Travel back in time on restored railway

Railroads helped Nevada progress from an unsettled frontier territory to a growing, evolving state. More than 40 Nevada railroads linking cities, towns and mining camps launched the state into modern times. Now part of the past, only a trio of resurrected railways scattered across the state remain. Nevada railroad museums and short lines help preserve that colorful era.

The most influential of the early railroads, the Virginia City and Truckee Railway, or the V&T, all but disappeared in the 1940s. After 80 years of service to Reno, Carson City and Virginia City, the V&T reached the end of the track. Rails pulled, rolling stock sold off, the line built to haul the Comstock's ore to mills in the Carson Valley became a nostalgic ghost.

Recognizing a trend of renewed interest in old railroads, enterprising folks in Virginia City years ago put together enough vintage equipment and laid enough track to offer tourists short excursions. Those popular 35-minute rides to Gold Hill past old mines and vintage structures continue with seven trains a day.

Two years ago, the dream of a resurrected V&T became reality with the restoration of the original grade from Virginia City to Carson City, including tunnels and trestles. The historic railway started limited excursions in August 2009. More trips were added in 2010. This year, the V&T offers 1½-hour one-way trips and daylong round-trips into yesteryear on the "Sisters in History Route" on weekends from late May to Nevada Day at the end of October.

Round-trips start in Carson City at 10 a.m. The train departs Virginia City at 3 p.m., returning to Carson City at 4:30 p.m., allowing more than three hours for exploring Virginia City. The train does not sit idle waiting for your return but instead completes one-way excursions and returns.

Buy tickets in advance of your visit by phone or online. You'll pay more to ride on a train pulled by an iconic steam locomotive. Expect round-trip fares behind steam at $48 for an adult and $28 for a child. Behind a diesel locomotive the round-trip fare is $29 per adult and $16 per child. One-way fares are less than half the price of round-trip fares. Young children ride free. Senior and veteran discounts apply.

In Carson City at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, visitors trace the history of Nevada's railroads. The museum preserves 65 locomotives and cars, 31 of those from the V&T. About 40 pieces of rolling stock date from before 1900. Open weekends and three-day holidays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum offers special events, rides in restored motor rail cars, exhibits and more. Entrance fees of $5 for adults and $3 for children apply.

Copper mining near Ely in 1905 created a need for the Nevada Northern Railway. When the mines closed so did the railroad, but this line was not dismantled. The mining company offered its entire railroad complex in east Ely and all equipment for a railroad museum. Today, the state operates the 1907 Mission Revival-style depot and offices as a museum. A nonprofit foundation maintains the rest of the yards and equipment and operates excursion trains. Visiting the most complete vintage railroad complex in the nation and riding the trains are high points of any visit to this part of Nevada.

Nevada Northern trains run from spring through December, with the busiest schedules in the summer, early fall and Christmas season. Vintage diesel or steam locomotives pull trains of restored cars on two routes. Ride one route for $24 per adult and $15 per child or both routes for $37 and $20. Expect to pay higher fees for special trains such as the July 4 fireworks and barbecue train, sunrise wine trains, Octoberfest trains and Santa trains. Experience a night sleeping in a caboose, rent a whole train or take the throttle of a locomotive with special programs offered by the Nevada Northern.

A state facility, the Nevada Southern Railway and Museum in Boulder City preserves the Union Pacific spur created in 1931 to take materials to the Boulder Dam construction site. The line offers 45-minute weekend trips along 7 miles of track four times a day and special holiday excursions. Affordable and popular adventures, regular trips cost $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.