Nevada Northern Outfit Car #06

Passenger trains were of vital importance at the beginning of the 20th century. They were the fastest form of transportation, allowing the easy movement of people across the country. The Nevada Northern’s trains were no different, allowing the remote town of Ely and the surrounding communities efficient connection with the outside world.

As passenger business picked up on the Nevada Northern after completion to Ely, the company went looking for equipment to add to their fleet. In November of 1908, Master Mechanic G.F. Deckelman travelled to Chicago, Illinois, to visit the Atlantic Equipment Company where he inspected two passenger cars for sale. These cars were two former 1872 Pullman-built cars for the Grand Trunk Railway.

Per talks with Atlantic Equipment Company, President S.W. Eccles in New York, and VP/General Manager L.G. Cannon in East Ely, both cars would be converted to a combination baggage-coach, with the passenger section further divided into both a smoker section and a regular coach. The divider between the two passenger sections would constructed be removable if so desired later on.

The cars would be given the numbers #05 and #06 to keep them in line with another combine already in service, as well as using a “0” prefix to designated them as second-hand cars. Interestingly, the cars were referred to both as Combines and Coaches in communications.

The car now known as #06 started life in mid-1872 as the sleeper “Lachine,” but was quickly modified a few months later and renamed “Tulgela.” In 1898, it was modified again, and gained the name “Levis” before being retired in January 1908 and sold.

The two cars departed Illinois around January 10th, 1909, arriving to the Nevada Northern by the end of the month. They were quickly put to work on different trains, primarily local service between Ely and either Ruth or McGill.

Following the decline of rail passenger service in the 1930’s. Combine #06 was retired from the passenger roster and turned over to the Maintenance-of-Way department in June of 1940. The car was converted into an Outfit Car, and painted into a Burgundy color. #06 remained with the MOW department until the closure of the railroad in 1983, where upon it was donated by Kennecott to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum in June 1986.

In 1987, the car was repainted in a yellow and black scheme copying the D&RGW’s Bumblebee scheme (famously used on Silverton trains) for use in “Once Upon a Texas Train.” #06 gained the nickname “Willie Car” thanks to Willie Nelson’s starring role. After filming, the car was tucked away in the back of the engine house.

#06 was eventually cosmetically restored in the mid-2000’s back to its Outfit Car appearance, and returned to service. Though the original interior was removed at some point, benches were installed within the passenger section to allow guests to ride. Despite being over 150 years old, Outfit Car #06 is one of the smoothest riding cars in the Museum’s fleet. The car mostly comes out for photoshoots and special events, including Race the Rails in September, as thanks to its open interior #06 can carry numerous bicycles.