Ely-bound empties. Nevada Northern's big Alco freight hog #93 slows to yard speed as she approaches Lackawanna Crossing (approx. MP 139.5) northbound with a string of empty ore-hoppers destined for the East Ely Yard, just half a mile ahead. On the right side of this photo, you can see one of several ore-loading platforms that exist along this line, which runs compass west toward the mines district in Ruth, NV. If the platform looks a bit far from the track, it is because historically, there was a siding here, which has long since been removed, as there is no longer any mining activity in the immediate vicinity. And although the railroad is no longer actively involved with ore transportation, the mines 10 miles west of here are indeed still in operation, as there is plenty of demand for copper in today's world of ubiquitous consumer electronics.
