Ride the rails into history, V&T season begins this weekend

History fills every rivet, trestle, whistle blow and clatter of the tracks. On Memorial Day Weekend passengers can take a journey more than 150 years old and join the ghosts of miners, gamblers, persons of ill-repute and politicians on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

The V&T season begins Saturday, May 25, with round-trip and one-way steam and diesel locomotive train rides. The trains run weekends through October from Nevada's capital, Carson City, to the 1860s boom-era mining town of Virginia City, providing travelers with plenty of Old West history and lore, spectacular scenery, dining and shopping. The round-trip Sisters in History route, Virginia City to Gold Hill, is in its 38th year of operation and starts May 25.

Passengers retrace the original Comstock-era right-of-way paved by silver miners. Featuring scenic vistas of the Carson River and majestic Sierra Nevada. Engines pass through two tunnels, by abandoned mine shafts, old cemeteries and along the countryside where sightings of wild mustangs are routine. The historic V&T Railroad’s 16 mile route has been laid with new track reopened in August 2009.

These weekend iron horses feature a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 or a 1914 Baldwin-Built Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine leading three 1914 Pullman cars. Trains depart Carson City to Virginia City on Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Round-trip tickets are $48 per adult, $42 for veterans and seniors 65-plus, $28 for children ages 3 to 16 and toddlers and infants are free. Discounted private group charters for 20 or more passengers are also available.

Other V&T ticket options and packages:

One-way steam train rides commence from Virginia City to Carson City on Saturdays and Carson City to Virginia City on Sundays for $29 per adult, $25 for veterans and seniors, $18 for children. These trips are popular with history buffs looking for overnight stays who wish to explore both of the historic cities.

Round trips on the V&T diesel trains start June 7 and run every Friday. Tickets are $32 for adults, $29 veteran and seniors and $19 for children (Free through September 6, 2012 with code: kidsfree – One free ticket per paying adult with online purchases only).

One-way diesel trains running Fridays are $21 for adults, $20 veterans and seniors and $15 for children.

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.

The enormously popular Toast of the Canyon wine and appetizer round-trip train from Carson City through nearby scenic canyons will run Saturdays beginning July 13. Designed for train enthusiasts with a taste for the finer things, guests can relax while enjoying a vintage train ride down into the canyon, indulge in gourmet food paired with a glass of wine and view the spectacular high desert scenery. The Toast of the Canyon trip begins at 4:30 p.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person; $20 rate is available when continuing from the round trip to Virginia City.

Other special trips include a special July 4 round-trip V&T Diesel Engine train from Carson City to Virginia City. Stroll along the wooden sidewalks, visit a variety of shops, restaurants and the annual Fourth of July parade.

The holiday Polar Express train returns for a third season Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the holiday season, November 22 – December 29. Characters, entertainment and Santa bring the story to life, with a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 15, 2013.

The Carson City Depot station is located at 4650 Eastgate Siding Rd. off of Flint Drive, off U.S. Highway 50 East, and has a gift shop with various V&T souvenirs to keep the memories rolling. For the latest train updates or to purchase tickets visit www.vtrailway.com or call (877) 724-5007.