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The Virginia and Truckee Railroad was built to serve the silver mining communities of Nevada. At its height, the railroad's route ran from Reno south to Carson City, Nevada. In Carson City, the mainline split into two branches. One branch continued south to Minden, while the other branch traveled east to Virginia City. The first section constructed from Virginia City to Carson City was constructed commencing in 1869 to haul ore, lumber and supplies for the Comstock Lode
Today, the V&T operates as a heritage railway, headquartered in Virginia City. The Northern Nevada Railway Foundation hopes to rebuild the mainline to Carson City by 2010. The railroad uses the nickname "Queen of the Short Lines." The first piece of equipment acquired was a 1914 2-8-2 steam locomotive. The train from Virginia City runs full time from Memorial Day until the end of October
Cars and locomotives from the original railroad are also on display at the separate Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City.
Historic equipment
The Virginia and Truckee's locomotives and other equipment appeared in numerous Westerns over the years since the railroad operated otherwise obsolete equipment well into the "cinema age." Many of these pieces have been restored, and are currently on display at museums throughout the country.
| No. | Name | Type | Builder | C/N | Built | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reno | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at Old Tucson Studios. | ||||
| Genoa | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at the California State Railroad Museum | ||||
| Empire | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at the California State Railroad Museum | ||||
| Dayton | Central Pacific Railroad | On display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. | ||||
| Tahoe | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. | ||||
| J.W.Bowker | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at the California State Railroad Museum. | ||||
| Inyo | Baldwin Locomotive Works | Operational, on display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. | ||||
| Unnamed | Baldwin Locomotive Works | Operational, on display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. | ||||
| Unnamed | Baldwin Locomotive Works | On display at the Nevada State Railroad Museum. |
Source: "V & T Locomotive Roster" of the Nevada State Railroad Museum.
Historic designations
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–04001198 — Virginia and Truckee Railroad No. 27 (also known as Baldwin Locomotive Works #39435)
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–73002245 — Virginia and Truckee Railroad No. 18, the Dayton, and No. 22, the Inyo
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–77001508 — Virginia and Truckee Railroad Shops
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–98001208 — Virginia and Truckee Railroad Depot, Carson City
Restoring the line
Officials with the V&T held a "silver spike" ceremony January 3 2006, in Carson City to commemorate the completion of two miles of track near Gold Hill. The construction, completed in September 2005, is part of an effort to restore the V&T's mainline from Virginia City to Carson City for operations. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev), who was instrumental in securing States dollar|$" target="_blank" >*10 million in federal funding for the project, and Nevada Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt, who secured an additional $1 million in state funding for the project, both spoke at the ceremony.
It is estimated that completion of the line from Gold Hill to Carson City will cost nearly $40 million, and it is hoped that the line, which was originally abandoned in 1938, will be completed and operational once again by December 2009.
See also
Notes
- "V & T Locomotive Roster."
- Anderson, "V&T Railroad project marks milestone."
References
External links
- Virginia & Truckee official website
- Friends of the Nevada State Railroad Museum
- Nevada State Railroad Museum
- Road Trip America visits the V&T
- V&T route map
- Virginia and Truckee Railroad Engines No. 18, the Dayton, and No. 22, the Inyo
Nevada railroads | United States railroad museums and tourist lines
"Virginia and Truckee Railroad"