V&T Railroad season kicks off with Mother's Day train

This Mother’s Day, give Mom a window seat back in time with a tour of the Wild West aboard the Virginia and Truckee Railroad, Sunday, May 12.

This special edition train ride from Nevada's capital, Carson City, to the 1860s boom-era mining town of Virginia City, will provide Mom with a long stem rose, Old West history, storytelling, shopping and dining in Virginia City to go along with the spectacular scenery.

Retracing the famous Comstock-era right-of-way, the historic train travels the same silver route paved by miners of that time. The ride features scenic vistas of the Carson River and majestic Sierra Nevada, with engines passing through two tunnels, abandoned mine shafts, old cemeteries along countryside where sightings of wild mustangs are routine. The V&T Railroad’s 16 miles of track reopened in August 2009 after 70 years of non-operation.

The Mother's Day train features a 1953 ALCO heritage diesel locomotive leading 100 year-old Pullman coaches displaying the distinctive yellow and green of the V&T. Tickets are $35 for adults, $31 seniors and $20 for children ages 3 to 16. Toddlers and infants are free when they sit on a parent's lap. Tickets can be purchased online at www.vtrailway.com or (877) 724-5007. The train will board at the Carson City passenger station at Eastgate Siding on Flint Drive off U.S. Highway 50 East.

The regular V&T season begins May 25 when round-trip steam trains begin full operation. Weekend trains feature a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 or a 1914 Baldwin-Built Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine leading three 1914 Pullman cars. Private group discounted charters for 20 or more passengers are also available.

Trains depart Carson City to Virginia City on Saturday and Sundays at 10 a.m. 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.

The V&T offers a variety of ticket options and packages:

— Beginning May 25, 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 especially good for 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.

— 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 re-opened 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 become a reality for future generations. For Historic Route schedule and ticket prices visit www.virginiatruckee.com or call 775-847-0380.

— Back by popular demand, the Toast of the Canyon wine and appetizer round-trip train rides 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 enjoy 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 ride 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, enjoy a variety of shops, restaurants and Fourth of July parade.

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.