Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop
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View from the south-southwest, across 4th Street
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 Location in Nevada
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| Location | 401 E. 4th Street Reno, Nevada |
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| Built | 1889 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83001120 |
| Added to NRHP | May 9, 1983 |
The Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop is an important old building in Reno, Nevada. It was built in 1889 by the Nevada–California–Oregon Railway. This building helps us understand the history of railroads in Nevada.
Contents
Building a Railroad
The Nevada-California-Oregon Railway started in Reno in June 1880. It was first called the Nevada and Oregon Railroad. The company planned to build tracks north to the Columbia River. This would help cattle ranches and farms in northeastern California and eastern Oregon.
Why Narrow Tracks?
The railroad decided to use narrow-gauge tracks. These tracks are narrower than regular standard gauge tracks. Building narrow-gauge tracks was much cheaper. This railroad became one of the longest narrow-gauge lines in the United States.
About the Building
The building has two main parts: the original locomotive house and a newer addition. The locomotive house was built in 1889. The addition was built much later, in the 1940s. The building is one story tall and shaped like a rectangle. It is made out of brick.
What Was It Used For?
- The locomotive house was first used to store the narrow-gauge steam locomotives. These were the engines that pulled the trains.
- In the mid-1910s, the railroad built a new roundhouse. A roundhouse is a building where locomotives are stored and repaired.
- After the new roundhouse was built, the original locomotive house became a machine shop. A machine shop is where tools and machines are repaired.
New Owners and New Uses
In 1917, the Western Pacific Railroad (WP) bought the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. The Western Pacific Railroad used standard-gauge tracks. This meant they could not use the old narrow-gauge buildings, like the roundhouse and machine shop.
What Happened Next?
- The Western Pacific Railroad either sold or leased these old buildings.
- The machine shop was leased to the Crane Plumbing Company. They used it as a warehouse to store plumbing supplies.
- In the 1940s, the Western Pacific Railroad built the addition to the machine shop. This gave the Crane Company more space.
- The Crane Company left in 1963. After that, the Western Pacific Railroad leased the building to other businesses.
- In 1973, the Western Pacific Railroad sold the building. It has been owned by private individuals ever since.
Why Is It Historic?
The Nevada-California-Oregon Railway Locomotive House and Machine Shop is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site. It was recognized because of its connection to the Nevada-California-Oregon Railway. It also shows how railroads helped Nevada grow and develop.
