Situated on the remote ‘Loneliest Road in America’ lies the Nevada Northern Railway, a well-preserved relic that attracts history enthusiasts from far and wide. While the 1906 train cars are a fascinating sight, they are not the only draw in the area. Visitors to the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum may encounter Dirt the Railway Cat, a beloved mascot of Nevada. Known for his coal-covered appearance that suggests he’s been hard at work on a locomotive, Dirt has become a local celebrity. According to Eric Mencis, the manager of guest services and social media director of the railroad, Dirt has a knack for showing up at just the right moment, captivating tour groups with his presence and adding a touch of pride to the experience. Whether he’s strolling into the room where a tour is taking place or emerging from under a train, Dirt never fails to make an impression on visitors exploring the rich history of the railroad.
The East Ely Railroad’s engine house has been the lifelong home of a well-known cat who was born there 11 years ago to a stray. This mother cat gave birth under a 1907-built rotary snowplow, which is a massive steam-powered train snowblower. All the kittens left, except for one who was too scared to come out. The train crews began leaving a can of tuna on a chair every night in hopes of coaxing the kitten out. Eventually, the kitten warmed up to the crews and became friendly. According to Mencis, this charming cat has been a beloved resident of the engine house ever since.
The cute feline enjoyed frolicking in the engine house’s dusty floors and exploring the coal piles on our old steam-powered locomotive. The crew affectionately named him Dirt, a fitting moniker given his penchant for dirt and grime. Mencis shared, “Dirt’s original fur color is a mix of white and orange, but his love for rolling in the dirt and climbing on trains has turned his white fur a shade of gray. As a young cat, Dirt picked up a unique habit of not grooming himself like other cats. Being a bit of a stray, he prefers to keep a rugged appearance by staying oily and dirty. Surprisingly, this helps him stay clean as dirt doesn’t stick to his fur and bugs tend to steer clear of him.”
It’s not just Dirt’s appearance that makes him a perfect fit for life on the railway; his personality is just as remarkable. During the time when our trains were first built, being a railroad worker was the second most perilous job in the world, with mining taking the top spot. Our railroad was involved in copper mining, combining the two riskiest occupations at the same time and in the same location. Moving millions of tons of rock by rail to produce copper for the world’s electricity supply required resilient and daring individuals a century ago. Looking at old photographs of those workers, you can see the untold stories in their eyes. And when you gaze into the eyes of this charming feline, you see that same spirit reflected back at you.
“Dirt is like a classic railroader reincarnated as a cat, strolling around the shop with a sense of authority. He inspects everything, making sure it’s all running smoothly. He’s the kind of boss who worked his way up from the bottom and understands the challenges his team faces. With a proud air, he surveys the trains in his domain, visibly pleased with the work his men do to keep them going. Clambering onto the trains, he meticulously checks for loose bolts and properly lubricated bearings,” Mencis explained.
The historical importance of the railway may be fascinating, but it’s the charming cat that steals the spotlight with its celebrity-like attitude. “Posing for pictures and strutting around like a true star, this fluffy feline may seem tough on the outside but is a sweetheart at heart.” During our hour-long guided tours, Dirt the cat often accompanies the group, rubbing against visitors’ legs and enjoying some pets. Even those on self-guided tours are likely to encounter Dirt, as he curiously checks out each visitor who enters the building.
Dirt used to be the king of the engine house, but a while back, he had a few small friends to keep him company: “Dirt had a litter of kittens some years back, and most of them were also orange and white, just like him. They loved getting as dirty as Dirt did. Unfortunately, not all of them knew how to stay safe around the trains, so we found them new homes. Many of our beloved train crews and volunteers ended up adopting them. One of Dirt’s kittens actually lived in the engine house for a good seven years. But about a year ago, he found an even better home. Since then, Dirt has been fixed and is doing well.”
Credits: ghost_train_of_old_ely
Just like many animal social media stars, Dirt rose to fame thanks to the museum’s increased online presence. The museum staff recognized the need to promote Dirt and other attractions to keep the place thriving. Located in the remote town of Ely, Nevada, the museum is far from any major city. Over the past three years, the staff has worked hard to expand their social media reach and share the charm of the museum with a wider audience.
