Two bills concerning the Nevada Northern Railway Museum have been introduced into the Nevada State Legislature. AB180 addresses the purchase & renovation of the track between Ely and the UP interchange at Shafter. AB181 addresses the renovation of Locomotive No. 40.

The text of the bills can be tracked via the web at http://www.leg.state.nv.us (Session info > 2003 Session > Bill Info > Assembly Bills). The website also lists all of the state legislators.

ItÂ’s been suggested that contacting the sponsors of the bill with an explanation of their significance to the communities of White Pine would certainly help support the efforts. Support from residents outside of Nevada may be particularly helpful in underscoring the national importance of preserving the Nevada Northern and the historically significant collection in Ely.

If you need more information contact Mark Bassett, Executive Director, Nevada Northern Railway (email: bassett@elko.net)

Cheers,
Keith Albrandt


Nevada Northern Railway Museum
kalbrandt@rypn.org

AB180
--Makes appropriation to Interim Finance Committee for allocation to White Pine County for purchase and restoration of 120 miles of Nevada Northern Railroad track that connects Ely to Union Pacific track near Wells. (BDR S-806)
--Introduced On: Feb 21, 2003
--By: Goicoechea, Christensen, Chowning, Anderson, Andonov, Beers, Carpenter, Claborn, Collins, Conklin, Grady, Griffin, Hardy, Koivisto, Mabey, McClain, Parks, Perkins, Sherer, Weber, Rhoads
--Most Recent History Action: Feb 24, 2003 - From printer. To committee.

AB181
--Makes appropriation to White Pine Historical Railroad Foundation for renovation of historic buildings and Locomotive 40. (BDR S-807)
--Introduced On: Feb 21, 2003
--By: Goicoechea, Collins, Chowning, Anderson, Andonov, Beers, Carpenter, Christensen, Claborn, Conklin, Grady, Griffin, Hardy, Koivisto, Mabey, McClain, Parks, Perkins, Sherer, Weber, Rhoads
--Most Recent History Action: Feb 24, 2003 - From printer. To committee.

As an out-of-stater, I'll glady write a letter, but I don't have the time to send it to 21 state legislators. Perhaps we could forward our letters to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum?

http://www.readingrailroad.org

> Two bills concerning the Nevada Northern
> Railway Museum have been introduced into the
> Nevada State Legislature. AB180 addresses
> the purchase & renovation of the track
> between Ely and the UP interchange at
> Shafter. AB181 addresses the renovation of
> Locomotive No. 40.

> The text of the bills can be tracked via the
> web at http://www.leg.state.nv.us (Session
> info > 2003 Session > Bill Info >
> Assembly Bills). The website also lists all
> of the state legislators.

> ItÂ’s been suggested that contacting the
> sponsors of the bill with an explanation of
> their significance to the communities of
> White Pine would certainly help support the
> efforts. Support from residents outside of
> Nevada may be particularly helpful in
> underscoring the national importance of
> preserving the Nevada Northern and the
> historically significant collection in Ely.

> If you need more information contact Mark
> Bassett, Executive Director, Nevada Northern
> Railway (email: bassett@elko.net)

> Cheers,
> Keith Albrandt

>>>>> As a current resident of Reno and a former resident of Ely, I will do so.

But will how the budget squabbles going on in the Legislature affect this Keith?

Terry

> But will how the budget squabbles going on
> in the Legislature affect this Keith?

My understanding is that Nevada, like many states, is currently facing a severe budget crisis. Therefore, it is an imoportune time to be requesting non-budgeted funds from the state government for these projects at the Nevada Northern Railway in Ely. Beyond that, I must plead ignorance of Nevada politics; I only know that I don't understand them. As a resident of the Silver State, you are probably more enlightened on the issues at Carson City than this resident of the Golden State.

Cheers,
Keith Albrandt

Nevada Northern Railway Museum
kalbrandt@rypn.org

> My understanding is that Nevada, like many
> states, is currently facing a severe budget
> crisis. Therefore, it is an imoportune time
> to be requesting non-budgeted funds from the
> state government for these projects at the
> Nevada Northern Railway in Ely. Beyond that,
> I must plead ignorance of Nevada politics; I
> only know that I don't understand them. As a
> resident of the Silver State, you are
> probably more enlightened on the issues at
> Carson City than this resident of the Golden
> State.

> Cheers,
> Keith Albrandt

Opps. Sorry Keith, I forgot that you were from California.

But yes, it is an inoportune time to introduce a non-budgeted item. But one could argue that the grants could help create an opportunity for a better economy in White Pine County.

The economic situation is bad for all of Northern Nevada and Ely is one of the worst-off communities out there. But Ely is trying to reinvent itself into a tourist center now and the Legislature seems to be supportive to that effort, let's hope they continue that support.

> AB180 -- Makes appropriation...to White Pine
> County for purchase and restoration of 120
> miles of Nevada Northern Railroad track that
> connects Ely to Union Pacific track near
> Wells.

> AB181 -- Makes appropriation to White Pine
> Historical Railroad Foundation for
> renovation of historic buildings and
> Locomotive 40.

> As an out-of-stater, I'll glady write a
> letter, but I don't have the time to send it
> to 21 state legislators. Perhaps we could
> forward our letters to the Nevada Northern
> Railway Museum?

I've learned that Nevada Assembly Bills 180 and 181 are sponsored by Assemblyman Pete Goioechea and Senator Dean Rhoads.

Peter J. Goicoechea
Nevada State Assembly
401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701
EMail: pgoicoechea@asm.state.nv.us

Dean A. Rhoads
Nevada State Senate
401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV 89701
EMail: drhoads@sen.state.nv.us

For information on forwarding your messages through the NN Museum, I suggest contacting them for details.
Nevada Northern Railway Museum
Toll Free: 866-40STEAM (866-407-8326)
Judy Smith, Foundation Secretary, extension 4
Mark Bassett, Executive Director, extension 7
or email: nnry@mwpower.net

Cheers,
Keith Albrandt

Nevada Northern Railway Museum
kalbrandt@rypn.org