The Story of Nevada's Historic Railroads

J.W. Bowker at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City

  Few book projects have remained as relevant over the years as David Myrick’s splendid three-volume series, “Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California.”

  The first two volumes were originally released in 1962 and 1963, respectively, while the third was released in 2007.

  The first two books were once difficult to find, commanding premium prices in rare book stores. Fortunately, in 1992, the two volumes were reprinted by the University of Nevada Press, with the third volume added a decade and a half later. All three remain available from the University of Nevada Press.

  Together, the books contain the history of some 69 railroads, both large and small, that have operated in the Silver State. Indeed, after perusing just the first two books, you can’t help but feel that nearly every mining town in Nevada must have had a railroad at some point.

  Of special note are the 500-plus rare, vintage photographs of the various railroad equipment, buildings and affiliated communities—an invaluable photographic record of the industrial development of the state.

  Fortunately for readers, the late Myrick (he passed away in 2011), a noted railroad historian, isn’t content to merely tell the dry facts and figures behind each of these railroads. Rather, he weaves that information into the appropriate historical context, showing how each railroad was a reflection of the rapid growth and, later, decline of these mining towns.

  For those interested in exploring Nevada, the books are also a valuable resource when it comes to trying to retrace the locations and routes of these ancient railways. Detailed maps included with each railroad section show the original route, including names of stations and stops.

  Additionally, the end sheets of each volume include a map of the state and eastern California showing the location of all of the railroads featured in the books. The final section of Volume 2 contains an updated locomotive roster.

  Flipping through the pages, you quickly are impressed by the amount of wood and rail that once crossed this state. And, if you’ve ever had a chance to wander across Nevada, you can't help but be incredulous of the number of towns, which today are either ghost towns or mere shadows of their past glory, that once boasted major rail lines.

  For instance, the Eureka and Palisade Railroad once connected the mining metropolis of Eureka, in central Nevada, to the Central Pacific Railroad line (and later, the Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific lines) at Palisade (near Carlin in northeastern Nevada).

  Built from 1873 to 1875, the E & P experienced its greatest success during its first decade when Eureka mines were booming and the town's population topped 9,000.

  Today, a persistent railroad history buff, utilizing Myrick’s work, can find vestiges of the former E & P line (abandoned in 1938), by following State Route 278, north from Eureka, which parallels the rail bed and passes through many of the former stops.

  Perhaps the last remaining locomotive from the E & P, an 1875 Baldwin narrow gauge engine called the Number 4 (also named the "Eureka"), was sold in 1940 to Warner Brothers studios and appeared in several movies. A few years ago, it was restored by a private collector from Las Vegas and is occasionally displayed at western rail fairs.

  Myrick's series offer the fascinating stories of dozens of other railways ranging from the well-known, such as the Virginia & Truckee, to the obscure, like the Nevada Short Line, which once connected Rochester to Oreana.

  All remain essential reading for anyone interested in the rich history of Nevada’s railroads.

  To order copies of the three volumes, go to https://unpress.nevada.edu/.