The Nevada Northern Railway welcomed its first Make-A-Wish family recently, fulfilling the dream of a young Reno boy seeking his first ride on a full-scale locomotive.
The Mannens family traveled from Reno to Ely to celebrate their eldest son, Koe, whose fascination with trains began while playing with a model railway set during medical treatments at Stanford Medical Center. Koe has navigated significant health challenges stemming from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a rare and serious immune condition. Following extensive treatments in California, Koe underwent a bone marrow transplant in late 2025.
Because his ongoing recovery left him immunocompromised and required him to avoid crowded public spaces, Koe’s parents, Kristina and Matt, searched for a destination capable of accommodating his health needs. The family chose the Nevada Northern Railway because Ely’s remote setting made it possible to arrange a safe, low-exposure experience…