Dirt is gone

[Blunderbuss Firozabad]

Dirt, the Ely, Nevada Northern Railway Museum's shop foreman, top fund raiser, tour escort, and friend to all curmudgeon, has passed away at age 15. (2008-2023)


"Born under a 1907-built rotary snowplow, Dirt was a runt left behind by his mother and siblings. Thanks to open cans of tuna left out at night, the kitten began to warm up to the NNR crew. He developed a fondness for rolling in the dirt and climbing up the trains. Fur that was once white and orange became gray over time, stained by such a job — one that made him appear as if he’d been working on a locomotive and was covered in soot."

" Mencis, the director of the museum, says that Dirt likes “…to stay oily and dirty because it helps keep him tough-looking and also in a sense keeps him clean because things don’t stick to his fur and bugs don’t go near him.” But more importantly, he is now famous amongst museum goers. "

"He grew into a large rough-and-tough tom cat that ruled the shop and surrounding neighborhood. We saw him playing fetch with gophers and bats. Don't ask us how he got them, he just did. He hated being cleaned up, but loved being a railroader."

"Staff members took good care of him, taking him to the vet and cleaning him up, but they say he didn't like that, instead opting for non-clean areas in the machine shop and engine house."

"Con, our Trainmaster, selected a spot on the grounds in between the Depot, and the Freight Depot in the shade of a pine to serve as his final resting place. His burial site is opposite where all our excursion trains’ locomotives sit prior to departure, and it gives a view of the yard, that in addition to the shop, was Dirt’s domain."

" The museum goes on to say, "to commemorate Dirt, we will be having two life size bronzes cast of Dirt. One will serve as his gravestone, the other will be placed in the machine shop, so Dirt can continue watching over the shop."

Con Trumbull and Dirt, Dirt and Dirt

Dirt merchandise:

404!

Famed Nevada Northern Railway Cat Named Dirt Dies at 15

Nevada Northern Railway in Ely says its famed cat named Dirt has died at age 15.

www.2news.com

Dirt the Railway Cat - - The Great Cat Store for all your Cat Needs

Dirt the Railway Cat is the mascot of the East Ely, Nevada Northern Railway Museum which houses original trains from the early 1900’s.

store.thegreatcat.org

 

[Taishobee]

What a beautiful meow, rest in peace sweetie

 

[Sejanus]

That's a lot of character under all that schmutz.

 

[Turd Fergusen]

What a cool story. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Blunderbuss Firozabad]

Dirt did take on a protégé, DJ (Dirt Junior).

Some say it's his son (he was neutered around age 7) some say it was his younger brother, others say it's just an orphaned orange cat that Dirt took under his wing.

Dirt wouldn't say, but he did the right thing and mentored him.

Dirt really looks like he thinks a stint in the military might have done DJ some good.


Dirt's is wondering if you think his whiskey is going to bring itself...

 

[everjaded]

Dirt was such a regal kitty despite all the grime. Clearly he was well loved and respected, and that's about all a dingy, oily cat could really hope for, I think. <3

 

[Symmachus]

He seems like a wonderful kitty. Museums are always fun when they have a resident pet/mascot.

Dirt was a good and noble cat.

 

[cubby]

Dirt was definitely a crusty old curmudgeon. If Mr. Cubby had had a spirit animal it would have been Dirt, since I always called Mr. Cubby a crusty old curmudgeon. I hope Mr. Cubby went to the rainbow bridge to welcome Sir Dirt into heaven. They would have been a perfect pair.