Wild West window seats aboard historic V&T Railroad begin Memorial Day weekend
It is full steam ahead aboard Nevada's premiere window seat into the Wild West with the 2014 season of the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad taking to the rails beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Steam train rides from Carson City to the 1860s boom-era mining town of Virginia City will begin May 24 and extend weekends through Oct. 19. Friday diesel train tours will begin June 20.
Passengers travel in vintage cars led by iron horse steam engines through sagebrush flats dotted with pinyon pine and mountain junipers, along the Carson River and around scenic vistas, with herds of Nevada’s wild mustangs often seen nearby.
The train’s conductor spins tales of the 1860s silver boom offering each guest a taste of Nevada's frontier. The V&T Railroad’s 16 miles of track reopened in August 2009 after 70 years of non-operation and is among the area’s leading attractions.
The regular V&T season runs May 24 through Oct. 19. Weekend steam trains feature a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 or a 1914 Baldwin-Built Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine leading 1914 Pullman cars. Trains depart Carson City Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Diesel trains run Fridays from June 20 to Aug. 29, departing Carson City at 10 a.m.
Roundtrip steam train tickets are $52 for adults, $32 for children ages 3 to 16 (toddlers and infants are free) and $48 for seniors 65 and older. Friday diesel train tickets are $36 for adults, $22 for children and $34 for seniors. Tickets are are available online here or (877) 724-5007. The train departs from the Carson City Depot at 10 a.m. The Carson City passenger station is located at Eastgate Siding on Flint Drive off U.S. Highway 50 East.
The Toast of the Canyon wine and appetizer round trip train rides from Carson City through nearby scenic canyons will run the last Saturday of each month beginning June 28. Designed for train enthusiasts with a taste for the finer things, it’s a vintage train ride down into the canyon among spectacular high desert scenery paired with appetizers and a glass of wine.
Returning for a second season is the "Kids Ride Free" promotion. Where children 12 and under can ride the V&T Railroad diesel trains Fridays throughout the summer for free. This promotion runs online only with the code KIDSFREE. (One free ticket, per paying adult, is available with online purchases only).
In addition to the V&T’s Carson City-Virginia City Sisters in History 16-mile excursion, a 4-mile, 35-minute Historic Route loop through Virginia City and Gold Hill is offered. The V&T initially reopened the Historic Route in 1972 under the ownership of the Gray family who have preserved the railway’s heritage. With their help, the reconstruction project between Virginia City and Carson City became a reality for future generations. For Historic Route schedule and ticket prices visit www.virginiatruckee.com or call 775-847-0380.
Discounted private group charters are also available. For group fares and special excursion trains contact Candace Duncan at (775) 721-6255 or (775) 291-0208. Email candy@vtrailway.com. For the latest train updates or to purchase tickets visit www.vtrailway.com call (877) 724-5007.
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