Follow the tracks through Nevada’s railroad history with a visit to the Nevada State Railroad Museum

Marnie McArthur, tahoe.com
July 2, 2008

There is magic about trains that’s hard to explain. They hold adventure, romance, mystery, and a good dose of our nation’s history. Trains are part of popular culture from the children’s story, The Little Engine That Could to classic movies like The Orient Express and The Great Train Robbery. Whether playing with Thomas the Train or reconstructing a full-size historic steam engine, there’s truth in the saying, “The only difference between men and boys is the size and the price of their toys.”

At the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City families will find trains of all sizes to ogle over, play with and ride on, from huge shiny locomotives, passenger and freight cars, to pint size wooden trains and model railroad exhibits complete with miniature cars and landscapes. It’s a big and little kid’s dream.

Located towards the south end of Carson City along US 395, the museum is home to railroad equipment from Nevada’s past in the era of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, known as the Queen of the Short Lines. The railroad served Reno, Carson City and Virginia City from 1869 to 1950. Trains to Virginia City stopped running in 1938 and the track was abandoned the year after that. Reno-to-Minden rail service continued till 1950.

As lines were abandoned and cars stood idle, Hollywood came calling with purse in hand. Many locomotives and rail cars were sold to Paramount, MGM and other studios. From the late 1930s to 1980s they appeared in movies and television shows such as Meet Me in St. Louis, Annie Get Your Gun, The Virginian, Union Pacific, Little House on the Prairie and many more.

Over the years the state of Nevada repurchased many of the engines and cars, and through the museum, set about restoring them to original condition. The museum collection now includes 65 locomotives and rail cars, more than 40 built before 1900, and 31 pieces that operated on the V&T Railroad.

You can see beautifully restored locomotives and cars in the Jacobsen Interpretive Center and continue exploration of many cars still to be refurbished in the large Annex behind. The Central Pacific director's car used to carry Leland Stanford Senior to Utah for the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad is awaiting restoration in the Annex. It is the museum's oldest piece, built in 1868, and is thought to be the car that carried the famous “golden spike.”

In the Interpretive Center is a gleaming black giant with shiny red wheels. The massive steam locomotive No. 22, named Inyo, was built in 1875 and served on the V&T Railroad until 1937 when Paramount bought it for the movies. Other movie veterans on display include Locomotive No 25, sold to MGM in 1947, and Passenger Coach No. 4, built in 1872 and sold to Paramount in 1937. Its plush green velvet seats, polished woodwork and chandelier have been restored to their 1880s appearance.

Between the Inyo and Coach No. 4 stands Boxcar No. 1005 one of the oldest US freight cars in existence, which was built in 1872. V&T Boxcar No. 1013 was built in Chicago in 1874 and used for transporting hay to Virginia City. In 1906 the Minden stationmaster used it as his office and living quarters until a station could be built. Both boxcars were bought by Paramount in 1938; returned to NV in 1971, and restored to their original appearance.

It’s a treat to see the trains and fun to take a steam train or motorcar ride from May through mid-December. A mile of track leaves from the Wabuska Depot and circulates the museum grounds passing buildings, a rail turntable and wildlife marsh. The depot building, which is in the National Registry of Historic Places, was moved from Wabuska, Nevada where it served as Union Station for the Southern Pacific and Copper Belt Railroad during the Comstock era. Trains depart every 30 to 40 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and fares range from $3 for kids to age 12 (under age 6 are free), $4 for seniors 65 and over and $5 for adults. Everyone rides free with Santa in mid December and there are free rides for moms, dads and veterans on their special holidays.

The primary locomotive for museum train rides is Locomotive No. 8, built in 1888. Bought by 20th Century Fox in 1939 it was used for movies and excursions until purchased by the state of Nevada 100 years after its construction. The Tucson Cornelia & Gila Bend R.R. and Motorcar No. 401 alternate with steam trains to provide public rides on weekends and for school groups during the week during the spring and fall.

The Nevada State Railroad Museum is open daily, year-round, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed on New Year’s, Thanksgiving and Christmas. In addition to standing exhibits, free Wednesday evening programs range from talks on railroad history including hobos and outlaws, railroad myths, legends and humor in narrative and song. For more information on current exhibits and programs call 775-687-6953 or visit them on the web.