With plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures, it was all aboard in celebration of the fall season Saturday in Carson City as the Nevada State Railroad Museum hosted its annual Harvest Train, which continues again Sunday.
Featuring steam train rides, a pumpkin patch, food trucks, games and more, the celebration fires up again Sunday morning with steam train rides available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Handcar rides are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Highlighted with visitor favorites — the Virginia & Truckee Locomotive No. 25 and the celebrated Glenbrook steam locomotive — visitors and families are given the opportunity to experience Nevada’s railroad history and taken in some of the fall festivities (and colors) along the tracks, inside the museum and outdoors on the Ted “Slim” Gibson Memorial Park lawn.
Returning to the Harvest Train for a second year, Alexandra Cranston of Carson City brought her son Conrad to enjoy Saturday’s festivities.
“I like to do things that are local in the community and knew this was happening and enjoyed the last one, so we’re back again this year,” she said.
Her mother, Kelly Kollar, joined her for the Harvest Train, saying she enjoys the day because it allows her to watch her grandson participate and “play with the activities they offer.”
Meanwhile, another grandparent opportunity was experienced when Sacramento parents Kirk and McKenna brought their three children Aspyn, Kole and Reese to visit their grandparents Joe and Nicole who live in Carson City.
“When we said we were coming up for the weekend, the children’s grandparents said this was a good place to bring the kids,” McKenna said.
The entire family — three kids, their parents and grandparents — boarded the Virginia & Truckee Locomotive No. 25 Saturday afternoon and followed up with the railroad museum’s pumpkin patch and other activities at Ted “Slim” Gibson Memorial Park.
For the Garrison family of Reno, parents Ashley and Chris only learned about the Harvest Train on Saturday as they were passing through Carson City and decided to stop by, board the train and check out the activities. Having brought their family to the Santa Train the year before, they wanted their children Declan and Sullivan to experience the fall train.
“It just sounded like it would be a good time,” said Chris Garrison. “I’m sure we’ll be back for the Santa Train in December.”
