Silver Peak Railroad facts for kids
The Silver Peak Railroad was a special train line built a long time ago. It was created by a company called the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Gold Mining Company. They built it after buying several mines in 1906. The railroad helped them move things to and from a large mill they built in Blair, Nevada. This mill, which had 100 "stamps" (machines for crushing ore), started working in 1907. It helped process the gold and silver from mines near Silver Peak, Nevada.
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Building the Railroad
The Silver Peak Railroad was finished in July 1906. It was designed to connect the mines to the larger world. The railroad linked up with another train line, the Tonopah and Goldfield Railroad. This connection happened at a place called Blair Junction. This spot was about 0.7 miles south of where the main roads US 6/95 and Nevada State Route 265 are today. It was located in a wide, flat area known as the Big Smoky Valley.
The Unique McKeen Motor Car
One of the most interesting parts of the Silver Peak Railroad was its special train car, number 12, named "Mary." This car was a McKeen Motor Car. McKeen cars were very unique for their time. They were self-propelled, meaning they could move on their own without a separate engine. They also had a very cool, sleek design. Their front end was streamlined, like the nose of an airplane, and the back was rounded. This made them look very modern and fast.
What Happened to "Mary"?
After the Silver Peak Railroad stopped running, the special McKeen car, "Mary," found a new home. It ended up in Westwood, California. There, it was used by a company called the Red River Lumber Company. It's neat to think about this old train car having a second life!
The End of the Line
The Silver Peak Railroad didn't operate for very long. Most records suggest that the railroad was taken apart by the end of 1915. However, some reports from The Engineering and Mining Journal say that in October 1918, the equipment was still being dismantled. Some parts were even sent to France during that time. The main reason the railroad was no longer needed was that the Pittsburgh Silver Peak Company had closed down. With the mines no longer active, there was no need for the train line.
