Historic V&T Railway rumbled for the first time in 70 years Posted: Oct 27, 2008 05:33 PM PDT Updated: Oct 27, 2008 08:50 PM PDT It's a part of Nevada's history that came alive again over the weekend. The historic Virginia and Truckee railway rumbled through one stretch of its track for the first time in 70 years. About 200 railroad enthusiasts jumped on board the 1914 vintage diesel Pullman Car on the V&T Railway and went for a historic ride. They were the first to travel through tunnel number 2 since 1938. "I live in Virginia City and been here 38 years," railroad enthusiast Dee White said. "This is a dream come true for us really." The trip celebrated more than six miles of new track and is part of the reconstruction of the railway. The plan is to stretch the tracks from Virginia City to Carson City and bring tourists in to get a taste of the west. "It's an amazing thing for the state of Nevada and this whole region," railroad owner Tom Gray said. "Maybe a million and a half people ride this trail from all over the world. We get phone calls from people in England and Germany right here. We have wild horses, coyotes, it's a nice office." Tourism officials say they hope to strike another mother lode this time in tourism dollars. Plans are in the works to build a bridge over highway 50 to Carson City by next summer. But organizers say they need another $30 million to finish the project and are looking for private donations. If you'd like to make a donation you can call the Northern Nevada Railway Foundation at 775-885-6833. The V&T Railway began with a financial opportunity for William Sharon, the man that opened the Virginia City branch of the Bank of Caligornia. Sharon figured that a rail connection from Virginia City to the Central Pacific would drastically cut the cost of hauling freight to the busy mining town. He was right. In May of 1867 Sharon incorporated the Virginia and Truckee Railroad Company with a route running from Virginia City, north along Lousetown road to the present site of Lockwood, 10 miles east of Reno, where it would connect with the Central Pacific. For a brief history of the historic V&T Railway click here.
