The Virginia & Truckee Railroad will extend its 2010 season to include new “Colors in the Canyon” train rides and will continue Saturday rides through Dec. 18.
The “Sisters in History Route” between Carson City and Virginia City was set to operate through Oct. 31, Nevada Day but due to popular demand as evidenced by many sold-out weekends, the season has been expanded for an additional six weeks, officials announced today.
The V&T travels 16 miles on newly restored track made famous during the area’s roaring 1860’s Comstock silver boom. Each ride offers scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada, passes through tunnels and by abandoned mine shafts, old cemeteries and sightings of wild mustangs. For tickets, visit www.VisitCarsonCity.com or call 800-NEVADA-1.
On Labor Day weekend, passengers on the V&T are in for a historical battle. Civil War battle reenactments featuring costumed soldiers and other “living legends,” and theatrical bombardments will take place between Carson City and Virginia City on Friday, Saturday and Sunday train rides. Click here for a schedule.
Beginning Sept. 18, the new "Colors in the Canyon" roundtrip ride from the Eastgate Depot, off Hwy. 50 East in Carson City to the Carson River Canyon and back will operate every Saturday at 5 p.m. through Oct. 23. These $15 rides will last approximately 45 minutes and feature narration and views of Fall colors across the rugged Wild West landscape.
The season keeps on chugging as additional round trip rides on vintage diesel engines will run every Saturday Nov. 6 through Dec. 18. Tickets are $29 for these trips, departing from Eastgate Depot at 10 a.m., returning at 3 p.m. Passengers will have two hours to explore Virginia City.
Engine 18 makes its triumphant return this Fall. The 90-ton McCloud steam engine is back from Hollywood, where it featured in the upcoming film, “Water for Elephants,” starring Reese Witherspoon. The V&T has had a special connection with Hollywood as engines have appeared in numerous films, including "The Harvey Girls" starring Judy Garland, the television show "Wild, Wild West,""Union Pacific," and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" with John Wayne.