Kids ride historic V&T trains for free Fridays through summer

On track with summer vacation, the historic V&T Railroad now offers adventure-seeking children 12 and under the chance to climb aboard and ride a diesel train for free every Friday through summer.

Children and grandkids can take a free trip back in time to Nevada's Old West between Carson City and Virginia City on the diesel trains. Young riders will gain memories to last a lifetime on their round trip journey along the original route of the famous V&T Railroad. As they pass historic mines and cemeteries, passengers will catch views of the Sierra and sometimes wild horses. The railroad trip is fully narrated to provide adults and kids a glimpse of what it was like to live and travel in the 1800s.

A stop in Virginia City offers plenty of cowboys, gunfights, Victorian ladies, ice cream parlors and Old West history. To see a current calendar of events go to www.visitvirginiacitynv.com. The regular season steam train rides continue Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 20.

The round trip Friday summer train ride offer is available now through Sept. 6 with online ticket purchases using the code: "kidsfree." (One free ticket, per paying adult, is available with online purchases only). Tickets are $32 for adults and $29 for veteran and seniors. To buy tickets go to www.vtrailway.com.

Other V&T ticket options and packages:

— Round trip and one-way steam locomotive train rides. The trains run weekends through October from Carson City to Virginia City, providing travelers with plenty of Old West history and lore, spectacular scenery, dining and shopping. These weekend iron horses feature a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 or a 1914 Baldwin-Built Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine leading three 1914 Pullman cars.

— 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 popular with history buffs looking for overnight stays who wish to explore both of the historic cities.

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

— The popular Toast of the Canyon wine and appetizer round trip train 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 view 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 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, visit a variety of shops, restaurants and watch the annual Fourth of July parade.

The holiday Polar Express train returns for a third season Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the holiday season, Nov. 22 – Dec. 29. Characters, entertainment and Santa bring the story to life, with a souvenir silver sleigh bell to remember the journey. Tickets will be available beginning Aug. 15, 2013.

The Carson City Depot station is located at 4650 Eastgate Siding Road off of 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.