Mencis shared that Dirt’s rise to popularity was unexpectedly successful. About two years ago, Mencis posted a photo of Dirt, which initially caught the attention of those who already knew him. Then, on a quiet day, Mencis posted another photo of Dirt with a caption suggesting he wanted to travel the world. This post went viral, and Dirt’s fan base began to grow. A professional photographer named Steve Crise captured an incredible image of Dirt, further boosting his popularity. The photos truly captured Dirt’s personality, which Mencis and the team played up in their posts. For example, a photo of Dirt in front of a steam train might be accompanied by a caption like, “Dirt says let’s get this train fired up, we’ve got a busy weekend ahead!” Fans of Dirt love these posts that showcase his unique personality.
Dirt has truly become a popular figure, gaining recognition beyond the museum. One particular incident that stood out was when a visitor, unaware that she was at Dirt’s home, saw his picture in the gift shop and couldn’t contain her excitement upon recognizing him. It’s truly heartwarming to see Dirt’s fame spreading to unexpected places.
The person in charge of social media for the cat expressed their amazement at the feline’s unexpected rise to stardom: “I’m genuinely surprised at how famous he has become. I always knew he would be well-liked, but I never expected him to reach this level of fame. We have a variety of merchandise available, including Dirt T-shirts, magnets, keychains, coffee mugs, and even his own special coffee blend. I’ve shipped his products to customers all over the globe through our online store. The most rewarding part of Dirt’s fame is seeing the happiness he brings to people all around the world.”
Ely, a small town in Nevada with a population of around 4,000, sees approximately 30,000 visitors at its museum each year. According to Mencis, some die-hard Dirt fans go to great lengths to visit the museum just to meet him. These fans have been known to detour their trip by 200 miles just to have the chance to meet Dirt in person. While they also enjoy riding the trains and exploring the area, meeting Dirt is their top priority during their visit.
The dusty cat, known for its photogenic charm, inspired a fun addition to the annual ‘Winter Photo Shoots’ – the ‘Dirt The Cat Photo Contest’. Every February, the Winter Photo Shoots take place, featuring a picturesque steam train in the snow – a dream for photographers. With two steam trains at the museum and a third soon to be in operation, along with authentic freight cars, crews in period costumes, and stunning North American scenery, the result is a collection of amazing photos.
During each weekend of the winter photo shoots, 30 photographers are granted full access to the railroad. They are allowed to explore the shops, ride on the trains, and capture photos as the train passes by for remarkable shots. The trains provide the perfect backdrop for photography, making it a seamless experience for the photographers.
To add a playful touch, a challenge was introduced where photographers were encouraged to snap the best photo of Dirt the cat during the weekends. The top winners were rewarded with coffee mugs and Dirt Coffee, creating a light-hearted and enjoyable atmosphere for both participants and fans of Dirt.
This year marked the debut of the contest, and there are plans to potentially make it an annual tradition during quieter times, serving as a unique way to attract attention and engage visitors.
For anyone planning to visit Dirt, his owners have put together some handy pointers to keep in mind when you come face to face with him.
During our guided tours, Dirt becomes curious and often makes an appearance when he hears the chatter of visitors as they explore the engine house and admire the trains. Feel free to keep the conversation flowing as you take in the sights!
Take it slow when trying to make friends with Dirt. Give him space to approach you on his own terms. Let him circle around you to get a sense of who you are. By bending down and patiently waiting for him to approach you for a rub, you increase your chances of earning his friendship.
“If Dirt is catching some z’s during the daytime, your museum passes will still be valid for the entire day. Feel free to come back later and give it another go. After all, even the King needs his beauty rest!”
The Nevada Northern Railway Museum stands as a nationally recognized historic site. Originating as a copper mining railway established in the early 1900s, the museum remains true to its roots by preserving the original locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars from a century ago. Unlike traditional museums with polished displays, our museum offers visitors a chance to step back in time and experience history firsthand. Each item is carefully preserved to maintain authenticity, with no modern equipment replacing the original machinery. Dirt, the mascot with unique markings, adds to the nostalgic atmosphere, blending seamlessly with the vintage train engines as if he belongs there.
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