Nevada Northern Railway to celebrate 120 years of railroading with 2026 Iron Horse Symposium

The Nevada Northern Railway will celebrate 120 years of railroading in White Pine County with the 2026 Iron Horse Symposium, September 24–27 in Ely.

The annual symposium brings railroad historians, preservationists, enthusiasts and curious visitors together for a weekend of hands-on railroad history. Rather than simply talking about the past, participants get the opportunity to ride the railroad, explore historic sites, tour the East Ely Yard, see historic equipment up close and hear from the people who continue to preserve and operate the Nevada Northern.

This year’s symposium is part of the Nevada Northern Railway’s 120th Anniversary celebration, making it a particularly special year to experience the railroad and its history.

The four-day event includes historic site tours, train rides, presentations, equipment demonstrations and opportunities to get behind the scenes at the Nevada Northern. Highlights include a tour along historic railroad routes through Cobre, Shafter, Currie and Cherry Creek, tours of the East Ely Yard and railroad archives, a train ride mixer, and presentations on everything from restoring historic locomotives to preserving the skills needed to keep them running.

Saturday’s program will feature the 120th Anniversary Copper Spike Ceremony, commemorating the railroad’s arrival in Ely in 1906, along with a parade of Nevada Northern Railway equipment. That evening, the railroad will host its Hall of Fame Banquet, honoring 10 individuals who have made significant contributions to the Nevada Northern Railway.

The weekend will also include a special 120th Anniversary Drone Show Friday evening and the release of History of the Nevada Northern Railway in 120 Objects, presented by Nevada Northern Archivist Con Trumbull.

“The Iron Horse Symposium is a chance to experience the Nevada Northern from a different perspective,” said Mark Bassett, President of the Nevada Northern Railway. “You get to see the places, equipment and people that make this history real.”

The conference fee is $255 for Nevada Northern Railway members and $300 for non-members and includes symposium presentations, tours, two train rides, meals and the Hall of Fame Banquet. Space is limited to 60 participants. A Thursday pre-symposium tour and Hall of Fame Banquet-only tickets are also available.

For the complete schedule and registration information, visit https://nnry.com/iron-horse-symposium-hands-on-history/ or give us a call at (775) 289- 2085.

The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nevada, is a National Historic Landmark and one of the best-preserved historic railroads in the United States. The museum operates historic trains, preserves original railroad equipment and buildings, and offers hands-on experiences that connect visitors to the region’s railroad and copper mining history.