Virginia and Truckee Railroad summer season opens Memorial Day weekend

The 2016 Virginia & Truckee Railroad season chugs full steam ahead starting Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29. Authentic period steam trains ride through the heart of Nevada’s 1860s silver boom towns where legends of the Wild West were born and live on today along the original 16-mile route between Carson City and Virginia City, Nevada.

The real deal and real feel of a clickety-clack steam engine trains depart weekends through October. The celebrated V&T Railroad rolls through stretches of high desert that retraces the famous Comstock-era right-of-way to Virginia City, a town ripe with colorful history of robber barons, miners, gunslingers, dance halls and saloon girls.

Departure point is the Carson City Eastgate Depot where live music and mimosas await, with free face painting for young passengers. The train departs at 10 a.m. for a scenic journey to Virginia City where dining, shopping and Old West history abound.

The ride features vistas of the Carson River and majestic Sierra Nevada, with engines passing through two tunnels, past abandoned mine shafts and old cemeteries along countryside where wild mustangs are often spotted. The weekend train features a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 (wheel configuration) steam engine leading fully restored Pullman passenger cars.

Trains depart Carson City to Virginia City on Saturday and Sundays at 10 a.m. Tickets are $52 per adult, $48 for veterans and seniors 65-plus, $32 for children ages 3 to 16 and toddlers and infants are free. Private group discounted charters for 20 or more passengers are available.

The V&T will offer a variety of ticket options and packages throughout the season:

— Wild West Wine Run, Saturday, June 11. In partnership with the Nevada State Fair, passengers can indulge and relax on a vintage train ride to the Carson River Canyon. Live entertainment, snacks and white wine will be served on the 60-minute round trip, all complemented with beautiful river canyon views. The Naughty Tea Mistresses of Nevada, Comstock era performers, will entertain en-route with their special brand of folklore. The train departs the Carson City Eastgate Depot at 5 p.m. and returns at approximately 6 p.m. Advance booking is recommended for this event.

— Father's Day Weekend steam train rides Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19. Celebrate this Father's Day Weekend with the entire family by taking Dad out for an adventure-filled day on the V&T Railroad. A professional photo to remember your special day is included.

— Dinner and Melodrama V&T Trains will return on select Saturdays throughout summer on July 30, Aug. 13 and Sept. 10. The popular melodrama will play out during the ride to the Carson City Canyon with outlaws, in-laws and a cast of questionable characters. After the 45-minute excursion a hearty western style barbecue dinner and drinks are served at the depot.

— The Toast of the Canyon Wine Tasting Train returns the last Saturday of each month June through October. Great for an afternoon respite or when friends and family visit, this 45-minute ride includes appetizers provided by Red’s Old 395 Grill and perfectly paired with wine. This train travels south of the Carson City depot into the Carson River Canyon. The track winds past picturesque views of the river and the canyon walls 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 from the canyon.

The Carson City passenger station is at Eastgate Siding on 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.