Railroad panel will pick its operator this year

Experienced train operators will be vying for the contract to operate the future Virginia & Truckee Railway tourist track by the last quarter of the year.

But just how much that contract will cost the operator is unknown.

The cost will be discussed further at a budget meeting this week, said one commissioner who is sitting on the board in charge of the reconstruction.

The $40 million V&T Railway is expected to carry tourists between Virginia City and Carson City by 2010. It's funded by private and public monies. The Nevada Commission for the Reconstruction of the V&T Railway has so far completed 1.8 miles of track in Gold Hill.

A project consultant said the operator's fee will be put into a fund for equipment upkeep and track maintenance.

"We expect operator selection to be completed by the end of the calendar year," said Randall Gustafson, of Stone Consulting & Design.

The commission recently decided to contract with Stone Consulting & Design Inc., of Warren, Penn., to find qualified operators for the railway. The process should begin next month.

The consultant will write the request for qualifications and direct it toward qualified railroad operators.

Commissioner John Tyson said Friday this process will weed out any groups who don't have the right qualifications to run the V&T. Tyson was one board member originally opposed to hiring Stone Consulting. He said that he had a change of heart because the firm is reputable.

The process shouldn't keep a group of local rail operators from submitting their qualifications, he said.

Tension grew late last year between board members who favored hiring local operators and those who wanted to conduct a nationwide search for an experienced train operator. Tyson had favored keeping the enterprise local.

Final cost negotiations will take the longest, the consultant said.

• Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.