Following a breakfast at the hotel, we all headed to the East Ely Station to check in for this unique railroading event. Here I was back in Ely stone cold sober waiting to ride and photograph the Nevada Northern again. I felt like one of the most luckiest persons alive. We took the time to buy tickets for the 4:00 PM Polar Express later this afternoon. There would be a 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM Polar Express today. We choose the one after dark to ride and the one in daylight to photograph. Each participant in this weekend steam event received a name badge and a schedule of events. We had the choice of riding the caboose or driving to get more pictures but we all know which one I choose.
As I walked out to the caboose, I recorded the consist and boarded our freight train and the four of us took the cupola. The Nevada Northern 2-8-0 93 would pull ore cars 1005, 089, 1082, 1219, 400, 402 and 403, tank car W5 and Caboose 22.
The East Ely station from the cupola.
The Nevada Northern 93 backs our freight train out of the station.
Coming to the first road crossing.
Crossing the road.
Curving above Ely, heading for Robinson Canyon and the tunnel.
The view looking across the tank car.
Curving towards Keystone. Our Saturday morning photo freight not only went to Keystone but traveled over the new trackage built by the Northern Nevada Railroad to serve the new concentrator. The train crew said this was the first photo special to cover this trackage. Above Keystone the 3% grade gave the Nevada Northern 93 a real good workout.
Crossing the road to Ruth.
This is what I live for!
Climbing higher and higher.
Nearing the mine as we ran along the road leading to the front gate.
We arrived at the main gate of the former Robinson Mine now being operated as Quadra Mine. The copper from here is shipped to China. We all debarked from the caboose to start the first Photo Runby of the day.
Backing up for Phoro Runby 1.
Photo Runby 1.
Photo Runby 2.
The Nevada Northern 93 posed for a picture.
Photo Runby 3.
Photo Runby 4. We all reboarded the caboose as the Nevada Northern 93 backed down the line to our next photo spot.
Photo Runby 5.
Photo Runby 6. We all reboarded the caboose and rode as the Nevada Northern 93 backed us to the cut above where the last time I was here the tracks went to Copper Flats headed up there along the mine tailings.
Photo Runby 7. I had to change film and tried to do it as I was walking. I switched locations for the next runby and finished the film change there.
Photo Runby 8. As I packed up the film was missing. Carl and I took a quick look but could not find it and had to get back on the train. All of the morning Photo Runbys except this last one was on that roll of film. I was not in a good mood as the train rolled back to East Ely.
Back in town, SD-9 204 was switching cars around. We all then went and had lunch at the Silver State. Don D suggested that after we chase the Polar Express to Keystone we should go look for the film. I walked back to the hotel and prayed to God that He help me find the film. That put me back in a real good mood. Maybe I might get lucky and find that film later this day.
We left the hotel and found the first grade crossing and waited for the train to show up.
The Polar Express starts the climb leaving the East Ely yards.
The Polar Express coming out of the tunnel in Robinson Canyon.
An "S" curve provided these two views of the Polar Express.
Polar Express coming and going by the Ghost Train of East Ely sign.
The Polar Express did the Keystone Wye before their meeting with Santa Claus. Don drove us back near the hill where I had lost the film on that last runby there. I led the way along the fence to the top of the hill. Something led me to the spot where I had taken the last runby pictures. I looked down into this patch of dirt in the middle of all this snow and there was the roll of film. I picked it up and raised my hands up over my head and yelled, "I found it!" My three partners on this trip now knew I had found the film.
We returned to Keystone where we waited for the Polar Express to leave.
We headed to the east tunnel portal to wait for the Polar Express to run through it. We returned to the hotel with me watching a bit of the USC-UCLA game.
They were loading the train as we arrived. I walked down for pictures of the train before we boarded coach 7. The train had the Nevada Northern 93 pulling coaches 07 Ely and 08 Nevada, open car 23 {closed due to the weather} and caboose 6. The inside of the cars were decorated with garlands, bells and bows hanging from the ceiling. Christmas Music was being played over the train's PA system. We departed for Keystone {ie the North Pole} by backing up to East Ely Jct before we headed forward.
A beautiful sunset sky as we climbed above Ely. Hot Chocolate and cookies were passed out to all passengers aboard. As the train neared the tunnels it was announced that this tunnel plus the highway bridge {tunnel} would magically transport our train thousands of miles to the north closer to the North Pole. As we entered the first tunnel, the children were getting really excited. Once we exited the tunnel darkness took hold making this trip more magical. The book "Polar Express" was read over the PA system. After the reading the Grinch was not up in his cave so there might be trouble before we arrived at the North Pole. As the train made the turn to Keystone, the children spotted the lit North Pole. The train took the wye at Keystone. As we backed around the wye, the train came to a sudden stop as the Grinch had placed a tree across the tracks. After the wyeing was complete, Santa Claus was spotted. To get Santa Claus to board the train, everyone had to sing "Here Comes Santa." Santa Claus then boarded the train passing out a bell to each passenger aboard the Polar Express. After Santa had visited both coaches, everyone waved and said good bye to Santa Claus. Christmas Carols were sung as we headed back towards East Ely. Next all the children were gathered together to form the Polar Express Children's Choir. Following that more carols were sung. The Polar Express then passed through the tunnels returning all to Ely. The Polar Express returned to the East Ely ending an exciting ride on this very unique train.
Night Photo Session 12/04/2004
With a Christmas Parade about to take place we returned via back streets to the hotel to get some stuff and parked around the corner. Don Roe decided to stay at the hotel while the three of us went back to the depot for the Night Photo Session. One word describes this evening, freezing! With this event moving along at a snail's pace, Carl walked back to the hotel stopping for dinner on the way. Don Drummer lasted until after the first flash and returned to the warmth of his vehicle. I stayed out about ten more minutes before the freezing temperatures did me in. Don and I went to Arbys to pick up dinner before we returned to the warmth of the hotel for the night. We learned from Don Roe that the Christmas Parade lasted a mere twelve minutes. I called it a night a short time later.
