This evening at 10:30 EDT, the History Channel show, American Restorations, which is based in Las Vegas, featured a special restoration of a "speeder" motor car which "Rick's Restorations" got running and restored for the Nevada Northern museum. The car was a rather large motor car, powered by a Ford "flathead" V8 and apparently heavy enough to require a crane to load it onto a flatbed trailer. Of course, the guys at Rick's completely restored the car, having the V8 engine purring like a kitten.
But for those who have not had a chance to visit the Nevada Northern Railroad, which is now considered a museum, it was pretty neat to see some of those old trains that they still operate up there. The museum is in Ely, NV, way up in the northeast corner of the state and about a 4 or 5 hour drive from Las Vegas. But it's well worth the drive. The people there are extremely friendly and accommodating. There are four steam engines on the property, all of which were purchased new by the railroad back in the early days of the 20th century. There are also a wonderful variety of vintage diesels including Alcos, (a RS-2 was operated for the American Restoration show), Baldwin VO1000's, a GE 44 tonner and an SD-9 EMD engine. They also have stored inside a steam powered rotary snow plow and an operable steam powered RR crane. When I was there last November, I was given free run of the place, partially escorted by one of the shop men who helped explain everything to me.
Now, I have something to look forward to on my next visit: Seeing and maybe riding on that Ford powered motor car that the American Restoration boys just completed! Any other of you guys happen to catch the show this evening? If not, the History Channel tends to run repeats of their productions so you will probably have another chance to see it.
Paul Fischer
