• Carson Now on Facebook
  • Follow Carson Now on Twitter
  • Follow Carson Now by RSS
  • Follow Carson Now by Email

Mountain Resort Television: Silver State update aboard the Virginia and Truckee Railroad

Kyle Horvath, Director of Marketing for Carson City, fills us in on experiencing the area by train on the historic V&T Railroad with Candy Duncan, program manager for V&T.

For more information about events and happenings around Carson City, visit the Carson City Visitor Bureau website here.

Meanwhile, Sunday is now "Fun Day" for Nevada residents with the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad offering a 20 percent discount throughout the season on round trip excursions from Carson City to Virginia City.

The V&T Railroad celebrates locals with new opportunities for Nevada residents and young train enthusiasts to experience the Silver State’s ultimate Old West train ride. Nevadans receive 20 percent off Sunday rides through Oct. 16 while children can ride for free on Fridays with each paid adult starting July 1.

Guests can ride the rails of the celebrated V&T along the original 16-mile route made famous during the Comstock-era days of the 1850s when Silver was King.

The 90-minute ride each way features vistas of the majestic Sierra Nevada as it rolls through stretches of high desert, passing through two tunnels, past abandoned mine shafts and old cemeteries along countryside where wild mustangs are often spotted. The ride through history departs from outside Nevada’s capital Carson City to Virginia City, a town lost to time and ripe with colorful history of robber barons, miners, gunslingers, dance halls and saloon girls.

The train features a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 (wheel configuration) steam engine leading fully restored Pullman passenger cars.

The Nevada local’s discount excludes holidays and theme trains. Tickets must be purchased in advance online (http://bit.ly/VTPRTix) using coupon code LOCALSUNDAY. Riders must show local ID upon request.

V&T Railroad has brought back “Kids Ride Free on Fridays” steam trains, where children ages 3 to 16 can ride aboard the V&T for free on Fridays with each paid adult. The journey begins July 1, with the launch of Friday steam train operations and runs through summer. Tickets must be purchased online using the promo code KIDSFREE. (http://bit.ly/VTPRTix)

Trains depart Carson City to Virginia City Fridays through Sundays at 10 a.m. Discounted tickets are $41.60 per adult, $38.40 for veterans and seniors 65-plus, $25.60 for children ages 3 to 16; toddlers and infants are free. Discounted private group charters are also available.

Leave the kids at home for the Toast of the Canyon excursion. The theme is “Date Night” with a backdrop of Northern Nevada scenery for this tour that runs select Saturdays through Oct. 15. Passengers travel 45-minutes south of the Carson City Depot into the Carson River Canyon with spectacular features of high desert with an opportunity to photograph the "Iron Horse" as it unhooks from the passenger cars to re-attach at the front of train for the return. The breathtaking scenery is paired with appetizers provided by Red’s Old 395 Grill and a glass of wine.

Toast of the Canyon departs the Carson City Eastgate Depot at 5 p.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Special dinner and melodrama V&T train packages will return August 13 and Sept. 10. Passengers can relax and enjoy action-packed, Wild West melodrama “Train to Danger” while riding a steam train into Carson River Canyon. After the 45-minute excursion, the depot hosts riders for a hearty western style barbecue dinner and a drink.

Tickets are available online at www.vtrailway.com or (877) 724-5007. For group fares and special excursion trains contact Candy Duncan at (775) 721-6255.

The Carson City passenger station is located at Eastgate Siding on Flint Drive off U.S. Highway 50 East. To keep the memories rolling passengers may visit the station’s gift shop stocked with V&T souvenirs.

Top Stories

... or see all stories

“Kids to Parks Day is a national day of outdoor play celebrated annually on the third Saturday of May. The day connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks and public lands through thousands of park events that promote discovery and exploration in the great outdoors.” – National Park Trust

The wait is finally over. The second annual Mark Twain Days Festival returns to Carson City and Virginia City this weekend! Enjoy themed train rides, concerts, literature, book sales, kid's stories, and so much more all throughout the capital city and Virginia City.

Let's take a look at the full list of events for the weekend.

The Misfits Theater Group presents its 2024 Spring Production: Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender on the weekends of May 18-19 and May 24, 25 and 26, 2024.

UNR Extension Native Plant Sale

UNR Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas County are hosting a Native plant sale on Saturday, May 18 at the River Fork Ranch (The Nature Conservancy) located at 381 Genoa Ln. Minden, NV.

The event is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Carson High Youth Tennis Clinic

CHS Youth Tennis is hosting a clinic June 17, 18, 19, 20 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. It's being hosted at the high school at 1111 Saliman Rd. Carson City NV

Please click to expand the flyer for sign up options.

Free History Slide Show: Reflections of Lake Tahoe Tuesday May 14, 1:30pm, at the Carson City Senior Center.

Using extensive research and seldom seen photographs, local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff take a look back at the many people and events that have affected this magnificent Sierra Nevada gem over the years.

From industrial powerhouse of the Comstock Lode to the many efforts to create a Lake Tahoe National Park, the varied tales of “Big Blue’s” history are unique, interesting, and often amusing.

