This is something that definitely slipped underneath my radar. Last fall a historical railway society was organized for the preservation of the history of the Nevada-California-Oregon Railroad, more commonly referred to as the NCO. What was even more intriguing its headquarters is that of Alturas. In one sense it is a logical choice that Alturas is home to a NCO depot and also was railroads’s headquarters during its final days, after its departure from Reno.

For the un-initiated the NCO was one of the 20th century’s longest narrow gauge railroads that ran from Reno, Nevada to Lakeview, Oregon. As one observer put it, it was a railroad that went nowhere. Its original intent was to extend all the way to Columbia River with a terminus at The Dalles, Oregon. During its fifty year existence from 1879-1929, there were a lot of interesting characters involved in its operation.

For those who would like to learn more about this organization see their website at: NCO Railway

Tim