Nevada Northern 81: The Ely Flyer

One of the most spectacular historic railroads in America is nestled in the desert in a small town called Ely, Nevada. The famous Nevada Northern Railway is one of the most well preserved original historic railroad's around with original locomotives, shops, station, and rolling stock! We take you to the Nevada Northern Railway to see what they have to offer, and boy is it a fantastic railroad operation. This is the first time on Tristan Rail Productions, that I have done a video on this railroad, and it certainly will not be the last. In this video we capture one of Nevada Northern's 3 steam locomotives the other's being 2-8-0 No.93, and Nevada Northern 4-6-0 No.40, which is down for it's 1,472 inspection. This weekend's locomotive running, was Baldwin built 2-8-0 No.81. No.81 was the power for our weekend's trains, and this weekend also marked the final days of steam operations on the Nevada Northern for the 2026 season. Come along with us as we see No.81 pull a passenger train, and then a freight train during a "Be an Engineer" excursion, which was a real treat to behold! No.81 wears it's sleeky beautiful green jacketing, and it's harmonious SP 6 Chime that it was wearing during our visit. The weather was not really in favor for us for most of the weekend, which resulted in high winds, rain mixed with winds, and made a really cloudy gloomy weekend, but that did not stop the fun while visiting! Please come along, and enjoy the sights and sounds of western steam thru the hilly desert mountains in, The Ely Flyer with No.81! Nevada Northern 81- Built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1917, and was used since it's been built on the Nevada Northern. No.81 hauled freight and passenger service on the NNRY for years until retirement. It sat on display in Ely for years before being brought back to the NNRY yard in 1990, it went thru a lengthy rebuilt, and was returned to service in 2021! Today, 81 is one 3 surviving original Nevada Northern steam locomotives, and is proudly operating today. Please leave a like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video, Thank You! Taken October 30, 31, & Nov 1, 2026.