V&T Railroad rolls through summer with wine, mystery and melodrama theme trains
Plan a date night on a wine train or enjoy the steam-rolling melodrama “Run to the Roundhouse Nellie” with a barbecue this summer aboard the historic Virginia & Truckee Railroad, Nevada’s window seat into the 1860s Comstock-era.
Add spectacular Northern Nevada scenery on a date with your spouse or significant other the last Saturday of the month with Toast of the Canyon wine tours. Passengers travel 45-minutes south of the Carson City Depot into the Carson River Canyon. The Saturday afternoon train continues south of the Carson City Depot into a quiet area that features spectacular high desert scenery paired with appetizers and a glass of wine.
How about a barbecue to go with high stakes Wild West melodrama? There’s three chances to ride “Run to the Roundhouse Nellie” Saturday murder mystery trains, Aug 1, 22, and Sept. 12. Hearty western barbecue chicken and tri tip dinner with killer sides, drinks and dessert at the depot. Then climb aboard the V&T for non-stop theater melodrama featuring a good-hearted rancher, a damsel in distress, and a villainous swindler with an epic conclusion that ends where else? On the railroad tracks, of course.
Regularly scheduled trains depart Carson City for Virginia City Saturdays and Sundays at 10 a.m. Friday steam trains run through Aug. 28, departing Carson City at 10 a.m. Round trip steam train tickets are $52 for adults, $32 for children ages 3 to 16 (toddlers and infants are free) and $48 for seniors 65 and older. Tickets are available online at www.vtrailway.com or (877) 724-5007.
In addition to the V&T’s Carson City-Virginia City Sisters in History 16-mile excursion, there’s also 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 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.
Discounted private group charters are also available. For group fares and special excursion trains contact Candace Duncan at (775) 721-6255 or (775) 291-0208. Email candy@vtrailway.com.
Tickets for the Polar Express aboard the V&T go on sale Aug. 20 with 60 rides planned for the holiday season beginning Nov. 19. The one-hour round trip journey to the North Pole has consistently sold out since debuting five years ago and is expected to draw record numbers again this holiday season.
The Carson City passenger station is located at Eastgate Siding on Flint Drive off U.S. Highway 50 East. To keep the memories rolling passengers can stop by the station’s gift shop stocked with V&T souvenirs. For the latest train updates or to purchase tickets visit www.vtrailway.com call (877) 724-5007.
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