Situated on the ‘Loneliest Road in America’ is the Nevada Northern Railway – an old relic preserved in time which brings in visitors from all over the world who long to witness some “touchable history.” However, a sight to behold make no mistake these 1906 train cars aren't the only tourist attraction in that area. Wandering around the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum is Dirt the Railway Cat – one of the mascots of Nevada. Popular for his distinct markings, he gives the appearance he has been working all day on a locomotive, covered in coal. “As tours walk through the building people are just amazed about hearing the history and the stories of the railroad. Then as if he knew it was his cue to appear Dirt just walks into the room where the tour is, or out from under one of the trains and sits in the middle of the group with a sense of pride that only he can have,” said Eric Mencis, the manager of guest services and social media director of the railroad.
The engine house of the East Ely Railroad is the only home Dirt has ever known. He was born there eleven years ago to a stray that wandered in. “She [his mom] had her kittens under one of our trains, a 1907 built rotary snow plow to be exact. A Rotary Snow Plow is a huge steam-powered train snowblower. Mom and the other kittens left and this one stray was all alone but scared to come out. So our train crews would leave a can of tuna on a chair every night for this kitten, eventually, the kitten came out friendly up to the crews,” Mencis told Bored Panda.
Appearance isn't the only feature which makes Dirt the perfect fit for railway life, as he also has the personality to match: “Back when our trains were built, railroading was the second most dangers job in the world. Mining was the first most dangerous job and we were a copper mining railroad, doing the first and second most dangers jobs in the country at the same time in the same place. It took rough and tough men a hundred years ago to move millions of tons of rock, by rail to get melted down and make copper to provided electricity to the world. You look at old pictures of those men, and you can just tell in their eyes they have stories to tell. When you look into Dirt’s eyes, he has that same look.”
People are amused by the historical significance of the railway yet make no mistake Dirt steals the show: “After posing for a few pictures, we start to walk around the group, rubbing against visitors legs and letting them pet him. That old tough railroader on the outside but still a sweetheart on the inside. Our Guided tours can last about an hour long it is common for Dirt the follow the entire group for the tour. We also offer self-guided tours of the building, and most of those visitors get to meet Dirt as well as he comes and checks out who they are.”
Ely, Nevada has a population of just around 4,000, and the museum gets about 30,000 visitors per year. Among those visitors are some hardcore Dirt fans said Mencis, “Some people have even rerouted their trip 200 miles out of the way to visit our museum and meet him. Of course, they also stay and ride the trains, but their number one goal was to meet Dirt in person.”
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People agree that Dirt's distinct markings make him look right at home ‘working’ around train engines all day:
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Situated on the ‘Loneliest Road in America’ is the Nevada Northern Railway – an old relic preserved in time which brings in visitors from all over the world who long to witness some “touchable history.” However, a sight to behold make no mistake these 1906 train cars aren't the only tourist attraction in that area. Wandering around the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum is Dirt the Railway Cat one of the mascots of Nevada.
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