COLLECTION NAME:
NNRy Background and History Information
Record
Title:
"Railroad Day"
Description:
"Railroad Day," celebrating the completion of the NNRy and its arrival in Ely, was scheduled for Saturday, September 29, 1906. However, work on the line was continuing until the last minute. According to author Gary Allen, it was Southern Pacific locomotive #2173 with a work train that approached Ely on Friday September 28, one day prior to the official "Railroad Day" celebration. Regardless, she was decorated, rolled into Ely, and the celebration began a weekend of festivities. Reportedly, it was the first train some residents had ever seen in person.
The next day, September 29, 1906, the official "Railroad Day" celebration saw the arrival of three special passenger trains run under the auspices of the Salt Lake Commercial Club. The first to arrive was from Salt Lake City, followed by specials from Ogden and Reno.
The train from Salt Lake was composed of five Pullman sleepers, Orta, Castele, Tampa, Guanica and Turkestan, (each with a drawing room), three tourist sleepers, and one each dining car, day coach and baggage car. The train also carried the first traveling telephone exchange, operated by the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Co. Intra-car calls were free. Calls to Ely or Salt Lake City cost 5 cents. The locomotive engineer was Price Davis.
General Manager Mark Requa drove a copper spike forged from Ruth Mine ore to symbolize the linking of Ely and Cobre. Dignitaries in attendance included: Nevada Governor John Sparks; US Senators Francis Newlands, George Nixon and William Stewart (retired); University of Nevada President J.E. Stubbs; State Controller Sam Davis; State Senator William Gallagher; State Assemblyman Fred Clark; and former State Senators Henry Comins and Thomas Rockhill. The chairman of the arrangement was Willian B. (Billy) McGill.
The next day, September 29, 1906, the official "Railroad Day" celebration saw the arrival of three special passenger trains run under the auspices of the Salt Lake Commercial Club. The first to arrive was from Salt Lake City, followed by specials from Ogden and Reno.
The train from Salt Lake was composed of five Pullman sleepers, Orta, Castele, Tampa, Guanica and Turkestan, (each with a drawing room), three tourist sleepers, and one each dining car, day coach and baggage car. The train also carried the first traveling telephone exchange, operated by the Rocky Mountain Bell Telephone Co. Intra-car calls were free. Calls to Ely or Salt Lake City cost 5 cents. The locomotive engineer was Price Davis.
General Manager Mark Requa drove a copper spike forged from Ruth Mine ore to symbolize the linking of Ely and Cobre. Dignitaries in attendance included: Nevada Governor John Sparks; US Senators Francis Newlands, George Nixon and William Stewart (retired); University of Nevada President J.E. Stubbs; State Controller Sam Davis; State Senator William Gallagher; State Assemblyman Fred Clark; and former State Senators Henry Comins and Thomas Rockhill. The chairman of the arrangement was Willian B. (Billy) McGill.