Megusta
Dear globetrotters, don’t know where to go on the weekend? You are running out of places that you have traveled on the bucket list? This coal-covered kitty who is living in Nevada Northern Railway can be your next destination. You will experience vintage and historical railroad stories, how the classic trains were first launched, and last but not least, the official mascot and greeter of the Nevada Northern Railway – Dirt the cat.
More Info: Facebook | Website | Instagram (h/t: boredpanda)
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Dirt was born in 2008 with his siblings in the main locomotive repair shop. It was like fate when his mother and brothers went away, only the little guy was afraid of the surroundings sitting still. He was so beautiful with a white and orange coat. The crews in the East Ely Railroad fell in love with a tiny orange purr ball, they left a can of tuna on a chair every night so that he could eat. Eric Mencis, the manager of guest services and social media director of the railroad has witnessed Dirt’s maturity since he was still so young. He said that this kitty was so different from other cats who liked to groom themselves. And that’s why the name Dirt was born.
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“The cat’s fur pattern is actually white and orange, but because at a young age he started rolling in the dirt and climbing on the trains, his white fur gets stained gray.” – explained Mencis.
“At a young age, Dirt learned not to lick himself clean, like normal cats, being part stray he 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.” – He continued.
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Dirt loves to roll over the coal and dusty ground, he would climb over the coal pines on the steam-powered train to watch over the workers like a boss. Truly, Dirt the cat is now a mascot of the East Ely Railroad Depot Museum with another name “King of the Shop”, where thousands of people have eagerly wanted to visit him. Dirt became a star with tons of photogenic poses and the engine house even kicked off a contest of capturing Dirt the cat to win some coffee mugs and Dirt Coffee.
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“When you add in authentic freight cars, crews in period costumes and dramatic western North American scenery, we get some amazing pictures. Each weekend of the winter photo shoots 30 photographers get full access to the railroad, we let them roam the shops, and we take them out with the trains let them off, back the train up and run by them again to get pictures. The trains are easy to photograph; it is all set up for them.” – The social media director revealed some tips for us if we love to take pictures of Dirt.
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Besides his lovable and unique markings, Dirt owns such a personality of a leader. And normally and jokingly, a leader doesn’t always work! What Dirt has been doing is being magnificent, strolling around the railroad to “make sure not a bolt is loose or that the bearings are properly oiled up”. He would have favor in whoever works hard by purring happily. When you look at his eyes, it says everything. Mencis said Dirt was considered one of the oldest railroaders living now as a cat.
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“Dirt walks around the shop like he is the boss making sure everything is working right. The type of boss that started at the bottom and worked his way up the ladder, the type who knows how hard and tough the job is but has faith that his men can get it done. He walks with a sense of pride around his engine house like these are his trains” – He described Dirt’s routine.
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It is no wonder that the main attraction of the railroad is Dirt the cat. Every year, about 30,000 visitors have come to see the antique scenery of Nevada Northern Railway, to hop on the train which carries about 100 years old, and to pet the most lively symbol of Nevada, Dirt.
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“Our Guided tours can last about an hour-long, and it is common for Dirt to follow the entire group for the tour. We also offer self-guided tours of the building, and most of those visitors get to meet Dirt as well as he comes and checks out who they are.” – Mencis said.
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The manager exposed one more interesting about Dirt’s popularity. When he started to post Dirt photos on Facebook with the caption of wanting to travel the world, the massive amount of likes and shares shocked him. He didn’t know the mascot of East Ely Railroad Depot Museum was loved by tons of people on the Internet.
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“Then one of our volunteers who is a professional photographer by the name of Steve Crise got an amazing picture of Dirt, and it really took off. In the photos, you just got a sense of Dirt’s personality, and we played off of that. When we share him for his fans, we make sure his personality comes with the post. Like a picture of Dirt in front of the steam train usually says ‘Dirt says come on boys, we got to get this thing fired up, we have trains running this weekend, let’s get to work,’ and people love it.” – He shared.
Dirt the cat is the real deal when someone mentions Nevada Northern Railway. So folks, if you are a cat lover and you are urged to visit a breathtaking yet tranquil place, pack your stuff, hit the road, and come to see Dirt in person!
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People agree that his distinct markings make him look right at home ‘working’ around train engines all day
