Virginia Truckee Railroad opens 2024 season Memorial Day weekend

The Virginia Truckee Railroad begins its 49th season on May 25, 2024, with an exciting schedule of both steam and diesel locomotives. The scenic train ride departs daily from the original Virginia City depot where millionaires and miners sought their fortunes 150 years ago.

The historic 35- minute ride over the original 1869 route leaves once an hour starting at 10:30am to 4 pm and runs through October. Adult fares are $17to $19 and $8 for children ages 5-12. Kids aged four and under ride free. Tickets are available at the depot, or reserve space online at virginiatruckee.com.

Take in beautiful high desert views from our open-air cars and hear the stories of the Comstock Silver and Gold Rush from our knowledgeable conductors as you chug along the historic 1869 route. You will see the remnants of silver and gold mines and pass through the 400 ft Tunnel #4 on your way to Gold Hill, the site of the 1859 silver discovery when Nevada was still a territory. You may even spot some bands of wild mustangs or coyotes along the way.

Later in the season we will introduce our recently acquired Steam Engine #30, which was built as Chas. McCormick Lumber Co. #100 in 1926 by Baldwin in their Philadelphia plant. The locomotive is built to a standard 70 Ton 2-8-2 logging Mikado design, effectively making her a sister to the #18. She worked with Pope Lumber Co until 1942, and then went on to work on the Santa Maria Valley Railroad as well as the White Mountain and Deer Creek Scenic Railroads.

Also be sure to "See the Reno", a Nevada treasure. The 1872 V&T steam locomotive, the most famous movie locomotive, starred in nearly a hundred films and westerns.

Special event trains are being planned, including more murder mystery specials and the popular Pumpkin Express, Candy Cane Express and the Train O’ Lights that sell out each year. Check the web site at www.virginiatruckee.com for updated information.

Before or after your train ride, stop in our well-stocked gift shop found inside the original 1870 passenger depot. Cold drinks and ice cream are available as well as V&T memorabilia and souvenirs. Complete your day with a visit to Virginia City, a living ghost town filled with fun shops, good restaurants, and interesting museums.

The depot and train are also available as a unique venue for birthday parties, weddings, anniversaries, or other special events. Contact our event coordinator, Candy Duncan at (775) 721-6255 for ideas and more information.
Other special trains may be added to the schedule, check the web site virginiatruckee.com for more information or call (775) 847-0380.

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In the next few days, Carson Now will launch a new and improved website.

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UPDATE. Power has been restored.
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As of 10:30 p.m. Sunday night, over 2,600 Carson City residents are out of power according to NV Energy.

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Balloons

The Nevada Day Parade in downtown Carson City on Saturday was filled with celebration, culture and camaraderie. Marching bands and local musicians brought rhythm to the streets and filled the air with music and dancing.

UPDATE 12:05PM: Jacks Valley Road has reopened and Douglas County is reporting all area roads are open except Bavarian Drive. Evacuations have been downgraded to a Precautionary Evacuation Warning. Go here for evacuation parameters.
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UPDATE 11:30AM: Eastern Sierra Fire and Ice, which monitors fires in the region, reports forward fire progress has been stopped per incident command. The fire is estimated at around 3 acres. It is unknown at this time if any structures were damaged.
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UPDATE 11:28AM: Evacuation orders have been issued for the vicinity of the fire in the Jacks Valley area of Alpine View Court and Bavarian Drive; Parameters may be viewed on the Perimeter Map here. Evacuees are requested to exit the area via Jacks Valley Road. See Douglas County social media page here for updates.

UPDATE: The alertwildfire.org camera shows less smoke in the area as of around 11:15 a.m. Multiple fire engines and brush crews have responded to the scene.
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East Fork Fire and Carson City Fire Department responded Sunday morning to a brush fire in the area of Alpine View Court in the Jacks Valley area of Douglas County.

An early-season storm will bring widespread gusty winds, valley rain around Carson City and surrounding counties and Sierra snow showers Sunday through Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

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Colorful balloons drift over Carson City for Nevada Day on Saturday morning.

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Hot air balloons flying overhead on Carson Street for the 2024 Nevada Day Parade. Scroll and click on each photo for full size.

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Here are the Nevada Day Parade road closures for Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 via Perimetermap.com.

Here is the 2024 Nevada Day weekend schedule of events.

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Check below for the full list of entries.

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