Nevada's McKeen motor car was once a diner; now it's back on the tracks.
Treasures: May 2011
Ride the world's last operating McKeen railroad car in Carson City, Nev., or view stolen leaf gold in Hillsboro, Ore.
The Last McKeen Motor Car
She ran for 35 years on Nevada’s Virginia & Truckee Railway before being sidetracked as a diner, then donated to the Nevada State Railroad Museum, whose staff and volunteers brought her back to life. Ride the world’s only operational McKeen motor car on Mother’s Day, May 8. Departures every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $10 adults, $5 children. (775) 687-6953, nevadaculture.org.
The Gold Returns
At 7½ inches long and nearly three pounds, this hunk of leaf gold is an eye-catcher—so much so that it lured a thief, who bagged the $120,000 specimen along with 75 other pieces from the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals in Hillsboro, Ore., in April 2010. Now it’s back on display with the other treasures, including meteorites and fluorescent minerals. (503) 647-2418, ricenorthwestmuseum.org.
Photography by Don Frank
This article was first published in May 2011. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.
