Special Mother's Day train to Virginia City

Submitted by paula on Tue, 04/18/2017 - 2:03pm

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad will once again offer special train rides over the Mother's Day weekend, May 13-14, that will take moms and families from Carson City to Virginia City aboard a historic train.

All mothers will be honored with a long-stem rose as they board the 1953 ALCO (American Locomotive Company) heritage diesel locomotive for the 16 mile trip to the Comstock-era town of Virginia City.

Costumed storytellers on board the 100-year-old Pullman coaches evoke the authentic Old West history as the train chugs along the scenic vistas of the Sierra Nevada to the 1860s-mining town for sightseeing, shopping and dining. The train passes through two tunnels and by abandoned mine shafts with the possibility of wild mustang sightings before reaching Virginia City. Various restaurants and attractions in Virginia City provide moms and families with places to enjoy a Sarsaparilla (or two) and lunch.

Tickets are $41 for adults, $38 seniors and $25 for children ages 3 to 16. Toddlers and infants ride free when they sit on a parent's lap. Trains depart Carson City at 10:00 a.m., arrive in Virginia City before 12:00 p.m., with the return trip to Carson City at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.vtrailway.com or (877) 724-5007. The Carson City passenger station is located approximately seven miles from Carson City on 4650 Eastgate Siding Road.

Mother’s Day weekend is a precursor to the summer kick off with round-trip steam train rides Memorial Day weekend, May 27-28. Festivities abound at the Carson City Depot before the first riders of the official 2017 season embark on historic steam trains featuring a 1916 Baldwin Consolidation 2-8-0 (wheel configuration) and a 1914 Baldwin-Built Mikado 2-8-2 steam engine leading three 1914 Pullman cars. Steam trains will depart every weekend through October 15.

The V&T Railroad will offer a variety of themed train rides throughout the season: the Wild West Wine Run steam train, June 10; Dinner & Melodrama steam trains, July 15 and Aug. 12; the Dinner & Murder Mystery steam trains, Sept. 9 and Oct. 7; Toast of the Canyon steam train rides, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23 and Oct. 14.

For the latest train updates or to purchase tickets visit www.vtrailway.com or call (877) 724-5007.