V&T Railroad event combines train ride with concert at Piper's Opera House

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad and Carson Valley Pops Orchestra are rolling out the history with a train ride from Carson City to a luncheon and orchestra performance at Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City on April 29.

The best of music and history combine on a journey aboard the V&T Railroad to the world-famous Piper’s Opera House where guests will bask in the talents of CV Pops Orchestra’s 40 musicians. Prior to the performance, guests will travel aboard the V&T on a diesel train that retraces the renowned 16-mile silver route between Carson City and Virginia City. Old West cemeteries, mining sites and the occasional herd of wild mustangs are visible as engines chug through two tunnels and passengers are transported along the winding path used in the 1860s Comstock-era Wild West.

The V&T Railroad departs from the Eastgate Depot in Carson City at 10 a.m. Guests arrive in Virginia City by 11:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch at Piper’s Opera House from 12-1 p.m., followed by the concert benefitting the CV Pops Orchestra at 1:30 p.m. Selections will be played from John Philip Sousa, a revered composer, conductor and “The March King,” a designation for his military and patriotic marches. Sousa, along with other notable performers Lilly Langtry, Mark Twain and Al Jolson, played Piper’s Opera House in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Other ensembles include selections from “Phantom of the Opera,” “Wicked,” “Dances With Wolves,” and local favorite “Home Means Nevada.”

The train will begin its return to Carson City at 4:00 p.m., arriving at the depot by 5:15 p.m.

The all-inclusive fare is $85-90 per person. Tickets include a round trip on the V&T Railroad, a shuttle from the Virginia City Depot to Piper’s Opera House, lunch at Piper’s, the concert and the return trip to Carson City. Additional tickets options include lunch and concert, or concert only. Ticket sales benefit the CV Pops Orchestra and are available at gadZooks!, 1411 Highway 395 in Gardnerville, Nevada, online at http://cvpops.eventbrite.com or by calling 775-843-0830. For more information and ticket sales, contact Margaret Biggs, 775-843-0830.

In addition to the concert, the V&T Railroad will host Mother’s Day Weekend with pre-season diesel train rides to Virginia City, May 13-14. The 2017 summer season officially opens Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-28, with steam train rides and special theme trains through Oct. 15. Tickets are on sale now. (www.vtrailway.com)