By Stephen E. Drew “Nevada’s most famous short line is the Virginia & Truckee Railroad which connected Reno with Carson City, Virginia City, and Minden. Operating for 80 years, the V&T was Nevada’s Bonanza Railroad as it hauled valuable Comstock ore to quartz reduction mills located at Silver City and along the Carson River. Today visitors to Virginia City enjoy a ride over nearly three miles of the original line amidst encouraging prospects that rails my soon once again reach the outskirts of Carson City. The name “Virginia & Truckee” is recognized the world over: V&T locomotives and cars have appeared in scores of feature-length motion pictures and the historic equipment is preserved and exhibited in museums in Nevada, California, and as far away as Strasburg, Pennsylvania. The V&T enjoys an international constituency.”
Note: Steam or diesel equipment will vary based on availability
Virginia City to Gold Hill Train Rides
Seven (7) departures daily from our original 1870 depot & museum. Pass by 17 Bonanza mines on the scenic route to Gold Hill, Nevada.
No Reservations Required!
10:30 | 11:05 | 11:20 | 11:55 | 12:30 | 1:05 | 1:20 | 2:05 | 2:10 | 2:45 | 3:00 | 3:35 | 4:00 | 4:35 |
Roundtrip: Departs Carson City 10am, arrives Virginia City 11:30am; departs Virginia City 3pm, arrives Carson City 4:20pm One-way: morning departs Virginia City 8am, arrives Carson City 9am; afternoon departs Carson City 4:30pm, arrives Virginia City 6:00pm Sisters in History Route Ride the almost-complete, multi-million-dollar reconstruction. Starting just above the Carson River Canyon, the train runs along the east side of Mound House and across a spectacular railroad bridge over U.S. Hwy. 50, then picks up the historic, Comstock Era route. Watch for mines, silver ore veins, maybe even wild mustangs. Historic Route ravel back to the bonanza days on a shorter scenic ride. The conductor tells the story of Nevada’s late 19th century mining boom, when the V&T was built and Virginia City was the richest city on earth, with more millionaires than anywhere else. Watch for exposed veins of silver ore and more
Pictures below are provided by contributors or supporters of this website. If you are interested in sharing your pictures of Nevada, please drop us a note.
Courtesy S. Ward – Inside Lehman Caves