Name: Nevada Northern locomotive 93
Builder: American Locomotive Company (Alco)
Wheel arrangement: 2-8-0 Consolidation
Build date: 1909
Significance: Built in 1909, Nevada Northern 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 93 is a survivor. One of four 2-8-0s purchased that year by American Smelters Securities Company for its copper mining operation based in Ely, Nev., the steam locomotive was a typical example of a once-common freight locomotive wheel arrangement. Consolidations have two unpowered pilot wheels on a single axle up front, followed by eight coupled driving wheels. The combination allowed 93 to haul heavy trains, which it did for five decades. Today, the No. 93 continues to reside in Ely where, at the age of 114, continues to earn its keep hauling passenger trains for Nevada Northern’s heritage railroad operation. It is one of three operable locomotives on the railroad, the other two being locomotives No. 40 (undergoing rebuild in 2023) and recently restored No. 81.
Fun fact: The Nevada Northern 93 leads a charmed life. In 1952, three of the original four 1909 Alco locomotives were scrapped, but 93 was kept as back up motive power and then placed on static display. After 30 years as a display piece, it was restored to operation and began its second career hauling Nevada Northern’s excursion trains in 1993.
Location: Northern Nevada Railway Museum, Ely, Nev.
Website: nnry.com
Learn more about locomotives in the newest Trains Magazine special issue, Locomotive 2022.
To watch a video of restored No. 81: Click here.
