Beyond the glitz of Las Vegas and the deep blue waters of Lake Tahoe, Nevada’s visitors may discover one of America's most mountainous states and a preview of the Silver State's rich mining heritage. And quickly apparent, nothing was more important to the mining industry than Nevada’s railroads.
   Today, Nevada’s visitors may enjoy a glimpse of Nevada's railroading history in one of the state's railroad museums. In the northeast corner of the state, the East Ely Railroad Depot has been restored to its 1907 appearance, featuring all the rooms of a leading 20th century railroad depot. A ride on their historic steam train will cap off any Ely visit.
   In Boulder City, a 45 minute rail journey through Mojave Desert brings the original Union Pacific Line to life. Built in 1996, the museum features a variety of refurbished locomotives and railcars.
   The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City preserves a large piece of the state's railroading history, especially locomotives and cars from the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. A great amount of equipment has been rescued from Hollywood studios, including a classic 4-4-0 steam engine built in 1888. Used in Twenty Century Fox films during the 30s and 40s, the Cooke Locomotive and Machine Company steam-engine helped celebrate the grand opening of the California State Railroad Museum. Today, steam locomotive #8 provides the power for rides at the Carson City railroad museum. Along with full sized equipment, the Nevada State Railroad Museum features an elaborate HO-scale railroad display. Its highly detailed models of Virginia and Truckee, Union Pacific, Southern Pacific and Nevada Copper Belt thrill the younger crowd and gain plenty of respect from rail fans.

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