriman style coach was built in 1916. It was modified here at the Museum to have side loading doors for use with a lift so that it can accommodate wheelchairs and passengers who cannot climb stairs into the cars. A half-bath

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