NEVADA NORTHERN RAILWAY MUSEUM NEWS RELEASE ELY – The First National Bank of Ely has challenged the Nevada Northern Railway Museum to raise $25,000 by December 31. The Bank will match dollar for dollar every dollar raised up to $25,000.
John C. Gianoli, president of the bank stated, “The continued preservation of the Nevada Northern Railway is not only important to the community, but also to my family. Annually, the railroad brings almost $4,000,000 of tourist dollars into our community.”
He went on to say, “My family has a direct connection to the railroad. My grandfather, Art Cahill, started working at the Nevada Northern Railway in 1918 as a Call Boy. He retired in 1964 as the Master Mechanic of the railroad. This place matters, not only to me and my family, but to White Pine County as well. It is deserving of our financial support.”
Mark Bassett, executive director of the railroad echoed Gianoli’s sentiments, “The railroad has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark because of its completeness and the story that it tells. But preserving it for future generations is very expensive.”
Bassett explained, “The Nevada Northern Railway is responsible for preserving the entire railroad. This includes over 70 buildings and structures; four steam locomotives, two of which operate; twelve diesel locomotives, three of which operate; over 100 antique railroad cars; thirty miles of track and all of the utilities of the railroad, water, sewer and electrical. In addition to the physical plant, we also preserve the records of the railroad, too. It is a huge undertaking that is very expensive.”
“So when we receive a challenge grant, as we have from the Gianoli Family and the First National Bank of Ely, it is a win-win for everyone. Every donation or membership that we receive by December 31, 2013 will be matched dollar for dollar.”
Bassett further explained, “If a person contributes $50, the Museum receives $100 because of the match! Or if a person purchases an Active Membership at $30, they receive a free ticket with their membership and the Museum receives $60 because of the match. It is a win-win; it just doesn’t get any better than this.”
All donations and memberships over $25 will receive a special thank you from the Museum, our 2014 commemorative coin. Annually the Museum strikes a commemorative coin. The 2014 coin features Nevada Northern Railway Rotary Snow Plow B; that was cosmetically restored in 2013.
For more information on the First National Bank $25,000 Challenge Grant or to make a contribution or become a member, please contact the Nevada Northern Railway at 775-289-2085 or stop by at 1100 Avenue A in Ely.
