By james art 
The city of sparks and Union Pacific Railroad has developed a public collection of bricks from the historic machine store.
The bricks will now be offered from February 24 to April 5, while deliveries continue, the city said in a message.
Built in 1904, the South Pacific railway shop will be demolished next month. Union Pacific received permission to demolish the building last week, records show.
Situated on Nugget Avenue near the Interstate 80, the large brick structure was once a key part of the lively switch that gave Sparks its nickname Rail City.
Why is the Southern Pacific Machine shop destroyed?
“The building had safety problems and will be resolved … As Union Pacific maximizes its existing imprint in support of the growing intermodal search,” said Peggy Igbuhai, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Union Pacific.
Union Pacific plans to adjust the truck parking site as part of its modernization efforts.
The building is privately owned and sits on the land held by Union Pacific by leasing, which expired in 2024.
Demolition marks the final deletion of the Railyard historic footprint, although Sparks remains a key center for the railway company, connecting the Nevada economy to global trade, according to YGBuhay.
When will Sparks Machine be demolished?
In December, an application for a permit for demolition was filed. On Friday, January 24, Union Pacific was issued a destruction permit.
Based on the schedule of the brick pickup, it is likely to happen for some time in February.
How can I take a brick from the Sparks Machine Store?
Union Pacific and the city of sparks save bricks from the historical structure for public distribution.
The bricks will be available for a pickup of the East Park Cottonwood Park, the 777 Spice Islands Drive from February 24 to April 5. Visitors should park on Spice Islands Drive and stroll to the designated pickup area, as access to the vehicle is limited.
A commemorative plaque will also be placed on the site to honor the history of the building.
“This is a slightly sweeter moment for our community, as the machine store has been a historical landmark in sparks for generations,” said Sparks Mayor Ed Loson. “We appreciate Union Pacific’s efforts to offer the community a chance to keep some of the story.”
For more details, contact the city of Sparks at 775-353-5555.
Conservatives votes concern about North Nevada’s rail heritage
The planned destruction is part of the bigger challenge to preserve the history of the North Nevada railway line.
In 2024, Beserve Nevada, a historical storage group, included Sparks Machine Shop and other Reno-Aarea railway sites in their annual list of endangered places.
Among the identified sites:
- American Railway Express Agency Building (1926)
- Southern Pacific Freight Depot (1931)
- Former South Pacific Rail Depot (1926): Recognized in the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.