Vol. 2,  No. 23          October 1, 2005

Nevada's Online State News Journal

 
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Historic V&T Motor Car Recognized By National Register Of Historic Places
The McKeen Motor Car Could Run Today If Tracks Still Existed Between Reno And Capital

The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office is dancing with joy at the announcement that the McKeen Motor Car #70 has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Ron James, State Preservation Officer made the announcement.

First Run At Minden, 1910. The McKeen Motor Car #70, V&T No. 22, is shown getting ready to make its maiden run from Minden. Photo provided by the Nevada State Museum.

State Railroad Museum director Peter Barton said, "The McKeen Motor Car #70 is the best remaining example of a rail motor-car designed by railroad engineer and innovator William Riley McKeen, Jr." Barton continued, saying the McKeen "is a precursor of the transition from steam power in the 19th Century to petroleum based locomotion that still exists today." Most locomotives today are diesel-electric. Looking at the machine one can see how passenger cars and even locomotives began to move into a more streamlined fashion.

Michael Bedeau of the Comstock Historic District made the nomination to the National Register. According to James, the register considers the McKeen Motor Car an object rather than a place and he says, "objects are rarely awarded a listing." Bedeau said, "The McKeen Car was purchased to serve the agricultural communities of the Carson Valley. It is listed for the role it played in providing rail passenger and freight service to Carson City, Minden, and Reno in the early 20th Century."

If there were tracks still in existence between Reno and Minden, and with the huge amounts of traffic that move north and south every day, that motor-car would probably be filled to capacity. For more on the State Historic Preservation Office go to http://www.NevadaCulture.org. The office is an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs.

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