ELY, NEVADA — In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum proudly announces a unique tribute to this historic milestone. In honor of July 4, 2026, the museum’s Locomotive 204 will be renumbered and repainted to become Locomotive 250, featuring a special design that honors America’s rich history and bright future.
Following the tradition set during the United States Bicentennial in 1976, when railroads across the country adorned their locomotives with patriotic themes, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum initiated a public design contest for this occasion. With 63 creative submissions, the Museum is now inviting the public to participate in selecting the winning design.
Voting Process: The public can view all the submitted designs on the Museum’s website and vote for their top three favorites. The People’s Choice votes will be a significant factor in the final selection, which will be based on the following criteria:
- Relevance – Reflects the celebration of the 250th Anniversary.
- Visual Presentation – Originality of the depicted theme.
- People’s Choice – Public voting on the contest website.
- Creativity – Distinctiveness of the design.
- Feasibility – Realistic and economical application to the locomotive.
Each criterion will be scored out of 20 points, with a maximum possible score of 100 points. The design with the highest score will be declared the winner.
Voting ends on June 23rd at 11:59 PM. The winning design will be announced on June 28th at 10:00 AM PDT.
Transforming Locomotive 204 into Locomotive 250 is a significant project, involving a locomotive that measures over 60 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and 8 feet in height. This initiative not only pays homage to America’s past but also looks forward to the future.
About the Nevada Northern Railway Museum: The Nevada Northern Railway Museum, a National Historic Landmark located in Ely, Nevada, offers memorable passenger train rides pulled by century-old steam engines. Voted Nevada’s Best Rural Museum and Best Place to Take the Kids by Nevada Magazine readers, the Museum is celebrated for its historical significance and engaging experiences. It has been featured on popular shows such as Modern Marvels, American Restoration, Pawn Stars, and PBS’s Great Scenic Railway Journeys, and mentioned on CBS’s Big Bang Theory.
For more information, to book a tour, or to participate in the design contest, visit www.nnry.com, call 775-289-2085, or follow the Nevada Northern Railway Museum on Facebook for real-time updates.
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