Nevada California Oregon Railway

Help us tell the story of the N-C-O Railway, the communities it served and the people who made it happen!

It is with great pleasure that we announce the newest railroad preservation society in the western states: the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. As an historical society, we are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the three-foot narrow gauge railway that ran from Reno, Nevada to Lakeview, Oregon and through Sierra Valley to Clio.

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 donors like you to bring to life the legacy of the N-C-O Ry. We are excited to pick up and continue the work of historians David Myrick and Tom Armstrong. Using their research as a foundation to build from, we will look into the lives of those who helped build the railroad and explore the communities the N-C-O Ry. connected to the world by rail.

Headquartered in Alturas, CA, we are fortunate to be surrounded by several of the remaining facilities once built and occupied by the N-C-O Ry. after its move from Reno, NV. in 1917. The administration building, in its unique mission-revival architecture, the last remaining employee house, the engine shop where many of the later rolling stock were built, the pump house that supplied water to locomotives and facilities, the freight depot and passenger depot, all standing as reminders of an earlier time.

We will be partnering with other organizations and individuals to create a robust online collection of documents, photos, and stories to share. We also are working with private owners to acquire and preserve the remaining rolling stock and equipment to help bring the N-C-O Ry. to life. Like most railroads of its time, The N-C-O Ry. purchased many of their rolling stock second hand. Many of the surviving passenger cars represent a wide spectrum of late 19th century railcar manufacturers, including: Carter Brothers, American Car & Foundry, Kimball Carriage & Car Manufacturing, J. G. Brill & Company, Harlan & Hollingsworth, and even an in-house built car by N-C-O Reno shops.

As we pick up the mantle of storyteller for this region’s unique railroad history, we cannot help but be drawn to the colorful story of building and operating of the N-C-O Ry. As we work out the details and build from the pieces of what happened in our not-so-distant past, we are reminded that history is not just a set of dates and facts, but a continuing process of inquiry and debate. A process that brings to the heart of our work the names and faces of those who came before us, and how this region evolved to its present state.

As the Board of Directors of the newly formed Nevada-California-Oregon Railway, we are excited of how much we've accomplished in just a couple years. We have purchased the last employee cottage on Main Street. After an extensive restoration, we have partnered with Modoc County to host the new teen center inside. We've recently received a HUD grant to purchase the property of the former facilities and cottages that will become home to the new railway history park. And restoration work on boxcar 518 has started. This boxcar will be the first to be put on display at the park once completed. So join us as we dive into the history of the N-C-O Ry. by exploring our website and following us on Facebook. there is much to accomplish over the coming years and we look forward to your interest and support!