[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S10641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NEVADA NORTHERN RAILWAY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the centennial of 
the Nevada Northern Railway. September 29 marks the 100-year 
anniversary of the completion of the railway from Cobre to Ely, NV. 
Numerous events are planned at the Nevada Northern Railway Museum this 
weekend to commemorate this special day, including a reenactment of the 
driving of the Copper spike, which originally signaled the completion 
of the Nevada Northern Railway to Ely, NV.
  Nevada's early growth as a State would not have been possible without 
our Nation's mighty railroads. Towns like Ely changed from sparse camps 
to real towns when tracks were laid into areas that were previously 
accessibly only by horse or on foot. In 1904, the Nevada Consolidated 
Copper Company brought Nevada Northern Railway to life in order to move 
valuable copper ore that had been discovered in the region. And with 
that new connection to the outside world, a new chapter began in the 
life of Ely and of all the communities in eastern Nevada.
  During its 77 years of service the Nevada Northern Railway carried 
ore, passengers and express deliveries between Ely, Cobre and McGill, 
but in 1983 the operation was closed and the railway stood still. Since 
that time, the people of Ely have worked to preserve this unique part 
of their history. Through the efforts of countless volunteers and staff 
they have turned this once vacated railway complex into a unique 
enterprise and popular destination for railroad enthusiasts and history 
buffs alike.
  One of the most distinct aspects of the Nevada Northern Railway is 
that the original buildings, equipment, rolling stock and the majority 
of the company's early paper records still survive today. Walking 
through the Machine Shop and Engine House one can still find safety 
signs and employee notices that were posted on the wall duiing the 
presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
  I was so pleased, Mr. President, to see the Nevada Northern Railway 
designated as a National Historic Landmark this week--just in time for 
the centennial celebration. This designation is the highest such 
recognition accorded by our Nation to historic sites and will place the 
Nevada Northern Railway in distinguished company. This recognition is 
well deserved.
  I thank all those who have made this listing possible--the National 
Park Service, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne, the staff and 
volunteers for the Nevada Northern Railway, the people of Ely, Ron 
James, the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer, and many others.
  The Northern Nevada Railway is an incredible asset for Nevada and the 
Nation. Hundreds of people will gather in Ely this weekend to talk 
about the past of this great site and to lay plans for the future. I 
wish them well, and I share their appreciation for this incredible 
piece of Nevada's history.

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