To wind up our visit to historical Virginia City, we drove to the depot of the queen of the short lines, the Virginia and Truckee RR.
While we waited for our train we wandered around the trainyard looking for interesting stuff. I found this wonderful steam locomotive, which, it turned out was the original and only engine the Virginia and Truckee used when it connected Virginia City with the rest of the world.
The second steam locomotive was recently used in a movie and hadn't been repainted in yellow and green. Our two cars were pushed one way and pulled back by a diesel locomotive with a whistle which sounded like a steam whistle.
As we clackety-clacked alongside NV 342 between Virginia City
and Gold Hill, our conductor talked about the importance of mining in the area and the key role the railroad played in the growth and prosperity of the area. He also gave us anecdotal information about some of the mines and mining equipment.
Ore was loaded onto this chute for quick loading into three different cars at once.
The mine below at the right of the building (indicated only by the tip of the winch) had to be closed after an accident that killed 35 miners.
Our conductor kept up a running narrative for the entire 3 mile round trip, 35 minute ride
commenting not only about mines and mining,
and the railroad (ahead is the only one left of five tunnels along this stretch of track),
but also about the beautiful scenery.
We loved this trip. It was well worth $14 apiece.
Next, learning more history.
Louise and Duane
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