In an extremely rare display of colors, the aurora borealis was spotted throughout Northern Nevada Friday night as captured by multiple Carson Now readers. Click on each photo to expand.

This spectacular display is caused by a severe solar storm that is expected to continue through the weekend.

After review of the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s recommendations and consideration by County Advisory Board’s to Manage Wildlife, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has approved big game tag quotas for the upcoming 2024-2025 hunting season.

Once again our cat of the week is the winner of our Whisker Wednesday contest at Catmandu. Meet Cutie Pie. While she loves to be called Cutie, you can also call her Pie for short.

On Tuesday, May 14, the Carson City School District’s Board of Trustees will host a meeting at Carson High School at 1111 N. Saliman Street. At the meeting the district will discuss their plan to merge Carson High School and Pioneer Academy.

Join us for our 60th Anniversary + Spring Art Reception on May 18, 2024, from 1-4 p.m. Admission is free for all, as well as on-site and nearby parking.

Originally opened during the height of the mining boom of Virginia City, Nevada, the Delta Saloon started serving in 1880. Having seen its share of history, and creating its own, the property is under new ownership with Jim Grimes, VC Delta Saloon, LLC., a fourth-generation Nevadan born and raised in Reno and Sparks, Nevada.

Celebrate Carson High School Class of 2024! And, keep them safe.

Since 1988, Safe Grad has helped prevent fatalities related to graduation night intoxication by offering a FREE, safe, and sober all-night party for graduating high school seniors.

Southern Utah is lucky to be gaining one of Carson High’s most extraordinary students, Arene LeBlanc. She is an outstanding student who has overcome so much from her freshman year and now consistently demonstrates exceptional academics, leadership skills and a commitment to community service.

UPDATE 1:16 p.m.: Service restored.

Douglas County is experiencing a temporary disruption in the non-emergency dispatch phone line. This disruption solely affects the non-emergency dispatch line and does not impact access to emergency services via 911. In the event of an emergency, residents are urged to continue dialing 911 for immediate assistance.

Looking for something for you kiddos to do this summer that includes exercise, fun, and team building? Look no further than the Carson Baseball Summer Camp!

In a systematic approach to improve water quality, Lyon County Utilities will be conducting water main flushing Tuesday and Wednesday, May 14-15 in the Rose Peak area (roughly between Flowery Avenue and Sheep Camp Road) in Dayton, Nev.

The 2nd annual Hot Air for Hope Balloon Festival is returning May 17-19 at Lampe Park in Gardnerville. This is a free community event that benefits the Center for Hope and Healing.

Each year, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts an open house event as a way to connect families, deputies, non-profits and more. This year the event takes place Saturday, May 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nevada State Police has identified a Northern California man who died in a fatal crash last month on I-80 in Fernley.

Carson High School will host its First Annual Art Expo, showcasing the talents of its student artists in photography, graphic design, drawing, painting and ceramics Thursday, May 16, from 5-7 p.m.

A 40-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for suspicion of carrying a concealed knife without a permit, a gross misdemeanor offense, and misdemeanor disturbing the peace, according to a Carson City Sheriff's Office booking report.

Hello fellow anglers. Depending on where you were for the opening day season, the waters were high on the rivers and some lakes still had not iced out yet. But yet the strangest thing about it was. There were about half of the expected anglers that ventured out. I noticed the campgrounds were only half full.

Check out the free Senior Health Fair from 8 am to 12 noon this Thursday, May 9 at Casino Fandango Grand Ballroom in Carson City.

More than 70 vendors, a record number, will share valuable information about their programs and services. Participate in raffle drawings, interact with service dogs, donate blood, and have quick access to important vaccines. Pick up our fifth edition of the Senior Celebration magazine and a Community Resource Guide.

Following a capacity community turnout in March, Grassroots Yoga Center is offering its second Self-Care Wellness Fair Saturday, May 18. The center is located at 195 E. Winnie Lane.

Students at Fritsch Elementary School in Carson City were swinging for success with their participation in the San Francisco Giants Junior Giants initiative. The free, non-competitive and innovative baseball program for boys and girls ages 5-13, focuses on education, health and bullying prevention, providing a holistic approach to community sports.

Nevada Humane Society, Carson City branch's Pet of the Week is Valkerye, a one-year-old shepherd mix who still has a big puppy heart. She enjoys playing with children as she is used to living with them.

The Misfits Theater Group presents its 2024 Spring Production: Gold Casino or Bar Be Tender on the weekends of May 18-19 and May 24, 25 and 26, 2024.
Click on flyer for details.

Sierra Nevada ENT, a trusted provider of clinical and surgical care since 1995, is excited to announce its transition to Carson Tahoe Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), effective May 14, 2024. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to growth, innovation, a holistic care approach, and our dedication to delivering high-quality, state of the art patient-centered care to our community.

CONNECTIONS Gathering in May with special guest Mark Collie

CONNECTIONS Central announced that musician, actor, and philanthropist Mark Collie will be the guest storyteller at the May 16th CONNECTIONS gathering at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. CONNECTIONS Central is a new organization that uses the power of storytelling to promote stronger, happier and healthier relationships that enrich lives and build community.