Lookin' for a train ride back in time

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad delivered the last of more than 1,100 acres of old-growth trees from the Lake Tahoe basin to the mining towns of Virginia City and Gold Hill more than a century ago - but don't tell that to Jackson.

Jackson, a 2-year-old border collie, is the unofficial greeter during the V&T Railroad's summer runs from Virginia City to Gold Hill. The dog, whose owner, Jack Vaughn, is the ticket taker at the Virginia City depot, perks his ears and heads to his favorite lookout (indicated by the scratch marks in the window sill) to bark an appreciative "hello" and "goodbye" to passengers catching a glimpse of the Comstock era on the line that made Western Nevada the wildest stop in the Wild West.

An estimated 500-1,000 tourists ride the V&T each summer weekend day.

"Can't you see he's as excited as they are," said Vaughn, a Gold Hill resident since 1983, motioning to his border collie companion. "Yes, they come from around the world, and for most of them this is the closest they'll ever get to what life was like in the 1800s."

Indeed, a drive through downtown Virginia City reveals while the jean short-clad tourist with the khaki hat in one hand and stack of 60-cent postcards in the other may be the norm, the facade of the old mining town hasn't changed at all.

Some are volunteering overtime to keep it that way.

Deke DiMarzo, a Carson City resident, suits up in his best Gold Rush-era outlaw wear every weekend and plays Eugene Blair, Virginia City's shotgun messenger. Blair, one of the reputed "quickest draws of the Comstock," is venerated through DiMarzo's exploits.

"Well, we have a little fun with it," DiMarzo said. "We jump on the train and my character 'robs' the train."

DiMarzo's "robbery" is a friendly request for donations for the St. Mary's of the Mountains Catholic Church's restoration. The church, which stands nearly five stories high at the apex of its main spire, is one of the town's historic centerpieces that volunteers like DiMarzo are trying to keep in tact - regardless of affiliation.

"I'm not a member of the church, but it's important we keep the history here intact," he said. "There's so much of it. And it's nice to have a little fun with it."

Many riding the rails Saturday seemed to be having more than a little fun.

David Shirley, 11, and his mother Janine, of Stagecoach, sat on a park bench sharing the experience of taking the train to Gold Hill on a hot August afternoon.

"He is autistic and they latch on to things," Janine said. "Trains are his thing."

David agreed, and even though the locomotive wasn't a steam engine - his favorite - the nearby sound of the train's whistle still made him grin.

"I like the robbery play too," he said. "That was a pretty fun part."

As the whistle to board blew once more, Brett Kolb, 6, of Carson City ran into the depot to buy a pair of tickets from Vaughn.

"This is my second time," said a harried Kolb, hand out expectant for change as the final whistle blew. "I can't wait to get on the train.

"I'd tell you more, but I've gotta go."

If you go

What: Railfest celebration featuring steam train rides

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today

Where: Nevada State Railroad Museum, 2180 S. Carson St.

Call: 687-6953 for more information

• Contact reporter Andrew Pridgen at apridgen@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1219.