Nevada State Railroad Museum Acquires Amtrak F40PHR 315

Published: March 2, 2026

The Nevada State Railroad Museum has announced they have acquired former Amtrak F40PHR #315 from Western Rail, Inc. which donated the unit for preservation. The organization states the locomotive no longer contains a prime mover and it will be used in a static display capacity with the former engine compartment being used to display Amtrak exhibits detailing the carrier's role in the state of Nevada. The museum states they will acquire the locomotive later this year. To learn more about the organization please click here to visit their website.

Amtrak F40PHR #315 exits Tunnel #17, west of Newcastle, California with train #6 the "California Zephyr," in March, 1995. Drew Jacksich photo.

About The F40PHR

The F40PHR was a specialized variant of Electro-Motive Division’s highly successful F40PH passenger diesel locomotive, developed during the late 1970s to help modernize intercity passenger service in the United States. Built primarily for Amtrak, the model emerged as part of the railroad’s effort to replace unreliable first-generation diesel power and standardize its growing locomotive fleet.

Introduced beginning in 1977, the F40PHR designation generally indicated units constructed using components reclaimed from retired SDP40Fs, although most were essentially new locomotives rather than true rebuilds. The “R” suffix officially stood for rebuilt, reflecting this parts-reuse program. These locomotives retained the proven mechanical design of the standard F40PH, itself derived from EMD’s dependable GP40-2 freight locomotive platform.

Like other members of the F40PH family, the F40PHR utilized a turbocharged 16-645E3 V16 diesel engine producing approximately 3,000 horsepower. The locomotive rode on a four-axle (B-B) configuration and measured about 56 feet in length, offering strong acceleration well suited for both corridor and long-distance passenger trains. A defining feature was its integrated Head-End Power (HEP) system, which supplied electricity for passenger car lighting, heating, and air conditioning directly from the prime mover.

The F40PHR quickly became a cornerstone of Amtrak operations - with the carrier operating a fleet of 132 examples - during the late 1970s and 1980s, helping establish a reliable nationwide diesel passenger fleet. Known for their distinctive constant-RPM engine sound while providing HEP, these locomotives earned a reputation for durability and operational flexibility.

Although largely retired from frontline Amtrak service by the early 2000s, many F40PHR units continued productive second careers with commuter agencies, museums, and excursion railroads—cementing the type’s legacy as one of North America’s most influential passenger locomotives.

Nevada State Railroad Museum — Boulder City

Located in the historic desert community of Boulder City, Nevada, just southeast of Las Vegas, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City stands as one of the American West’s most immersive railroad preservation sites. Operated by Nevada’s Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, the museum preserves both the equipment and the physical railroad infrastructure that played a vital role in one of the nation’s greatest engineering achievements—the construction of Hoover Dam.

The museum occupies a portion of the former Boulder Branch Line, a railroad originally constructed in the early 1930s to transport materials, workers, and supplies needed for the massive Boulder Canyon (Hoover Dam) Project. Railroads were essential to the undertaking, hauling enormous quantities of cement, machinery, and structural components into the remote Black Canyon region.

Following decades of declining freight use after dam construction concluded, the line survived largely intact. The State of Nevada acquired the railroad right-of-way from Union Pacific during the mid-1980s, preserving approximately seven miles of historic trackage. After years of restoration and planning, excursion operations began in 2002, transforming the corridor into a living railroad museum rather than a static display facility.

Unlike many museums confined to exhibition halls, Boulder City’s facility allows visitors to experience railroading in motion. The museum operates regular passenger excursions over roughly seven miles of original railroad, offering a 45-minute round trip through Nevada’s desert landscape aboard restored historic equipment.

Operational locomotives include classic diesel power such as Union Pacific EMD GP30 No. 844, along with switchers from Fairbanks-Morse and General Electric. These locomotives haul vintage passenger cars, cabooses, and maintenance equipment representative of mid-20th-century western railroading.

Visitors may also enjoy specialty experiences such as cab rides or caboose seating, providing a rare behind-the-scenes perspective of railroad operations.

The museum’s collection highlights Nevada’s transportation and industrial heritage, featuring steam and diesel locomotives, freight equipment, maintenance vehicles, and historic passenger cars dating from the late 19th century through the Cold War era. Many artifacts relate directly to regional industries including mining, military operations, and atomic testing programs conducted at the Nevada Test Site.

Indoor and outdoor exhibits interpret daily railroad life, mail transportation, and worker accommodations, while special displays such as the post-World War II Merci Train car illustrate broader international historical connections.

A popular attraction is the museum’s model railroad housed inside a restored 1914 Union Pacific chair car, featuring both HO-scale and O-gauge layouts operated by volunteers.

Designed for visitors of all ages, the museum also operates a 7½-inch-gauge miniature railway and hosts seasonal events, educational programs, and special excursions throughout the year. These activities reinforce the institution’s mission of interpreting how rail transportation shaped Nevada’s economic development and settlement patterns.

Today, the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City functions as both a preservation center and an interactive historical experience—allowing guests not only to view railroad history but to ride it. By safeguarding the very railroad that helped build Hoover Dam, the museum preserves a tangible link between transportation innovation and the development of the modern American Southwest.

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