Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum

05/11/2026

Our ever faithful "Five" at age 126 thanks to amazing volunteers!

04/17/2026

We have received the sad news that dedicated historian, designer and perhaps our most authoritative resource of NCNGRR knowledge, Herman Darr had passed away yesterday morning following a lengthy illness.

For those of you lucky to know him, he was the greatest catalyst and creator of enthusiasm during the early years of the TMD, applying his passion generously while working and researching in all aspects of precision locomotive and car restoration, track and switches, operation and organization. He was truly the "go to" in uniting so many necessary pieces of our complex puzzles at the right time as well as a humble contributor to narrow gauge railroad publications and modelers alike. Herman will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

03/21/2026

Spring has sprung and the cherries are in bloom. 'Time to mark your calendars for the Steam-Ups coming soon! Museum photo by Brian Blair. :-)

03/08/2026

Today on the Narrow Gauge... The three month fresh-up of West Side Lumber Co. #1's Waukesha engine by Museum CMO Dan Lloyd, culminated in her first-click fire-up and flawless test hop along the meadow. With our mightiest of switchers back in service and slated completion of Boxcar #58 two weeks away, her next op will be to retrieve NCNG Locomotive #5 from the museum back to the shop to be readied for the coming Steam-Up season beginning in May.

At the same time, our diligent track crew made great strides on the meadow display track for a new train of cars to be enjoyed by rail bus patrons and during Steam-Up occasions just around the bend. Be sure to stay tuned and come see us soon! :-)

03/02/2026

Well, it's been a month since I posted and so here is an update in regard to what's going on in the NCNG restoration shop. Our West Side Lumber Company Plymouth Engine #1 was having some upper engine head problems, so it was taken apart and appropriated repairs made. The radiator was in terrible condition and so it was removed and sent to a radiator shop in Auburn, CA for a rebuild. We expect the Plymouth to be back in service in a couple of weeks so that she can move Engine #5 out of the display building and into the shop so she can be prepared for her annual boiler inspection.
The NCNG box car #58 project headed by Blair Van Vliet is coming along nicely and is totally boxed in to include the roof. The doors are currently under construction as well as the side ladders and grab irons. Once the roofing is on, the car will be moved outside for further finish work so we can jump onto the new excursion car NCNG #71 which is a replica of the original former Lake Tahoe Narrow Gauge car that the NCNG purchased in 1899 along with Engine #5, the "Tahoe". The trucks for this car have been rebuilt by Alan, Don and Bill and are ready for the new body bolsters application.
The F&CC coach #56 has all of its new exterior siding on it and work is progressing on the platforms for the car. There are many pieces to these oak platforms that take a lot of time to cut and fit by Kevin, Coronel and Randy. In the meantime, Paul is working on the interior restoring all the mahogany wood trim, most of it in place since we found there is a high risk of damage in trying to remove these items.
The Sheffield velocipede project is nearing its completion. The velocipede came to us as a box of parts, and it has been lovingly restored by Craig Hoefer over the past six months. All the wood components are new to include some replicated metal parts to complete the project.
New sprockets and chains have just been applied to the West Side & Cherry Valley railbus #97, the "Donna Jean". New chain tensioners are being constructed also so we don't throw a chain which was becoming a problem. Once we hit our May operating season, both rail buses will be good to go. Speaking of going, our second railbus, the Sarah Kidder, is scheduled to go to NSRM in Carson City this upcoming Labor Day weekend so stay tuned for that. JC

01/25/2026

Today on the Narrow Gauge... A developing crisis under the direction of Museum CEO John Christensen in which his skilled restoration shop volunteers are turning out historic railcars faster than our track crews are able to prepare sidings to display them! Just check the evidence here and visit the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum to see how you can be a part of preserving our amazing transportation heritage. 🙂

01/18/2026

Today's labor of love to insure a smooth ride for the shove... ;-). Fresh new ties under an improved switch as a part of our routine Winter maintenance.

01/13/2026

The NCNGRR museum is firing on all cylinders this January new year. There are a half of dozen projects underway in the restoration shop which are keeping everyone gainfully employed so to speak.
The construction of the NCNG boxcar #58 is well underway with the just recent completion of the cars body framing. The airbrakes and draft gear have been applied and functional. We are currently prepping the new siding for application. This car should be completed by April this year. Showing a model of the car done by Ed Biro so you can see what it will look like at completion.
Another big project is former F&CC coach #56. This car is having its new siding applied as well as the construction of its new platforms.
Another project is the construction of a second Lake Tahoe Narrow Gauge type flatcar which will become another open excursion car to be pulled behind engine #5. At this time the trucks are being rebuilt and we expect to have this car ready this coming May or June. This car will be lettered for the NCNG and designated as #71 as was the former Lake Tahoe/NCNG car was. Thanks for looking!

01/01/2026

Where the years get better & better thanks to wonderful visitors and amazing volunteers! Happy New Year!

12/24/2025