Nevada - California - Oregon Railway

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Nevada - California - Oregon Railway

A nonprofit historical society preserving the legacy of the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. Under the guiding hand of John T.

One man’s determination to chase the future would bring rails to the West’s frontier. Founded in 1880 as the Nevada & Oregon Railway, the railroad was born in the heart of Reno, NV. Financial struggles, slow progress, and a shootout which led to new owners and a new name: the Nevada & California Railway. But there was one more shakeup before the re-established NEVADA - CALIFORNIA - OREGON RAILWAY

would lay its final rails to Lakeview, Oregon in 1912. Davies, and later the Moran Brothers, tracks laid along the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevadas would establish new places and connect rural communities. Names like Chat, Doyle, Amedee, Waverly, Termo, Madeline, Alturas, Fairport, Lakeview, and others would each become home to a whistle stop, freight siding, or depot along the line of the N-C-O Ry. Like all good things, this era ended when the N-C-O Ry. was sold to Southern Pacific Railroad. By 1929, the narrow gauge locomotives pulled their last trains, the line was changed to standard gauge, and much of the equipment and rolling stock was transferred to other railways, scrapped or sold off to the local ranches as bunk houses or sheds. A chapter in railroad history had come to an end and the narrow gauge legacy began. Join us as we dive into the 50 year history of one of America’s longest narrow gauge railways. As a non-profit historical society, we are working together with researchers, preservations, and volunteers like you to bring to life the legacy of the N-C-O Ry. Visit our website and explore our page to learn more. Volunteer, subscribe, and become a member today!

04/09/2026

A close-up of the N-C-O water tower in Alturas. Located next to the roundhouse, it was a significant feature of the new shop facilities, whose construction began in 1917 when the railroad moved its headquarters from Reno (tap to see full image). Note the N-C-O Ry emblem above the tank. If it looks familiar, it's because it was previously over the entrance of the depot/corporate headquarters in Reno (see inset), and was removed when the Western Pacific assumed possession of the building. Considerable effort was made to transport and mount the emblem, a statement of corporate pride that instantly gave the city a new landmark.

After the Southern Pacific purchased and standard-gauged the railroad, they chose to place their new shop facilities south of town. The N-C-O site would later see use as a lumber mill. But what happened to the sign? I like to think it's propped against a wall in a nearby barn, awaiting rediscovery.

03/26/2026

Aloha #11 and #14.

After the N-C-O was standard gauged, its locomotives scattered. Some went on to fame on the SP's "Silver Princess," others wandered farther afield. During World War 2, two former N-C-O locomotives worked in Hawaii. #11 served on the Oahu Ry from 1942 to 1946 after a stint on the Pacific Coast Railway. #14 went to the US Navy's yard at Pearl Harbor after working as SP #1 from 1928 to 1935, and as Nevada County Narrow Gauge #9 from 1935 to 1942.

The former N-C-O #14 is shown here at Pearl Harbor after being converted from a 2-8-0 to a 0-8-0 and re-numbered as the Navy's #17. It is thought to have been scrapped after the war, but there is an intriguing rumor that it was transferred to Libya. Photograph from PacifcNG.org ( https://www.pacificng.com/template.php?page=/roads/hi/usnpearl/index.htm ).

03/13/2026

The N-C-O had some of the most impressive architecture on a West Coast narrow gauge. On each end, it was bracketed by buildings designed by the prominent Nevada-based architect Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps: the Reno passenger depot/corporate headquarters (1910) and the Lakeview depot (1912).

DeLongchamps is perhaps best known for the Senate and Assembly annexes of the Nevada State Capitol in Carson City, as well as the Reno Post Office. Although he did not design the N-C-O General Office Building in Alturas (1918), his work is represented in the city by the Modoc County Courthouse (1914).

Shown here is a postcard image of the Reno depot. After the last N-C-O train departed on January 30, 1918, it remained in use by Western Pacific until 1937. Today, it houses The Depot Craft Brewery and Distillery.

02/11/2026

In 1965, Jack R. Leonard of Portland, Oregon, went on a road trip to Nevada to photograph all things Comstock Load. In Carson City, he came across the former Nevada-California-Oregon #8, displayed in its Southern Pacific incarnation as SP #8 in front of the post office, where it was placed the year before.

The Baldwin 4-6-0 was built in 1907 as N-C-O #4 (2nd), and was renumbered to #8 (2nd) a few years later. After the road was acquired by SP and standard-gauged, the locomotive was stored in Sparks. In 1930, it was overhauled and sent to SP's former Carson and Colorado narrow gauge. Upon retirement in 1955, it was donated to the State of Nevada. Since 1975, it has been displayed in Sparks, where it can be seen today at the Sparks Heritage Museum, just three miles from where it was delivered to the N-C-O in 1907.

Jack R Leonard photo. Dan Haneckow collection.

01/29/2026

At least five books on SP’s Keeler Branch feature former N-C-O locomotives on the covers. Overlooked is another alumnus, N-C-O #4, which appeared as Tonopah Railroad’s #3 on the original editions of vol 1 & 2 of Railroads of Nevada and Eastern California.

The painting on the cover, Morning Mixed, by Charles E. Kemp, depicts the former #4 as a coal-fired, cap-stacked locomotive, still with its N-C-O air tanks, sometime between the opening of the Tonopah RR in 1903, and 1905 when the line was standard-gauged. After that, the railroad’s locomotives were sold to the Sumpter Valley Railway.

It invites questions. On the N-C-O, #4 was delivered as a wood burner. It would be again, under Sumpter Valley Railway ownership. But the photos from its SVRR years show it with an extended smokebox, indicative of being modified for coal at some point. For a short time, around the turn of the century, a few N-C-O locomotives did burn coal. Was #4 one of them? Or were the modifications done by the Tonopah RR?

Our winter issue of the Narrow Crooked and Ornery tells about the next book that will have an N-C-O locomotive on the cover!

01/02/2026

The N-C-O Railway published this advertisement on January 01, 1913 wishing customers a Happy New Year. At this time, the future for the railroad looked promising and it was hoped the railroad would continue to be profitable. However, increased competition from the Southern Pacific and the Western Pacific would begin the decline of the N-C-O. Newspaper advertisements like this one helps us understand what railroad officials were proud of and what they hoped to accomplish in 1913.

12/16/2025

As we reflect on the past year, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our members, donors, volunteers, and community partners. Your continued support has allowed us to make meaningful progress in preserving the legacy of the original narrow-gauge railway.

2026 will be a busy year for the historical society. We hope you’ll come along and join us in the adventure that is all things Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. But until then…

From all of us, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season, with our warmest thanks and best wishes for the year ahead.

Address

Alturas, CA

Website

http://www.NCORy.org/

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