SPARKS, Nev. — Union Pacific has begun demolition on the former Southern Pacific machine shop in Sparks, a building that predates the city, KTVN-TV reports. The railroad and city have also updated plans for when community members can claim bricks from the historic structure as a keepsake.
The bricks will now be available while supplies last from Feb. 24 through April 5, a change from the original dates [see “Union Pacific to tear down …,” Trains News Wire, Dec. 7, 2024]. Bricks can be claimed in the east lot at Cottonwood Park, 777 Spice Islands Drive; those collecting bricks will be asked to park on Spice Islands Drive and walk to the designated area.
The building dates to 1904 and was a significant service facility during the years through 1957 when Sparks was the largest SP terminal between Sacramento, Calif., and Ogden, Utah. UP is removing the building, which was privately owned but on railroad land, to expand intermodal facilities. There had been an effort to preserve the structure, but the railroad cited safety issues in proceeding with the demolition. UP received the required demolition permit from the city earlier this month.
hope someone documents this structure photographically, both inside and out.