The NCO trains were not known for reliability for being on time, that many passengers of the day could attest. The following is a very unusual case.
Lassen Advocate 13 July 1917 2;1 – Burrus Gets Damages. The decision of the Nevada Supreme Court awarding $5,000.00 damage to Joseph Burrus against the Nevada California & Oregon railway for breach of contract, has been finally determined by the United States Supreme Court in favor of Burrus.
Joseph Burrus engaged a special N-C-O train for $125, in 1911, to carry his son Kirchie, who had contracted blood poisoning as the result of frozen feet, from Doyle to Reno where he was to be placed in the hospital for treatment. When the train arrived in Doyle, Burrus was notified that the train had to proceed Amedee for oil. It developed later that the train went to Amedee for the purpose of loading snow bound passengers, and that passengers were allowed to board and get off the train on the route between Reno and Doyle. Burrus brought suit against the company, holding that the train was not a special, as stipulated in the contract, and that the train was delayed unnecessarily. He asked $20,000 damages. The case went through the Washoe district court, through the Nevada State Supreme Court and finally to the United States Supreme Court.